Using Hyphens
What is a hyphen?
A hyphen a mark of punctuation used to divide and connect separate elements of individual words. Though it looks quite similar to a dash, the hyphen is used to clarify meaning in particular words rather than in whole sentences.
A HYPHEN IS USED TO COMBINE WORDS
Compound Words
A compound word is created when two words are combined to make a new word with a new meaning. Missing hyphenation can change the meaning of the word(s). Hyphenated compound words are usually used to describe nouns.
Examples
(Without the hyphen) Look! There’s a man eating shark!
(With the hyphen) Look! There’s a man-eating shark!
Fractions
To designate fractions in writing, we use hyphens.
Examples
(Missing the hyphen) We must add two thirds to get the correct answer.
(With the hyphen) We must add two-thirds to get the correct answer.
Numbers
In numbers twenty‐one through ninety‐nine In English, these numbers require hyphens in writing.
Examples
(Mising the hyphen) I gave the waitress twenty five dollars and she never gave me change!
(With the hyphen) I gave the waitress twenty-five dollars and she never gave me change!
To connect prefixes to nouns and adjectives
A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify or change its meaning. Usually, hyphenated prefixes are used to separate two consecutive vowels to avoid confusion.
Examples
(Missing the hyphen) I need to de ice my car.
(With the hyphen) I need to de-ice my car.
To connect a single letter to a word
This usage usually designates an action.
Examples
(Missing the hyphen) We went a caroling on Christmas Eve.
(With the hyphen) We went a-caroling on Christmas Eve.
