Table of Contents
What is a Hyphen?
A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark used to join two or more words or parts of words together. It helps clarify the meaning of compound terms, word breaks, and numbers. Hyphens are commonly used to create compound adjectives, link words, and split syllables at the end of lines.
Example Sentences:
He is a well-known writer.
The meeting is scheduled for mid-June.
Please re-read the instructions.
When to Use Hyphens
Hyphens are useful in English writing that connect words or parts of words to create a clear, unified meaning. Learning when to use hyphens will help you write more clearly and avoid confusion.
- In Compound Words (Especially Compound Adjectives)
When two or more words come together to describe a noun, they often need a hyphen. This is especially common when the words form a single idea or concept, making the sentence clearer for the reader.
For example, well-known in well-known actor connects the two words into one description.
- With Prefixes Before Proper Nouns or Adjectives
When you use use prefixes like ex-, mid-, or self- before a proper noun or adjective, hyphens help to connect them.
For example, in mid-July, the hyphen ensures that mid and July are understood as a single timeframe.
- In Compound Numbers (From Twenty-One to Ninety-Nine)
When you write numbers between 21 and 99 in words, you use a hyphen to connect the tens and ones places.
For example, twenty-one and ninety-nine both require hyphens.
- For Clarity in Certain Words
Sometimes, a hyphen is needed to avoid confusion or misreading of a word. For instance, re-sign (to sign again) is different from resign (to quit), and the hyphen helps distinguish between these meanings.
- When Splitting Words at the End of a Line
If you’re writing by hand or in certain formats, and a word doesn’t fit at the end of a line, you may need to split the word. The hyphen is used to indicate that the word continues on the next line. Make sure you break the word at a natural syllable, like in infor-mation.
- She is a well-known singer.
- The event will take place in mid-August.
- I need to re-read the book before the exam.
- The team finished the project with twenty-five people.
- Make sure to use high-quality products for best results.
Hyphen vs Dash
The hyphen (-) and the dash (—) are both punctuation marks, but they serve very different purposes in writing. It’s important to know when to use each, as they help structure sentences in distinct ways. Here’s a simple breakdown of the differences:
Hyphen (-)
A hyphen is used to connect words or parts of words together. Its main job is to form compound words, join prefixes to other words, or split words at the end of a line. The hyphen is short and sticks directly between the words without any spaces.
- The well-known author gave an inspiring speech.
- My sister-in-law is visiting next week.
- Please re-read the chapter before the test.
The fast-moving car swerved to avoid the accident.
The hyphen connects fast and moving to describe the car more clearly.
Dash (—)
A dash, on the other hand, is used to separate parts of a sentence. It adds emphasis, indicates a pause, or shows a change in thought. The dash is longer than the hyphen and is used with spaces on either side to clearly show a break in the sentence.
- I planned to go to the park today — but it started raining.
- She was excited — maybe a little too excited — about her promotion.
- The results were clear — he passed the test with flying colors.
I wanted to call her — but I couldn’t find my phone.
The dash creates a pause, adding emphasis to the second part of the sentence.
Example Sentences
- She wore a bright-colored dress to the party.
- The well-known actor received an award.
- We ordered a top-of-the-line laptop for work.
- The project will be completed in mid-December.
- My five-year-old nephew loves playing with toys.
- The company is offering a full-time position.
- They lived in a run-down house on the outskirts of town.
- I bought a second-hand car last week.
- We stayed at a five-star hotel during our vacation.
- The editor asked me to re-check the document for errors.
Hyphen with Open and Closed Compound Words
Understanding when to use a hyphen with compound words can be tricky, but it’s essential for clear writing. Compound words come in three forms: open, closed, and hyphenated. Here, we’ll focus on open and closed compounds and how hyphens play a role in making these words easier to understand.
- Open Compound Words
Open compounds are words that consist of two separate words that work together to create a new meaning. Typically, they are not joined by a hyphen.
- post office refers to a place where mail is processed.
- high school means a school for students typically between the ages of 14 and 18.
In these examples, no hyphen is needed because the two words stand on their own and are easily understood together. They remain open, but over time, some open compounds may evolve into hyphenated or closed forms.
- Closed Compound Words
Closed compounds occur when two words are combined into a single word. Over time, as certain word pairs become more commonly used together, they become closed compounds.
- notebook refers to a book of blank pages for writing notes.
- basketball is a sport involving a ball and a basket.
In these cases, no hyphen is required, as the words have fused into one.
When to Use a Hyphen
A hyphen is often used to avoid confusion or to make the relationship between the words clear.
- well-known author (the hyphen helps clarify that the author is famous, rather than implying two separate characteristics).
- mother-in-law refers to a relationship, not multiple individuals.
Hyphens are particularly important when two words work together as an adjective before a noun (known as a compound modifier). For example:
- long-term project
- up-to-date information
Hyphens with Prefixes: Ex-, Self-, All-
When using the prefixes ex-, self-, and all-, hyphens are essential for clarity and proper meaning. Each of these prefixes has specific rules for when a hyphen is necessary, and understanding these can help avoid confusion.
Ex-
The prefix ex- means former or previous. It always requires a hyphen to indicate that something or someone is no longer in the specified role or status.
- ex-boss refers to someone who was once your boss but no longer holds that position.
- ex-wife refers to a woman who was formerly married.
Without the hyphen, the meaning could become unclear, making the use of ex- critical for showing something is in the past.
Self-
The prefix self- is always hyphenated when referring to something related to a person’s own identity or actions.
- self-care refers to taking care of oneself.
- self-respect means having respect for yourself.
The hyphen is necessary to show the relationship between the two words, emphasizing that the action or trait is directed at oneself.
All-
The prefix all- indicates something is complete or entire. A hyphen is required to connect the prefix with the following word, making it clear that it refers to everything within the given context.
- all-knowing refers to someone who knows everything.
- all-star describes someone or something outstanding among others.
The hyphen here links all- to the idea that follows, emphasizing the totality or comprehensiveness of the word.
Hyphen Rules
Hyphens are versatile punctuation marks with many important uses. Below are the maximum rules for when and how to use hyphens effectively in your writing, with clear examples to guide you.
1. Compound Adjectives Before Nouns
When two or more words work together to describe a noun, a hyphen is used to connect them. This helps clarify that the words form a single idea before the noun.
- The five-star restaurant is famous for its service.
- She lives in a well-maintained apartment.
- He gave me a hand-made gift for my birthday.
2. Compound Numbers (21 to 99)
Hyphens are used in compound numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine when written out in words. This keeps the number clear and easy to read.
- I bought thirty-three books for the library.
- She will turn seventy-five next year.
- The recipe calls for two-thirds of a cup of sugar.
3. Prefixes Before Proper Nouns or Adjectives
When prefixes like ex, mid, and self are attached to proper nouns or adjectives, a hyphen is used to connect them for clarity.
- They visited the mid-Atlantic region during their trip.
- He is a self-taught artist who paints beautifully.
- The ex-president will be speaking at the event.
4. Words with the Same Letters Together
When combining words that have the same letter at the end of one word and the start of the next, a hyphen is used to avoid confusion.
- I will re-elect the same candidate in the next election.
- The story was about the co-owner of the company.
- The meeting was scheduled for three-quarter time.
5. Avoiding Ambiguity
Hyphens can clarify the meaning of words that might otherwise be confusing. They help distinguish between different meanings.
- He decided to re-cover the sofa with new fabric
(vs. recover, which means to get back). - I will re-sign the contract tomorrow
(vs. resign, which means to quit). - The man looked at the well-dressed stranger curiously.
Common Mistakes
Hyphens can sometimes be tricky to use, leading to common mistakes in writing. These mistakes usually occur due to misunderstanding the rules, overusing hyphens, or forgetting them where needed. Here are the most common hyphen mistakes to avoid, with examples for better understanding.
- Hyphenating Adverbs Ending in “ly”
One of the most common mistakes is using a hyphen after an adverb that ends in ly. Adverbs like quickly, slowly, or beautifully never need a hyphen when they modify adjectives.
✓ She wore a beautifully designed dress.
✗ She wore a beautifully-designed dress.
✓ The highly skilled artist impressed everyone.
✗ The highly-skilled artist impressed everyone.
- Omitting Hyphens in Compound Adjectives
Another mistake is leaving out hyphens in compound adjectives before a noun. This can cause confusion about whether the words are meant to be read together or separately.
✓ He is a well-known author.
✗ He is a well known author.
✓ We stayed in a five-star hotel.
✗ We stayed in a five star hotel.
- Overusing Hyphens in Compound Nouns
Sometimes, people overuse hyphens in compound nouns where they are unnecessary. Certain compound nouns have become standard without hyphens and should be written as single words or two separate words.
✓ She has a boyfriend.
✗ She has a boy-friend.
✓ I am taking an online course.
✗ I am taking an on-line course.
- Using Hyphens Instead of Dashes
Some writers confuse hyphens with dashes and use hyphens in place of them. Remember, hyphens connect words, while dashes separate parts of a sentence for emphasis or a pause.
✓ She was late — again!
✗ She was late – again!
✓ The results were clear — they passed the test.
✗ The results were clear – they passed the test.
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