"water-reactive" vs "water reactive"

Question

"water-reactive" vs "water reactive"

Both "water-reactive" and "water reactive" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Water-reactive" is commonly used as a compound adjective to describe substances that react with water, while "water reactive" can also be correct when used in a more general sense.

Last Updated: March 30, 2024

Use "water-reactive" when you want to describe a substance that reacts with water. It is used as a compound adjective before a noun.

Examples:

Be careful with water-reactive chemicals in the lab.
The storage area for water-reactive materials must be well-ventilated.

Alternatives:

moisture-reactive
air-reactive
heat-reactive
light-reactive
oxygen-reactive

Use "water reactive" when you want to describe something that reacts with water in a more general context. It can be used as an adjective before a noun.

Examples:

This metal is water reactive and should be handled with care.
The substance is known to be water reactive under certain conditions.

Alternatives:

reactive to water
prone to react with water
sensitive to water
responsive to water
susceptible to water reactions

Answer 1

water-reactive

This is a correct compound adjective commonly used to describe substances that react with water.

Answer 2

water reactive

This is also correct, especially when used in a more general sense to describe something that reacts with water.

"water-reactive" vs "water reactive"

water-reactive

water reactive

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