Join In
Twitter
YouTube
Weekly Newsletter
Libraries
A-Z Grammatical Terms
A-Z Confused Words
A-Z Awkward Plurals
Punctuation Lessons
Common Mistakes
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
Hyphens
This Page Includes...
What Are Hyphens? (with Examples)
A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark used to join the separate parts of a compound word. A hyphen is a joiner.A hyphen is used:
- To join the words of a compound adjective (e.g., "five-page" document)
- To join the words of compound noun (e.g., "cooking-oil")
- To join a prefix to a word (e.g., "re-examine").
How Hyphens Are Used
Here is a quick overview on how hyphens are used:(1) In compound adjectives to show they are single entities.
In the examples below, the compound adjectives are shaded.
- free-range eggs
- two-day break
- four-seater aircraft
Read more about hyphens in compound adjectives
Read more about alternatives to hyphens in compound adjectives (2) In compound nouns to show they are single entities.
In the examples below, the compound nouns are shaded.
- Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing-gas, has a slightly sweet odour and taste.
- I have lost my water-bottle.
- He was seen by a passer-by.
- Did he marry his sister-in-law?
Read more about hyphens in compound nouns
Read more about forming the plurals of compound nouns
(3) With prefixes.
In the examples below, the prefixes are shaded.
- re-enact
- cooperate and co-operate
- antifascist and anti-fascist
Read more about hyphens in prefixes.
Read more about prefixes.
Other Punctuation Marks
Here is a slider with lessons to the other punctuation marks:- Got a compound adjective or a multi-word compound noun? Use a hyphen. Do it. Show off.
Help Us Improve Grammar Monster
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
Find Us Quicker!
- When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.