First-class graduates or first class graduates?

Common Errors In English with Samuel Alimi

oday’s class provides an excellent opportunity to thoroughly discuss “compound modifiers” and gain a proper understanding of them. I have noticed articles written with indefensibly poor grammar and incorrect usage of hyphens. It is important to note that using hyphens can be confusing at times, but taking the time to read this lesson will help you identify when and how to use them in compound modifiers correctly.

While studying for this exposition, I remembered that many graduates are unaware that it is always important to use hyphens between the position and class, as in first-class, when referring to the grade system. This mistake is not only common among graduates, but it is also evident in posts written on all social media platforms by students, human resource practitioners, and others. That is why I have decided to explain this topic in detail for everyone to learn. Consider yourself lucky for purchasing today’s paper because your use of English will improve, especially in writing.

A compound modifier is simply a compound of two or more words that collectively modify a noun. Its constituents must not necessarily be adjectives. The combination of nouns, determiners and other parts of speech is also acceptable. For example, “church-going people”, “once-in-a-lifetime experience”, “one-way road”, among others.

Study the guidelines below:

Hyphens should be used in a compound modifier that comes before the word it is modifying:

The professor is a first-class graduate.

The short-term goal affected the growth and development of the company.

Five five-star hotels have been sealed by the government for environmental pollution.

However, if the noun comes first, avoid using the hyphen.

The hotels in Port Harcourt are first class.

Do not hyphenate when the  modifier is made up of an ‘adverb’ or an ‘adjective’:

The recently concluded election was peaceful and hitch-free

Below are other example sentences from the University of Nottingham’s article on this topic:

She was about to sit a notoriously difficult exam.

The lecturer was on campus for her wonderfully elegant explanations.

If a compound modifier includes past or present participles, hyphenate it.

The well-established proposal has been approved by management for a high level of professionalism.

The ever-growing church has been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Use a hyphen whenever compass points are used as directions, but not when they are used to describe a grammatical location.

We are heading to north-west.

Before I came to Lagos, I used to work in the south west.

It is important to use hyphens with prefixes ‘ex’, ‘self-’ and others to avoid confusion.

The book was re-edited by the respected editor.

The movie was re-released for cinematic display in November.

Whenever a number makes up the first part of a compound adjective, use a hyphen to connect them to the noun that follows them.

The 14-hour prayer session has been cancelled.

The presidential debate was 50 hours long and commenced at midnight.

Compound nouns are usually hyphenated.

My father-in-law arrested the dishonest plumber last week.

The Editor-in-chief deleted the inflammatory post submitted by a columnist.

A 14-year-old student should be denied admission.

EM DASHES: We use an em dash when referring to the source of a quote.

“A classroom is a formal designated place comprising of a teacher, the learners and usually with learning resources, where teaching and learning activities take place.” – Awodumila Abosede

Names of those who answered the last questions correctly

Nuhu Abdullahi, Adaeze Beauty, Bolanle Olusola, Eze Jeremiah, Edi Isreal, Adesina Rofiat, Jerry Solomon, Adekola Adejare, John Phillip, Sultan Musa, Johnson Blessing, Olive Alimi, Jimoh Barakat and Adewake Adegbare, Ade, Bello Sulaimon, Femi Aderibigbe, Johnson Solomon, Olawale Adekola, Adekola Adejare, John Phillip, Sultan Musa, Johnson Blessing, Olive Alimi, Jimoh Barakat and Adewake Adegbare

Assignment

Attempt the following questions:

The book was ______ by the company. (a) republished(b) re-published (c) both answers are correct
Segun blew the balloons up and _______ them. (a) burst (b) bursted (c) bursting
The ______ student just bagged a global scholarship. (a) third class (b) third-class (c) third and class
Kindly forward your answers to tolulopesamuelalimi@gmail.com or 07049203179 via SMS.