run down vs. run-down

[MehdiS]

English Idioms and Expressions, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #40 "American Slang Words (14)", question 4

You've been living in that rat hole forever. When are you going to move into a nicer place?

(a) old and run down home
(b) small house
(c) apartment

English Idioms and Expressions, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #40 "American Slang Words (14)", answer 4

You've been living in that old and run down home forever. When are you going to move into a nicer place?

Correct answer: (a) old and run down home
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mustn't it be run-down?
Is there any differences between (run down) and (run-down)

Mehdi

[Mister Micawber]

Yes, we will fix that. As a predicate adjective, it is two words and as a pre-modifier, it is hyphenated. (As 2 words, it is also a verb, of course.)
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's