A Complete Guide to Using a Hyphen in Writing

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on using a hyphen in writing. While they may seem small, mastering the correct use of hyphens can significantly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

Many writers confuse hyphens with dashes, often using dashes when they should use hyphens, and vice versa. As proofreaders, ensuring the correct use of hyphens and dashes is part of both general and academic proofreading etiquette.

In this guide, we’ll delve into what a hyphen is and its distinction from dashes. We’ll provide practical tips on how to use each effectively and we’ll explore two types of dashes and give examples of them in context.

Moreover, we’ll show you a trick to typing the two dashes, saving you from copying and pasting them into a Word document.

What Is a Hyphen?

At its core, a hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark used primarily to join words and to separate syllables of a single word. It’s a versatile tool that aids in clarity and readability, preventing ambiguity in written communication.

Is a Hyphen a Dash?

Hyphens, em dashes, and en dashes serve distinct purposes in writing. A hyphen is shorter than both dashes and is primarily used to join words or parts of words. En dashes, slightly longer than hyphens, represent a range or connection between two things, such as numbers or destinations. Em dashes, which are longer than en dashes indicate a sudden break in thought or set off parenthetical phrases. Unsurprisingly, many writers confuse en with em dashes.

En Dash

We use non-spaced en dashes (–) in the following situations:

• For ranges of numbers or dates (e.g., 10–50, 1939–1975)
• For sports scores (e.g., FC Barcelona won the game 3–1; the New York Rangers and the Dallas Stars tied 2–2)
• To indicate conflict or connection (e.g., mother–daughter relationship, brain–blood barrier) 
• Compound adjectives that already include an open compound (e.g., Ming Dynasty–style furniture).

We use spaced en dashes to set off parenthetical information in British and Australian English. For example:

The participants – students from various countries – completed the survey.

To type an en dash in Windows, hold down the Alt key and type 0150 on the numeric keyboard. If you don’t have a numeric keyboard, you can go to Insert > Symbol, and select the dash you need if you’re working in Word.

Em Dash

The non-spaced em dash (—) is slightly longer than an en dash. It sets off parenthetical information in US English:

We saw several animals in the wilderness—a moose, a beaver, and a mink.

Em dashes also set off interrupted dialogue in fiction writing. For example:

“Hey, can you give me a hand?” Brody’s voice sailed from the basement. “I think I’m gonna fa—.”

To type an em dash in Windows, follow the same steps as typing an en dash, but type 0151 instead of 0150. You can also use a similar shortcut for typing dashes in Mac.

How to Use a Hyphen

Now, we’ll look closely at using hyphens for certain situations, including compound words and hanging hyphens.

Compound Words

We form compound words by joining two or more words to form a new word with a distinct meaning. Hyphens are used in various scenarios within compound words, including:

1. Compound adjectives: When two or more words work together to modify the following noun, they are hyphenated: a well-known author, high-quality products.
2. Prefixes: Hyphens are often used with specific prefixes to avoid confusion or ambiguity, especially when two vowels collide: re-evaluate, pre-owned.
3. Numerals and words: Hyphens are used when numbers are spelled out with multiple words: thirty-five, twenty-one.

Compound Nouns

Compound nouns can be written as closed (e.g., mailman), open (e.g., coffee table), or hyphenated (e.g., well-being, son-in-law).

It’s worth pointing out that US English uses fewer hyphens. As such, the hyphenation of compound nouns can vary according to dialect, so check an appropriate dictionary to ensure that you’re correctly hyphenating words or terms.

Some compound words don’t require hyphens because the phrase is commonly known. Since there is no risk of confusion, there’s no need for a hyphen. For instance:

Chocolate chip cookie

We wouldn’t add a hyphen between chocolate and chip because one wouldn’t read this as a chip cookie that is being described as chocolate. This is also why the comparatives more and less (and superlatives most and least) do not take hyphens.

Here are some more examples:

• Real estate management
• Computer software developer
• Public school teacher
• Integrated circuit design
• Less annoying sibling

Compound Adjectives

Compound adjectives occur when more than one word is used to describe a noun. We insert a hyphen between adjectives. For example:

• Long-term plans
• 24-hour clock
• 15-inch screw
• One-size-fits-all solution
• Six-sided four-seater table

Adverbs (which typically end in -ly) do not require hyphens, as they describe the verb, not the noun. For instance:

• A quickly written letter
• Suddenly appearing monsters

Noun Vs. Verb

Some word pairings are treated differently depending on whether they are being used as a verb or a noun. Sometimes, you will find a hyphenated compound noun/adjective and an unhyphenated verb form. For example:

• Check in (verb): I’m going to check in with my boss.
• Check-in (noun): The hotel offered a quick check-in.
• Check-in (adjective): They had lost their check-in details.

Hyphenation can vary depending on dialect and style guide, so we suggest looking it up if you haven’t used the term before.

Compound Modifiers

Compound modifiers are phrases composed of two or more words that work together to modify a noun. Hyphens are crucial for ensuring clarity and preventing misinterpretation. A compound modifier might include an adjective and/or a noun, but they are all still compound modifiers. When an adjective and a noun are used together as a single modifier, they are hyphenated:

fast-paced environment

time-saving technique

Other examples of hyphenated compound modifiers include:

• Fast-growing industry
• Well-known artist
• City-wide celebration
• Dog-friendly park

Hanging Hyphens

Hanging hyphens, also known as suspended or suspensive hyphens, are used when a prefix or the first part of a compound adjective is shared among multiple words connected to the same noun. They can also be used in the same way for a suffix or the second part of a modifier, although this is far less common. In short, hanging hyphens help avoid redundancy and thereby improve readability.

Here are some examples:

• Pre- and post-prandial blood sugars
• Long- and short-term plans
• 12th- and 13th-century history

Rules for hyphenating prefixes and suffixes vary, so you should check an appropriate dictionary or style guide. There are, however, some general guidelines:

• Use a hyphen with a prefix before a proper noun or numeral: Pre-Elvis rock and roll, mid-20th century.
• Use a hyphen with repeated prefixes (whether to hyphenate the second prefix or make it part of a noun depends on the dictionary or style guide): ultra-ultra-wide monitor or ultra-ultrawide monitor; sub-sub-paragraph or sub-subparagraph.
• Use a hyphen with a prefix to avoid confusion with another word: recreation vs. re-creation, coop vs. co-op unionized vs un-ionized.

Generally, we don’t use hyphens with most common suffixes:

Businesslike

Childlike

Clockwise

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