EN: thank-you / everyday - compound adjectives with/without a hyphen

[Mag1977]

Hello!

Some uses of the English adjectives can seem very strange to French speaking people, especially their spelling!

Here are some examples:
The words "thank you" can become an adjective, like in: a thank-you letter

The expression "every day": write about your everyday routine.

My question is: is there a rule to spell these adjectives? How do we know if we must join the words with a "-" or write them in one word?

Thank you for your answers

Mag

 

[radagasty]

The general rule is that such adjectival phrases should be joined with a hyphen. However, for certain compounds, the closed spelling (i.e., with neither space nor hyphen) is usual, and these must be learnt as vocabulary items. Sometimes, both spellings are acceptable.

 

[DaveTraveler]

I agree, there is no hard and fast rule. Another joy of English, which has nothing to do with French learners of English.

 

[Ruzanna]

So, is every-day acceptable and correct?

 

[Maître Capello]

That spelling wouldn't really be incorrect, but it is hardly ever used. I would avoid it.

your every-day routine
your everyday routine