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Grammar issue, "non work related", where to put hyphens
This is one of the stupidest rules in the English language:
If it's before the object it's describing, it's hyphenated. If it's after, it's not.
So, if you're saying "This is a non-work-related expense," it's hyphenated; if you're saying "this expense is non work related," it's not.
Damn! I wish I would have asked here about that before writing my thesis. I never could get a straight answer about it from my advisors (of course, they're psychologists and not english people).
He points out that the only "rule" is when you use non before a capitalized word, like non-Arab. Otherwise, it's actually better to leave it without the hyphen, or create a single world.
"As happens from time to time, people have questions about non-work related matters."
So it would be "non-work-related"?
This goes into the argument of hyphenating an adjective that's multiple worlds, like "blue-eyed girl" and "speaking in a matter-of-fact way."
edit: and, of course, if a point of grammar or a style technicality bugs you, it's perfectly fine to simply rewrite the sentence to avoid it. You could change it to "people have questions about matters unrelated to work."
edit: and, of course, if a point of grammar or a style technicality bugs you, it's perfectly fine to simply rewrite the sentence to avoid it. You could change it to "people have questions about matters unrelated to work."
I think this is by far the best thing to do. Not least because, if it's put as "non-work related", that implies matters related to 'non-work', which of course is not wrong, but you really mean to negate the entire phrase 'work related'. Since the laws of grammar sadly don't allow us to bracket our grammar like we do our algebra ("non-(work-related)") I'd say no combination of hyphens will look great.
I say this as someone who is known as Grammar Fuehrer: no one is actually going to care. Maybe .1% of English speakers knows the rule, but I doubt it.
*Phew* I thought I was the only one! I do care about all things grammar. However, hyphenation is probably the one area that rarely bothers me. I think it's probably fine without the hyphens.
However, if you had ended your post with "I think I need to lay down," I would throw a fit. (As I'm sure Thanatos would also freak.)
embrik on
"Damn you and your Daily Doubles, you brigand!"
I don't believe it - I'm on my THIRD PS3, and my FIRST XBOX360. What the heck?
Posts
If it's before the object it's describing, it's hyphenated. If it's after, it's not.
So, if you're saying "This is a non-work-related expense," it's hyphenated; if you're saying "this expense is non work related," it's not.
Damn! I wish I would have asked here about that before writing my thesis. I never could get a straight answer about it from my advisors (of course, they're psychologists and not english people).
"As happens from time to time, people have questions about non-work related matters."
So it would be "non-work-related"?
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2006/Apr/30/ferguson-when-to-use-hyphen-with-non/
He points out that the only "rule" is when you use non before a capitalized word, like non-Arab. Otherwise, it's actually better to leave it without the hyphen, or create a single world.
This goes into the argument of hyphenating an adjective that's multiple worlds, like "blue-eyed girl" and "speaking in a matter-of-fact way."
edit: and, of course, if a point of grammar or a style technicality bugs you, it's perfectly fine to simply rewrite the sentence to avoid it. You could change it to "people have questions about matters unrelated to work."
I think this is by far the best thing to do. Not least because, if it's put as "non-work related", that implies matters related to 'non-work', which of course is not wrong, but you really mean to negate the entire phrase 'work related'. Since the laws of grammar sadly don't allow us to bracket our grammar like we do our algebra ("non-(work-related)") I'd say no combination of hyphens will look great.
*Phew* I thought I was the only one! I do care about all things grammar. However, hyphenation is probably the one area that rarely bothers me. I think it's probably fine without the hyphens.
However, if you had ended your post with "I think I need to lay down," I would throw a fit. (As I'm sure Thanatos would also freak.)
I don't believe it - I'm on my THIRD PS3, and my FIRST XBOX360. What the heck?
Lie, not lay. 8-)