50 Hyphens

Learning Objectives

Identify the uses of hyphens.

Properly use hyphens in sentences.

A hyphen (-) looks similar to a dash but is not as long as a dash and used in different ways.

Hyphens between Two Adjectives That Work as One

Use a hyphen to combine words that work together to form a single description.

The fifty-five-year-old athlete was just as qualified for the marathon as his younger opponents.

My doctor recommended against taking the medication, since it can be habit-forming.

My study group focused on preparing for the mid-year review.

Hyphens When a Word Breaks at the End of a Line

Use a hyphen to divide a word across two lines of text. You may notice that most word- processing programs will do this for you. If you have to manually insert a hyphen, place the hyphen between two syllables. If you are unsure of where to place the hyphen, consult a dictionary or move the entire word to the next line.

My supervisor was concerned that the team meet- ing would conflict with the client meeting.

Key Takeaways

Hyphens join words that work as one adjective.

Hyphens break words across two lines of text.