What is a hyphen?
The hyphen ( - ) is a punctuation mark that is used to separate syllables and to join two different words.
Examples of hyphen usage include: tra - la - la, x - ray, brother - in - law, G - rated
Hyphens play an important role in writing. Let us look at the following paragraph for example:
Lisa had fun riding her uncle's horse through the Montana countryside. It was getting late and the fifteen year old girl knew her uncle and aunt were expect
ing her for supper. Her aunt had a special gift for mak
ing authentic Italian lasagna, and that was Lisa's favorite food.
Was there anything odd about that paragraph? For instance, did it not seem odd to see part of the word "making" start on one line and finish on the next? Should there not be something used to connect the two parts of the word? Suppose a hyphen were to be added in the following areas:
1. Inserting a hyphen to connect "expecting," and "making."
2. Adding a hyphen to "fifteen year old"
Lisa had fun riding her uncle's horse through the Montana countryside. It was getting late and the fifteen - year - old girl knew her uncle and aunt were expect -
ing her for supper. Her aunt had a special gift for mak -
ing authentic Italian lasagna, and that was Lisa's favorite food.
The paragraph looks less confusing to read now that the hyphens have been added.
Errors in Hyphenation
Some examples of hyphenation errors include:
Adding a hyphen to an -ly adverb. E.g. Neatly dressed man.
Adverbs that end in -ly do not need a hyphen, for they usually modify the second word and not the noun. If the phrase were to be well - educated, then a hyphen would be added. The reason for this is because "well" modifies the adjective "educated."
Always make sure to add hyphen between the adjective and a noun that ends in -ed. E.g. hot - tempered
Use a hyphen for an adjective phrase involving a unit of measurement - e.g. eight - year - old, thirty - inch waist
Hyphens generally are not used when phrases such as ten years old follow the noun they modify. With the words "all" and "self," there is an exception (all-knowing, self - confident). Then, there are the words part and full (part - time, full - time).
Fractions are hyphenated when referring to an adjective (e.g. I am one-quarte black), but not when referring to a noun (I own one half of the land).
Hyphens are with a noun followed by a present particible (-ing word) (e.g. meat - eating, toe - tapping)
Exercise: Insert the Hyphen
In the sentences below, put a hyphen where it belongs.
1. Joe has a forty inch waist.
2, James, who is fifty three, is dating a twenty seven year old woman.
3. My grandfather was one half Native American.
4. Harry is a thrill seeking man.
5. I think my golden retriever might be one fourth greyhound.
6. In order to be considered a full time worker at this store, you must work at least twenty eight hours per week.
7. Those men appear to get self pleasure out of looking at that Victoria's Secret magazine.
Things Learned in this Packet:
Source: see above sections for sources