Here's why:
* Word combinations change over time: Language is dynamic, and what was once two separate words might become a single word (think "smartphone" or "website").
* Context matters: Some words can be hyphenated, combined, or left separate depending on their usage. For example, "check out" is two words when used as a verb, but "checkout" is one word when referring to the process of paying for goods.
So, the answer is: It depends on the words and their context!
Let me know if you have a specific pair of words in mind, and I can help determine how they should be written.