How To Use Hyphen In A Sentence

What Is a Hyphen?

A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark that'south used to bring together words or parts of words. It's non interchangeable with other types of dashes.
Utilize a hyphen in a chemical compound modifier when the modifier comes earlier the discussion information technology'due south modifying.
If you lot're non sure whether a compound word has a hyphen or non, bank check your preferred dictionary.

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Hyphen with Compound Modifiers: Multiple-Give-and-take Adjectives Before Nouns

Using hyphens to connect words is piece of cake. Picking the right words to connect is a little harder. Let'due south start with compound modifiers.

A compound modifier is made up of two or more words that work together to function like one adjective. When yous connect words with the hyphen, you make it articulate to readers that the words work together as a unit of meaning.

In this judgement, it sounds like you shouldn't take down any load that is holding upwards a wall. A hyphen should be inserted betwixt load and bearing to go far clear that we're talking about walls that are bearing a load.

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.

You likewise don't need a hyphen when your modifier is made up of an adverb and an adjective.

Hyphens With Participles

Compound modifiers that include present or past participles follow the same rules as any other compound modifier.

Hyphen With a Noun, Adjective Or Adverb and a Nowadays Participle

When we combine a noun or adjective and a nowadays participle (a word catastrophe in ‑ing) to form a unit of meaning that describes another word, use a hyphen to brand that unit of significant articulate.

Without the hyphen between beautiful and looking, your reader may stumble over the judgement. Possibly there'south a new type of daisy chosen the "looking bloom"?

Don't utilize a hyphen when the modifier comes after the substantive it'due south describing.

Don't use a hyphen when you lot are combining an adverb and a participle.

Hyphen in a Compound Expression With a Substantive and Past Participle

Compound modifiers that contain a past participle also follow the same rules as whatever other compound modifier. Apply a hyphen when the chemical compound goes before the substantive it modifies:

Don't use a hyphen when the chemical compound comes after the substantive it describes.

Hyphenated Compound Words

Hyphenated compound words are the ones (apparently) with a hyphen betwixt the words. Over time, many hyphenated compounds go closed compounds—teen-ager became teenager for example. Cheque a dictionary if you're not certain whether to use a hyphen or non. Here are a few examples of common hyphenated compound words:

Closed Compound Words

Hyphenated words tend to go closed compounds (single words with no hyphens) over fourth dimension. Email instead of due east-post, for instance, is increasingly common. If you aren't certain whether a words is a airtight compound or a hyphenated ane, bank check your preferred dictionary.

Open up Chemical compound Words

Open compounds are typically fabricated up of two nouns that are used together to represent a single thought. "Open up" means that there is a space between the ii words and no hyphen. A good dictionary is the best place to check whether a compound is open up or not.

Hyphens and Numbers

Numbers betwixt twenty-one and xc-nine should be hyphenated when they're spelled out.

Hyphen in Chemical compound Adjective With Numbers

When numbers are used as the get-go part of a compound adjective, utilize a hyphen to connect them to the substantive that follows them. This way, the reader knows that both words function like a unit to change another noun. This applies whether the number is written in words or in digits.

All the same, a hyphen is not required if the number is the 2d word in the compound describing word.

Hyphen In Chemical compound Adjective With Fractions

When using a fraction (e.g. half or quarter) equally role of a compound adjective, it should be hyphenated so the reader understands which fraction is modifying which noun.

Hyphen With Prefixes: Ex-, Cocky-, All-

Utilize a hyphen with the prefix ex- (meaning former).

Use a hyphen with the reflexive prefix self-.

Make sure you don't misfile the prefix cocky- with the noun cocky.

When using all as a prefix, add a hyphen.

Hyphens with Loftier or Low

When using high or low equally part of a compound adjective, use a hyphen when the compound comes before the noun information technology's modifying. Some examples of compound adjectives using loftier and low include high-level/low-level and high-impact/depression-impact