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Matt Renfer Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Hyphens in Upside Down and Right Side Up
What is the ruling on phrases such as "upside down" and "right side up?" Do they receieve any hyphens at all?
I'm getting contradictory rulings from multiple sources.
For example, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upside%20down says that "upside down" only receives a hyphen when it's used as an adjective. If used as an adverb, however, it stays as is.
Other sources either say the exact opposite or that they never get hyphens. Which one is it?
Here's a sentence with "right side up" in it:
"Place the letter 'e' on a clean microscope slide right side up."
Hyphen or no?
I'm getting contradictory rulings from multiple sources.
For example, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upside%20down says that "upside down" only receives a hyphen when it's used as an adjective. If used as an adverb, however, it stays as is.
Other sources either say the exact opposite or that they never get hyphens. Which one is it?
Here's a sentence with "right side up" in it:
"Place the letter 'e' on a clean microscope slide right side up."
Hyphen or no?
Top answer
Hi, Let me suggest to you that in actual usage hyphens today are often avoided as much as possible, in order to avoid making the writing seem too 'fussy'. Clive
- Hi, Let me suggest to you that in actual usage hyphens today are often avoided as much as possible, in order to avoid making the writing seem too 'fussy'.
- Clive
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4 Answers
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Hi,
Let me suggest to you that in actual usage hyphens today are often avoided as much as possible, in order to avoid making the writing seem too 'fussy'.
Clive
Let me suggest to you that in actual usage hyphens today are often avoided as much as possible, in order to avoid making the writing seem too 'fussy'.
Clive
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So are you saying that the general ruling is to not include hyphens specifically for "upside down" and "right side up?"
I know certain phrases must have hyphens. How do you distinguish between those that do require a hyphen and those that do not?
I know certain phrases must have hyphens. How do you distinguish between those that do require a hyphen and those that do not?
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Hi,
So are you saying that the general ruling is to not include hyphens specifically for "upside down" and "right side up?" I worded my comment carefully and spoke only of what people actually do. I said nothing about any 'ruling'.
I know certain phrases must have hyphens. How do you distinguish between those that do require a hyphen and those that do not? Very, very gene
So are you saying that the general ruling is to not include hyphens specifically for "upside down" and "right side up?" I worded my comment carefully and spoke only of what people actually do. I said nothing about any 'ruling'.
I know certain phrases must have hyphens. How do you distinguish between those that do require a hyphen and those that do not? Very, very gene
00
Generally, hyphens are added when the meaning is changed by doing so.
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