You’ve probably come across hyphens in your everyday reading and writing, but do you know where they are used correctly? Hyphens, those little lines that connect words, are often misused or overlooked. In this article, we will explore the proper usage of hyphens and provide you with a clear understanding of where they should be used correctly. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to ensure that your hyphen usage is accurate and effective. Get ready to demystify the world of hyphens!
Hyphens in Compound Words
Hyphenated Compound Words
Hyphenated compound words are words that are made up of two or more words connected by hyphens. These hyphens are used to clarify the relationship between the words and to avoid ambiguity. For example, “mother-in-law” is a hyphenated compound word that clearly shows the relationship between the words “mother” and “law.”
In addition, hyphenated compound words are used when two or more words together form a single concept or function as a single unit. Examples of hyphenated compound words include “well-known,” “great-grandmother,” and “state-of-the-art.”
Closed Compound Words
Closed compound words are formed by combining two words together, but without using a hyphen. In these cases, the two words are written together as a single word. Examples of closed compound words include “football,” “bedroom,” and “armchair.”
Closed compound words are commonly used in everyday language and do not require the use of a hyphen to clarify their meaning or relationship. They are distinct words in their own right and can be found in dictionaries as standalone entries.
Open Compound Words
Open compound words are words that consist of two or more separate words written together, but without any hyphens or spaces between them. These words are distinct from one another and do not form a unified concept. Examples of open compound words include “high school,” “full moon,” and “hot dog.”
Unlike hyphenated or closed compound words, open compound words maintain their individual meanings and can be deciphered by understanding the meaning of each separate word. They are often used to describe a relationship between two or more words rather than forming a single concept.
Hyphens in Prefixes
Prefixes with Hyphens
Some prefixes are used with hyphens when added to words. These hyphens are used to create clarity and prevent confusion. One example is the prefix “non-,” which is often hyphenated when combined with a word. For instance, “non-English” or “non-alcoholic.”
Other prefixes that are frequently hyphenated include “ex-,” “self-,” and “under-.” The hyphen helps to differentiate the prefix from the root word and makes the overall word easier to read and understand.
Prefixes without Hyphens
Other prefixes are not typically used with hyphens, as they do not require clarification or cause confusion when combined with a word. Prefixes like “un-,” “re-,” and “mis-” are generally not hyphenated. For example, “unhappy,” “redo,” and “misunderstand.”
These prefixes are commonly recognized and understood without the need for a hyphen, allowing the reader to quickly grasp the meaning of the word.
Prefixes with and without Hyphens
Some prefixes can be used both with and without hyphens, depending on the specific word being used. For instance, the prefix “pre-” can be found with or without a hyphen. Examples include “pre-approval” and “prearranged.”
The decision to use a hyphen with these prefixes depends on factors like clarity, ease of reading, and the specific word being formed. Stylistic choices and word preferences may also influence whether a hyphen is used or not.
Hyphens in Suffixes
Suffixes with Hyphens
Hyphens are sometimes used with certain suffixes in order to avoid ambiguity or improve readability. For instance, the suffix “-elect” is commonly hyphenated when combined with a word to indicate someone who has been elected but has not yet assumed the position, such as “president-elect” or “governor-elect.”
In addition, the suffix “-like” is frequently hyphenated to clarify its meaning. For example, “childlike” or “lifelike” both use hyphens to show that the word “like” is part of the overall word and not a separate component.
Suffixes without Hyphens
Many suffixes do not require the use of a hyphen when combined with a word. Suffixes like “-ly,” “-able,” and “-ment” are typically not hyphenated. Examples include “quickly,” “comfortable,” and “enjoyment.”
These suffixes are widely recognized and understood, allowing the reader to interpret the meaning of the word without the need for a hyphen.
Suffixes with and without Hyphens
Similar to prefixes, some suffixes can be used with or without hyphens, depending on the specific word or stylistic preference. For example, the suffix “-free” can be found both with and without a hyphen. Examples include “sugar-free” and “worry free.”
The decision to use a hyphen with these suffixes may be influenced by factors such as clarity, ease of reading, and personal style.
Hyphens in Phrasal Adjectives
Compound Phrasal Adjectives
Phrasal adjectives are formed by combining a verb or a preposition with an adjective to describe a noun. When these phrases are used as adjectives, they are often hyphenated to create clarity and ensure that the words are understood as a single concept.
For example, the phrase “well-known” is a compound phrasal adjective that describes something widely recognized or famous. Other examples of compound phrasal adjectives include “easy-going,” “long-lasting,” and “hard-working.”
Hyphenating these phrases helps avoid confusion and makes it clear that the words are meant to be taken together as an adjective modifying a noun.
Phrasal Adjectives with Verb + Adjective
Phrasal adjectives can also be formed by combining a verb with an adjective. In these cases, the phrase is typically not hyphenated unless a hyphen is necessary for clarity.
For instance, the phrase “hot pepper” does not require a hyphen because the meaning is clear without it. However, in a phrase like “fast-acting medication,” the hyphen is used to connect the words and indicate that “fast” describes the speed at which the medication acts rather than being separate from it.
Phrasal Adjectives with Noun + Adjective
Similarly, phrasal adjectives that consist of a noun and an adjective are typically not hyphenated unless a hyphen is needed for clarity. In most cases, the meaning of the phrase is understood without a hyphen.
For example, the phrase “dog breed” does not require a hyphen because the meaning is clear. However, in a phrase like “mountainous terrain,” the hyphen is used to connect the words and indicate that the terrain is characterized by mountains.
Hyphens with Numbers
Hyphenating Numbers
Hyphens are commonly used when writing numbers to create clarity and readability. This is especially true for compound numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine. For example, “thirty-three” and “seventy-eight” feature hyphens to connect the tens and units digits.
Hyphens are also used when writing fractions. For instance, “three-fourths” or “two-thirds” utilize hyphens to indicate the relationship between the numerator and the denominator.
Not Hyphenating Numbers
However, it is important to note that not all numbers require hyphens. This is particularly true for numbers that are not compound numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine.
For example, numbers like “one,” “six,” or “eleven” do not need hyphens because they are already considered as distinct words. Additionally, when writing large numbers or dates, such as “one hundred” or “nineteen eighty-seven,” no hyphens are necessary.
Using Hyphens with Fractions
When writing fractions, the use of hyphens depends on the context and personal style. Some style guides recommend using hyphens in fractions, like “two-thirds,” while others suggest using a solidus (/) instead, such as “2/3.”
The decision to use hyphens or a solidus with fractions should align with the style guide or preference being followed, ensuring consistency within the writing.
Hyphens in Idiomatic Expressions
Hyphens in Set Phrases
Set phrases or idiomatic expressions that consist of multiple words are typically not hyphenated. These expressions are established language patterns that have a specific meaning different from the literal definitions of the words used. For example, “piece of cake,” “a bird in the hand,” and “kick the bucket” do not require hyphens.
These set phrases are widely recognized and understood, allowing the reader or listener to interpret their meaning without the need for hyphens.
Hyphens in Figurative Expressions
Figurative expressions, similar to set phrases, do not usually involve hyphens. These expressions use words and phrases to convey a non-literal meaning, such as metaphors or similes. Examples include “cry me a river,” “green thumb,” and “dead as a doornail.”
In figurative expressions, the intended meaning is conveyed through the combination and arrangement of words, rather than relying on hyphens for clarity.
Hyphens in Compound Modifiers
Hyphenated Compound Modifiers
Compound modifiers are combinations of words that work together to describe a noun. When these modifiers consist of two or more words, they are often hyphenated to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.
For example, “high-quality” and “long-term” are compound modifiers that clarify the quality or duration of a specific noun. Hyphenating these compound modifiers ensures that the words are understood as working together to modify the noun.
Compound Modifiers without Hyphens
Compound modifiers that consist of two words are sometimes written without hyphens, especially when they are considered commonly used phrases or idiomatic expressions.
For instance, “free range” and “fast food” are compound modifiers that describe specific types of food or products. These compound modifiers are widely recognized and understood, allowing the reader to grasp their meaning without the need for hyphens.
Compound Modifiers with Coordinating Adjectives
When using compound modifiers with coordinating adjectives, no hyphens are typically required. Coordinating adjectives are adjectives that equally modify a noun and can be rearranged without changing the meaning.
For example, “beautiful and intelligent girl” does not require hyphens because the adjectives “beautiful” and “intelligent” equally describe the noun “girl.” However, in the phrase “well-known musician,” the hyphen is used to clarify that the word “well” modifies the compound word “known” and not just the noun “musician.”
Hyphens in Compound Nouns
Hyphenated Compound Nouns
When two or more words come together to form a single noun that represents a specific entity or concept, they are referred to as hyphenated compound nouns. Hyphens are used to connect the words in these compound nouns, ensuring clear and precise meaning.
Examples of hyphenated compound nouns include “long-term,” “high school,” and “cross-country.” In each case, the hyphen helps to create a unified noun that expresses a specific idea or object.
Closed Compound Nouns
Closed compound nouns are formed by combining two or more words into a single word without the use of a hyphen or space. These compound nouns are considered distinct entities with their own meanings and are often found as standalone entries in dictionaries.
Examples of closed compound nouns include “firefighter,” “sunflower,” and “notebook.” In each case, the words are combined to create a single noun that represents a specific idea or object.
Open Compound Nouns
Open compound nouns consist of two or more separate words written together but without any hyphens or spaces between them. These words do not form a single unified concept and instead describe a relationship between the individual words.
Examples of open compound nouns include “ice cream,” “office building,” and “book club.” In these cases, the words maintain their individual meanings and are understood as working together to describe a particular noun.
Hyphens with Prefixes and Proper Nouns
Hyphenating Prefixes with Proper Nouns
When combining prefixes with proper nouns, the decision to use hyphens depends on style, clarity, and established usage.
For example, the prefix “pre-” can be hyphenated when combined with a proper noun to create a compound word, such as “pre-Soviet” or “pre-Industrial Revolution.” The hyphen helps to distinguish the prefix from the proper noun and makes the word easier to read and interpret.
Not Hyphenating Prefixes with Proper Nouns
However, in some cases, hyphens may not be necessary when combining prefixes with proper nouns. This depends on established usage and clarity. For instance, the prefix “un-” is generally not hyphenated when combined with a proper noun, such as “united” in “United States” or “university” in “University of Oxford.”
The decision to hyphenate prefixes with proper nouns should be guided by consistency, readability, and the specific words involved.
Hyphens in Suspended Compounds
Hyphens with Suspended Compounds
Suspended compounds are compound words or phrases in which a hyphen is used at the end of a line to indicate that the word or phrase continues on the next line.
For example, in the phrase “a well-organized event,” the hyphen is placed at the end of the first line to indicate that the word “organized” continues on the next line. This helps maintain readability and avoid confusion when breaking words or phrases across lines.
No Hyphens with Suspended Compounds
In some cases, depending on style or context, hyphens may not be used for suspended compounds. Instead, the word or phrase is broken naturally without the use of a hyphen.
The decision to use or omit hyphens in suspended compounds should align with the style guide being followed and ensure clear and consistent presentation.
