Should Great Uncle Be Hyphenated?

Should Great Uncle Be Hyphenated?

1 Answer. The general rule is that, in a capitalized hyphenated compound word, both words are normally capitalized if they are of approximately equal significance. In "great-uncle," "uncle" is the more significant part; "great-" is simply modifying "uncle" after all. So sign yourself "Great-Uncle Don."

Do you hyphenate great great aunt?

Grand compounds are closed: grandmother, grandparent, granddaughter. Great compounds are hyphenated: great-grandmother, great-great-grandfather. Note: The OED shows great-aunt and grand-aunt. M-W has great-aunt and grandaunt.

Should Great Grandfather be hyphenated?

One example is “great grandfather.” Without the hyphen, you're indicating your grandfather is a great guy. If you mean your mother or father's grandfather, you need to say great-grandfather. ... The hyphen makes all the difference in phrases such as “small grain” and “small business,” too.

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Marcus Vance

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