The Hyphen Guide: Bedroom Number Edition

Hyphenating numbers and nouns can be tricky, and it's not always clear when a hyphen is needed. The general rule is that when a number and a noun form one thought and come before another noun, the first noun should be singular, and a hyphen should be placed between the number and the first noun. For example, a four-bedroom apartment is correct, but an apartment with four bedrooms is also correct, but without the hyphen.

Hyphenating 'bedroom numbers' when used as an adjective

Hyphenating bedroom numbers when used as an adjective

When writing about bedrooms, it is generally best to hyphenate the number and the noun when they are used as a compound adjective. For example, "a four-bedroom house" or "a 2-bedroom apartment." This is because the phrase "X-bedroom" describes and modifies the noun that follows it, in these cases, "house" and "apartment." The hyphen indicates that "X-bedroom" is a single unit that describes the number of bedrooms.

However, if the number and noun are not used as a compound adjective, you would not hyphenate them. For example, "the house has three and a half bedrooms" or "the apartment has 7 bedrooms." In these sentences, "three and a half" and "7" are not modifying the nouns that follow, so they do not need to be hyphenated.

It is also important to note that when the number is under 10, it is usually written out, while numbers over 10 are typically written in numerical form. For example, "a two-bedroom apartment" vs. "a 11-bedroom mansion." Additionally, if you are writing about a range of numbers, you can use either hyphens or the word "to" to indicate the range. For example, "a 2-to-4-bedroom apartment" or "a 2-4-bedroom apartment."

The main principle to keep in mind is clarity. While there are standard rules for hyphenation, the most important thing is to ensure that your meaning is clear to your readers. So, if in doubt, consider whether your sentence could be misinterpreted and adjust your punctuation accordingly.

When to omit the hyphen in 'bedroom numbers'

When to Omit the Hyphen in Bedroom Numbers

When writing about bedroom numbers, there are a few instances where you can omit the hyphen. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you:

• Numbers as Nouns: When a phrase containing a number and a noun functions as a noun itself and does not modify a noun that follows, omit the hyphen. For example, "I want a three-bedroom house" versus "I want a house with three bedrooms." In the first example, "three-bedroom" functions as an adjective modifying "house," so it requires a hyphen. In the second example, "three bedrooms" is a noun phrase and does not modify a noun that follows, so no hyphen is needed.
• Numbers After the Noun: If the number and noun construction comes after the noun it modifies, omit the hyphen. For example, "The unit has 21 beds" versus "The 21-bed unit is available." In the first sentence, "21 beds" comes after the noun "unit," so no hyphen is needed. In the second sentence, "21-bed" comes before "unit" and modifies it as a compound adjective, requiring a hyphen.
• Numbers Over 10: According to The Canadian Press Stylebook, if the number is over 10, use figures instead of spelling it out. For example, "We have an 11-bedroom mansion for rent" versus "We have an eleven-bedroom mansion for rent." The first sentence is correct because the number is over 10 and uses figures.
• Percentages and Money: Generally, do not hyphenate percentages or money amounts. For example, "The property value increased by 10% this year" or "The house cost $200,000."
• Style Guide Recommendations: Different style guides have varying recommendations regarding hyphens. For example, the Chicago Manual of Style suggests omitting the hyphen when using an abbreviated unit of measurement. So, "a 10-foot ladder" becomes "a 10 ft. ladder" without the hyphen. Always refer to your preferred style guide for specific rules.
• Clarity and Consistency: While following the standard rules for hyphenation, remember that clarity and consistency are crucial. If a hyphenated phrase may confuse your readers, consider rephrasing or using "to" instead of a hyphen to indicate a range. For example, "a 2-to-4-bedroom house" may be clearer than "a 2-4-bedroom house."

Rules for hyphenating 'bedroom numbers' in real estate descriptions

Rules for Hyphenating Bedroom Numbers in Real Estate Descriptions

When writing real estate descriptions, it is important to follow certain guidelines for hyphenating bedroom numbers to ensure clarity and adherence to style conventions. Here are the key rules to keep in mind:

Hyphenate When Using a Number and Noun as an Adjective:

If a number and a noun (e.g., "bedroom") form a compound adjective that comes before the noun it modifies, use a hyphen. For example:

• "a four-bedroom townhouse"
• "a three-bedroom apartment"
• "a two-bedroom suite"

Omit the Hyphen When the Number and Noun Are Not an Adjective:

If the number and noun construction does not serve as an adjective and is not followed by another noun, omit the hyphen. For example:

• "The apartment has three bedrooms."
• "We are looking for a home with four bedrooms."
• "The unit offers two bedrooms and two bathrooms."

Singular Noun Form:

When using a number and a noun as a compound adjective, always use the singular form of the noun. For example:

"a four-bedroom townhouse" (not "four-bedrooms townhouse").

Hyphenate Ranges:

When indicating a range of bedroom numbers, use a hyphen or an en dash to show the range. For example:

"a 2-4-bedroom home" or "a 2–4-bedroom home"

Write Out Numbers Under 10:

According to style guides like The Canadian Press Stylebook, if the number is under 10, write it out, and if it is over 10, use figures. For example:

• "a two-bedroom apartment" (for numbers under 10)
• "a 12-bedroom mansion" (for numbers over 10)

Consistency and Clarity:

While following these rules, maintain consistency in your hyphenation throughout the real estate description. Ultimately, clarity is the most important factor. As long as your meaning is clear and consistent, there may be some flexibility in style choices.

How to write 'bedroom numbers' in an apartment listing

When writing an apartment listing, there are a few different ways to format the number of bedrooms. Here are some options:

Using Hyphens

You can use hyphens to indicate the range of bedrooms, as in "2-4 bedrooms" or "2–4 bedrooms" (using an en dash). This format assumes that you are writing out the number of bedrooms in numeral form and not spelling it out.

Using "to"

For clarity, you can also use the word "to" to indicate the range, as in "2 to 4 bedrooms." This option is likely to be more easily understood by your readers, although it is not considered strictly typographically correct.

Using Commas

If you are listing the number of bedrooms in an address format, the United States Postal Service (USPS) guidelines state that you should include the unit number on the delivery address line, separated by a comma. For example:

> Jane Doe, 123 Berry Lane, BLDG A, Unit B, New York, NY 12345

Additional Tips:

• When writing out an address, it is generally best to use abbreviations like "Apt" for apartment, "ST" for street, "RD" for road, "BLVD" for boulevard, "DR" for drive, and "CIR" for circle.
• The USPS also recommends using all capital letters for each part of the address, including street names, apartment numbers, and state abbreviations, as this helps postal employees quickly read and sort mail.
• Punctuation should be avoided, as it does not aid the post office's sorting machines.
• When writing an address by hand, use a pen or permanent marker with dark ink on light-coloured paper.

Hyphenating 'bedroom numbers' in ordinal form

Hyphenating bedroom numbers in ordinal form can be tricky, but there are some general rules to follow. Firstly, let's understand what ordinal form means. Ordinal form refers to the order of something, such as first, second, third, and so on. Now, let's apply this to hyphenating bedroom numbers.

When using bedroom numbers in ordinal form, the hyphenation rules depend on whether the number is part of an adjective phrase or a noun phrase. If the bedroom number is modifying a noun that follows it, then it forms an adjective phrase and should be hyphenated. For example, "a two-bedroom apartment" or "a four-bedroom house." The hyphenation indicates that the number and "bedroom" work together to describe the noun that follows.

On the other hand, if the bedroom number is not followed by a noun, it forms a noun phrase and should not be hyphenated. For instance, "The apartment has two bedrooms" or "I prefer three-bedroom houses." In these examples, the number and "bedroom" are not working together as an adjective to describe something else, so no hyphen is needed.

It's also important to note that when using bedroom numbers in ordinal form, the noun ("bedroom" in this case) should always be singular. So, it's "a two-bedroom apartment" instead of "a two-bedrooms apartment."

Additionally, the rules for hyphenating bedroom numbers can vary depending on the style guide you are following. For instance, the Chicago Manual of Style recommends using hyphens when a compound phrase (number + noun) serves as an adjective and comes before the noun it modifies. However, if the compound phrase serves as a noun itself and does not modify a following noun, no hyphens are needed.

In summary, when using bedroom numbers in ordinal form, consider whether the number and "bedroom" are working together as an adjective to describe a noun that follows. If they are, hyphenate them; if not, omit the hyphen. Remember also to keep the noun singular and be mindful of any specific style guide requirements.

Frequently asked questions