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Conan says...
The 50-ohm discussion has been interesting, but I really don't see where the
hyphen is even remotely negotiable. Any standard Freshman Composition
textbook
(e.g., the venerable Harbrace) would clearly identify this example as a 14-
carat unit modifier, which MUST take a hyphen. Period. End of discussion.
--Conan the Grammarian
________________
Dear Conan--
Whenever you use the absolute, prepare for the rebuttal! <G>
<Former English teacher climbs up on soapbox>
Pick up ten comp. books, you can probably find at least three "right" ways
to do something. And, as we become more and more global, the odds of
finding a concensus on any editing issue becomes nearly (note qualifier)
impossible.
<jumping off box>
Which is why, when faced with a question like the hyphen issue, we pick the
majority usage and use it consistently. Works for us, and makes the
project manager happy.
Kayla Westra
Black & Veatch
westrakl -at- bv -dot- com
"Illa est causa mea, et ad eam haeso."
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
