GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsLanguage Conventions and UsageMedium
A medical intern is documenting patient symptoms. Which sentence accurately uses a hyphen with a compound adjective?
- AHe has a pre existing medical condition.
- BThe patient reported a well known allergy.
- CShe presented with a short-term memory loss.
- DThe doctor recommended a follow up appointment.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. She presented with a short-term memory loss.
A hyphen is used to connect two or more words that function as a single adjective before a noun. In option B, 'short-term' is a compound adjective modifying 'memory loss', so the hyphen is correctly used. Options A and C are missing necessary hyphens, and D uses a compound noun that doesn't require a hyphen when acting as a noun.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Missing hyphen: 'pre-existing' should be hyphenated as a compound adjective before a noun.
- B. Missing hyphen: 'well-known' should be hyphenated as a compound adjective before a noun.
- D. 'Follow up' is functioning as a noun phrase here; 'follow-up' (hyphenated) would be used if it were an adjective (e.g., 'a follow-up visit').
Hyphenated Compound Adjectives
Use a hyphen to join two or more words that function as a single adjective before a noun to avoid ambiguity and clarify meaning.
- Applies when compound precedes the noun
- Not typically used when compound follows the noun (e.g., 'The allergy was well known.')
- Adverbs ending in -ly are generally not hyphenated (e.g., 'finely tuned machine')
- Common examples: 'long-term goal', 'state-of-the-art technology'
Memory trick: Hyphens link words to make a clear, single idea.