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Since "error prone" is a compound adjectival phrase modifying the noun
phrase "process of delivering a system," I believe it should be hyphenated.
However, the Microsoft Manual of Style states, "The current trend is toward
less hyphenation. If there's no possibility of confusion, avoid
hyphenation."
This relates to the "descriptive vs. prescriptive" debate among grammarians,
linguists, and lexicographers. Note how the MSMoS says "the current trend
is toward..." rather than "currently-accepted practice is to..." So, do you
want to follow "the current trend" or the way "it should be done?" :)
Andrew Becraft
Technical Writer
-----Original Message-----
From: Duerfeldt, Mark [mailto:MarkDuerfeldt -at- interim -dot- com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2000 12:06 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Simple Hyphen Question
In the statement:
"....make the process of delivering a system easier, less error prone, and
more efficient."
Is it "error prone" or "error-prone"?
Just trying to settle an argument. Thanks.
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