Hyphen: Definition, Uses and Examples in English

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.

6. Compound Nouns

Some compound nouns require hyphens to form a single term. These are often related to family, professions, or phrases that commonly use two words.

• My mother-in-law is visiting next week.
• The editor-in-chief approved the final draft.
• The runner-up received a medal for his efforts.

7. Word Breaks at the End of Lines

When a word doesn’t fit at the end of a line, a hyphen is used to break the word, continuing it on the next line. This should be done at natural syllable breaks.

• The presentation was well-or- ganized and informative.
• He studied communi- cation theories in depth.
• I have an up-to- date report for you.

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.

✓ It was a poorly written article.
✗ It was a poorly-written article.

• 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.

✓ They have a long-term plan for success.
✗ They have a long term plan for success.

• 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.

✓ They moved into their new housekeeper’s cottage.
✗ They moved into their new house-keeper’s cottage.

• 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.

✓ He couldn’t believe it — it was too good to be true.
✗ He couldn’t believe it – it was too good to be true.

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