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to hyphen or? - JD

Posted: Oct 21, 2009

The sentence is " Two and a half years ago she had knee replacement."

Should the two and a half be hyphenated? I never know how to write that.

Or, should I rearrange the sentence to " She has knee replacement 2.5 years ago."

Keep it Two and a half years... that's fine NM - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
xx

yes, and here's why...sm - flybye

[ In Reply To ..]
the phrase "two and a half years" is the entire noun so it doesn't need hyphens.

if you can recast the sentence, then use a number and fraction, "She had a knee replacement 2-1/2 years ago." (not 2.5 as years are not measured in metrics and the dictator stated "two and a half" not "two point five") unless of course the client demands no fractions! =)

Nice explanation, Flybye...sm - elaine

[ In Reply To ..]
I am so hopped up on hyphens, and your explanation really rocked my world. I am going to have to adjust my entire philosophy now!

ty elaine...glad i rocked your world! sm - flybye

[ In Reply To ..]
grammar...it's not for wimps!

perhaps you'll become a philosohyphenist ;)

here's a link to get you rockin'
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html

: ).....love it - great link - thanks! ...nm - elaine

[ In Reply To ..]
.

We reword, however it is 2-1/2, not 2.5. - NM

[ In Reply To ..]
x

yep... - anonny

[ In Reply To ..]
If spelled out, it is "two and a-half." if you are using numerals, it is 2-1/2.

find some resources on hyphenation, compound modifiers, etc.; that may help.

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