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Using Hyphens
The Rules for Using Hyphens
Hyphens are joiners. They are used to join the following:- the words in a compound adjective (e.g., four-page document)
- the words in a compound noun (e.g, ice-axe)
- a prefix to a word root (e.g., anti-vaccination groups)
- the words in a single number or fraction (e.g., sixty-six, two-thirds)
- adjectives with a shared second element (e.g., a one- or two-page document)
Table of Contents
- Six Ways to Use Hyphens
- Use of Hyphens Explained in Detail
- (1) Using Hyphens in Compound Adjectives
- (2) Using Hyphens in Compound Nouns
- (3) Using Hyphens in Prefixes
- (4) Using Hyphens in Compound Verbs
- (5) Using Hyphens in Fractions and Numbers Written in Full
- (6) Using Hyphens with List Items Sharing a Common Second Element
- Why Hyphens Are Important
- Video Lesson
- Printable Test

Six Ways to Use Hyphens
Hyphens are used in six ways:(1) To join the words in a compound adjective.
- six-foot table
- silver-service waitress
(2) To join the words in a compound noun.
- passer-by
- paper-clip
(3) To join a prefix to a word.
- re-establish
- ultra-expensive
(4) To join the words in a compound verb.
- to ice-skate
- to spot-check
(5) To help with the reading of numbers and fractions.
- one-third
- twenty-four
(6) To show that list items share a common second element.
- two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses
- two- or three-fold
Use of Hyphens Explained in Detail
A hyphen is a punctuation mark used as a joiner. A hyphen is typically used to join the separate parts of a compound word to make it clear that it's one entity. (A compound word is a word made up of more than one word.)(1) Using Hyphens in Compound Adjectives

- free-range eggs
- A eight-seater taxi
- A far-too-chatty individual
- six-foot table
- My single-minded aim is to give existence to fantasy.
(American-Swedish sculptor Claes Oldenburg)
- There's a difference between a free market and free-for-all market.
(Senator Bob Menendez)
Read more about hyphens in compound adjectives.
Read about alternatives to hyphens in compound adjectives.
(2) Using Hyphens in Compound Nouns

- It needs a paper-clip to hold the ticket in place.
- I am looking after a two-year-old.
- History is full of inevitable front-runners who were inevitable until they weren't.
(Politician Martin O'Malley)
- Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law.
(French writer Voltaire)
- wheelchair
- hot dog
Read more about hyphens in compound nouns
Read more about forming the plurals of compound nouns.
(3) Using Hyphens in Prefixes

- ultra-expensive
- re-establish
- co-opt
- cooperate
- defuse
Read more about hyphens in prefixes.
(4) Using Hyphens in Compound Verbs
A hyphen can be used to join the words in a compound verb, especially verbs formed from two nouns.- To gift-wrap
- To ice-skate
- I was court-martialled in my absence and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence.
(Irish playwright Brendan Behan).
- She will eyebrow-beat him into submission.
- He cold-shouldered me when I was fist-pumping his team mates.
- Never give in, and never give up.
(American politician Hubert Humphrey)
(These are phrasal verbs. They are correct without hyphens.)
(5) Using Hyphens in Fractions and Numbers Written in Full
Hyphens are used in fractions written out in full.- one-third
- two-thirds
- four-tenths
- fifty-one
- two hundred thirty-four
- three thousand five hundred sixty-seven
(6) Using Hyphens with List Items Sharing a Common Second Element
A hyphen can be used before a common second element in all but the last word in the list.- You can buy a two-, five- or seven-seater version of this car.
- If our monarchy can show democracy that leads to a two-, three-, four-party system (left, right and centre), then the Brotherhood will no longer be a contender.
(Abdullah II of Jordan)
- I don't care if you're Aqua-, Bat- or Superman, Mr Clayderman. You're still late.
- It will increase two- or threefold.
- It makes your text easier to read.
- It removes the possibility for ambiguity.
- It showcases your writing skills.
(Point 1) Use a hyphen if the unhyphenated version of a compound adjective would be ambiguous.
British readers will expect you to use hyphens with compound adjectives, but, in the US, readers are more lenient. In fact, it is common to see compound adjectives without hyphens in both regions, especially with well-established terms that are unlikely to make a reader stall (e.g., "ice cream stall," "twentieth century building"). So, it is not a serious error to omit a hyphen from a compound adjective. That said though, when the unhyphenated version of a compound adjective is ambiguous, you must use a hyphen to link its words.- a small business grant
- a small-business grant
- I have a concealed weapons permit.
- I have a concealed-weapons permit.
- a heavy water reactor
- a heavy-water reactor
(Point 2) Don't use hyphens with adverbs that end "-ly."
When using an adverb to modify an adjective (e.g., "perfectly formed ring"), some writers feel the need to use a hyphen (e.g., "perfectly-formed ring"). With adverbs ending "-ly" (and there are lots) and the word "very," that's a mistake.- It is a wonderfully-decorated tree.
- Paula is a very-talented student.
- It's a friendly-looking, family-run business.
- Lee is the best-known player on the pitch.
- Lee is the best known player on the pitch.
- We're looking at a well-developed fetus.
- We're looking at a well developed fetus.
(Point 3) When using an expression like "three-and-a-half," don't join your adjective to your noun with a hyphen.
When used as compound adjectives, expressions like "three-and-a-half" and "two-and-a-quarter" are often hyphenated to make it clear they're one entity. If you decide to use hyphens in such a term, don't join your adjective to your noun with a hyphen.- He wants four-and-a-quarter-billion.
- He wants four-and-a-quarter billion.
- He wants four-and-a-quarter-billion pounds.
- She's a twenty-four-year-old woman.
(Point 4) Use your spellchecker smartly to spell compound nouns correctly.
Some compound nouns are one word (e.g., "snowman," "aircraft"), some are two words (e.g., "fish tank," "cell phone"), some compound nouns are hyphenated (e.g., "know-how," "runner-up"), and some have more than one acceptable spelling (e.g., "paper clip," "paper-clip," and "paperclip").Your spellchecker will not test the two-word version or the hyphenated version as a single entity. In other words, it will not highlight "air craft" or "air-craft" as an error (even though it should be "aircraft"). So, you have to test the one-word version. If your spellchecker doesn't like the one-word version, you have a choice between the two-word version and the hyphenated version. Often, this really is your choice. Use a hyphen for clarity (i.e., to make it instantly obvious it's a single entity) and to eliminate ambiguity.
- pen friend / pen-friend (The hyphenated version is clearer. It stands out as a single entity, making it easier to read.)
- cooking oil / cooking-oil (The hyphenated version makes it clear the oil is not cooking.)
(Point 5) Use your spellchecker and your instinct to determine whether to use a hyphen with a prefix.
If you're unsure whether to use a hyphen with a prefix, start by not using a hyphen. However, use a hyphen if the unhyphenated version:- Looks too unwieldy for your taste ("antiaircraft" might be an example).
- Is highlighted as a spelling mistake by your spellchecker (e.g., "reestablish").
- Is ambiguous (e.g., "Re-cover the sofa" is not ambiguous, but "Recover the sofa" is.)
- Use hyphens in compound adjectives to eliminate ambiguity.
- Before hyphenating a compound noun, use a spellchecker to ensure it's not acceptable as a single word.
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