By Mary Morel
The rules around using hyphens with adverbs are not clear cut.
No hyphen with y and ly adverbs
The basic rule is that a descriptive phrase consisting of an adverb ending in y or ly and an adjective are not hyphenated.
The rationale is that the adverb is modifying the adjective, rather than the two words acting as a single unit.
a very good meal
rapidly declining dollar
gently rocking cradle
highly likely outcome
easily defeated vote
It is common to see other adverbs hyphenated.
well-known scientist
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