1. Correct Form: “Ever-Growing” With Hyphen
The term “ever-growing” is the correct form and should always be written with a hyphen.
This hyphen is crucial as it serves to connect the words “ever” and “growing” to create a compound adjective. Using a hyphen maintains clarity and ensures proper interpretation of the term.
2. Incorrect Form: “Ever Growing” Without Hyphen
Writing “ever growing” without a hyphen is grammatically incorrect.
Without the hyphen, the two words are treated separately, and the intended meaning of a compound adjective is lost. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation when reading or understanding the term.
3. Incorrect Form: “Evergrowing” As One Word
Similarly, writing “evergrowing” as one word is also grammatically incorrect.
This eliminates the space between “ever” and “growing” and again removes the clarity and structure necessary for a compound adjective. It is important to always use a hyphen when connecting these two words.
4. “Ever-Growing” Is The Popular Variation
According to the Google Ngram Viewer, the most popular variation of this term is “ever-growing” with the hyphen.
This indicates that the majority of people and publications have embraced this specific format. Therefore, it is advisable to conform to this widely accepted usage in order to maintain consistency and credibility.
5. Examples Of Correct Usage With Hyphen
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The ever-growing population of the city has led to increased demands on infrastructure.
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The company’s ever-growing success can be attributed to its dedication to quality and innovation. – She was impressed by the ever-growing list of accomplishments displayed on his resume.
6. Hyphens Connect Common Modifying Words
Hyphens are essential in connecting common words that modify the same noun.
In the case of “ever-growing,” both “ever” and “growing” work together to describe or modify a noun. The hyphen acts as a bridge, indicating that these two words should be read and understood as one unit.
7. AP Stylebook As Reference For Hyphenation Rules
When in doubt about hyphenation rules, it is always helpful to consult a trusted style guide such as the AP Stylebook.
This comprehensive resource provides guidelines for various aspects of writing, including correct hyphenation. Following the AP Stylebook ensures consistency and accuracy in professional writing.
8. Capitalization Of “Ever-Growing” In Titles
In general, “ever-growing” does not need to be capitalized unless it is used in a title where other words are capitalized.
For example, a blog title could be “Ever Growing: Exploring the Fascinating World of Microorganisms.” In this scenario, “Ever Growing” is capitalized as it is part of the title and follows title case conventions.
In conclusion, it is crucial to adhere to the correct form of the term “ever-growing” by using a hyphen to connect “ever” and “growing.” The hyphen creates a compound adjective and maintains clarity. Both the incorrect forms of “ever growing” without a hyphen and “evergrowing” as one word should be avoided.
The popularity of the hyphenated form is evident through the Google Ngram Viewer. Examples provided illustrate proper usage of “ever-growing” with a hyphen, and the importance of hyphens in connecting common modifying words is emphasized.
The AP Stylebook serves as a valuable reference for hyphenation rules, and for titles, “ever-growing” should be capitalized along with other capitalized words.
