Full time or Full-time|When to hyphenate

You should use “full-time” with a hyphen when describing someone or something that does the entire required time in a job or activity.One common question for writers is whether to use a hyphen in “full-time” or not. It might seem like a small detail, but understanding when to write “full-time” versus “full time” can make a big difference in your writing. The use of a hyphen helps clarify meaning, especially when you’re describing a noun like “employee” or “job.” On the other hand, using “full time” without a hyphen works best when it acts as an adverb to describe how something is done. In this post, we’ll break down the rules for when and how to use each form, so your writing stays clear and professional.

Full-Time vs. Full Time – Which One’s Right?

You should use “full-time” with a hyphen when describing someone or something that does the entire required time in a job or activity. This is the more common way to see the term written, and it acts as an adjective. However, there are moments when you might come across “full time” without a hyphen. Typically, this happens when the phrase is being used as an adverb.

For example:

• He works full time.
• She is a full-time employee.

In the first example, you don’t need a hyphen because “full time” is not modifying a noun. But in the second sentence, “full-time” describes the noun “employee,” so a hyphen is needed.

Is “Full Time” Hyphenated in AP Style?

According to AP Style, “full-time” should be hyphenated when used as an adjective. AP Style describes the hyphen as a “joiner” that connects two closely related words. The idea is to clarify meaning by combining two words into one adjective to modify a noun.

For instance:

• She works as a full-time nurse.
• He has a full-time contract.

Here, both “nurse” and “contract” are nouns, and the hyphen helps the reader understand that “full-time” describes the noun.

Should I Capitalize “Time” in “Full-Time”?

When writing titles, deciding whether to capitalize “time” in “full-time” can be tricky. The answer depends on the style you follow. Let’s explore three common capitalization styles:

First Word and Proper Nouns: 

In this style, only the first word and any proper nouns are capitalized. Therefore, neither “full” nor “time” would be capitalized in this case.

• Learning from the Amazon Rainforest
• Exploring the history of World War II
• Traveling across Europe
• Baking the perfect Italian Pizza
• Understanding Newton’s Laws of Motion
• Visiting Eiffel Tower in Paris
• A guide to Greek Mythology
• Discovering the mysteries of Egyptian Pyramids
• How to cook Mexican Tacos
• Introduction to Shakespearean Plays
• Finding peace in Himalayan Mountains
• A day in the life of Albert Einstein
• The journey of American Independence
• Learning from the works of Vincent van Gogh
• Exploring the art of Japanese Calligraphy.

All Words Except Short Ones:

Another style capitalizes all words except for short ones like articles, conjunctions, or prepositions. Here, “full” would be capitalized, but “time” would not, as it’s treated as part of the same modifier.

• Learning From the Amazon Rainforest
• Exploring the History of World War II
• Traveling Across Europe
• Baking the Perfect Italian Pizza
• Understanding Newton’s Laws of Motion
• Visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris
• A Guide to Greek Mythology
• Discovering the Mysteries of Egyptian Pyramids
• How to Cook Mexican Tacos
• Introduction to Shakespearean Plays
• Finding Peace in the Himalayan Mountains
• A Day in the Life of Albert Einstein
• The Journey of American Independence
• Learning From the Works of Vincent van Gogh
• Exploring the Art of Japanese Calligraphy

Capitalize Every Word:

 The last style capitalizes every word in the title. So, in this case, both “Full” and “Time” would be capitalized.

For example:

• Full-Time Job Opportunities
• Working Full-Time as a Nurse
• Full-Time Contracts for Employees

When to Use “Full Time” Without a Hyphen

Let’s look at some examples of when to use “full time” without a hyphen:

• He works full time.
• That job is full time.
• We work full time.
• He works full time at the hospital.
• She is studying full time this semester.
• They both work full time in the same office.
• I have a full time schedule for my classes.
• This job requires you to work full time.
• He is available for full time work.
• She prefers to study full time rather than part-time.
• The internship is full time during the summer.
• They are hiring for a full time position.
• She has been working full time since she graduated.
• I am committed to working full time in this role.
• He’s looking for full time opportunities in his field.
• The program offers full time enrollment options.
• Many students choose to study full time to complete their degrees faster.
• She balances her job and studies by working full time.

In these sentences, “full time” is not modifying a noun, so there’s no need for a hyphen. In fact, in all these cases, “time” becomes the noun, and “full” acts as an adjective modifying it. This aligns with the AP Stylebook rules.

When to Use “Full-Time” With a Hyphen

Now, let’s see some examples where “full-time” is hyphenated because it modifies a noun:

• He works on a full-time basis.
• There are many full-time employees in this company.
• We only have full-time contracts to offer you.
• She has a full-time job as a teacher.
• They are looking for full-time employees to join the team.
• He works on a full-time basis at the company.
• The organization offers full-time positions only.
• She is a full-time student at the university.
• We only provide full-time contracts for this role.
• He prefers a full-time schedule over a part-time one.
• The full-time program includes internships and workshops.
• They hired a full-time manager to oversee operations.
• This full-time position comes with great benefits.
• She switched from a part-time to a full-time role.
• Our full-time staff is dedicated to customer service.
• He is seeking full-time work in the tech industry.
• The full-time workload can be challenging but rewarding.
• I have accepted a full-time offer from the company.

In these cases, “full-time” needs a hyphen because it’s used to describe a noun: “basis,” “employees,” and “contracts,” respectively. The hyphen helps clarify that the words “full” and “time” are being treated as a single adjective.

Alternatives to “Full Time”

If you’re still confused or just prefer using other phrases, here are a few alternatives to help you out:

• Permanent
• Around the clock
• Committed

These phrases can be useful when you want to avoid hyphenation but still convey a similar meaning.

Quick Quiz – Full-Time vs. Full Time

Let’s wrap up with a short quiz to check what you’ve learned:

• I work here (A. full time / B. full-time).
• She was fired from her (A. full time / B. full-time) job.
• The manager said that it is (A. full time / B. full-time).
• He has a (A. full time / B. full-time) hobby.
• I only have a (A. full time / B. full-time) contract.

Quiz Answers:

• A
• B
• A
• B
• B

FAQs

When should I use “full-time” with a hyphen?

You should use “full-time” with a hyphen when it’s an adjective modifying a noun. For example, in the sentence “She has a full-time job,” the hyphen connects “full” and “time” to describe the job. Whenever it describes something like an employee, contract, or position, a hyphen is needed.

When should I use “full time” without a hyphen?

Use “full time” without a hyphen when it’s acting as an adverb and not modifying a noun. In sentences like “He works full time,” the phrase explains how someone works rather than describing a job or position. The hyphen is only needed when it describes a specific noun.

What’s the difference between “full-time” and “full time”?

The difference comes down to the hyphen and the way each phrase is used. “Full-time” with a hyphen is an adjective used to describe a noun, like “full-time employee.” Without the hyphen, “full time” functions as an adverb to explain how something is done, like “He works full time.”

Is “full-time” more common than “full time”?

Yes, you’ll often see “full-time” with a hyphen more frequently because it’s commonly used in the context of jobs or employment. For example, people often say “I’m looking for a full-time job” or “I have a full-time contract.” The hyphenated form is more standard when describing a position or role.

Do I capitalize “time” in “full-time”?

It depends on which capitalization style you’re using. In most cases, only the first word of the title or sentence is capitalized, so “time” stays lowercase. For example, “Full-Time Employees” could have only “Full” capitalized in some styles, but in others, both “Full” and “Time” may be capitalized.

What does AP Style say about “full-time”?

AP Style guidelines recommend using a hyphen for “full-time” when it functions as an adjective. This means that whenever “full-time” describes a noun, such as in “full-time position” or “full-time teacher,” a hyphen should be used to make the connection between the two words clear to readers.

Can I avoid using “full-time”?

Yes, you can use alternatives to “full-time” if you want to avoid hyphenation. Words like “permanent”, “committed”, or phrases like “around the clock” are good substitutes. These alternatives can be used to describe someone who works the entire required time, without needing to figure out the hyphenation rule.

Why is it important to hyphenate “full-time”?

Hyphenating “full-time” ensures that the two words work together as one adjective to modify a noun. This helps avoid confusion, making it clear that “full-time” refers to something specific, like an employee or job. Without the hyphen, it could change the meaning of the sentence or make it harder to understand.

Final tips

In summary, knowing when to use “full-time” with a hyphen and “full time” without a hyphen is important for clear and correct writing. “Full-time” is used when it acts as an adjective to describe a noun, while “full time” works as an adverb that explains how something is done. Following the AP Style and other style rules helps keep your writing professional and easy to understand. When in doubt, remember that the hyphen serves as a useful tool to connect words and avoid confusion.