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Using hyphens

Using hyphens

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Explainer Video

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Tutor: Jonathan

Summary

Using hyphens

In a nutshell 

A hyphen (-) is used to join two or more words together to make a new word and to avoid uncertainty in regard to its meaning. In this summary, you will learn how to use hyphens to clarify meaning.  


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Compound adjectives

A hyphen is used to link words together to form compound adjectives. 


Examples

compound adjective

use in a sentence

brown-eyed
My brown-eyed sister wears glasses.
absent-minded
My teacher can be absent-minded some days.




Compound nouns

A hyphen can also be used to link words together to form compound nouns.


Examples

​​compound noun

use in a sentence

brother-in-law
My brother-in-law is very kind.
self-confidence
She is very self-confident about her writing skills.


Note: Compound numbers between 212121​ and 999999​ are written with a hyphen. However, the numbers 202020​, 303030​, etc. are written without.

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Avoiding ambiguity

Sometimes hyphens are used to avoid ambiguity in meaning. 


Examples


without hyphen

​​with hyphen

meaning with hyphen

well behaved child
well-behaved child
The child is well mannered.
sixteen year old
sixteen-year-old
The person is sixteen years old.
resent
re-sent
Something has been sent again 



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Exercises

Easy

6 Exercises

Medium

7 Exercises

Hard

4 Exercises

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Basics

Forming compound words
Forming compound words

Overview

Learning Goals

    Overview

    FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

    Do I hyphenate numbers?

    Compound numbers between 21 and 99 are written with a hyphen. However, the numbers 20, 30, etc. are written without.

    When do I use a hyphen?

    A hyphen is used to link words together to form compound adjectives. It can also be used to link words together to form compound nouns.

    What is a hyphen?

    A hyphen (-) is used to join two or more words together to make a new word and to avoid uncertainty in regards to its meaning.

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