Explanations:Hyphenation in compound adjectives is a crucial aspect of English grammar. When compound adjectives precede a noun, they should be hyphenated to indicate that they function as a single unit. This rule is important for clarity and to avoid ambiguity in the sentence structure.
In the given sentence, "She adopted a fifteen-years-old Sikkimese boy to travel with her," the compound adjective "fifteen-years-old" is incorrectly written. The correct form should be "fifteen-year-old." The hyphenation is necessary because "fifteen-year-old" is a compound adjective that modifies the noun "boy." The hyphen connects the words "fifteen" and "year" to form a single unit that describes the age of the boy.
It is important to note that hyphenation rules can vary depending on the context. For example, when the compound adjective follows the noun it modifies, hyphenation is not always necessary. However, in this case, since "fifteen-year-old" precedes the noun "boy," the hyphenation is required.
Other parts of the sentence are grammatically correct. The verb "adopted" is the past participle of the verb "adopt" and is used correctly to describe the action of taking the boy into her family. The phrase "to travel" is an infinitive phrase that indicates the purpose of the action of adopting the boy. The preposition "with" is used correctly to indicate the relationship between the subject and the boy she adopted.
Understanding and applying hyphenation rules correctly is essential for clear and effective communication in English. It helps to avoid confusion and ensures that the intended meaning of the sentence is conveyed accurately.