Hello! I'm not sure whether to put a hyphen between "middle" and "class" when referring to it as an adjective, ie. "middle-class Mexicans" as opposed to "the middle class" whereby I wouldn't put in a hyphen.
I've been taught that when used as an adjective, a compound noun should be joined by a hyphen, such as "gap-toothed smile". But the text I'm editing uses "middle class" indistinctly as a noun and an adjective, eg. The middle class Mexicans began arriving in XX country by 1940 and The middle class are the largest group.
I'd like it if someone could back me up (hehe) so I can justify adding a hyphen every time it's used as an adjective, or otherwise tell me it's fine keeping the two words separate. Thanks for your suggestions!
I've been taught that when used as an adjective, a compound noun should be joined by a hyphen, such as "gap-toothed smile". But the text I'm editing uses "middle class" indistinctly as a noun and an adjective, eg. The middle class Mexicans began arriving in XX country by 1940 and The middle class are the largest group.
I'd like it if someone could back me up (hehe) so I can justify adding a hyphen every time it's used as an adjective, or otherwise tell me it's fine keeping the two words separate. Thanks for your suggestions!