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Hyphens between Words (with Examples)
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Hyphens (Not Dashes) between Words
Those "dashes" between words are usually hyphens not dashes. This page explains when to use hyphens between words.
Got it? Take a quick test.| Name | Punctuation | How To Get One |
|---|---|---|
| em dash | — | Ctl + Alt + minus (on the numeric pad) |
| minus sign | − | minus (on the numeric pad) |
| en dash | – | Ctl + minus (on the numeric pad) |
| hyphen | - | - (the key to the right of "0") |
Read about using dashes.
When To Use a Hyphen
Hyphens have two main functions:(1) To join words to show they are a single entity.
- ice-axe (This is one thing. The hyphen makes it clear that we're not talking about an axe made of ice.)
- cooking-oil (This is one thing. The hyphen makes it clear that oil is not cooking, i.e., getting hot)
- free-range eggs ("Free-range" is one adjective. The hyphen makes it clear that the eggs are not free. It also makes the text easier to read.)
- twenty four-page leaflets ("Four-page" is one adjective. The hyphen makes it clear that each leaflet has four pages. It also makes the text easier to read.)
(2) To act as a separator within a word for clarity or readability.
- re-press (The hyphen makes it clear that the meaning is "to press again" and not "repress" as in "to put down by force.")
- re-establish (This is easier to read than "reestablish.")
More about Hyphens in Words
Examples of Using Hyphens between Words
Listed below are the main uses of hyphens:(1) To form a compound noun.
- Being married means I can eat ice-cream in bed.
(Brad Pitt) - Pass me the plastic wire-fastener.
(2) To form a compound adjective.
- It's only a three-seater aircraft.
- It will be a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
- They had a twenty-year-old cat.
(3) To remove ambiguity with adjectives.
- It is a heavy-metal detector.
(The hyphen makes it clear the device detects heavy metals as opposed to being a heavy device.)
- It is a broken-heart pendant.
(The hyphen makes it clear the pendant is of a broken heart as opposed to being a broken pendant.)
- He is the best-known actor.
(The hyphen makes it clear he is not the best actor of the known actors.)
- There are more-important things in life.
(The hyphen makes it clear that more modifies important and not things.)
- She is an extremely-happy dog.
- She is a very-happy dog.
- The winner typically cheese-chases at 20 mph.
- He needed to gate-vault the obstacle.
- James spent the evening in hospital after he happy-slapped a bystander, who turned out to be a champion boxer.
- This issue is a real no-brainer.
- three hundred twenty-four
- sixty-one
(8) When writing fractions in full.
- four-fifths
- two-thirds
- anti-aircraft
- cooperate
Hyphens Are Not Meant to be Used for Ranges
Hyphens are not meant to be used for ranges (e.g., 12-14, 2001- 2010). Dashes are used for this purpose. However, given that the hyphen is so easy to find on a keyboard, hyphens have become acceptable for ranges. Only a very strict grammar pedant would pull you up for using hyphens. If this were to happen, you could make a good case for the pedant being out of date.Read about dashes between numbers.
Ready for the Test?
Here is a confirmatory test for this lesson.This test can also be:
- Edited (i.e., you can delete questions and play with the order of the questions).
- Printed to create a handout.
- Sent electronically to friends or students.
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?