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Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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Direct Deposit
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1
2009/06/02 - 1:20pm

I like to think of myself as the go-to grammar guy here at work, but I confess (to you, not my co-workers) that this has left me at a loss. Is it correct to say "your funds will be directly deposited on Monday" or "your funds will be direct-deposited on Monday"?

Grant Barrett
San Diego, California
1532 Posts
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2
2009/06/02 - 1:42pm

The second is more colloquial and less likely to sound odd, since "direct deposit" is a compound noun in which the two words behave as one item, a fact which carries over when the compound noun becomes a verb. "The company direct-deposited my paycheck every month" is just fine.

Last fall there was a discussion of similar verbs on the American Dialect Society email list, including to executive produce, to absentee vote, to underage drink, and to offshore drill.

Guest
3
2009/06/02 - 1:49pm

These sound like a prolific kind of back formation. Grant, you hypenated "direct-deposited," but not "to absentee vote." Any guidelines out there for hyphenating or not?

Guest
4
2009/06/03 - 10:21am

For whatever it's worth, my company tells us that my "funds will be deposited on Monday." The fact that they will be direct-deposited is assumed, making it unnecessary to specify it. Now, it's an interesting question about what is done for the few Luddites who insist on having their paychecks mailed to them. Do they get a separate email informing them that their checks will be in the mail on Monday?

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5
2009/06/03 - 11:41am

Thanks, Grant, for the discussion link. That provides some insight. And samaphore, I'm subtly switching to "deposited"; thanks for the idea.

Grant Barrett
San Diego, California
1532 Posts
(Offline)
6
2009/06/03 - 12:21pm

Hyphenation for these sorts of verbs is a matter of style. I prefer it but some style guides suggest it is optional.

Guest
7
2009/06/03 - 4:46pm

. . . and to offshore drill.

to drill-baby-drill?

Guest
8
2009/06/04 - 1:56pm

Shouldn't we just say "deposited directly"?

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