Should there be a hyphen in "well-positioned to"?

Hi, Andrew,

@Andrew Van Wagner posted:

See here (I would say that this is an anomaly; I don't see any other recent cases where they deploy the hyphen in this situation):

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/0...n-wine-industry.html

Marketing to younger consumers ought to amplify sustainability and social responsibility, Mr. McMillan said, subjects that wine is well-positioned to highlight.

But see here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/0...istricting-maps.html

The Republicans believe their party is well positioned to retake control of the House of Representatives in November, but every seat could count.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/0...ernor-hochul-ny.html

On one hand, he is well positioned to point out Ms. Hochul’s inconsistencies, such as criticizing Washington for doing little on gun safety when she was hardly a gun-reform advocate during her time in Congress, even earning an N.R.A. endorsement at one point.

I don't see that it has to be hyphenated. The following examples from 'The New York Times' are not hyphenated:

https://ludwig.guru/s/is+well+positioned

Remember the rule, Andrew. In predicative position, as in all your examples here, the hyphen is not used by U.S. publications. Only in attributive position is it used. Can you see the difference between these?

• The chair is well positioned.
• It is a well-positioned chair.

Thanks; that makes sense. But is this instance an error, then? https://www.nytimes.com/2023/0...n-wine-industry.html

@Andrew Van Wagner posted:

Thanks; that makes sense. But is this instance an error, then? https://www.nytimes.com/2023/0...n-wine-industry.html

Yes, it is an error.