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Is the spelling breakeven, break even, or break-even? - Australian spelling
It's very common where a word can be used as a compound word, two separate words, or with the two words hyphenated.
Sometimes all three can be correct based on your usage, but at other times one or more may be a secondary spelling,
or may be incorrect usage.
If we check breakeven, break even and break-even using Google, and limiting sites to sites ending in .au,
the number of results returned are: 67,400, 156,000 and 161,000 respectively.
The Australian Oxford Dictionary only lists break even.
The Macquarie Dictionary lists both break even and break-even.
Neither dictionary lists breakeven which indicates breakeven as a compound word may not be correct.
Those using Microsoft Word should take care as Word accepts breakeven as a valid spelling.
The Macquarie Dictionary describes break-even as a noun derived from the phrasal verb break even,
thus break even is a phrasal verb. E.g. Usage as a phrasal verb. The company aims to break even by year end.
Usage as a noun. The company may never reach break-even.
In addition break-even can be used as an adjective.
The company needs to know their break-even point.
Whether break-even or break even is used depends on your usage.
At least in Australia, breakeven as a compound word, should most likely be considered to be an error.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.Australian-Dictionary.com.au
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