spelling gurus

bebu*funfun · #1 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

handpicked, hand-picked or hand picked?

hellpppp

neoh · #2 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

hand picked

bebu*funfun · #3 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

dictionary.com is telling me handpicked..but i dont believe it. making a big signage with the word/words in it..need to know

Gusto · #4 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

this person claims to be a professional proofreader and spells it "hand-picked" on their webpage and says:

Error #2: "time released" should read "time-released". When two words must work together (time and released) to modify another word (freshness), there should almost always be a hyphen between the two modifiers.

Proofreading and editing services for English language websites and documents

bebu*funfun · #5 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

gooo gusto..thanks :) ill trust the professional proofreader

lildonkey · #6 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

fuck that !

listen to neoh... hes got a cat in a paper bag!!!!

mapleleaf4ever · #7 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

Hyphenate it.

Gusto is right.

decypher · #8 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

i'd say use the hyphen. If it's a big sentence with a few adjectives and such the hyphen can make your sentence clearer and more precise.

Grapes · #9 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

Hyphen seems right to me as well.

fritz · #10 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

guys spelling is a zionist conspiracy

ebbomega · #11 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

I think the non-hyphenated version works too, just in different context.... For example:

"It was a hand-picked apple."
vs
"The apple was hand picked."

Because in the second the modifier is hand (modifying the passive verb "was picked"), and in the first the modifier is hand-picked (modifying the noun "apple").

Confirm/deny? I'm not 100% on this.

galaxie · #12 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

^ You are correct!!!!!
The grammar queen has spoken :P

radha · #13 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Microsoft Word accepts all versions:

handpicked
hand-picked
hand picked

laska · #14 (**permalink**) Apr 29, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebbomega

I think the non-hyphenated version works too, just in different context.... For example:

"It was a hand-picked apple."
vs
"The apple was hand picked."

Because in the second the modifier is hand (modifying the passive verb "was picked"), and in the first the modifier is hand-picked (modifying the noun "apple").

Confirm/deny? I'm not 100% on this.

NO NO NO and NO!
If it's an adjective, the hypen is there no matter what!!

It was a hand-picked apple
The apple was hand-picked
BUT:
My hand picked the apple