Final answer:
Hyphens are used to combine words into a single modifier before a noun, such as 'Open-ended questions'. They help clarify the relationship between words when they work together to describe a noun. In contrast, when modifiers come after a noun or work separately, hyphens are not used.
Step-by-step explanation:
Add hyphens to compound adjectives where necessary. If no hyphens are needed, submit the text without making any changes: Open-ended questions tend to engage people in discussion more effectively than questions that simply call for a response of yes or no.
Use Hyphens with Modifiers
Hyphens should be used to join two or more words serving as a single modifier before a noun to clarify how multiple modifiers function. For example:
- Well-known author
- Chocolate-covered peanuts
- High-school prom-night fundraiser
If each word works separately to modify a noun, they are not hyphenated. We also do not use a hyphen when the compound modifiers come after a noun, as in 'questions that are open ended'.