When it comes to hyphenation, it’s important to consider the context in which the words “person” and “to” are being used. In general, if these words are being used as separate nouns, there is no need to hyphenate them. However, if they are being used together as an adjective to describe something, then hyphenation is appropriate.
For example, if we are talking about the transmission of a disease from one individual to another, we would say “person-to-person transmission.” In this case, “person-to-person” is being used as an adjective to modify the noun “transmission.” The hyphen helps to connect the words and make it clear that they are being used together in a descriptive sense.
On the other hand, if we are simply referring to the concept of one person communicating or interacting with another, there is no need for hyphenation. For instance, we would say “I prefer face-to-face communication” or “We had a one-on-one conversation.” In these cases, “person” and “to” are being used as separate nouns, and therefore do not require a hyphen.
It’s worth noting that hyphenation rules can sometimes be subjective and may vary depending on style guides or specific contexts. However, the general rule of thumb is to use a hyphen when the words are being used together as an adjective and to leave them separate when they are functioning as separate nouns.
Whether to hyphenate “person to person” depends on its usage. As a general guideline, if the words are being used as a noun, you probably shouldn’t hyphenate them. If they are being used together as an adjective, you should.