Have you ever wondered about those little horizontal lines that sometimes appear in words or sentences? Those are hyphens, and they serve important purposes in writing. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use hyphens correctly, see examples of hyphen usage, and answer common questions about these helpful punctuation marks.
What is a Hyphen?
A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark used to join words or parts of words. It’s shorter than both the en dash (–) and the em dash (—), which have different uses. The hyphen helps readers understand which words work together as a unit and clarifies meaning in sentences.
When to use a Hyphen:
- To join compound words (e.g., well-being).
- To connect prefixes or suffixes (e.g., self-confidence).
- To write numbers (e.g., twenty-one).
- To avoid confusion (e.g., re-cover vs. recover).
Breaking up a Sentence with Hyphens
While em dashes are more commonly used to insert a break in a sentence, hyphens can appear within sentences in compound modifiers or phrases:
- The blue-green algae covered the pond.
- His thought-provoking question silenced the room.
- The decision-making process takes time.
- Our company’s cost-cutting measures saved jobs.
- Twenty-five students attended the class.
Short Sentences with Hyphens
Hyphens often appear in compound words and phrases. Here are some simple examples:
- My sister-in-law baked cookies.
- We need up-to-date information.
- The well-known author signed books.
- That’s a state-of-the-art device.
- His happy-go-lucky attitude brightens the room.
What is a Long Hyphen?
What many people call a “long hyphen” is actually one of two different punctuation marks:
- En dash (–): Slightly longer than a hyphen, used for ranges (pages 25–30) or connections (New York–London flight).
- Em dash (—): The longest of these marks, used to indicate a break in thought—like this—or to emphasize information.
These are not actually hyphens but are often confused with them. On most keyboards:
- En dash: Alt+0150 on Windows or Option+hyphen on Mac
- Em dash: Alt+0151 on Windows or Option+Shift+hyphen on Mac
10 Sentences with Hyphens (Theme: Travel):
- We took a seven-hour flight to reach our destination.
- The eco-friendly resort was perfect for our stay.
- My sister-in-law joined us for the trip.
- We visited a world-famous museum in the city.
- The hotel offered a all-inclusive package.
- We went on a guided tour of the snow-capped mountains.
- The post-trip meeting was scheduled for next week.
- Our travel agent recommended a stress-free itinerary.
- The hotel room had a queen-sized bed and a mini-fridge.
- We enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime sunset on the beach.
FAQ About Hyphens
When should I use a hyphen between two words?
Use a hyphen when two or more words work together as a single modifier before a noun (like “well-known author”). Also use hyphens with certain prefixes (like “self-,” “ex-,” and “all-“), with compound numbers (twenty-one through ninety-nine), and with spelled-out fractions (one-third, two-fifths).
Do compound words always need hyphens?
No, not all compound words need hyphens. Some are written as single words (homework, baseball), while others are written as separate words (high school, real estate). If you’re unsure, check a current dictionary, as compound word styling can change over time.
How do I know whether to use a hyphen, en dash, or em dash?
Use a hyphen (-) to join words in a compound or to divide words at the end of a line. Use an en dash (–) for ranges (like dates, times, or pages) or to show connection between words. Use an em dash (—) to indicate a break in thought, to set off information, or to show interrupted speech.
Hyphens are used to connect words or parts of words to make their meaning clear. They’re not for connecting full sentences. Stick to the rules, and you’ll use them correctly!
See more: