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if the following expression really does exist, where would you put the hyphens?
The rule book compliant documentation
The rule book-compliant documentation
The rule-book-compliant documentation
Please assume that the expression really does exist! Thanks!
...rule-book compliant...
Others would write rule-book-compliant (but some people object to the string of hyphenated words).
Still others (who might object to the string above) would write "rule book-compliant."
My first preference would be my first version (with the string of hyphens), followed by my second version. I would be least likely to use that in #1.
There are definitely "rules" for how to insert hyphens in such phrases, but they can vary, and in practice are implemented in many versions.
http://www.apastyle.org/learn/faqs/when-use-h...
"General Principle 3" :
Most compound adjective rules are applicable only when the compound adjective precedes the term it modifies. If a compound adjective follows the term, do not use a hyphen, because relationships are sufficiently clear without one.
but
the counseling was client centered
results from t tests
children of the same sex
Oder funktioniert das mit dem Bindestrich bei Adjektiven komplett anders als bei Substantiven?
Rulebook can be all one word, which of course makes the question much easier: rulebook-compliant
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/e...
rulebook
noun [ C usually singular ] UK /ˈruːl.bʊk/ US /ˈruːl.bʊk/
a book containing the official rules for an organization or activity
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/...
If "rule book" is taken as two words, I agree with hbberlin (#2) and likewise prefer "rule-book-compliant documentation"---with his various provisos.
If rewording is not an option, I would prefer "rule-book-compliant", understanding "rule-book" as an optionally hyphenated compound noun that is combined with "compliant" to form a compound adjective preceding the following noun (and therefore with another hyphen).
If, for some reason, I wanted to retain "rule book" as an open compound, and rewording were still not an option, I would possibly write "rule book–compliant" (using an en-rule rather than a hyphen), but it might depend on the font and the readership. CMS has the example "country music–influenced".
"country music-influenced" looks very strange to me. What about a fifty-year-long marriage? Or young-people-oriented?
What about a fifty-year-long marriage? Or young-people-oriented?
I don't think I'd say either one. Instead: a 50-year marriage (or fifty-year marriage) and youth-oriented. Other than that I agree with #2 and #6.
Re #0.
or
The rule-compliant documentation
"rule book–compliant" (using an en-rule rather than a hyphen) (#6)
I've never seen that.
Well, Chicago do say "This editorial nicety may go unnoticed by the majority of readers ..." (;-)
And "... nonetheless, it is intended to signal a more comprehensive link than a hyphen would. It should be used sparingly, and only when a more elegant solution is unavailable."