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Goronsky Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
soon-to-be ex-wife
Is it:
(1) soon-to-be-ex-wife (n.)
(2) soon-to-be ex-wife (n.)
Or something else?
And is this correctly punctuated?
His soon-to-be-ex-wife, Martha, died yesterday.
Would "soon-to-be-ex-wife" be hyphenated throughout as shown because it's modifying "Martha"?
Would Martha have a comma on each side because it's his only ex-wife?
Lastly, which one is correctly punctuated below?
(1) His soon-to-be ex was there.
(2) His soon-to-be-ex was there
Thank you.
(1) soon-to-be-ex-wife (n.)
(2) soon-to-be ex-wife (n.)
Or something else?
And is this correctly punctuated?
His soon-to-be-ex-wife, Martha, died yesterday.
Would "soon-to-be-ex-wife" be hyphenated throughout as shown because it's modifying "Martha"?
Would Martha have a comma on each side because it's his only ex-wife?
Lastly, which one is correctly punctuated below?
(1) His soon-to-be ex was there.
(2) His soon-to-be-ex was there
Thank you.
Top answer
) "Martha" is probably set off by commas because she's an appositive. He may have many ex-wives, but Martha was never one of them as she died before the decree became final. Note that in your death notice sentence, "soon-to-be" is inappropriate because Martha will always be his late wife.
- ) "Martha" is probably set off by commas because she's an appositive.
- He may have many ex-wives, but Martha was never one of them as she died before the decree became final.
- Note that in your death notice sentence, "soon-to-be" is inappropriate because Martha will always be his late wife.
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9 Answers
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"Soon-to-be ex-wife" (The compound adjective is separately hyphenated from the hyphenated noun.)
"Martha" is probably set off by commas because she's an appositive. He may have many ex-wives, but Martha was never one of them as she died before the decree became final.
Note that in your death notice sentence, "soon-to-be" is inappropriate because Martha will always be his late w
"Martha" is probably set off by commas because she's an appositive. He may have many ex-wives, but Martha was never one of them as she died before the decree became final.
Note that in your death notice sentence, "soon-to-be" is inappropriate because Martha will always be his late w
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Would "soon-to-be-ex-wife" be hyphenated throughout as shown because it's modifying "Martha"? --- His soon-to-be-ex-wife Martha was there.
And is this correct as well?
--His soon-to-be ex was there.
(The compound adjective is separately hyphenated from the unhyphenated noun.)
Correct on both counts?
Many thanks.
And is this correct as well?
--His soon-to-be ex was there.
(The compound adjective is separately hyphenated from the unhyphenated noun.)
Correct on both counts?
Many thanks.
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1. No, ex-wife doesn't modify Martha; it stands in apposition to her.
2. Yes.
2. Yes.
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I suppose, on the grounds that one would actually write "soon-to-be-divorced status."
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