What is the grammar rule for hyphens?
Use a hyphen at the end of a line to divide a word where there is not enough space for the whole word. Follow the rules for dividing words correctly. Divide a word between syllables. Never divide a one-syllable word.
What are examples of hyphenated words?
Hyphenated Compound Word Examples
- two-fold.
- check-in.
- merry-go-round.
- father-in-law.
- seventy-two.
- long-term.
- up-to-date.
- mother-in-law.
How do you hyphenate two sentences?
Quick Use: Use a dash to connect independent clauses or to inerrupt a main clause in a way that creates dramatic effect. Dashes function in two ways: to signal interruptions in a sentence (basically like parentheses), and to connect independent clauses.
What do you mean by hyphenation?
Hyphenation is what you do when you use a dash-like punctuation mark to join two words into one or separate the syllables of a word.
What is an example of a dash in a sentence?
Dashes are also used to mark the interruption of a sentence in dialogue: Example: “Help! This horse is going too fast,” the actor yelled. “I think I am fall—.”
What is the function of a hyphen in a sentence?
Hyphens connect two words to make a single word. Hyphens are also used to attach a prefix to a word. In some situations, hyphens connect adverbs and adjectives to describe a noun. This can be avoided by rewording the sentence.
What is an example of a dash used in a sentence?
What is the rule for hyphenated compound words?
Hyphenated Compound Words
One important rule of thumb to remember is that in most cases, a compound adjective is hyphenated if placed before the noun it modifies, but not if placed after the noun. This is not a good solution for the long term.
Which part of the sentence should be hyphenated?
Generally, you need the hyphen only if the two or more words are functioning together as an adjective before the noun they’re describing. If the noun comes first, leave the hyphen out. This wall is load bearing.
How do you use dashes in a sentence?
Use dashes to mark the beginning and end of a series, which might otherwise get confused, with the rest of the sentence: Example: The three female characters—the wife, the nun, and the jockey—are the incarnation of excellence. Dashes are also used to mark the interruption of a sentence in dialogue: Example: “Help!
What is an example of a hyphenated compound noun?
Hyphenated: The third kind of compound noun is a hyphenated compound noun, and, as the name implies, a hyphen connects the words. Examples include “dry-cleaning,” “hanger-on,” and “son-in-law.”
What is the difference between hyphen and dash?
A hyphen joins two or more words together while a dash separates words into parenthetical statements. The two are sometimes confused because they look so similar, but their usage is different. Hyphens are not separated by spaces, while a dash has a space on either side.
Why use a dash in a sentence?
A dash is an adaptable punctuation mark that can be used to indicate parenthesis within a sentence and can be used instead of a bracket or a colon. The main use of a dash in English is to separate or connect two independent clauses.
What are 5 uses for a hyphen?
Using hyphens with prefixes
- Hyphenate prefixes before proper nouns.
- Use a hyphen with most words that begin with the prefix self-.
- Use a hyphen with words that begin with the prefix ex-.
- Use a hyphen with most words that begin with the prefix non-.
- Use a hyphen when the prefix ends in the same letter the word begins.
Why are some words hyphenated?
We use hyphens to combine certain types of words. These include compound modifiers, such as adjectives and participles. We hyphenate many numbers when they are spelled out in word form, like twenty-one. Sometimes, we hyphenate words after prefixes, but not every prefix requires a hyphen.
What are the 3 types of dashes?
There are actually three different types of dashes: the em-dash, the en-dash, and the 3-em dash. The em-dash can be used to replace parentheses, colons, and commas. Generally, using the em-dash makes the writing style more informal—as if you were writing to an old friend.
What are the 4 uses of dashes?
Dashes
- To set off material for emphasis. Think of dashes as the opposite of parentheses.
- To indicate sentence introductions or conclusions.
- To mark “bonus phrases.” Phrases that add information or clarify but are not necessary to the meaning of a sentence are ordinarily set off with commas.
- To break up dialogue.
How do you hyphenate three words?
Trigrams are sets of three words that are hyphenated. When you use three words together as a single thought describing or modifying a noun and you put them before the noun, you should hyphenate them: It was a matter-of-fact decision.
What are dashes used for in writing?
A dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to set off an idea within a sentence and may be used alone or in pairs. Dashes interrupt a thought in a more dramatic way than a phrase enclosed in commas, but less theatrically than parentheses.
Why do we hyphenate words?
Hyphens’ main purpose is to glue words together. They notify the reader that two or more elements in a sentence are linked. Although there are rules and customs governing hyphens, there are also situations when writers must decide whether to add them for clarity.
Why do you use hyphens in sentences?
Generally, you need the hyphen only if the two or more words are functioning together as an adjective before the noun they’re describing. If the noun comes first, leave the hyphen out. This wall is load bearing. It’s impossible to eat this cake because it is rock hard.
How do you use a dash in the middle of a sentence?
Use a dash to show a pause or break in meaning in the middle of a sentence: My brothers—Richard and John—are visiting Hanoi. (Could use commas.) In the 15th century—when of course nobody had electricity—water was often pumped by hand.
What is the difference between a hyphen and dash?
Where do you put a dash in a sentence?
Dashes
- To set off material for emphasis. Think of dashes as the opposite of parentheses.
- To indicate sentence introductions or conclusions.
- To mark “bonus phrases.” Phrases that add information or clarify but are not necessary to the meaning of a sentence are ordinarily set off with commas.
- To break up dialogue.