TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Simple Hyphen Question From:"Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- ptc -dot- com> To:Iain Harrison <iain -at- hairydog -dot- co -dot- uk> Date:Fri, 17 Mar 2000 12:40:16 -0500
Iain Harrison wrote:
>
> > Since "error prone" is a compound adjectival phrase modifying the noun
> > phrase "process of delivering a system," I believe it should be
> > hyphenated.
> > However, the Microsoft Manual of Style states, "The current trend is
> > toward
> > less hyphenation. If there's no possibility of confusion, avoid
> > hyphenation."
>
> Well, maybe. I prefer error-prone. Error prone suggests that it is "lying
> down by mistake", rather than "likely to get into a muddle".
>
Since there is a possibility of confusion in this case, Microsoft would
say to use the hyphen.
