More Reps!

This month’s workout, “Hyphens, Part 2,” centers on CMOS 17, paragraph 7.89 (our famous hyphenation table), and in particular section 2, “Compounds according to Parts of Speech.”

Advanced editors might tackle the questions cold; learners can study the hyphenation table before answering the questions.

This one is so tricky that the takers deserve the same tip we offered for “Hyphens, Part 1”: Within each question, the examples are either all correct or all incorrect.

(Subscribers to The Chicago Manual of Style Online may click through to the linked sections of the Manual. We also offer a 30-day free trial of CMOS Online.)

Note: Dictionaries and style guides sometimes disagree. These questions are designed to test knowledge of The Chicago Manual of Style, which prefers Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition. Other style guides may follow a different dictionary.

[Editor’s note: This quiz relies on and links to the 17th edition of CMOS.]

Chicago Style Workout 17: Hyphens, Part 2

1. Compound modifiers consisting of an adjective + a noun are hyphenated before but not after a noun.

small-state senators
a high-quality alkylate
a middle-class neighborhood
the neighborhood is middle class

a.True

b.False

2. Compound modifiers consisting of an adverb ending in ly + a participle or adjective are open whether before or after a noun.

a highly paid ragpicker
a fully open society
he was mildly amusing

a.True

b.False

3. Certain compounds, including those with more, most, less, least, and very, can usually be left open unless ambiguity threatens.

the most efficient method
a less prolific artist
a more thorough exam
a rather boring play
the most skilled workers (most in number)
but
the most-skilled workers (most in skill)

a.True

b.False

4. Compounds consisting of a gerund + a noun are normally hyphenated when serving as a noun, but open when serving as an adjective before a noun.

running-shoes
cooking-class
running shoe store

a.True

b.False

5. Compounds consisting of a noun + a gerund are usually open when serving as a noun, but hyphenated when serving as an adjective before a noun.

mountain climbing
a mountain-climbing enthusiast
time-clock-punching employees

a.True

b.False

6. Noun + noun modifiers that indicate a single function (that is, the first noun modifies the second noun) are usually hyphenated when serving as nouns.

student-nurse
restaurant-owner
directory-path
tenure-track

a.True

b.False

7. Noun + noun compounds that indicate two functions (that is, both nouns are equal) are always hyphenated.

writer-director
philosopher-king
city-state
city-state governance

a.True

b.False

8. Modifiers consisting of a noun + a numeral or enumerator are always open, whether in noun or adjective form.

type A
a type A executive
type 2 diabetes
size 12 slacks
a page 1 headline

a.True

b.False

9. Adjectival phrases are hyphenated before a noun but are usually open after a noun.

an over-the-counter drug
a matter-of-fact reply
an up-to-date solution
sold over the counter
her tone was matter of fact
his equipment was up to date

a.True

b.False

10. In Chicago style, proper nouns and adjectives relating to geography or nationality are always hyphenated.

African-Americans
African-American president
a Chinese-American
French-Canadians
South-Asian Americans
the Scotch-Irish
the North-Central region
Middle-Eastern countries

a.True

b.False

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Photo: Courtesy CDC/Amanda Mills, acquired from Public Health Image Library.

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