Is there a hyphen in "anal retentive"?

4 ⤊

Is there a hyphen in "anal retentive"?

2006-10-09 20:06:36 · 5 answers · asked by FireKracker187 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay

5 answers

Yes, and to prove it, you can shove a rejected painting up an art critic's butt to see if he retains it.

2006-10-09 20:08:41 · answer #1 · answered by wife of Ali Pasha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋

why yes their is a hyphen in "anal retentive

2006-10-10 03:09:47 · answer #2 · answered by brittany b 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋

It depends on if you are using it as an adjective or a noun. (Hyphenate if it's an adjective; don't if it's a noun.)

examples:
He's an anal-retentive person.
He's an anal retentive.

2006-10-10 13:29:57 · answer #3 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋

a space or hyphen are equally good

2006-10-10 03:14:55 · answer #4 · answered by RASUNA 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋

There can be, but not necessarily.

2006-10-10 03:09:20 · answer #5 · answered by sookehills 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋