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Hello fellow grammar lovers!

I need some help.

I'm working on HR resources and have run into a bit of a conundrum about how to write about PTO.

I know that I "would like to take time off." But how do I go about "initializing a time-off request?"

My question: Is it appropriate to hyphenate time off when used as an adjectival noun to modify request?

My first thought is to use the hyphenated version to describe the noun (request), as nouns used to modify other nouns become adjectival nouns/noun modifiers/attributive nouns.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

J

user482599
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  • Hello and welcome to the ELU. It is precisely opinions that are off topic on this site. Have a look at the helpcentre and maybe edit your question accordingly. – fev Jun 27 '23 at 13:46
  • Thank you, but I wasn't implying that all grammar is opinion. (Grammar is most certainly not opinion). I was stating that what I found so far on the Internet was opinion (regarding my posted question). I have rephrased my question. Perhaps you would care to lend an answer? – user482599 Jun 27 '23 at 13:58
  • This question discusses noun+preposition compounds like "in demand"/"in-demand" but the answer should explain your case, particularly Garner's quote. – Stuart F Jun 27 '23 at 14:01
  • Thank you. So, after reading the linked question, yes, the hyphen is appropriate and correct. – user482599 Jun 27 '23 at 14:07
  • As far as I know, initialisation has nothing to do with grammar, proprement dit. Initialisation has two purposes (apart from confusing old codgers like me): brevity and making up spreadsheet headings. A possible second is that acronyms should be long enough to be distinctive and short enough to be memorable. A key third is to avoid accidentally winding up with a word that sounds funny or rude. I have not come across hyphens in acronyms. – Tuffy Jun 27 '23 at 14:56

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