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Andrei Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Hyphenation
Vodafone has said it needs to reduce the book value of its German acquisition to take account of a sharp drop in telecom share prices since the deal was completed.
The company has argued that offsetting the sum written down against tax is in line with German law, and is common practice in the telecoms industry.
Vodafone's proposal is currently being weighed up by the tax authorities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where the firm has its German base.
A final decision may not be reached for up to three years.
But there has been speculation that the authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia may come under political pressure to reject the proposal, which comes as the Social Democrats are struggling to hold onto power in the state.
At the same time, North Rhine-Westphalia's finances are overstretched because of weaker-than-expected tax revenues.
I don't understand hyphens in the last sentence. Why on earth you should write 'weaker-than-expected' ? It is perfectly fine to write 'weaker than expected'.
The company has argued that offsetting the sum written down against tax is in line with German law, and is common practice in the telecoms industry.
Vodafone's proposal is currently being weighed up by the tax authorities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where the firm has its German base.
A final decision may not be reached for up to three years.
But there has been speculation that the authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia may come under political pressure to reject the proposal, which comes as the Social Democrats are struggling to hold onto power in the state.
At the same time, North Rhine-Westphalia's finances are overstretched because of weaker-than-expected tax revenues.
I don't understand hyphens in the last sentence. Why on earth you should write 'weaker-than-expected' ? It is perfectly fine to write 'weaker than expected'.
Top answer
In British English, the words "weaker than expected" must be hyphated if, as in this sentence, they are used as an adjective. In American English this rule also exists, but is treated as flexible. Most Americans would agree that two-word adjectives such as "worst-case scenario" or "senior-level employee" deserve hyphenation.
- In British English, the words "weaker than expected" must be hyphated if, as in this sentence, they are used as an adjective.
- In American English this rule also exists, but is treated as flexible.
- Most Americans would agree that two-word adjectives such as "worst-case scenario" or "senior-level employee" deserve hyphenation.
- But when it comes to adjectives upwards of two words, Americans are inclined to abandon the rule as though it didn't exist.
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4 Answers
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In British English, the words "weaker than expected" must be hyphated if, as in this sentence, they are used as an adjective.
In American English this rule also exists, but is treated as flexible.
Most Americans would agree that two-word adjectives such as "worst-case scenario" or "senior-level employee" deserve hyphenation. But when it comes to adjectives upwards of two word
In American English this rule also exists, but is treated as flexible.
Most Americans would agree that two-word adjectives such as "worst-case scenario" or "senior-level employee" deserve hyphenation. But when it comes to adjectives upwards of two word
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~waves hello~
"At the same time, North Rhine-Westphalia's finances are overstretched because of weaker-than-expected tax revenues."
Andrei, you say that "weaker than expected" is fine. And it is, but not when you want to use the whole phrase as the premodifier of a noun.
You wouldn't need the hyphens if the sentence were:
""At the same time, North Rhine-Westphal
"At the same time, North Rhine-Westphalia's finances are overstretched because of weaker-than-expected tax revenues."
Andrei, you say that "weaker than expected" is fine. And it is, but not when you want to use the whole phrase as the premodifier of a noun.
You wouldn't need the hyphens if the sentence were:
""At the same time, North Rhine-Westphal
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I appreciate taiwandave and miriam's exlanations to my question. I would say the replies are brilliantly concoted. You are all very clever.
By the way, I hope my apostrophe in the first sentence is fine. I wrote only '' miriam's '' .
By the way, I hope my apostrophe in the first sentence is fine. I wrote only '' miriam's '' .
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Here's another example of a multi-word adjective:
"I can't stand that person's holier-than-thou attitude," she said.
"I can't stand that person's holier-than-thou attitude," she said.
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