How to Use a Hyphen Correctly?

How do you use hyphen in a sentence?

A hyphen is used for compound adjectives before nouns (e.g., “full-time job”), to avoid ambiguity (e.g., “small-business owner” vs. “small business owner”), and in certain compound nouns (e.g., “sister-in-law”).

How do you properly hyphenate words?

Hyphenate compound modifiers before nouns (“full-time job”), compound nouns (“mother-in-law”), numbers twenty-one through ninety-nine, ages as modifiers (“five-year-old”), certain prefixes/suffixes (“ex-husband”), and to avoid ambiguity (“re-sign” vs. “resign”). Check a dictionary for specific cases.

What is an example of a hyphen and apostrophe?

An example of a hyphen: “twenty-five” indicates the number 25 as a compound word. An example of an apostrophe: “Mike’s” shows possession, as in “Mike’s car,” meaning the car that belongs to Mike.

What is the difference between a dash and a hyphen?

A hyphen (-) is shorter which is used to connect words and separate syllables of a compound word, like “well-known” or “re-enter.” A dash (— or –) is longer which is used to indicate a range or insert a pause or additional information in a sentence.

In English grammar, a hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark used to join words or parts of words. It serves several purposes, including creating compound words, avoiding ambiguity, and breaking words at the end of lines.

The hyphen, a small punctuation mark (-), plays a crucial role in enhancing clarity, precision, and readability in written English. It’s primarily used for forming compound words like “mother-in-law” and “part-time,” where it clarifies meaning and indicates a close relationship between words.

Let’s deep dive into the topic to learn more about the hyphen (-).