Form and rules
How it works
1
Common patterns include noun + -ed: open-minded; adverb + past participle: well-known; adjective/noun + -ing: good-looking, time-consuming.
2
Number + singular noun compounds describe measurements: a ten-page report, a three-year contract.
3
Hyphens help show that words function together before a noun: a high-risk investment.
4
Many adverb + participle combinations with -ly adverbs are not hyphenated: a carefully designed system.
5
Some compounds are lexicalized and should be learned as vocabulary, while productive patterns can create new descriptions when clear.