“Time Consuming” Or “Time-Consuming”|Definition & Meaning

Hyphenation rules in English can be tricky if you’re not completely familiar with them. So, is time consuming hyphenated? Let’s dive into the rules of the English language and see how it should be used depending on the sentence structure. Hyphenation is a tricky area of English grammar, and phrases like time-consuming can often cause confusion. Should it always be hyphenated, or does it depend on how it’s used in a sentence? 

The answer lies in whether it’s describing something (acting as an adjective) or being used as a phrase noun on its own. In this article, we’ll explore the proper ways to use time consuming versus time-consuming based on sentence structure. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of when to hyphenate and when to leave it out.

Time Consuming Or Time-Consuming – Hyphenated Or Not?

When we discuss the time-consuming hyphenation rule, the choice depends on context. If you’re using the phrase as an adjective to describe a noun or object, then you hyphenate it as time-consuming. On the other hand, if it’s used as a phrase noun at the end of a sentence, there’s no need for a hyphen, and it remains time consuming.

Examples Of When To Use “Time Consuming”

Now that we understand the difference between time consuming and time-consuming, let’s solidify the concept with examples. These examples show how to use time consuming as a phrase noun, where it stands on its own without modifying another word.

• My job is time consuming.
• This wedding is time consuming.
• Why is this so time consuming?
• Meetings are always time consuming.
• That task was time consuming.
• This report is time consuming, but it’s necessary.
• The whole process was extremely time consuming.
• These meetings are always time consuming.
• I didn’t expect the project to be so time consuming.
• Filling out forms like this is really time consuming.
• His job is time consuming, but he enjoys it.
• The exam preparation turned out to be time consuming.
• Fixing the old car has been incredibly time consuming.
• Planning a wedding is time consuming, but worth it.
• Checking all the documents is time consuming.
• The setup for the event was quite time consuming.
• All the back-and-forth emails were time consuming.
• Organizing the files became more time consuming than I thought.
• Updating my portfolio is always time consuming.
• Fixing those minor errors was time consuming, but necessary.

Examples Of When To Use “Time-Consuming”

Next, we’ll cover instances where time-consuming is hyphenated. In these cases, it’s used as an adjective to modify or describe a noun. The hyphen links the words, showing that they work together to describe something more specific.

• That was a time-consuming adventure.
• I hate time-consuming homework.
• She has a time-consuming project.
• We all have time-consuming deadlines.
• That’s a time-consuming job.
• That was a time-consuming project that took weeks to complete.
• Filling out all the paperwork was a time-consuming process.
• We have several time-consuming tasks to finish before the deadline.
• The research for this paper has been incredibly time-consuming.
• Cooking a five-course meal is a time-consuming job.
• Learning a new language can be a time-consuming endeavor.
• Renovating the entire house proved to be a time-consuming project.
• The interview process was much more time-consuming than expected.
• Fixing the broken machinery turned out to be a time-consuming effort.
• Organizing the event was a time-consuming challenge for the whole team.
• Teaching children to read is a rewarding but time-consuming activity.
• Updating the software across all devices was a time-consuming task.
• The long and detailed discussion became a time-consuming meeting.
• Proofreading the manuscript was a time-consuming job, but it had to be done.
• Cleaning the entire garage was such a time-consuming task that it took the whole weekend.

Is Time Consuming Hyphenated In AP Style?

According to the AP Stylebook, hyphens act as “joiners” for two or more closely related words when used in a sentence. Whenever we link words in this way, we typically use them as an adjective to modify a noun. If we leave them unhyphenated, they’re used as a phrase noun, standing alone without modifying anything else.

Should I Capitalize “Consuming” In The Word “Time-Consuming”?

What about capitalization? When it comes to hyphenated words like time-consuming, the rules can be a bit flexible. It depends on your chosen style guide, but here are three main options:

• Only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. In this case, neither “time” nor “consuming” would be capitalized in a title.
• Capitalize all words except for short prepositions, conjunctions, and articles. In this style, “time” is capitalized, but “consuming” isn’t.
• Capitalize every word in the title. In this case, both “time” and “consuming” would be capitalized.

The style you choose should be consistent with the capitalization rules you follow.

Alternatives To “Time Consuming”

If you’re still finding the hyphenation rules a bit tricky, you can always use alternative words with similar meanings. This way, you won’t have to worry about whether to hyphenate or not! Here are a few alternatives:

• Gradual
• Sluggish
• Stagnant
• Tedious
• Prolonged

Quiz – Time Consuming Or Time-Consuming?

Now it’s time to test what you’ve learned. Let’s see if you can determine when to hyphenate time-consuming and when to leave it as time consuming. Choose the correct form in the following sentences:

• She has a (A. time consuming / B. time-consuming) job.
• The whole process is (A. time consuming / B. time-consuming).
• What a (A. time consuming / B. time-consuming) waste this has been.
• I hate (A. time consuming / B. time-consuming) tasks.
• Why is school so (A. time consuming / B. time-consuming)?

Quiz Answers

• B
• A
• B
• B
• A

FAQs

When should I hyphenate “time-consuming”? 

You should hyphenate time-consuming when it’s used as an adjective to modify or describe a noun. The hyphen links the two words together to clarify that they work as a single concept. For example, in the sentence “That was a time-consuming task,” the phrase “time-consuming” describes the task, indicating that it requires a lot of time. Without the hyphen, the sentence might be confusing because the reader wouldn’t know if the words are separate or working together to describe the noun.

Can I use “time consuming” without a hyphen? 

Yes, time consuming can be used without a hyphen when it functions as a phrase noun rather than an adjective. When it’s used at the end of a sentence or stands alone without modifying another noun, it doesn’t need a hyphen. For example, in “This project is time consuming,” the phrase isn’t describing another noun, so it remains unhyphenated. This usage is less common but important to distinguish when the phrase is acting independently.

Is “time-consuming” always hyphenated in AP Style? 

Yes, the AP Stylebook dictates that time-consuming should always be hyphenated when used as an adjective. According to AP Style, hyphens are used to join two words that function as a single idea to modify a noun. Since time-consuming is an adjective in most of its usages, it almost always requires a hyphen in formal writing following AP guidelines. The hyphen also helps avoid confusion, making the sentence clearer for readers.

Should I capitalize “consuming” in a title with “time-consuming”? 

The capitalization rules for time-consuming in a title depend on the style guide you follow. There are a few common approaches:

• Sentence case: Only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. In this case, neither “time” nor “consuming” would be capitalized if not at the beginning of a sentence.
• Title case (APA or Chicago Style): Capitalize all major words, which means “Time-Consuming” would be capitalized.
• AP Style: Often capitalizes the first word and proper nouns, but some organizations might capitalize both words in hyphenated adjectives like “Time-Consuming.”

Always check with your specific style guide for consistency.

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

The main difference lies in how the phrase is used in the sentence. Time-consuming acts as an adjective, meaning it describes or modifies a noun. For example, “That was a time-consuming meeting.” In contrast, time consuming acts as a phrase noun when it’s used on its own without modifying anything. For instance, “This task is time consuming” is correct because the phrase isn’t directly describing another noun.

Are there alternatives to “time-consuming”? 

Yes, there are several synonyms you can use if you’re looking to avoid the hyphenation issue. Alternatives to time-consuming include:

• Tedious: Emphasizes something that takes too long and can be dull or repetitive.
• Prolonged: Refers to something lasting longer than expected.
• Sluggish: Implies that something is moving or progressing slowly.
• Gradual: Indicates that something progresses slowly over time.
• Drawn-out: Describes a task or process that has been unnecessarily extended.

These alternatives can often simplify your writing and eliminate the need to worry about whether or not to hyphenate.

 Why is hyphenation important? 

Hyphenation plays a critical role in clarifying meaning in written language. Without proper hyphenation, the reader might misinterpret what you’re saying. For example, the difference between “a time consuming task” and “a time-consuming task” is that the latter clearly indicates that the task requires a lot of time. Hyphenation also prevents ambiguity by linking two words into one cohesive unit, ensuring that your sentence is read as you intend. In general, it helps improve the flow and readability of your writing.

Can I use “time consuming” as an adverb? 

No, time consuming or time-consuming cannot function as an adverb. It is exclusively used as an adjective (modifying a noun) or a phrase noun. If you’re looking to modify a verb to indicate that something takes a long time, you would use an adverb like slowly or gradually, but time-consuming is not suitable for this role. For instance, instead of saying “The meeting proceeded time-consumingly,” you would say, “The meeting proceeded slowly.”

Final words

Understanding when to use time-consuming with a hyphen and when to leave it as time consuming without one can be a bit confusing, but it’s important for clarity in writing. When the phrase is used to modify a noun, always remember to hyphenate it. If the phrase stands alone as a noun at the end of a sentence, leave the hyphen out. By mastering these rules, you’ll improve your grammar and avoid common mistakes. Whenever you’re in doubt, consider whether the phrase is describing something or if it’s simply a statement on its own. Clear, accurate writing relies on attention to details like hyphenation, so understanding these distinctions will help you in many aspects of communication.