COMPOUND WORDS - ULiege

1 IntroductionA COMPOUND word is a union of two or more WORDS to convey a unitidea or special meaning that is not as clearly or quickly conveyed byseparated WORDS . COMPOUND WORDS may be hyphenated, written open(as separate WORDS ), or written solid (closed).A hyphenated COMPOUND also called a unit modifier is simplya combination of WORDS joined by a hyphen or hyphens. The hyphenis a mark of punctuation that not only unites but separates thecomponent WORDS ; thus, it aids understanding and readability andensures correct pronunciation. WORDS are hyphenated mainly toexpress the idea of a unit and to avoid ambiguity. (See UnitModifiers, rules 15.)shell-likecloud-to-ground strokeswell-to-doroof-to-wall constructionMesozoic to Cenozoic north-trending grabenfluvial-paludal floodplain systemAn open COMPOUND is a combination of WORDS so closely associatedthat they convey the idea of a single concept but are spelled asunconnected WORDS :lowest common denominatorcanyon headA solid (closed) COMPOUND combines two or more WORDS into onesolid word ( , breakdown).

2 The use of compounding in our language is an evolving process. Asexpressions become more popular or adopt special meanings, theyfollow a gradual evolution from two or more separate or hyphenatedwords to single visual .. editor .. copy-editor ..copyeditorwild wild-life ..wildlifeFor some years now, the trend has been to spell compounds as solidwords as soon as acceptance warrants. This is a trend, not a rule,but it can be helpful in deciding how to format a new or differentcompound expression. (Note, however, the precautions regardingarbitrary compounding in the following paragraph and abouthyphenation of unit modifiers in rule )Compounding is in such a state of flux that dictionaries do notalways agree and, worse yet, many COMPOUND terms are unlisted. Inapplying the compounding rules in this guide and in GPO (theprimary basis for MMS rules), keep in mind the living fluidity of ourlanguage.

3 Because word forms change constantly, it is important toremember that the rules for compounding cannot be applied is also important to avoid arbitrary compounding. When you haveCOMPOUND WORDS71a compounding problem, check the rules and especially the listsprovided in this guide and GPO for analogy with listed list at the end of this section, which was based largely on GPO,offers the preferred compounding of many potentially troublesomewords and expressions frequently used in MMS Offshore scientificand technical publications. Some WORDS are included simply for quickreference. The few exceptions to the list of GPO-recommended usagesare expressions of MMS or historical industry usage. These exceptionsare indicated with an asterisk in the list at the end of this , Webster s Third New International Dictionary of theEnglish Language (WNI 3) is the reference source for WORDS in theMMS listing that are not in GPO.

4 (Although the compounding rulesof WNI 3 don t always agree with those of GPO, WNI 3 is anexcellent secondary reference because it is so extensive. As in allmatters of MMS style, GPO remains the primary reference source.)Basic Some word pairs convey a different meaning when they arewritten as solid compounds. Choose the correct form for what (regardless)any way (in any manner or way)blue bird (any bird colored blue)bluebird (a bird of the genus Silalia)high light (an elevated light)highlight (as a noun means the most outstanding part) highlight (as a verb means to give special emphasis or bring attention to)under way (as an adverb means in motion, in process)underway (as an adjective means occurring, performed, or used whiletraveling or in motion) WORDS usually are compounded (either solid or hyphenated) toconvey an idea that would not be as clearly expressed if the wordswere not (compare with water soluble) COMPOUND Certain expressions are written as separate WORDS when theyare used as noun phrases but are hyphenated or written solid whenthey are used as adjectives before nouns.

5 (See Unit Modifiers, 15.)deep sea ..deep-sea faunadeep water ..deep-water technologyfood dependenciesdark green ..dark-green When verbs are combined with a preposition or adverb,write them as two WORDS . When the same two WORDS are used asnouns or adjectives, however, they should be hyphenated or or adjectivebreak up ..breakupbuild up ..builduprun off ..runoffshut down ..shutdownshut in ..shut-inPrefixes, Suffixes, and Combining Most WORDS with prefixes, suffixes, or combining forms areprinted solid, except as indicated elsewhere in this guide and in of specific examples can be found in GPO rules , , Note, however, that although most WORDS beginning with theshort prefixes co, de, pre, pro, and re are printed solid, a hyphen issometimes used to avoid doubling a vowel or tripling aconsonant. A hyphen is also used to join a prefix or combining formto a capitalized word or to distinguish a COMPOUND word from (leisure), re-creation (create again)recover (return to normal), re-cover (cover again) A prefix that is standing alone but is representative of a compoundword carries a and underusedmicro- and macroeconomics The pre- and postsale activities were documented.

6 The pre- and postlease sale reports were completed. In their rule , GPO states that compounds ending in the wordslisted usually are printed solid. For quick reference, the followingCOMPOUND WORDS73might be most applicable within MMS: book, craft, field, fish, land,over, owner, site, wide, For a listing of commonly used solid compounds, see GPO,rules through The term unit modifier used in GPO refers to one-thoughtadjectives or adverbs consisting of two or more WORDS that areconnected with a hyphen. Unit modifiers can be perplexing, especiallywhen you can t locate a specific rule or example for their use. In suchcases, the question of hyphenation necessarily must be left to thediscretion of the editor and the author, who must collaborate on howbest to clearly and logically present the information to the intendedaudience.

7 Once a decision has been made, stick with it throughoutthe manuscript consistency within individual manuscripts isimportant! (See rules , , and for numericalcompounds.) Use the hyphen to join two or more WORDS in a unitmodifier before a noun, but do not hyphenate unit modifiersthat appear after a project ..the project is large scalelow-grade metamorphic rocks of low gradebluish-green sea ..the sea was bluish green3-inch-diameter pipe ..a pipe 3 inches in border ..border of the United States and Use hyphens with discretion. When the meaning is clear orwhen a COMPOUND is well established or widely known in its field,omit the hyphen. Note that the names of many chemicals, animals,and plants are in this whale studynatural gas companygrey whale migrationoil and gas lease sale activitieshigh school studentroyalty bidding systemland use programMiocene age stratabutcrude-oil processingoil- and gas-related activitiesoil-spill risk analysisoil-spill risk analysis dataCOMPOUND Do not use a hyphen in a COMPOUND predicate adjective orpredicate noun when the second element is a present participle.

8 The horst is northeast trending. The effects could be far reaching. The shale was oil bearing. Commercial fishermen used the area for salmon horstfar-reaching effectsoil-bearing shalesalmon-harvesting Do not use a hyphen in a COMPOUND predicate adjectivewhen the second element is a past participle or in a predicatemodifier of comparative or superlative degree. The refinery is State owned. The area is drought stricken. The material has been fire tested. The analysts are best refinerydrought-stricken areafire-tested material Note that best informed would not be hyphenated even when used asa unit modifier because the first element (best) is a superlative (seerule ). When a series of hyphenated compounds precede a commonbasic element, the hyphens are retained with each unit. (Note thatthe hyphens are retained in parenthetical expressions of dualmeasurements.)

9 5- by 20-meter radial gatelong- and short-term field studiesoil- and gas-related activities150- to 200-m bathymetric to (10- to 40-ft) (10-foot) pipe1-m ( ) pipe200-m Do not use hyphens with unit modifiers when the firstelement is a comparative or drained soil larger sized grainshigher level decision lower income groupCOMPOUND Do not use hyphens in two-word unit modifiers wherethe first element is an adverb ending in ly (see also ), or inthree-word unit modifiers where the first two elements awaited momentseismically induced ground failuretightly compacted sandstonesunusually swift streamunusually well preserved specimen, but well-preserved Do not use a hyphen in a unit modifier containing a letteror numeral as its second 3 provisionssection C recommendationstype 304 stainless steelMultiple Use hyphens to express group unit modifiers and to avoidambiguity.

10 Where you place the hyphen can alter the meaning of thesentence (but note and heed the precaution in rule ).camel s-hair s Use multiple COMPOUND adjectives with restraint. Theytend to break the continuity of the sentence and keep the readerwaiting for the main noun. Try instead to recast the this Instead of thishigh-energy sandstones occur inshallow-water, high-energyshallow watersandstonesan oil spill of 1,000 barrels or1,000-barrel-or-greater oil spillgreaterequivalent strata of the EndicottEndicott Group equivalent strataGroupCOMPOUND WORDS76 Lithologic Correct hyphenation of COMPOUND unit modifiers is crucial inlithologic descriptions. The following rules can be COMPOUND unit modifiers that precede the noun aregenerally hyphenated. Fine-grained sandstone interfingers with thin-bedded shale. Olive-green shale is present locally in this unit.