1 (edited by William 2022-04-24 10:22:45)

Topic: Socially distanced Should there be a hyphen?

While trying to find if it should be

socially distanced parcel delivery

or

socially-distanced parcel delivery

I found the following.

What’s the difference between physical distancing and social distancing?

at

https://www.geisinger.org/health-and-we … distancing

Interesting.

I have not yet found the answer to my original question though.

William

Re: Socially distanced Should there be a hyphen?

From the web:

Hyphen with Compound Modifiers: Two-Word Adjectives Before Nouns
Using hyphens to connect words is easy. Picking the right words to connect is a little harder. Let’s start with compound modifiers.

A compound modifier is made up of two words that work together to function like one adjective. When you connect words with the hyphen, you make it clear to readers that the words work together as a unit of meaning.

It’s recommended you don’t take down any load bearing walls when renovating.
In this sentence, it sounds like you shouldn’t take down any load that is holding up a wall. A hyphen should be inserted between load and bearing to make it clear that we’re talking about walls that are bearing a load.

It’s recommended you don’t take down any load-bearing walls when renovating.
This rock-hard cake is absolutely impossible to eat.
We’re looking for a dog-friendly hotel.
Generally, you need the hyphen only if the two words are functioning together as an adjective before the noun they’re describing. If the noun comes first, leave the hyphen out.

This wall is load bearing.
It’s impossible to eat this cake because it is rock hard.
Is this hotel dog friendly?
You also don’t need a hyphen when your modifier is made up of an adverb and an adjective.

Do you expect me to believe this clearly-impossible story?
Do you expect me to believe this clearly impossible story?

I think this is the nearest to your problem.

Socially is an adverb, and distanced is an adjective. So you don't need the hyphen.

Also it is clear socially doesn't modify parcel, but I suppose it could be properly modifying delivery.

Re: Socially distanced Should there be a hyphen?

Thank you.

William

Re: Socially distanced Should there be a hyphen?

jackneve wrote:

I think this is the nearest to your problem.

Socially is an adverb, and distanced is an adjective. So you don't need the hyphen.

Also it is clear socially doesn't modify parcel, but I suppose it could be properly modifying delivery.

I was quite surprised to learn that 'socially' is an adverb.

Thinking about it, one can dance socially at a social dance, but one cannot have a 'socially dance'.

I have found that socially distanced, no hyphen, is in the Oxford Dicitionary as an adjective, notwithstanding that socially is listed as an adverb.

https://www.lexico.com/definition/socially

https://www.lexico.com/definition/socially_distanced

And, as you wrote, no hyphen.

Thank you again.

William

Re: Socially distanced Should there be a hyphen?

William wrote:

I was quite surprised to learn that 'socially' is an adverb.

I’m struggling to think of an adjective root with an -ly ending that isn’t an adverb!

"Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?"
― Tennessee Williams

6

Re: Socially distanced Should there be a hyphen?

how about a colly bird?

Re: Socially distanced Should there be a hyphen?

A saintly nurse.

William

Re: Socially distanced Should there be a hyphen?

Thank you both.

"Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?"
― Tennessee Williams