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Hypens - word count?

Printed From: NYC Midnight : Creative Writing & Screenwriting
Category: GENERAL DISCUSSION
Forum Name: Questions & Answers
Forum Description: Ask any questions you have regarding NYC Midnight competitions here. We will answer as quickly as possible.
URL: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14965
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 3:01am
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Topic: Hypens - word count?
Posted By: DHogan
Subject: Hypens - word count?
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2017 at 7:08pm
Hello!

Came into this problem before with a Reader's Digest competition (100 words, nightmare!)

Does a hyphenated word count as one or two words?





Replies:
Posted By: Andrea
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2017 at 7:15pm
I go by what Word recognizes.  It seems to count hyphenated as one word, so that's what I do.  I take the word count it gives me.  So far, I haven't had a problem.  Other applications use different word counts, so if you take your piece to say, Grammarly, it will give you a different count than Word. Word seems to come in a little less than some others, but so far NYC has accepted that word count.  

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Posted By: Archon1995
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2017 at 3:43pm
With the penalties for going over length (see the contest rules) and different counts depending on what program/style guide you write with, word counts are a constant source of anxiety. I believe there were issues with word counts previously, and that they verify them now.


Posted By: Rasputin
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2017 at 4:12pm
OpenOffice seems to count differently from Word and there are various online tools that count the words in a copy/pasted block of text differently again. I usually check my word count against five or six different tools, pick the highest one and work to make sure that one reaches no higher than 995. For me it's the best way to put my mind at rest.


Posted By: DHogan
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2017 at 5:19pm
Eek! Well, fingers crossed. I got to 998 but there were enough hyphens to send me over 1000 Pinch


Posted By: De Chelonian Mobile
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2017 at 5:39pm
The count in Microsoft Word is probably the safest one to use, since NYC Midnight accepts .doc and .docx formats for submissions. I don't know if there are other programs that would show a lower word count, that use .doc or docx., but if the goal is squeezing in a few more words, I would probably play it safe and stick with the Microsoft Word count.

My word count was exactly 1000 this time. I'm not worried about it at all.


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Posted By: MattrickBT
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2017 at 5:48pm
hyphens connect two words to make one like grand-parent...em dashes count as two words. Words connected with ellipses count as one accord to word.


Posted By: Hrafnkel
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2017 at 5:50pm
I hyphenate aplenty and always hit 999 or 1000 in Word. You needn't worry about this (or contractions).


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Posted By: stephenmatlock
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2017 at 7:37pm
Just-separate-every-word-with-a-hyphen-and-you're-OK.

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