How do you know if the correct spelling is 'sandbox' or 'sand box'? What are the rules?

Question

How do you know if the correct spelling is 'sandbox' or 'sand box'? What are the rules?

Question #110923. Asked by author.
Last updated Feb 19 2017.

looney_tunes

Answer has 6 votes

Currently Best Answer

looney_tunes

19 year member
3321 replies avatar

Answer has 6 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

Unfortunately, no rules. Many words in English evolve from an original form of two separate words to become a single compound word, often through an intermediate stage with a hyphenated form.

http://www.grammarmudge.cityslide.com/articles/article/426348/2805.htm

Sandbox is the correct spelling in this case for a word that clearly originated from a box of sand, two separate concepts.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sandbox

Response last updated by satguru on Feb 19 2017.
Nov 21 2009, 4:25 PM

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Answer 1

star_gazer

Answer has 3 votes

star_gazer

23 year member
5236 replies avatar

Answer has 3 votes.

Its sandbox.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sandbox

Nov 21 2009, 4:24 PM

Answer 2

author
Answer has 2 votes

author
23 year member
2834 replies

Answer has 2 votes.

So, if the word include "two separate concepts" there is some kind of a rule after all?

Nov 21 2009, 5:35 PM

Answer 3

star_gazer

Answer has 3 votes

star_gazer

23 year member
5236 replies avatar

Answer has 3 votes.

This site explains that there is no rule for compound words like sandbox.

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/page_35.htm

Nov 21 2009, 5:48 PM