daycare or day care

[Rhoda Collins]

When to use these?? I can't find a rule..TYIA!
Rho

[Sue @ The Brief Zone]

I know what you mean....Webster's Online Dictionary only lists one spelling as a noun -- day care, as two words.
There's a book you can buy...it's called "One Word, Two Words, Hyphenated" by Mary Louise Gilman...I have it, and I like using it when I'm in doubt....Hope this helps. Sue

[Sue @ The Brief Zone]

P.S. The One Word, Two Word book also lists it as 2 words, except when it's used as an adjective, then they list it as hyphenated....

[Rhoda Collins]

Thanks Sue. That is about what I was seeing. I will check into that book tho! Thanks!
Rho

[Rhoda Collins]

http://stylebook.fredericksburg.com/wordfram.htm
Found this helfpul site!!!

[caryn]

I was taught that a compound noun doesn't have a hyphen when it's used as an adjective.

[Lindsey Perry]

Two words unless it's a modifier.