Hyphens: What They Are and How to Use Them

Hyphens play a crucial role in grammar and punctuation, connecting words and clarifying meanings. This blog explores their definition, usage, and importance in effective writing.

Understanding Hyphens in Compound Words

Have you ever noticed how certain words combine to form compound words? If you have, you’ve probably seen some of these words connected by a hyphen. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about hyphens: their definition, meaning, and usage, complete with examples. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the different ways hyphens are used in the English language.

What is a Hyphen?

A hyphen is a short horizontal line (-) used to connect two or more words into a single term or to break a word at the end of a line of text. It’s different from other dashes like the en dash (–) and the em dash (—).

The Meaning and Purpose of Hyphens

Hyphens serve several purposes in writing. They can:

1. Join Compound Words: Hyphens are often used to connect words that function together as a single concept, such as “mother-in-law” or “well-being.”
2. Clarify Meaning: Sometimes, hyphens prevent confusion by clarifying the meaning of a combined term. For example, “re-cover” (to cover again) is different from “recover” (to get better).
3. Form Adjectives: Hyphens are used to link words that form a single adjective before a noun, like “high-speed chase” or “well-known author.”

Using Hyphens in Your Writing – Rules and Tips

Hyphens link two words to create compound words, but they also serve other purposes. Here are some key points on how to use hyphens effectively.

When to Use Hyphens

1. Physical Quantities: Use a hyphen when the unit is spelt out, not when abbreviated.
2. Numbers: Hyphens represent time frames, distance estimates, and other attributes.
3. Ages: Use hyphens when referring to the age of people or things.
4. Compound Numbers and Fractions: Hyphenate when these are spelled out.
5. Prefixes and Suffixes: Hyphens can be used with some prefixes and suffixes, though not always.

Examples of Hyphen Usage

Referring to Physical Quantities

• I had to carry a sixty-pound bag full of clothes up to the third floor yesterday.
• Madhu found an eight-centimetre-long chameleon sitting on one of the rose bushes in her garden.
• Vishnu struggled to lift a five-kilogram sack of rice since he had sprained his wrist last week.

Forming Compound Words

• Rory was a happy-go-lucky kid who enjoyed every moment of her life.
• Meera was a bright-eyed girl.
• I didn’t notice that the green-coloured floral dress I bought the other day was damaged.

Representing Time Frames, Distance Estimates, and Other Attributes

• They informed us that the meeting would be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• We expected 500-750 people at the seminar, but around 1300 attended.
• Hannah told us to travel 3-4 km after the roundabout to reach the beach.

Referring to Ages

• We were surprised to see the ninety-year-old couple doing a salsa dance.
• Our four-year-old daughter won the Kids’ Beauty Pageant.
• The tenth anniversary of our shop is on June 12th.

Referring to Fractions and Compound Numbers

• Joey ate three-fourths of the cake by himself.
• Almost two-thirds of the town is occupied by Malayalis.
• Twenty-five students were selected for the International Science Fair.

When spelling out fractions with numbers, hyphenate only the fraction:

• Six and one-third
• Eight and three-fourths

If the number and fraction act as a compound adjective, hyphenate the whole phrase:

• The six-and-one-third-foot-long pole in the middle of the road was a hindrance.
• The eight-and-one-quarter-inch loaf was stale.

Using Hyphens with Prefixes and Suffixes

Hyphenate:

• Words starting with prefixes like ‘ex’, ‘self’, and ‘all’.
• Words with a prefix ending in a vowel and a root word starting with a vowel.
• Proper nouns with a prefix.
• Family relations are described with prefixes.

Examples:

• The ex-president is visiting Paris today.
• Our city has been semi-arid for many years.
• In mid-January, we will leave for Canada.
• My great-grandfather was a veteran soldier.

Test Your Understanding of Hyphen Usage

Read the following sentences. Identify where hyphens are needed and rewrite the sentences correctly.

1. My sister has a semiacoustic guitar.
2. The hundred-year-old clock caught my eye.
3. There would be around 800 1000 people going on this trip.
4. Can we have fifty-five cups of coffee, please?
5. Neena would be practising for 3 to 4 hours by the time we got there.
6. Three-fourths of the drink was over within an hour.
7. The self-obsessed girl could not manage to see another girl take up the center stage.
8. My ninety-year-old grandmother is so active and energetic even at this age.
9. Her great-grandmother will be visiting her next week.
10. My brother had a six-inch subway for lunch.

Corrected Sentences

1. My sister has a semi-acoustic guitar.
2. The hundred-year-old clock caught my eye.
3. There would be around 800-1000 people going on this trip.
4. Can we have fifty-five cups of coffee, please?
5. Neena would be practicing for 3-4 hours by the time we get there.
6. Three-fourths of the drink was over within an hour.
7. The self-obsessed girl could not manage to see another girl take center stage.
8. My ninety-year-old grandmother is so active and energetic even at this age.
9. Her great-grandmother will be visiting her next week.
10. My brother had a six-inch sub for lunch.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hyphens

Q1: What is a hyphen? 

• A hyphen is a punctuation mark used to join two words together to form a compound word.

Q2: What is the definition of a hyphen?

• Oxford Learner’s Dictionary: A hyphen is “the mark (-) used to join two words together to make a new one, as in back-up, to show that a word has been divided between the end of one line and the beginning of the next, or to show that something is missing (as in short- and long-term).”
• Collins Dictionary: A hyphen is “the punctuation sign used to join words together to make a compound, as in ‘left-handed’.”
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: A hyphen is “a punctuation mark – used especially to divide or to compound words, word elements, or numbers.”

Q3: What are the uses of a hyphen? 

A hyphen can be used:

• To refer to physical quantities if the unit is spelt out (e.g., “twenty-pound bag”) and not abbreviated.
• With numbers, to represent time frames (e.g., “3:30-5:30 p.m.”), estimates of distance, and other attributes.
• When referring to the age of people or things (e.g., “ten-year-old child”).
• When writing compound numbers and fractions that are spelt out (e.g., “twenty-five,” “three-fourths”).
• When adding prefixes and suffixes, though not always (e.g., “ex-president,” “self-employed”).

Q4: Can you give some examples of hyphens in sentences?

Here are a few examples:

• The tenth anniversary of our shop falls on the 12th of June.
• In mid-January, we will be leaving for Canada.
• The six-and-one-third-foot-long pole in the middle of the road was a hindrance for everyone.
• I didn’t notice that the green-colored floral dress I bought the other day was damaged.
• Joey ate three-fourths of the cake all by himself.