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