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Re: much loved v much-loved

If it is an adverb modifying an adjective, then no:

I am happy : I am very happy

"Regarded as a local hero, he is loved by all in his home town."
"He is much loved by his family and friends."

However, when two or more words are used as a unit to qualify a noun, then yes:
"He was a much-loved man who will be sadly missed by his family and friends."

He is 42 years old.
He is a 42-year-old man.

Re: much loved v much-loved

Thanks very much.

Re: much loved v much-loved

When hyphenated, "much-loved" is a compound adjective, typically used to pre-modify a noun.

But when it is a past-participle used in a passive clause, the hyphen is normally dropped:

'My uncle was a much-loved man'. (compound adjective as noun modifier)

'My uncle was much loved'. (passive verb 'loved' modified by adverb "much")



PaulM