When to Hyphenate "Decision Making"?
The hyphenation of "decision making" depends on its grammatical function in a sentence, primarily whether it acts as a noun or an adjective.
Generally, when "decision making" functions as a noun, referring to the act or process itself, it is written as two separate, unhyphenated words. However, when it modifies another noun, describing it and thus functioning as an adjective, it is hyphenated as "decision-making."
"Decision Making" as a Noun
When the phrase "decision making" refers to the process or activity of making choices, it functions as a compound noun and should be written as two distinct words without a hyphen. In this context, it identifies the subject or object of a sentence.
- Example: "Effective future decision making by lenders and homeowners is crucial for market stability."
- Example: "The company invested heavily in improving its decision making capabilities."
"Decision-Making" as an Adjective
When "decision-making" is used to describe or modify another noun, it acts as a compound adjective. In this case, a hyphen is essential to link the two words, indicating that they function together as a single descriptive unit.
- Example: "The committee reviewed the decision-making procedure carefully."
- Example: "She attended a decision-making workshop to enhance her skills."
Quick Reference Guide
To summarize the hyphenation rules for "decision making," refer to the table below:
| Usage | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | decision making |
Improving decision making is a top priority. |
| Adjective | decision-making |
This is a critical decision-making moment. |
By following these guidelines, you can ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy when using "decision making" in your writing.
