The hyphenated term easy-to-use is the correct adjective form, and a noun always follows it. E.g., “Our company developed an easy-to-use software program.” Also, easy to use is correct when the thing it describes comes before. E.g., “Modern smartphones are easy to use.”
Easy to use refers to how easy or difficult something is to use or operate. Furthermore, there are two correct spelling versions of the term easy to use.
The first spelling format is easy to use. In this form, the thing you say is easy to use will always appear before the term.
In the following sentence, easy to use refers to products. Therefore, because the word products comes first, we do not need to use hyphens.
- Older consumers prefer products that are easy to use and durable.
In comparison, for the second spelling version, easy-to-use, we need to add the hyphens when the thing we are mentioning comes directly after easy-to-use.
- Older consumers prefer durable, easy-to-use products.
Although you may come across people who constantly use one version or the other, the correct grammar rules concerning hyphens are the ones stated above.
Furthermore, this rule does not change between the UK and the US. In addition, you should use this hyphenation style when writing a text in AP Style.
Please keep reading the rest of the page so you can learn more about the different forms of the term easy to use.
We’ll show you more helpful examples that will help clear out any doubts!
Easy to Use
The term easy to use as three words without hyphens is correct and refers to the ease with which you can use something.
When you use easy to use without hyphens, the thing you are talking about always comes first.
Below, we have gathered some great examples that show you how to use easy to use in a sentence:
- Our in-house software is not very easy to use and constantly crashes.
- The new coffee machine in the break room is surprisingly easy to use and brews a delicious cup.
- The training manual they provided is not particularly easy to use and lacks clear instructions.
- His latest invention, despite its complex appearance, is actually very easy to use and intuitive.
- The website’s new layout is not easy to use, making it hard for users to navigate and find information.
- The updated mobile application is impressively easy to use and has gained popularity among users.
- This new camera model, with all its advanced features, is still incredibly easy to use and perfect for beginners.
The most common things this term can refer to are technological devices, IT-related products such as software and hardware, and anything that you use.
So, now that we got everything settled regarding when to use the non-hyphenated version, easy to use, let’s see how to use the hyphenated version, easy-to-use.
Easy-to-Use
The compound word easy-to-use is correct. In this form, you always need to put the noun directly after.
The term specifies how easy something is to operate or use, and you commonly use it to describe pieces of tech, tools, or other familiar products that you use on a day-to-day basis.
Here are two examples of how to use the hyphenated term:
- I want a new easy-to-use cell phone.
- He lent me an easy-to-use electric screwdriver.
In the above sentences, the cell phone and the screwdriver come directly after the term easy-to-use, so we need to add the hyphens to make the compound term.
By adding the hyphens, you make it clear that easy-to-use refers to and describes that noun.
Here are some more example sentences of how to use easy-to-use correctly in a sentence:
- She bought an easy-to-use blender for her smoothie recipes.
- The company released an easy-to-use software update, simplifying the user interface.
- Our team developed an easy-to-use app that helps track daily expenses.
- I’m looking for an easy-to-use guidebook for my upcoming trip to Japan.
- The workshop introduced us to an easy-to-use tool for graphic design.
- My grandfather prefers an easy-to-use phone with large buttons and simple features.
- The gym offered an easy-to-use machine that targets multiple muscle groups at once.
- Students appreciated the easy-to-use platform for online learning, making their studies more manageable.
That’s all you need to know about using easy to use and easy-to-use. The rules are quite straightforward, so hopefully, all your questions have now been answered.
Also, you can always come back and review our examples if you ever have a hard time remembering which version of the word you should use.