When a gerund + noun compound noun is being used as a noun, no hyphen is needed: running shoes, standing desk. However, if the gerund + noun compound noun is being used adjectivally (i.e. to describe another noun), a hyphen must be used: running-shoe sale, standing-desk box.

Do you hyphenate ing words?

When we combine a noun or adjective and a present participle (a word ending in ‑ing) to form a unit of meaning that describes another word, use a hyphen to make that unit of meaning clear. ... Don't use a hyphen when the modifier comes after the noun it's describing.

What words do you hyphenate?

Generally, hyphenate two or more words when they come before a noun they modify and act as a single idea. This is called a compound adjective. When a compound adjective follows a noun, a hyphen is usually not necessary.