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There are sentences wherein processes, concepts etc. are hyphenated. For eg., progress-enhancement process, authentic-leadership approach etc. I know there is no need of hyphenation in these cases, but what is the rationale behind placing hyphens for such words? Is it correct?

Lalitha M
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  • It depends entirely on the style you follow. Incidentally, where you put the hyphen changes the meaning of the phrase. (Which is the point of the hyphen, especially if there is ambiguity.) For instance, I know what an authentic leadership-approach is (a leadership approach that's authentic), which is what I'd assume is the meaning of the three words without a hyphen. However, I'm not sure what an authentic-leadership approach is. An approach for (or of?) authentic leaders as opposed to fake leaders? I've never heard of such a thing before. – Jason Bassford Apr 23 '20 at 10:54
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    Does this answer your question? Compounds involving compounds (and the linked duplicates there). The question is broader than your title suggests; << three hundred year old trees >> and << one of those sweet shop girl smiles >> are strings badly in need of hyphenation. – Edwin Ashworth Apr 23 '20 at 11:12

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