How to use a hyphen in a sentence

How to implement sentence case. In sentence case, lowercase most words in a title or heading. Capitalize only the following words: the first word of the title or heading. the first word of a subtitle. the first word after a colon, em dash, or end punctuation in a heading. nouns followed by numerals or letters.How to Use a Hyphen in a Sentence Introduction. The use of hyphens in sentences can sometimes be confusing, but they are an important punctuation mark that can help to clarify meanings and avoid ambiguity. Whether you are a writer, student, or simply someone looking to improve your grammar skills, understanding how to use hyphens …Use in person as an adverb (modifying a verb, adjective, or adverb) and in-person as an adjective (modifying a noun). You can use both in the same sentence, if it will help you to remember how to keep them separate (although it will probably not be a very elegant sentence): 'You'll need to come in person to collect your hyphen at the in-person ...Dash: Use (1) to introduce or (2) with interrupters. Hyphen: Use to join words that have combined meaning. Apostrophe: Use (1) to show possession or (2) to show something is missing. Quotation Marks: Use standard quotation marks (1) with direct quotes or (2) with titles of smaller works, such as a single song, a poem, or a …Mar 26, 2016 ... Using the well-placed hyphen ... If two words create a single description, put a hyphen between them if the description comes before the word that ...An em-dash can be used alone, as in this example from the online The Punctuation Guide: After months of deliberation, the jurors reached a unanimous verdict—guilty. The em-dash emphasizes the conclusion of the sentence, but with less formality than a colon. Consider the difference between the sentence above and the one …Dashes are often used informally instead of commas, colons and brackets. A dash may or may not have a space on either side of it. Do not confuse a dash (—) with a hyphen (-), which is shorter. 1. Use a dash to show a pause or break in meaning in the middle of a sentence: My brothers—Richard and John—are visiting Hanoi. (Could use commas.)The Dash. The Dash is the longer line used as punctuation in sentences – coming in between words (as in this sentence). It can also be used – as here – in pairs. For example: Paul sang his song terribly – and he thought he was brilliant! He’s won the election—granted, there was only a low turnout—but he’s won! The Rules for Using Hyphens. Hyphens are joiners. They are used to join the following: the words in a compound adjective (e.g., four-page document) the words in a compound noun (e.g, ice-axe) a prefix to a word root (e.g., anti-vaccination groups) the words in a single number or fraction (e.g., sixty-six, two-thirds) The forms of compounds (two words used together) in English are not fixed. Some terms have moved from being open compounds ( base ball) to hyphenated ( base-ball) to closed ( baseball ), a pattern that reflects familiarity and frequency of usage. Hyphens are often used when a compound modifies a noun (“sun-bleached curtains,” “fire ... Do not use hyphens in multiword names, even if the names act as unit modifiers (e.g., write “Asian American participants,” not “Asian-American participants”). If people belong to multiple racial or ethnic groups, the names of the specific groups are capitalized, but the terms “multiracial,” “biracial,” “multi-ethnic,” and so ...Jun 27, 2023 · A colon (:) is used to introduce information set up by the previous clause. It’s typically used before a list, example, or explanation. A semicolon (;) is used to join related independent clauses together in the same sentence without a conjunction. Now let’s discuss the details on when and how to use each and where the dash ( — ) fits in. How to Type Correctly. Most computer keyboards have the hyphen (-) and underscore (_) on the same key. The hyphen and dash are typed without using the "shift" key. Hyphen: type the key just once and don't have any spaces on either side. Dash: type the key twice without spaces between words or between dashes.Example of hyphenated words in sentences · Our much-loved woman was re-elected · The president-elect is going to give a speech · Her ex-boyfriend is getting re...Use a hyphen when two or more words are used together as a compound adjective before a noun. Use a hyphen with prefixes and suffixes when they are added to words to avoid confusion or clarify meaning. Use a hyphen in certain compound words, such as those involving numbers or words with the same letters before and after the hyphen.The primary function of a hyphen as a break or pause is to enhance clarity, improve readability, and provide emphasis in written communication. In its simplest form, a …A hyphen is a small horizontal line, such as given in the brackets (-). It is most commonly used between parts of a compound name or word, or between syllables of words at the end of a sentence. In other words, hyphens serve to remove confusion from sentences and to blend multiple words to form a single meaning. To create an em-dash on a Mac computer, hold down the shift and option/alt and type -. An en dash is the width of the letter "n" and is expressed in plain text as a hyphen ( - ). A traditional use of the en dash is in dates (2012-13), but since it is largely indistinguishable from a hyphen, the en dash is no longer in common use. Use a hyphen. May 18, 2023 · Dashes are used to separate groups of words, not to separate parts of words like a hyphen does. (Learn more about the difference between a dash and a hyphen here). There are three kinds of dashes: the em dash, the en dash, and the double hyphen. The most common types of dashes are the en dash (–) and the em dash (—). It usually takes the form [noun]- cum - [noun], with the two nouns denoting characteristics of a person or thing. It’s often used to describe an individual’s or thing’s contradictory or surprising characteristics—for example, “Jimmy is a hunter-cum-animal-activist.”. Like many Latin loanwords, cum may be either italicized or ... 3 Answers. Sorted by: 3. If you're using 80s as a noun, it should not have a hyphen, because we don't normally join adjectives ( early) to nouns ( 80s) with hyphens: He wrote that song in the early 80s. If you're using early 80s as a compound adjective, a hyphen is optional, and (depending on context) can add clarity: That's an early-80s song. Use a double hyphen without spaces on either side to indicate an abrupt break or interruption in a sentence. For example: “The concert was going well–until the power went out.”. When using the double hyphen to set off additional information within a sentence, it should be preceded and followed by a space. The En Dash and the Hyphen. The em dash, which we examined above, is the most common kind of dash. As seen above, it separates phrases in sentences, introduces lists, or breaks up a …A hyphen is used to join two words together that describe a noun. They help us avoid confusion when writing sentences. For example, 'A crocodile eating brain'.Sep 5, 2023 · Let’s take a look at when to use a hyphen in a sentence and how you’ll go about adding one. 1) Hyphen with Compound Modifiers: Two-Word Adjectives Before Nouns. Use a hyphen to connect two words that are used as a single adjective before a noun. Examples: The well-adjusted student performed excellently on her exams. A hyphen —like many other punctuation marks—should help us to navigate between the words and sentences of our texts. Luckily, there are some clearly defined cases that …Jan 16, 2024 · The em dash (about as wide as an uppercase M), is a relatively artistic punctuation mark, compared to the more technical hyphen and en dash. An em dash is most often used to indicate a pause in a sentence. It’s stronger than a comma, but weaker than a period or semicolon. Em dashes are often used to set off parenthetical information. Using em dashes instead of parentheses puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. For this usage, make sure you use two em dashes. Use one before the parenthetical information and one after it. Putting spaces before and after an em dash is a matter of preference; just ...Jan 14, 2021 · It depends. When a slash signifies alternatives between only two words, don’t use spaces before or after. When using slashes to signify alternatives between phrases or multi-word terms or compounds, a space before and after the slash makes text easier to read. Another time it’s acceptable to use a space after a slash is when breaking up ... Note: If you're a stickler for the rules, use an en dash in your adjective. You will get away with a hyphen. Do not use an em dash. (3) Using Dashes to Extend Sentences. Using a dash to replace a colon. A dash can be used to replace a colon that offers more information about something previously mentioned in the sentence. For example: Grammatical Rules For Hyphen Usage. 1. Compound Words: One primary function of hyphens is to join compound words. When two or more words are combined to form a …Hyphens can make complex descriptions easier to read and can even help search engines better understand the meaning of a sentence. Ultimately hyphens provide an effective way to combine and separate words when needed. Hyphen Rules. Learning these four critical rules when using a hyphen will help communication become clearer and easier.Feb 13, 2024 ... Their main purpose is to indicate a connection between the words/parts of words. They also help avoid confusion or ambiguity within a sentence.Jun 25, 2018 · Whereas hyphens combine two numbers or words into a single number or concept, en dashes connect two separate parts. En dashes got their name because they are the width of the letter “n.” The most common use of en dash is for number ranges, where they replace the word “to.” Julie loves ice cream, books and kittens. (The comma before the and in a list of three or more items is optional. See below, under “Serial comma,” for more information.) Your list might be made up of nouns, as in the example above, but it could also be made up of verbs, adjectives, or clauses. Hyphens are often used to tell the ages of people and things. A handy rule, whether writing about years, months, or any other period of time, is to use hyphens unless the period of time (years, months, weeks, days) is written in plural form: With hyphens: We have a two-year-old child. We have a two-year-old. No hyphens: The child is two years old. Hyphens are used to form compound words and divide words on line breaks. Learn how to use hyphens in a sentence with these examples and best practices.How do we use hyphens when writing in English? Learn 5 basic hyphen rules and improve your English punctuation, grammar, and writing skills. This detailed le...Don’t use a hyphen, with or without spaces, to indicate a parenthetical phrase or a break in a sentence. Use an en dash (–) with spaces on either side instead. ... Don’t use a hyphen to indicate a range of numbers or to replace the word “to” in phrases indicating a relationship, journey, or score. Use an en dash (–) …However, incorrect placement of hyphens can alter the meaning of a sentence or create confusion. It is important to understand the rules for hyphenation and apply them appropriately. 4. Using Dashes and Hyphens Interchangeably: Some writers mistakenly use dashes and hyphens interchangeably, not realizing that they …A life sentence in prison varies depending on the crime and whether or not the sentence was life in prison with or without parole. Prisoners sentenced to life without parole may be... Use a double hyphen without spaces on either side to indicate an abrupt break or interruption in a sentence. For example: “The concert was going well–until the power went out.”. When using the double hyphen to set off additional information within a sentence, it should be preceded and followed by a space. Hyphens and dashes are forms of punctuation that look like a line. Hyphens are the shortest line, followed by en dashes, then em dashes. There is one kind of hyphen. En dashes and em dashes are the two kinds of dashes. To connect words is a hyphen's primary job. En dashes show ranges and replaces the word 'to.'. Note: If you're a stickler for the rules, use an en dash in your adjective. You will get away with a hyphen. Do not use an em dash. (3) Using Dashes to Extend Sentences. Using a dash to replace a colon. A dash can be used to replace a colon that offers more information about something previously mentioned in the sentence. For example: Use a hyphen in a sentence to connect two words that function together as a modifier, if there are a series of modifiers, and with numbers and fractions. Fin...The only exception is that you must use the hyphen when the form you’re combining with takes a capital, so post-Pliocene or post-Columbian compared with an established postmillennial or postnatal. Share. Improve this answer. Follow. edited Nov 8, 2016 at 3:15. answered Nov 8, 2016 at 2:34. tchrist ♦.Hyphenation is commonly used to create compound words, where two or more words are combined to form a single entity with a distinct meaning. For example, “well-being,” “self-esteem,” and “mother-in-law” are all compound words that rely on hyphens to clarify their intended meaning. 2. Clarity and Readability.2. Use hyphens with ages if the period of time is singular (not plural). I have a three-year-old child. She is three years old. Year is singular in the first sentence, so you should use a hyphen. Years is plural in the second sentence, so you do not use a hyphen. The only exception to this is if the unit of time is one. The forms of compounds (two words used together) in English are not fixed. Some terms have moved from being open compounds ( base ball) to hyphenated ( base-ball) to closed ( baseball ), a pattern that reflects familiarity and frequency of usage. Hyphens are often used when a compound modifies a noun (“sun-bleached curtains,” “fire ... How do we use hyphens when writing in English? Learn 5 basic hyphen rules and improve your English punctuation, grammar, and writing skills. This detailed le...1. As a noun: “Hy” can be used as a noun to refer to the chemical element hydrogen, which is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe. For example, “The hy in this compound is essential for its stability.”. It can also be used as a noun in certain dialects or informal speech to mean “he” or “him.”.Are you looking after a six-year-old, or a six year old? Knowing when to hyphenate ages can be tricky, but not impossible. Learn how to know the difference here.Use a double hyphen without spaces on either side to indicate an abrupt break or interruption in a sentence. For example: “The concert was going well–until the power went out.”. When using the double hyphen to set off additional information within a sentence, it should be preceded and followed by a space.Whether you’re writing an email, a blog post, or an important document, using correct grammar is essential. However, even the most experienced writers can make mistakes. In this ar...By using a hyphen break, such as in “lead-free” or “lead-based,” the intended meaning becomes clear within the sentence. Similarly, the verb “re-cover” can be distinguished from the noun “recover” through the use of a hyphen break.Jan 16, 2024 · The em dash (about as wide as an uppercase M), is a relatively artistic punctuation mark, compared to the more technical hyphen and en dash. An em dash is most often used to indicate a pause in a sentence. It’s stronger than a comma, but weaker than a period or semicolon. Hyphens - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary The Dash. The dash ( — ), also called the em dash, is the long horizontal bar, much longer than a hyphen. Few keyboards have a dash, but a word processor can usually produce one in one way or another. If your keyboard can't produce a dash, you will have to resort to a hyphen as a stand-in. In British usage, we use only a …Use the ChatGPT Advanced Data Analysis feature (formerly the Code Interpreter). Use a browser extension made for this purpose. Use an online tool made for … Use dashes to set off an idea or an appositive within a sentence. A dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to set off an idea within a sentence and may be used alone or in pairs. Dashes interrupt a thought in a more dramatic way than a phrase enclosed in commas, but less theatrically than parentheses. To form a dash, type two hyphens—without a ... How do we use hyphens when writing in English? Learn 5 basic hyphen rules and improve your English punctuation, grammar, and writing skills. This detailed le...Correct: Dogs, cats, rabbits — they're all available for adoption. Em dash with changes of thought. Sometimes in a sentence, you'll need punctuation to indicate ...When to Hyphenate “Year Old”. Is the age describing a noun? Does the age precede a noun? If the answer is yes to these two questions, hyphenate. In the following examples, notice how the two conditions are met. The twenty-year-old vintage tasted much better than the twenty-five-year-old wine. Is the age a noun?Commas are one of the most common punctuation marks. A comma looks like this: , They’re also among the most commonly misused punctuation marks. A comma indicates a pause in a sentence, either between phrases, clauses, or items in a list. This is what can make them tricky—the points where you’d …Jan 14, 2021 · It depends. When a slash signifies alternatives between only two words, don’t use spaces before or after. When using slashes to signify alternatives between phrases or multi-word terms or compounds, a space before and after the slash makes text easier to read. Another time it’s acceptable to use a space after a slash is when breaking up ... A lead-in sentence is a sentence that is used as an introduction or opening to a larger thought. A lead-in sentence can be used for a paragraph or a multipage paper. In longer pape...Overusing hyphens: One of the key errors people make is using hyphens excessively. It is important to remember that hyphens should only be used in specific circumstances, such as when forming compound words or joining prefixes and suffixes to a base word. Using hyphens unnecessarily can disrupt the flow of a sentence and make it harder to read.Here’s the short version: Hyphens are punctuation marks used to link multiple words. Use a hyphen to join words together to avoid ambiguity. Use a hyphen when two or more words act as a single adjective before a noun. Hyphenate spelled-out numbers between 21 and 99 ( twenty-one, ninety-nine ). Hyphenate …Write one sentence with internal punctuation. This sentence can use a colon, dash, or comma. Sentences with internal punctuation tend to be longer. Using semicolons to separate sentences with internal commas is the most common method. Ex: "My cousin, Martha Mary Louise, is the most talented and original …Whether you’re writing an email, a blog post, or an important document, using correct grammar is essential. However, even the most experienced writers can make mistakes. In this ar...Back in the 1990s, one-in-five people who suffered a heart attack died. Then things changed. In the US in the 1990s, having a heart attack was basically a death sentence for some 2...A hyphen is used to join two or more words that together form an adjective, where this adjective is used before the noun it describes. an up-to-date account a last-minute rush a six-year-old boy. The hyphen is omitted when the adjective so formed comes after the noun or pronoun it describes. The accounts … Use hyphens to show word breaks in publishing. In printed matter, a hyphen is used to show word division between the end of a line and the beginning of the next line. When proofreading already formatted documents, a proofreader’s job is to ensure that words are broken in the appropriate places. It’s better to make the break between syllables. Hyphens - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge DictionaryUse a hyphen to join two or more words serving as a single adjective before a noun: a one …In Microsoft Word, this is done by using Ctrl+-. This hyphen is invisible, unless the word gets split at the end of a line. But as a rule of thumb, see if the word is still easy to understand if you say it out loud with a pause where you are going to break the word. Usually, try and split it in the middle of the word. ...A hyphen is usually used in APA Style when two or more words modify a common noun (and that noun comes after the modifiers), for example, 7-point scale or client-centered counseling. When multiple modifiers have a common base, the base can be omitted in all except the last modifier, but the hyphens should be retained. Also include …Write one sentence with internal punctuation. This sentence can use a colon, dash, or comma. Sentences with internal punctuation tend to be longer. Using semicolons to separate sentences with internal commas is the most common method. Ex: "My cousin, Martha Mary Louise, is the most talented and original … Use a double hyphen without spaces on either side to indicate an abrupt break or interruption in a sentence. For example: “The concert was going well–until the power went out.”. When using the double hyphen to set off additional information within a sentence, it should be preceded and followed by a space. In its simplest form, the hyphen is used to create compound words or to link words that function together as a single concept. For example, in the phrase “well-known,” the hyphen connects the words “well” and “known” to form a compound adjective. This usage helps clarify the relationship between the words and avoids ambiguity. Use a hyphen in a sentence to connect two words that function together as a modifier, if there are a series of modifiers, and with numbers and fractions. Fin...Grammatical Rules For Hyphen Usage. 1. Compound Words: One primary function of hyphens is to join compound words. When two or more words are combined to form a …Hyphens are used to form compound words and divide words on line breaks. Learn how to use hyphens in a sentence with these examples and best practices.A mathematical sentence combines two expressions with a comparison operator to create a fact that may be either true or false. A mathematical sentence makes a statement about the r...How to implement sentence case. In sentence case, lowercase most words in a title or heading. Capitalize only the following words: the first word of the title or heading. the first word of a subtitle. the first word after a colon, em dash, or end punctuation in a heading. nouns followed by numerals or letters.Hyphenation is commonly used to create compound words, where two or more words are combined to form a single entity with a distinct meaning. For example, “well-being,” “self-esteem,” and “mother-in-law” are all compound words that rely on hyphens to clarify their intended meaning. 2. Clarity and Readability.Here are some tips on how to use hyphens correctly: Use a hyphen to join two or more words that function as a single adjective before a noun. For example, “a well-known author” or “a three-year-old child.” Use a hyphen to join a prefix to a word. For example, “re-examine” or “pre-approve.” Use a hyphen to join two words that ...Hyphen definition: . See examples of HYPHEN used in a sentence.Sep 16, 2022 · Commas are one of the most common punctuation marks. A comma looks like this: , They’re also among the most commonly misused punctuation marks. A comma indicates a pause in a sentence, either between phrases, clauses, or items in a list. This is what can make them tricky—the points where you’d pause in a spoken sentence aren’t always ... having a legal status only by operation or construction of law and without reference to intent. a quasi contract. quasi-. 1 in some sense or degree. quasiperiodic. quasi-judicial. 2 resembling in some degree. quasiparticle. Some of Merriam-Webster’s definitions appear to reflect a legal usage.On a standard keyboard, the hyphen is found to the immediate right of the “0” key. The underscore symbol is located on the same key as the hyphen, and is typed by pressing the shif... To create an em-dash on a Mac computer, hold down the shift and option/alt and type -. An en dash is the width of the letter "n" and is expressed in plain text as a hyphen ( - ). A traditional use of the en dash is in dates (2012-13), but since it is largely indistinguishable from a hyphen, the en dash is no longer in common use. Use a hyphen. Use em dashes when you are interrupting the main idea of a sentence. If the interruption occurs at the end of the sentence, use a single em dash. If the interruption occurs in the middle of a sentence, put em dashes before and after the interruption. Do not put spaces before or after an em dash.In Microsoft Word, this is done by using Ctrl+-. This hyphen is invisible, unless the word gets split at the end of a line. But as a rule of thumb, see if the word is still easy to understand if you say it out loud with a pause where you are going to break the word. Usually, try and split it in the middle of the word. ...Junko Furuta was a Japanese schoolgirl, brutally raped and killed by four young men, who received shockingly light sentences. How did they get off so easily? Advertisement Japan an... A hyphen —like many other punctuation marks—should help us to navigate between the words and sentences of our texts. Luckily, there are some clearly defined cases that automatically invoke the use of a hyphen. In other examples, a hyphen is not mandatory, but helpful for the readers. Let’s have a look at the distinct instances first. In this case, the first em dash signifies that the sentence is cut off, and the second shows that the second piece of dialogue is starting in the middle of a sentence. The two pieces of dialogue would need to be separated by a full sentence (or several), thus the addition of the spaces and the period.Apr 21, 2019 · Use a hyphen (‐) to connect words and indicate that they together carry a single meaning or together describe another word (e.g., forty-two, five-minute break, state-of-the-art facilities). This short dash can also signify a missing word ( short- and long-term plans ), divide a word at the end of a line, or indicate a range ( 1995-97 ). | Ctxtdqcs (article) | Mhgrd.