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Style question

thegrifter

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2006
Messages
800
He finished 3-of-6 from the field, including 2-for-2 on 3s.

Should both of these be hyphenated? Should either of them? What's the rule, cause even on AP stories, I've read it several different ways.
 
We don't hyphenate them in instances like that, just when they modify.

He was 2 for 3.

He finished a 10-for-15 night with...blah blah blah.
 
Easiest way to remember: If you can take away the second number and it makes sense, you don't need to hyphenate it.

Shaquille O'Neal made 6 of 15 free throws as the Heat lost their title.
Shaquille O'Neal made 6 free throwns as the heat lost their title. <---That works.

Shaquille O'Neal went 6-of-15 from the charity stripe as the Heat lost their title
Shaquille O'Neal went 6 from the charity stripe as the Heat lost their title. <--That doesn't.
 
This is one of the many things about AP that pish me off. They don't follow their own logic rules.

If it is a noun, no hyphens. If it is an adjective, use hyphens.

He went 3 for 3 from the plate. But, He had a 3-for-3 effort.
 

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