3 Sentences with Hyphenation Problems

3 Sentences with Hyphenation Problems 3 Sentences with Hyphenation Problems 3 Sentences with Hyphenation Problems By Mark Nichol In each of the following sentences, one or more hyphens is missing from a phrasal adjective, but another solution is available: A relaxation of the syntax is recommended, as explained following each example and demonstrated in a subsequent revision. 1. We can expect to see lighter touch regulation in the banking sector. The hyphenation problem here is a lack of a hyphen- â€Å"lighter touch,† as a phrasal adjective modifying regulation, should be hyphenated: â€Å"We can expect to see lighter-touch regulation in the banking sector.† Better yet, however, because of the somewhat obscure expression, it might be better to introduce the phrasal adjective as a modifying phrase following the noun: â€Å"We can expect to see regulation with a lighter touch in the banking sector.† 2. It is not unreasonable to question whether a Republican majority backed replacement plan is possible going forward.   The three words preceding the phrase â€Å"replacement plan† unite to provide more detail about the plan and should therefore be styled as a phrasal adjective, with hyphens connecting the words: â€Å"It is not unreasonable to question whether a Republican-majority-backed replacement plan is possible going forward.† However, this treatment is somewhat cumbersome, so a solution equivalent to the one in the previous example is merited: â€Å"It is not unreasonable to question whether a replacement plan backed by a Republican majority is possible going forward.† 3. The risks may not manifest themselves over an annual period or a three to five-year planning horizon. The phrasal adjective preceding â€Å"planning horizon, with an implied instance of year after the first number as well (and similarly hyphenated if year explicitly appears), requires suspensive hyphenation: â€Å"The risks may not manifest themselves over an annual period or a three- to five-year planning horizon.† However, to mitigate the complexity of the sentence, consider placing the modifying phrase after the noun, with hyphen(s) omitted: â€Å"The risks may not manifest themselves over an annual period or a planning horizon of three to five years.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Whimsical Words50 Idioms About Fruits and VegetablesIs Your Novel "Mystery," "Thriller," or "Suspense"?