A Brief Aside on the Use of Hyphens

The sun doesn’t rise and set on spreadsheets; we’ve got briefs to write, too!  Here is a rule that I see broken frequently:

Use a hyphen to create two-word adjectives, but not when the two words are used as a noun or verb.

Examples:

The new schedule will cut off discovery as of June 15th.  This cut-off date will apply to both document discovery and deposition discovery.

Subpoenas will be issued to certain third parties with knowledge of the transaction.  The third-party discovery may be substantial.

Happy hyphenating.

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