Question

what is correct: :'compare and contrast tools' or 'compare -and- contrast tools' when written is in a sentence?

Answer 1

Write it as "compare and contrast tools" in running text. Only hyphenate if the whole phrase is being used as a compound adjective before a noun, e.g. "a compare-and-contrast tool" or "compare-and-contrast tools."

Do not write "-and-" (hyphens around just "and") — that is incorrect.