Hardworking and hard-working are both correct. In American English, you’d generally write “hardworking” as one word without a hyphen. It’s used to describe someone who puts a lot of effort and commitment into their work. But in British English, you write “hard-working” with a hyphen.
Hardworking or Hard-Working? Which is Correct?
To answer this question simply, both “hardworking” and “hard-working” are correct.
The choice between the hyphenated and non-hyphenated version mostly depends on whether you’re following American or British English rules.
In American English, you usually write “hardworking” as a single word with no hyphen. It’s a way to describe someone who puts a lot of time, effort, and dedication into their work.
On the other hand, if you’re using British English, you might lean towards “hard-working” with a hyphen, especially when you want to really point out how much effort someone is putting into their job.
No matter which version you choose, the word is used to modify nouns, usually referring to people who have great work habits.
While both “hardworking” and “hard-working” are correct, “hardworking” is used more often globally. So, if you’re unsure, go with “hardworking”.
The difference in spelling doesn’t change the meaning. You can swap one form for the other, and it’s still grammatically correct.
Hardworking
“Hardworking“ is a word you use to talk about someone who puts a lot of effort and care into what they do. It’s a trait that’s often admired in many areas of life, like work and personal relationships.
When you use “hardworking” in a sentence, it usually comes after the noun it’s describing. For example, you might say, “The team members are hardworking and always meet their deadlines.”
In this case, “hardworking” isn’t directly connected to the noun it’s describing, which here is “team members.” Instead, it comes after the word “are”, so you don’t use a hyphen.
Examples:
- Being hardworking is essential for success.
- The hardworking team completed the project ahead of schedule.
Hard-working
“Hard-working“ with a hyphen is used when the two words combine to make an adjective that directly comes before and describes a noun. The meaning stays the same, but the hyphen helps keep things clear.
The hyphen in “hard-working” shows that the words are connected and should be read as one idea. This grammar trick helps avoid confusion, making sure the reader knows that both words together describe the noun that comes after them.
For example, in the sentence “She is a hard-working student,” the hyphen links “hard” and “working” to express one characteristic of the student.
Using the hyphenated version is especially helpful when the adjective comes before a noun to prevent any misunderstanding. For instance, without the hyphen, “hard working student” could be wrongly understood as a student working on something hard, rather than a student who works hard.
Examples:
- John is a hard-working farmer, always up at dawn to tend to his crops.
- She was recognized as the most hard-working employee in the entire company.
Is Hard Working Also Correct?
No, writing “hard working” as two separate words is not correct.
This is a mistake that you should be careful to avoid. Particularly when it’s used to describe a noun, remember to use a hyphen, especially in British English.
For example, consider the sentence, “She is a hard working employee.”
Here, “hard working” describes the noun “employee.” In this situation, you need to link the two words with a hyphen or combine them (depending on the version of English you’re using).
So the right way to write the sentence is: “She is a hard-working employee.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Associated Press Stylebook recommend writing ‘hardworking’ or ‘hard-working’?
The Associated Press Stylebook recommends using ‘hardworking’ as a single, unhyphenated word when describing someone who puts a lot of effort into their work.
How can ‘hardworking’ be correctly incorporated into a sentence?
To incorporate ‘hardworking’ correctly, you would generally use it as an adjective before a noun to describe someone’s work ethic. An example would be, “He is recognized as a hardworking employee who consistently exceeds expectations.”
What is the difference between being ‘hardworking’ and ‘working hard’?
Being ‘hardworking’ refers to someone’s consistent and enduring work ethic—it is a trait. In contrast, ‘working hard’ can describe the action itself. It is the effort put into a specific task at a specific time and may not necessarily characterize the person’s overall work style.
