Hyphenating to a Compound Noun

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When you have a compound noun that is separate words and it is being used as an adjective in front of a noun, it is not hyphenated.

...real estate deal...
...social security payment...

When there is a prefix or suffix for the compound noun, hyphenate it to the front or back of the noun; however, do not hyphenate the compound noun.

...post-high school days...
...Los Angeles County-wide ban...

Happy punctuating!

Margie