Use of Hyphens

To understand how to use hyphens, first, you must learn what hyphens are. A hyphen ( – ) is a punctuation mark used as a joiner. It is used to join two parts of a single word. Although you may see hyphens appear after some of the prefixes, the main role is to link compound words.

You can use the hyphen to:

• link compound nouns (e.g., mother-in-law, runner-up, great-grandmother)
• link compound adjectives (e.g., “air-tight” seal, “narrow-minded” man, “old-fashioned” lady)
• link prefix to a word (e.g., re-write, re-examine, ex-wife)

A hyphen shows that the joined word is a single entity. It aims to eradicate obscurity.

Compound Nouns

A single noun made up of two words is called a compound noun.

Compound nouns are made by joining nouns with phrasal verbs or adjectives. They do not always require a hyphen, but when they are made by joining phrasal verbs, you either use a hyphen or combine them into a single word. For example

Compound Adjectives

Like compound nouns, a compound adjective consists of two words working together to modify a noun. A compound adjective requires a hyphen when it is used before a noun. For example;

However, If the compound adjective comes after a noun, you do not need to use a hyphen.

A compound adjective that ends with “ly” does not need a hyphen as well. For example, “The Company’s highly skilled labor is responsible for smartly paced work.

Prefix

Prefixes are added before a word to change its meaning, such as “im-possible,” “un-able.”A set of instructions does not exist, which guides whether we should use a hyphen to link prefix to a word or not. If you are “unsure” about using a hyphen, check the dictionary for correct information. But generally, if a prefix is used before a capital letter or a number, always use a hyphen.

Hyphens usually are not used if a term becomes too familiar. For example, e-mail has now turned into the email.

Using Hyphens

A hyphen can transform the meaning of a sentence, so be careful while using it. Sometimes an unnecessary use of a hyphen can make your sentence unclear and confusing for the readers. For example;

Extra Guidance

Even if you are an experienced writer, hyphens can confuse you. One thing to make your writing better is consistency. Be consistent in hyphenating terms. If you write ”un-expected” make sure to use a hyphen for prefixes like “un-sure,” “un-aware,” “un-ambiguous.” Always consult the dictionary to be sure of whether you should use a hyphen or not, and be careful about overdoing it. A hyphen should only be used if it is genuinely needed.