Compound Adjectives Hack: Hyphens & Numbers Made Easy

1. Introduction to Compound Adjectives

A compound adjective is a powerful vocabulary hack that lets you turn two or three separate ideas into one precise, professional phrase. Instead of writing basic sentences like:

“Tom Cruise is an actor. He is well-known.”

You can combine them into one polished sentence:

“Tom Cruise is a well-known actor.”

This lesson will show you how to form and use compound adjectives correctly. You will especially learn how to handle hyphens and number agreement, which are the two biggest sources of errors.

Why Compound Adjectives Matter

Reason	Explanation
Concision	Combine multiple words into one clear unit.
Professionalism	Sound more advanced and polished in writing.
Exam success	IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE reward precise, varied language.
Clarity	Avoid ambiguity in meaning.
Vocabulary range	Show a wider range of grammatical structures.

Word Meaning Section

Word / Phrase	English Meaning	Bengali Meaning
Compound adjective	two or more words acting as one adjective	যৌগিক বিশেষণ
Hyphen	a punctuation mark (-) joining words	হাইফেন
Adjective	a word describing a noun	বিশেষণ
Noun	a naming word	বিশেষ্য
Well-known	famous	সুপরিচিত
Last-minute	at the final moment	শেষ মুহূর্তের
Record-breaking	surpassing previous records	রেকর্ড ভঙ্গকারী
English-speaking	using English as a language	ইংরেজিভাষী
Million	a thousand thousands	মিলিয়ন
Conference	a formal meeting	সম্মেলন
Contract	a formal agreement	চুক্তি
Report	a written account	প্রতিবেদন
Flight	a journey by air	বিমানযাত্রা
Break	a rest period	বিরতি
Farm	land for agriculture	খামার
Race	competition of speed	দৌড়

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2. What Is a Compound Adjective?

A compound adjective is formed when two or more words are combined to act as a single adjective describing a noun. Usually, the words are joined by a hyphen.

Structure

Word 1 + Hyphen + Word 2 (+ Hyphen + Word 3) + Noun

Compound Adjective	Noun	Example Sentence
well-known	actor	He is a well-known actor.
last-minute	decision	We made a last-minute decision.
English-speaking	country	They live in an English-speaking country.
record-breaking	rainfall	The city received record-breaking rainfall.
man-eating	tiger	A man-eating tiger was spotted.
five-million-dollar	contract	It was a five-million-dollar contract.
three-day	conference	It was a three-day conference.
20-kilo	suitcase	It’s a 20-kilo suitcase.
60-page	report	It’s a 60-page report.
eight-hour	flight	It’s an eight-hour flight.

8 Examples with Explanations

#	Sentence	Explanation
1	Tom Cruise is a well-known actor.	“Well-known” describes the actor.
2	We made a last-minute decision to go to New York.	“Last-minute” describes the decision.
3	They live in an English-speaking country.	“English-speaking” describes the country.
4	The city received record-breaking rainfall.	“Record-breaking” describes the rainfall.
5	A man-eating tiger is dangerous.	“Man-eating” describes the tiger.
6	It was a five-million-dollar contract.	Number + noun + noun compound.
7	It was a three-day conference.	Number + day compound.
8	I saw a man-eating tiger, not a man eating tiger.	Hyphen changes meaning completely.

Word Meaning Section

Word / Phrase	English Meaning	Bengali Meaning
Well-known	widely known; famous	সুপরিচিত
Last-minute	final; just before a deadline	শেষ মুহূর্তের
English-speaking	speaking English	ইংরেজিভাষী
Record-breaking	surpassing a previous record	রেকর্ড ভঙ্গকারী
Man-eating	eating humans	মানুষখেকো
Five-million-dollar	worth five million dollars	পঞ্চাশ লক্ষ ডলারের
Three-day	lasting three days	তিন দিনের
20-kilo	weighing 20 kilograms	২০ কেজি
60-page	containing 60 pages	৬০ পৃষ্ঠার
Eight-hour	lasting eight hours	আট ঘণ্টার
Suitcase	a travel bag	স্যুটকেস
Acre	a unit of land area	একর
Kilometre	1,000 metres	কিলোমিটার

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3. Why Use Compound Adjectives?

Compound adjectives make your writing and speaking more efficient and sophisticated. They condense information into a compact form that is common in academic, business, and professional English.

8 Benefits with Explanations

#	Benefit	Explanation
1	Concision	“A well-known actor” is shorter than two sentences.
2	Precision	“Man-eating tiger” has a different meaning from “man eating tiger.”
3	Formality	Compound adjectives sound more formal and academic.
4	Naturalness	Native speakers use them frequently.
5	Clarity	Hyphens remove ambiguity.
6	Vocabulary richness	Shows advanced language control.
7	Professional writing	Common in reports, essays, business.
8	Exam scoring	Improves lexical resource in IELTS/TOEFL.

8 Examples of Basic vs. Advanced Sentences

#	Basic	Advanced
1	He is an actor. He is well-known.	He is a well-known actor.
2	We decided at the last minute.	We made a last-minute decision.
3	They live in a country where people speak English.	They live in an English-speaking country.
4	The city had so much rain that it broke records.	The city received record-breaking rainfall.
5	The contract was for five million dollars.	It was a five-million-dollar contract.
6	The conference lasted three days.	It was a three-day conference.
7	The report has 60 pages.	It’s a 60-page report.
8	The flight lasted eight hours.	It’s an eight-hour flight.

Word Meaning Section

Word / Phrase	English Meaning	Bengali Meaning
Concise	short and clear	সংক্ষিপ্ত
Precise	exact	নির্ভুল
Formal	following rules and conventions	আনুষ্ঠানিক
Natural	normal; not forced	স্বাভাবিক
Ambiguity	uncertainty of meaning	অস্পষ্টতা
Lexical resource	range of vocabulary	শব্দভান্ডারের পরিসর
Academic	related to education	প্রাতিষ্ঠানিক
Business	related to commerce	ব্যবসায়িক

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4. Hyphenation: The Key to Compound Adjectives

The Rule

When two or more words come together to form a single adjective before a noun, they are usually joined by a hyphen (-). This shows that the words function as one unit.

8 Examples with Explanations

#	Compound Adjective	Example Sentence	Explanation
1	well-known	She is a well-known scientist.	Hyphen joins well + known.
2	last-minute	We made a last-minute booking.	Two words become one adjective.
3	English-speaking	Canada is an English-speaking country.	Hyphen with gerund.
4	record-breaking	The team had a record-breaking season.	Hyphen joins two words.
5	man-eating	The zookeeper warned about the man-eating tiger.	Hyphen prevents misreading.
6	high-quality	They sell high-quality products.	Adjective + noun.
7	part-time	She has a part-time job.	Hyphen required.
8	full-length	I watched a full-length movie.	Adjective + noun.
9	state-of-the-art	We visited a state-of-the-art facility.	Multiple words with hyphens.
10	open-minded	He is an open-minded person.	Adjective + noun.

The Danger of Missing Hyphens

Without Hyphen	With Hyphen	Meaning
I saw a man eating tiger.	I saw a man-eating tiger.	Without hyphen, the man is eating tiger.
The small business owner.	The small-business owner.	Without hyphen, “small” may describe “business owner” separately.
A high school student.	A high-school student.	“High school” as one unit.

Word Meaning Section

Word / Phrase	English Meaning	Bengali Meaning
Hyphen	a mark (-) used to join words	হাইফেন
Unit	one whole	একক
Misread	to read incorrectly	ভুল পড়া
Part-time	not full-time	খণ্ডকালীন
Full-length	complete; not shortened	পূর্ণ দৈর্ঘ্যের
State-of-the-art	using the latest technology	সর্বাধুনিক
Open-minded	willing to consider new ideas	মুক্তমনা
High-quality	very good	উচ্চমানের
Small-business	a business that is small	ক্ষুদ্র ব্যবসা
Zookeeper	person who cares for zoo animals	চিড়িয়াখানা রক্ষক

Related Phrasal Verb

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Make up	to form; constitute	Two words make up a compound adjective.
Join together	connect	The hyphens join together the words.
Read through	to read completely	Read through the compound adjective as one unit.

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5. Compound Adjectives with Numbers: No Plural “S”

The Rule

When a number is part of a compound adjective before a noun, the noun in the compound adjective must be singular—even if the number is greater than one. Do not add “s” to the noun in the compound.

8 Examples with Explanations

#	Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
1	five-million-dollars contract	five-million-dollar contract	“Dollar” stays singular.
2	three-days conference	three-day conference	“Day” stays singular.
3	six-months course	six-month course	“Month” no “s.”
4	20-kilos suitcase	20-kilo suitcase	“Kilo” no “s.”
5	five-parts TV series	five-part TV series	“Part” no “s.”
6	60-pages report	60-page report	“Page” no “s.”
7	eight-hours flight	eight-hour flight	“Hour” no “s.”
8	15-minutes break	15-minute break	“Minute” no “s.”
9	20-acres farm	20-acre farm	“Acre” no “s.”
10	10-kilometres race	10-kilometre race	“Kilometre” no “s.”

Why No “S”?

The compound adjective is acting as a single descriptive unit. Plural forms would make it grammatically incorrect.

Before Noun (Compound Adjective)	After Noun (Regular Phrase)
a three-day conference	The conference lasted three days.
a five-million-dollar contract	The contract was for five million dollars.
a 60-page report	The report has 60 pages.
an eight-hour flight	The flight lasted eight hours.
a 15-minute break	The break lasted 15 minutes.

Word Meaning Section

Word / Phrase	English Meaning	Bengali Meaning
Singular	referring to one	একবচন
Plural	referring to more than one	বহুবচন
Dollar	unit of money	ডলার
Conference	formal meeting	সম্মেলন
Month	period of about four weeks	মাস
Course	a series of lessons	কোর্স
Suitcase	travel bag	স্যুটকেস
Part	section	অংশ
Page	one side of paper	পৃষ্ঠা
Hour	60 minutes	ঘণ্টা
Minute	60 seconds	মিনিট
Acre	unit of land	একর
Kilometre	1,000 metres	কিলোমিটার

Related Phrasal Verb

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Take off	to remove	Don’t take off the “s” in a regular phrase; only in compound adjectives.
Leave out	to omit	Leave out the “s” after numbers in compound adjectives.
Add in	to include	Add in hyphens between number and noun.

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6. Number Spelling Rules in Compound Adjectives

The Rule

When writing numbers in compound adjectives:

• For numbers 10 and below, spell out the word: one, two, three, … ten.
• For numbers above 10, you may use numerals: 11, 20, 60, 100.
• Be consistent. Don’t mix spelled-out numbers and numerals in the same sentence.

8 Examples with Explanations

#	Compound Adjective	Number Written	Explanation
1	five-part TV series	five (word)	Below 10; spell out.
2	six-month course	six (word)	Below 10.
3	eight-hour flight	eight (word)	Below 10.
4	60-page report	60 (numeral)	Above 10; numeral okay.
5	20-kilo suitcase	20 (numeral)	Above 10.
6	15-minute break	15 (numeral)	Above 10.
7	10-kilometre race	10 (word or numeral)	Often written as “10” but style guides vary; be consistent.
8	three-day conference	three (word)	Below 10.
9	100-dollar bill	100 (numeral)	Above 10.
10	first-class ticket	first (word)	Ordinal number.

Additional Note: Starting Sentences

Never start a sentence with a numeral. Spell out the number instead.

Incorrect	Correct
5 parts of the series…	Five parts of the series…
10 people attended…	Ten people attended…
60 pages were missing…	Sixty pages were missing…

Word Meaning Section

Word / Phrase	English Meaning	Bengali Meaning
Numeral	a symbol for a number	সংখ্যা চিহ্ন
Spell out	to write in full words	পূর্ণ শব্দে লেখা
Ordinal number	first, second, third	ক্রমবাচক সংখ্যা
Consistency	staying the same	সামঞ্জস্য
Style guide	a set of writing rules	স্টাইল গাইড
Sentence	a complete thought	বাক্য
Missing	not present	অনুপস্থিত
Attended	went to	উপস্থিত ছিলেন

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7. More Compound Adjective Patterns

Beyond numbers, compound adjectives follow several patterns. Recognizing these will help you create your own.

Common Patterns

Pattern	Example
Adverb + Past Participle	well-known
Adjective + Noun	last-minute, full-length
Noun + Present Participle	English-speaking, man-eating
Noun + Past Participle	record-breaking
Adjective + Present Participle	good-looking, easy-going
Noun + Adjective	world-famous, ice-cold
Adjective + Past Participle	ready-made, long-lost
Number + Noun	three-day, five-dollar

8 Examples with Explanations

#	Compound Adjective	Pattern	Sentence
1	well-known	adverb + past participle	He is a well-known author.
2	last-minute	adjective + noun	We made a last-minute decision.
3	English-speaking	noun + present participle	She works in an English-speaking environment.
4	record-breaking	noun + present participle	It was a record-breaking performance.
5	good-looking	adjective + present participle	He is a good-looking man.
6	world-famous	noun + adjective	It is a world-famous brand.
7	ready-made	adjective + past participle	They bought ready-made clothes.
8	ice-cold	noun + adjective	She drank ice-cold water.
9	long-lost	adjective + past participle	He found his long-lost friend.
10	three-day	number + noun	It was a three-day event.

Word Meaning Section

Word / Phrase	English Meaning	Bengali Meaning
Author	writer	লেখক
Environment	surroundings	পরিবেশ
Performance	the act of performing	পারফরম্যান্স
Brand	product name	ব্র্যান্ড
Ready-made	made in advance	প্রস্তুতকৃত
Long-lost	missing for a long time	হারানো
Good-looking	attractive	সুদর্শন
World-famous	known worldwide	বিশ্ববিখ্যাত
Ice-cold	very cold	বরফের মতো ঠান্ডা
Easy-going	relaxed	সাবলীল
Event	something that happens	ঘটনা

Related Phrasal Verb

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Turn into	to become	Two words can turn into one compound adjective.
Break up	to separate	The hyphen is not used to break up the compound adjective.
Put together	to combine	Compound adjectives are put together with hyphens.

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8. Grammar Focus: Using Compound Adjectives in Sentences

Compound adjectives almost always appear before a noun and act as a single modifier.

Basic Structure

(Article) + Compound Adjective + Noun + Verb + (rest of sentence)

Example
It was a five-million-dollar contract.
She is a well-known actress.
We took a three-day trip.

Sentence Patterns

Pattern 1: Subject + be + article + compound adjective + noun

Example
He is a well-known actor.
It was a record-breaking performance.

Pattern 2: Subject + verb + article + compound adjective + noun

Example
They made a last-minute decision.
We received record-breaking rainfall.

Pattern 3: Article + compound adjective + noun + verb

Example
A man-eating tiger was seen.
The five-page report is ready.

Affirmative, Negative, and Interrogative Forms

These sentences follow normal rules.

Affirmative

Example
It is a three-day conference.
He is a well-known actor.

Negative

Example
It is not a three-day conference.
He is not a well-known actor.

Interrogative

Example
Is it a three-day conference?
Is he a well-known actor?

Past Tense

Example
It was a five-million-dollar contract.
They made a last-minute decision.

5 WH-Question Examples with Answers

#	WH Question	Possible Answer
1	What kind of conference is it?	It’s a three-day conference.
2	Who is Tom Cruise?	He is a well-known actor.
3	When did you decide to go?	It was a last-minute decision.
4	How many pages does the report have?	It’s a 60-page report.
5	How long is the flight?	It’s an eight-hour flight.

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9. Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Error 1: Adding “S” to the Noun in a Number Compound Adjective

Incorrect	Correct
five-million-dollars contract	five-million-dollar contract
three-days conference	three-day conference
six-months course	six-month course
20-kilos suitcase	20-kilo suitcase

Error 2: Missing Hyphen

Incorrect	Correct
well known actor	well-known actor
record breaking rainfall	record-breaking rainfall
man eating tiger	man-eating tiger

Error 3: Using Hyphen After the Noun

Hyphens are used when the compound adjective comes before the noun. After the noun, the phrase is usually written without hyphens.

Before Noun (Hyphenated)	After Noun (No Hyphen)
a well-known actor	The actor is well known.
a three-day conference	The conference lasted three days.
a man-eating tiger	The tiger is man eating. (rare)

Error 4: Inconsistent Number Writing

Inconsistent	Consistent
five-part TV series and 60-page report	five-part TV series and sixty-page report (or 5-part and 60-page)

Error 5: Starting Sentence with Numeral

Incorrect	Correct
5 students failed.	Five students failed.
10 people came.	Ten people came.

Error 6: Using Plural Noun in Compound with Adjective

Incorrect	Correct
ten-years-old boy	ten-year-old boy

Error 7: Overusing Hyphens

Don’t use hyphens after adverbs ending in -ly.

Incorrect	Correct
a highly-respected teacher	a highly respected teacher

Error 8: Confusing Compound Adjective with Phrasal Verb

Phrasal verbs often look like compound adjectives, but they are verbs. Context distinguishes them.

Phrasal Verb	Compound Adjective
to take off (depart)	a take-off (noun)
to check in (register)	a check-in desk

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10. Special Tips for Learners

Tip 1: Think of the Compound as One Adjective

If you can replace the whole hyphenated phrase with one simple adjective, you’re on the right track.

Tip 2: Use Hyphens Before Nouns Only

Hyphenate when the compound adjective comes before the noun:

a well-known actor
The actor is well known.

Tip 3: Drop the “S” in Number Compounds

Always use singular nouns in number + noun compounds:

a five-year plan, not a five-years plan

Tip 4: Spell Small Numbers, Use Numerals for Large

• one, two, three, …, ten → words
• 11, 20, 60, 100 → numerals
• Be consistent within a document.

Tip 5: Start Sentences with Words, Not Numerals

Sixty pages were missing. (Not “60 pages were missing.”)

Tip 6: Master the “Adverb + Past Participle” Pattern

Common high-level combinations:

• well-known
• highly-respected (no hyphen because of -ly adverb)
• much-loved
• poorly-paid

Tip 7: Practice with Real-Life Categories

Think of compound adjectives you already use:

• a full-time job
• a part-time course
• a last-minute change
• a long-term goal
• a short-term plan

Tip 8: Read Academic and Business Texts

Notice how writers hyphenate compound adjectives. This builds your intuition.

Tip 9: Avoid Overhyphenation

Don’t hyphenate adverbs ending in -ly:

highly skilled writer (not highly-skilled writer)

Tip 10: Create Your Own Examples

Write five sentences about your life or work using different compound adjective patterns.

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11. Tips for Competitive Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, GRE

IELTS

Skill	How It Helps	Strategy
Writing Task 1	Describe data with precision	Use “record-breaking,” “well-established” trends.
Writing Task 2	Express opinions formally	Use “last-minute,” “long-term,” “short-term” to qualify ideas.
Speaking	Show lexical range	Use natural compound adjectives in answers.
Listening	Recognize hyphenated words in fast speech	Practice listening for compound words.

TOEFL

Skill	How It Helps	Strategy
Writing	Academic tone	Use compound adjectives to be concise and formal.
Speaking	Integrated tasks	Paraphrase using compound adjectives.
Listening	Lectures with compound terms	Recognize meaning from context.

GRE

Skill	How It Helps	Strategy
Analytical Writing	Precise, formal language	Use compound adjectives appropriately.
Text Completion	Vocabulary in context	Know that hyphenated adjectives are single modifiers.

Exam Rules

• Hyphenate compound adjectives before nouns.
• Do not add “s” to the noun in number compounds.
• Spell out numbers under 10; use numerals for 10 and above, consistently.
• Avoid starting sentences with numerals.
• Use the correct hyphenation pattern; avoid overhyphenation with -ly adverbs.

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12. Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with the correct compound adjective. Use the information in brackets.

1. It’s a ______ course. (lasts six months)
2. It’s a ______ suitcase. (weighs 20 kilos)
3. It’s a ______ TV series. (has five parts)
4. It’s a ______ report. (has 60 pages)
5. It’s an ______ flight. (lasts eight hours)
6. It’s a ______ break. (lasts 15 minutes)
7. It’s a ______ farm. (has 20 acres)
8. It’s a ______ race. (goes for 10 kilometres)
9. He is a ______ actor. (well-known)
10. We made a ______ decision. (at the last minute)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct sentence.

1. Which is correct?
   a) a five-million-dollars contract
   b) a five-million-dollar contract
   c) a five millions dollar contract
   d) a five million dollar contract
2. Which is correct?
   a) a three-days conference
   b) a three-day conference
   c) a three day conference
   d) a three days conference
3. Which is correct?
   a) a 60-page report
   b) a 60-pages report
   c) a 60 page report
   d) a 60 pages report
4. Which sentence is correct?
   a) He is a well known actor.
   b) He is a well-known actor.
   c) He is well known-actor.
   d) He is a well known-actor.
5. Which sentence is correct?
   a) The conference lasted three days.
   b) The conference lasted three-day.
   c) The conference lasted three-days.
   d) The conference lasted three day.
6. Which sentence uses the correct hyphenation?
   a) a man eating tiger
   b) a man-eating tiger
   c) a man-eating-tiger
   d) a man eating-tiger
7. Which sentence starts correctly?
   a) 5 people attended.
   b) Five people attended.
   c) Five people attend. (present)
   d) 5 persons attended.
8. Which is correct?
   a) a highly-respected teacher
   b) a highly respected teacher
   c) a highly-respect teacher
   d) a highly respect teacher
9. Which is correct?
   a) a ten-years-old boy
   b) a ten-year-old boy
   c) a ten years old boy
   d) a ten-year old boy
10. Which compound adjective is correct for “a plan that lasts five years”?
    a) a five-year plan
    b) a five-years plan
    c) a five year plan
    d) a five years plan

Exercise 3: Sentence Transformation / Error Correction

Rewrite each sentence correctly.

1. We have a five-millions-dollars budget.
2. It was a three-days trip.
3. She is a well known scientist.
4. It was a record breaking performance.
5. The report has 60 pages. (Change to compound adjective before noun)
6. The flight lasted eight hours. (Change to compound adjective before noun)
7. He is a man eating tiger. (Meaning: tiger that eats men)
8. The company offers a 30-days warranty.
9. It was a 10-kilometres race.
10. I saw a highly-respected professor.

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13. Answer Key with Explanations

Exercise 1 Answers

1. six-month
   Explanation: Number + month, no “s.”
2. 20-kilo
   Explanation: Number + kilo, no “s.” Numeral for 20.
3. five-part
   Explanation: Number below 10 spelled out.
4. 60-page
   Explanation: Number above 10, numeral.
5. eight-hour
   Explanation: Number below 10 spelled out.
6. 15-minute
   Explanation: Numeral for 15.
7. 20-acre
   Explanation: Numeral.
8. 10-kilometre
   Explanation: Numeral.
9. well-known
   Explanation: Adverb + past participle.
10. last-minute
    Explanation: Adjective + noun.

Exercise 2 Answers

1. b) a five-million-dollar contract
   Explanation: No “s” in compound.
2. b) a three-day conference
   Explanation: Singular “day.”
3. a) a 60-page report
   Explanation: Singular “page.”
4. b) He is a well-known actor.
   Explanation: Hyphenate before noun.
5. a) The conference lasted three days.
   Explanation: After verb, no hyphen.
6. b) a man-eating tiger
   Explanation: Hyphen between man and eating.
7. b) Five people attended.
   Explanation: Spell out number at sentence start.
8. b) a highly respected teacher
   Explanation: No hyphen after -ly adverb.
9. b) a ten-year-old boy
   Explanation: Singular “year” and “old.”
10. a) a five-year plan
    Explanation: Singular “year.”

Exercise 3 Answers

1. We have a five-million-dollar budget.
   Explanation: Remove “s” from million and dollars.
2. It was a three-day trip.
   Explanation: Singular “day.”
3. She is a well-known scientist.
   Explanation: Add hyphen.
4. It was a record-breaking performance.
   Explanation: Add hyphen.
5. It’s a 60-page report.
   Explanation: Compound before noun.
6. It’s an eight-hour flight.
   Explanation: Compound before noun.
7. He is a man-eating tiger. (This changes subject; better: It was a man-eating tiger.)
   Explanation: Hyphen to show tiger eats men.
8. The company offers a 30-day warranty.
   Explanation: Singular “day.”
9. It was a 10-kilometre race.
   Explanation: Singular “kilometre.”
10. I saw a highly respected professor.
    Explanation: Remove hyphen after -ly adverb.

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14. Conclusion

Compound adjectives are a simple but powerful tool for more advanced English. By combining words with hyphens and using the correct singular form with numbers, you can make your writing more concise, precise, and professional.

Key points to remember:

• Use hyphens to join words into a single adjective before a noun.
• Drop the “s” in number + noun compounds: a five-year plan, a 60-page report.
• Spell out numbers under 10; use numerals for 10 and above.
• Never start a sentence with a numeral.
• Avoid overhyphenating after -ly adverbs.
• Practice with common patterns: adverb + past participle, adjective + noun, number + noun.

By mastering compound adjectives, you will improve your grammar accuracy, sound more fluent, and perform better on exams like IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE. Keep practicing, and soon these structures will become a natural part of your English.

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Call to Action: Write five sentences about your own life using compound adjectives from this lesson. Include at least one number compound, one adverb + past participle compound, and one noun + present participle compound. Check that you have used hyphens correctly and omitted unnecessary “s” endings. Then, rewrite one paragraph from a recent essay or email, replacing basic phrases with compound adjectives. Review the exercises above and correct any mistakes. With consistent practice, you’ll use compound adjectives effortlessly and elevate your English writing.