One third vs. One-third

[Yura Reiri]

What can a hyphen between one and third do in the phrase One third of the population?

Which is the correct usage of One third in that sentence, with the hyphen or without?

Thank you!

 

[birdeen's call]

What can a hyphen between one and third do in the phrase One third of the population?

I am not sure what you are asking. A hyphen can do nothing in my opinion. It's just a symbol.

Which is the correct usage of One third in that sentence, with the hyphen or without?

In your phrase (note that "one third of the population" isn't a sentence -- it's a phrase) no hyphen is right.

 

[Michael84]

Not a teacher

The spelling with the hyphen is the correct one according to the dictionaries I've checked. However you will find plenty versions without the "-" if you google it, but that doesn't mean it is correct.

Hopefully a teacher can give you more information.

P.S.: To my knowdlege: only if it is an adjectival phrase use a hyphen.

 

[birdeen's call]

The spelling with the hyphen is the correct one according to the dictionaries I've checked. However you will find plenty versions without the "-" if you google it, but that doesn't mean it is correct.

From Wikipedia:

Fractions as modifiers are hyphenated: "five-eighths inches", but if numerator or denominator are already hyphenated, the fraction itself does not take a hyphen: "a thirty-three thousandth part". (Fractions used as nouns have no hyphens: "I ate only one third of the pie.")

 

[Rover_KE]

This question is discussed at length here:

One third/one-third - WordReference Forums

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