1. Modifiers with Compound Adjectives
* well-known artist
* state-of-the-art technology
* up-to-date information
* high-quality products
* long-term investment
2. Modifiers with Numbers and Fractions
* two-thirds majority
* five-year-old child
* 10-foot ladder
* half-hour break
3. Modifiers with Prefixes
* pre-existing condition
* anti-virus software
* non-profit organization
* pro-choice stance
4. Modifiers with Compound Nouns
* mother-in-law's advice
* sister-in-law's wedding
* attorney-general's office
5. Modifiers with Descriptive Words
* well-meaning but misguided
* wide-eyed with wonder
* hard-working employee
* blue-collar worker
Important Notes:
* Hyphens are used to avoid ambiguity: "small-business owner" is different from "small business owner." The hyphen indicates that "small-business" is a single modifier describing the type of owner.
* Use hyphens when the modifier precedes the noun: "a well-known fact," but "the fact is well known."
* Hyphens are not always necessary: "highly trained" is generally written without a hyphen. However, if ambiguity could arise (e.g., "highly trained dog" vs. "highly trained-dog"), a hyphen might be helpful.
Remember to consult a style guide (like the Chicago Manual of Style or the AP Stylebook) for specific rules regarding hyphenation.