##  [Hyphens: Compounds beginning with adverbs](/writing-tips-plus/hyphens-compounds-beginning-with-adverbs)

##  Avertissement

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## On this page

- [Adverb + adjective](#adverb-adjective)
- [Adverb + participle](#adverb-participle)
- [Adverbs ending in “-ly”](#adverbs-ly)
- [Other adverbs](#other-adverbs)
- [Additional information](#additional)

## Adverb + adjective

Don’t hyphenate compounds consisting of an [adverb](adverbs) or [adverbial phrase](grammar-terms#adverbial-phrase) followed by an [adjective](adjective):

- a **very quiet** day
- a **reasonably tall** tree
- an **all too complacent** attitude

However, use a hyphen when there’s a danger of misinterpreting the meaning. For example, “best qualified candidate” could be interpreted in two ways:

- the best candidate out of all the qualified ones
- the candidate with the best qualifications

In this case, use a hyphen in **best-qualified** to refer to the candidate with the best qualifications: **best-qualified** candidate

## Adverb + participle

Adverb + [participle](participle-participle-phrase) compounds can be tricky. The use of the hyphen depends in part on the type of adverb and in part on whether the compound comes before or after the [noun](noun) or [pronoun](grammar-terms#pronoun).

### Adverbs ending in “-ly”

Don’t hyphenate adverb + participle compounds when the adverb ends in **-ly**:

- the **richly embroidered** skirt
- **fully employed** individuals
- a **deeply moving** conversation

### Other adverbs

If the adverb doesn’t end in **-ly**, hyphenate the adverb + participle compound when it comes before the noun:

- **ever-changing** tides
- **fast-growing** industry
- **well-fed** cattle

Most adverb + participle compounds following the noun or pronoun won’t be hyphenated:

- She is **well known**.
- Arichat’s natural harbour was deep and **well protected**.
- This applicant is **best suited** for the job.

## Additional information

- [Adverbs](adverbs)
- [Grammar terms](grammar-terms)
- [Adjective](adjective)
- [Participle, participle phrase](participle-participle-phrase)
- [Noun](noun)

##  Avis de droit d’auteur pour l’outil Writing Tips Plus

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Un outil créé et mis en ligne par le Bureau de la traduction, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada

## Rechercher par thèmes connexes

Vous voulez en apprendre davantage sur un thème abordé dans cette page? Cliquez sur un lien ci-dessous pour voir toutes les pages du Portail linguistique du Canada portant sur le thème choisi. Les résultats de recherche s’afficheront dans le [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator).

- [Grammar and syntax](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A476#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
- [Adverbs](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A476&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A478#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
- [Punctuation](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A491#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
- [Hyphenation](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A496&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A498#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)

## Liens connexes

- [Writing Tips Plus](/fr/writing-tips-plus/index-fra) (page d’accueil)
- [Outils d’aide à la rédaction](/fr/outils-tools/index-fra)
- [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator) (permet de trouver rapidement des conseils linguistiques)
- [TERMIUM Plus®](http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-fra.html?lang=fra)