Punctuation: Hyphens: Compound Words, Prefixes, Numbers

Hyphens: Connecting Words and Ideas

What is a hyphen (-)?

A hyphen is a punctuation mark that’s shorter than a dash. It’s used to connect words or parts of words, making new words or phrases with special meanings.

When do we use hyphens?

1. Compound Words:

   • Some words are made by combining two or more words. We use a hyphen to show they go together.

   • Examples:

     • mother-in-law
     • up-to-date
     • well-known

2. Compound Adjectives:

   • When two or more words work together to describe a noun that follows them, we often use a hyphen to join them.

   • Examples:

     • a dog-friendly hotel
     • a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
     • state-of-the-art technology

   • Important Note: We don’t use a hyphen if the compound adjective comes after the noun.

     • Example: The hotel is dog friendly.

3. Numbers:

   • Hyphens are used in certain numbers, especially when we write them out.

   • Examples:

     • twenty-one
     • one hundred and twenty-five
     • two-thirds

4. Prefixes:

   • Hyphens are sometimes used with prefixes, especially before proper nouns or numbers.

   • Examples:

     • pre-World War II
     • mid-1990s
     • non-English speaker

Let’s Practice!

1. Add the Hyphens: Put hyphens where they belong in these phrases:

   • a well known actor
   • a two year old child
   • a self cleaning oven
   • the post Cold War era

2. True or False?

   • The technology is state of the art. (False – needs a hyphen)
   • The actor is well-known. (True)

Challenge!

Write a paragraph about your favorite type of music. Use at least three words with hyphens in your paragraph.