Should I use " related" or "-related"?

Question

What is **the correct use of the term *"related?"*** For example, should I use it like *computer related*, or is it more proper to use *computer-related* (where the word *"computer"* is just part of my example?)

Answer 1

Computer-related is hyphenated if it comes before a noun. Computer-related is a compound adjective that describes a noun like the word "problem".

You can say, "I have a computer-related problem." Here the adjective describes the noun that follows.

However, you can say, "The problem is computer related." This would not have a hyphen because it does not precede the noun.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

"Computer-related" is correct; this is called a compound adjective, where two or more words together modify a noun, as in "I have a computer-related question," with "computer-related" modifying "question." Compound adjectives are generally hyphenated.