Hyphens, Apps, and As-Is Phrases

Very few business writers use hyphens correctly in two-word descriptive phrases. Here are some quick tips.

A technology writer adds and omits hyphens perfectly in this sentence:

At the start of this year, app-related search engines and stores were too big a mess for the mobile software industry to leave asis.

Hyphenate most two-word phrases only when they come before a noun.

  • as-is software
  • the software was left asis
  • the app-related search engines
  • the search engines are apprelated

Here are some exceptions to the rule. Don’t add a hyphen when a two-word phrase comes before a noun, but one of these factors applies:

  • a two-word noun is well known (e.g., “realestate deal” or “mobilesoftware industry” above)
  • the first word is more, less, most, or least
  • the first word ends in -ly

Following these hyphenation guidelines gives a rare touch of clarity and polish to business prose.

Write It Well’s book Essential Grammar includes two chapters on punctuation. We’ve made all the book’s exercises available as a free download here to accompany the e-book, which is now available on Amazon.com!

Do you have an important document but not enough time to clarify your thoughts and double-check your punctuation and grammar? Just use Write It Well’s editing services to make sure your readers follow your ideas and respect your voice.