grammar - Should I use a hyphen after -ly when modifying a verb in the past participle verb?


Which of these are acceptable? Is one preferable over the other?



  1. "Chemically-deposited tourmaline is never periwinkle."

  2. "Chemically deposited tourmaline is never periwinkle."


Also, is the title to the this question asking what I'm trying to ask?


(I realize that there are other questions about hyphenation in similar contexts; I'm asking specifically about -ly adverbs.)



Answer



If you want to be canonical, this might help. Whether the verb is p.p. or not is irrelevant for these authoritative sources:


In the Guardian and Observer style guide, they state:




  • Hyphens tend to clutter up text (particularly when the computer breaks already hyphenated words at the end of lines).




  • Do not use hyphens after adverbs ending in -ly, e.g. a hotly disputed penalty, a constantly evolving newspaper, genetically modified food, etc,...




The Chicago Manual of Style gives the same advice. (The rules for adverbs not ending with -ly may be of interest. too.) (By the way, this appears to be a pdf taken from CMS. The CMS site requires registration.)


The general rule about hyphens is that they are distracting and should only be used if they resolve an ambiguity or lack of clarity.


(I was going to place this answer here, but I think that is a duplicate of this one, as others have said.)


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