Pearson
Adult Learning Centre: Tips for Writers by Brad Hyde
Learning to Hyphenate Adjectives
When using two adjectives to modify a single noun, hyphenate. But be careful, since if the same two adjectives are used after the noun, then you do not!Here’s an example: The well-trained hockey player knew to stand in the goal mouth when his goalie had strayed from the crease. Because the hockey player was well trained, he knew to stand in the goal mouth when his goalie had strayed from his crease.
Note,
however, that some compounds have become open. Common terms like ice
cream cone (although ice and cream are both acting as adjectives to the
noun, cone) do not take a hyphen. Another common example are when
income tax is used in a phrase like income tax evasion. Check your
dictionary (and the internet) to be sure.
(February 13, 2011)
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