hyphen or not?

[kieka]

Hello!

I'm not sure how to write the following: a 2 metre high tree, a 2-metre high tree or a 2-metre-high tree?

Thanks for helping!
Kieka

 

[Bamako2]

Hello!

I'm not sure how to write the following: a 2 metre high tree, a 2-metre high tree or a 2-metre-high tree?

Thanks for helping!
Kieka

a 2-metre-high tree :tick:
a two-metre-high tree :tick:
a 2 metre high tree :cross:
a 2-metre high tree :cross:

 

[Barb_D]

I'd suggest that you can omit the word "high."

A two-metre tree.

 

[charliedeut]

I'd suggest that you can omit the word "high."

A two-metre tree.

Hi Barb,

I must politely disagree because, as you know, the 2 metres could also refer to the tree's diameter, or to its perimeter/circumference.

Greetings,

Charliedeut

 

[engee30]

Hi Barb,

I must politely disagree because, as you know, the 2 metres could also refer to the tree's diameter, or to its perimeter/circumference.

Greetings,

Charliedeut

I think you've got a point there. But personally, in such a circumstance the first thing that I would think of when talking about a tree would be its height, and not its diameter or perimeter (talking from an ex-carpenter's point of view).

 

[trapanipalermo]

Very interesting topic..
But what if I have to write it in a research paper by using measurement units? Would this rule still remain valid?

The journals I write for do not have specific guidelines for this issue, so I think that I should stick with traditional grammar rules....

That said... should I write

a 40-m-long road?


thanks!

 

[Rover_KE]

'A 40metre-long road.'

40m might be taken to mean '40 miles'.

Rover

 

[trapanipalermo]

thanks. What I meant was: does the rule also stands when measurement units are used?
i.e.: is it ok to write

- a 2-cm-long stick

- a 45-°C-temperature

and so on... all hyphened?

 

[Rover_KE]

thanks. What I meant was: does the rule also stands when measurement units are used?
i.e.: is it ok to write

- a 2-cm-long stick

- a 45-°C-temperature

and so on... all hyphened?

No.

a 2cm-long stick etc.

Rover