What is a Hyphen?

A hyphen (-) is a short punctuation mark used in English grammar to connect words or parts of words. It is distinct from other punctuation marks like the dash (– or —), which is longer and used differently. The hyphen serves several critical functions in writing, enhancing clarity, forming compound terms, and avoiding ambiguity.

Hyphens also differentiate between words that look similar but have different meanings, such as “re-create” (to create again) versus “recreate” (to relax or have fun). They are used in writing compound numbers and ages, adding to their importance in textual precision.

Hyphens are commonly found in compound adjectives (e.g., “well-known fact”), compound nouns (e.g., “mother-in-law”), and to divide words at the end of a line. They also play a role in writing numbers in words (e.g., “twenty-one”) and in modifying prefixes and suffixes (e.g., “pre-empt”, “ex-wife”).

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 (-).