Which of these is correct? Inner-city life or inner city life? Thanks?

Answer 1

I think "inner city" is correct. You use hyphens when part of the phrase is a word stump, like "anti-gang task force". Anti isn't a whole word by itself. It's used in America more than in other english speaking countries.

Answer 2

Compare:
We suddenly found ouselves in the inner city after having taken the wrong exit off of the turnpike.

We felt out of our element in what to us was an inner-city environment.

In the first example, "inner" is an adjective modifying the noun "city."

In the second, BOTH "inner" and "city" are now adjectives modifying the noun "environment." However, since the expression "inner city" has become a set phrase with a connotation conveyed only when these two words are used together, then it is necessary to link them with a hyphen to show that what we are talking about here is not "the physical, geographic characteristics of the interior part of a city," but "an environment with the unique characteristics depicted by the expression "inner city;" i.e., an area with the trappings of a ghetto, etc.

The hyphenation or non-hyphenation of compound adjectives continues to befuddle even the most exacting of grammarians. A well-written explanation of this pesky issue can be found at
http://www.editfast.com/english/grammar/adjectives_adverbs/adjectives_adverbs_rules_7.htm

Answer 3

'inner' is an adjective, 'city' is a noun (but can be used as an adjective as in 'city life', and 'life' is a noun.

To convey the correct meaning you need both words to be adjectives so you need a compound adjective which usually requires the two words to be joined by a hyphen. I think that is the strict rule, but many of these rules are being ignored these days and you will often see expressions like 'inner city life' ie without a hyphen.
Sometimes you will see two compound adjectives used together, eg
modern-day inner-city life. It could be rather confusing without the hyphens.

Answer 4

Inner-city life

Answer 5

Techinically, "inner-city" is correct because the two words form one phrase, so the hyphen is needed. But "inner city" is so commonly written without the hyphen that you're okay not using it, too. Just make sure to be consistent and stick with one style.

Answer 6

Whenever I've seen it, It's hyphenated.

Inner-city life...

Answer 7

This topic is worth people's attention

Answer 8

Don't consider that this is correct

Answer 9

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Answer 10

I'm curious as well