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#169307 07/19/07 04:26 PM
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An AP story a while back described a "...hole 6-feet deep” parallel to the practice undertaken by Consumer Reports maybe a decade ago: eg, “...3-million dollars,” a hyphen application unusual at the time and perhaps distracting to some readers. It still jars me every time I encounter it

I suppose you could argue that "3-million" modifies "dollars" but the construction is or was contrary to convention

In “6-ft. holes” the hyphen is of course correct because it identifies a compound adjective; otherwise we might think there’s such a thing as a “foot hole,” and that there were six of them

But I’m confused about the rationale behind holes 6-feet deep and I hope one of your lingo-proficient bloggers can help me out here–Thank you all


dalehileman
dalehileman #169309 07/19/07 06:48 PM
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It is indeed bollix and part of the literary decline of civilization. Blame the apologists.


ÅΓª╥┐↕§
Aramis #169313 07/19/07 10:49 PM
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I think hyphens are overused any way so don't go by anything I say.

Faldage #169318 07/20/07 02:59 PM
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dalehileman
dalehileman #169328 07/20/07 11:11 PM
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Uh-huh

Faldage #169353 07/24/07 02:27 PM
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huh?


dalehileman
dalehileman #169359 07/24/07 11:12 PM
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Excuse me.

Uh huh.

Faldage #169386 07/30/07 04:50 PM
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I refer to the "Associated Press Stylebook"
available to non-journalists. Just Google it.

wow #169395 08/01/07 02:51 PM
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wow: Thank you for that. But perhaps you could provide a pertinent link, saving lazy folk (eg, me) the trouble


dalehileman

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