GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsLanguage Conventions and UsageMedium
A medical intern is documenting patient symptoms. Which sentence accurately uses a hyphen for a compound adjective modifying a noun?
- AThe patient reported a well-known allergy to penicillin.
- BHe presented with a two day history of fever.
- CThe doctor noted her overall health condition.
- DShe described her symptoms as stomach ache related.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The patient reported a well-known allergy to penicillin.
Option A correctly uses a hyphen to join 'well' and 'known' to form a compound adjective ('well-known') that modifies 'allergy'. The other options either do not require a hyphen or incorrectly omit one.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This option should be 'two-day history' as 'two-day' functions as a compound adjective modifying 'history'.
- C. This option contains no compound adjectives that require a hyphen.
- D. This option should be 'stomachache-related' or 'stomach ache-related' to correctly form a compound adjective.
Hyphenated Compound Adjectives
A hyphen is used to connect two or more words that function as a single adjective before a noun.
- Only hyphenate when the compound modifies a noun that follows it.
- Not used when the compound adjective follows the noun.
- Adverbs ending in -ly are generally not hyphenated with adjectives.
Memory trick: Compound words unite, but only before a noun's light.