{"id":184,"date":"2025-04-17T16:34:59","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T16:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/chapter\/hyphens-and-dashes\/"},"modified":"2025-07-16T17:01:45","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T17:01:45","slug":"hyphens-and-dashes","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/chapter\/hyphens-and-dashes\/","title":{"raw":"Punctuation: Learn It 2","rendered":"Punctuation: Learn It 2"},"content":{"raw":"[caption id=\"attachment_1768\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"222\"]\"Appropriate Figure 1<\/strong>. A hyphen.[\/caption]\r\n

Hyphens<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Oxford Manual of Style once stated, \u201cIf you take hyphens seriously, you will surely go mad.\u201d Hyphens belong to that category of punctuation marks that will hurt your brain if you think about them too hard, and, like commas, people disagree about their use in certain situations. Nevertheless, you will have to use them regularly because of the nature of academic and professional writing.\r\n\r\n
\r\n

The hyphen's function<\/h3>\r\nFundamentally, the hyphen is a joiner. It can join several different types of things:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • two nouns to make one complete word (kilogram-meter)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • an adjective and a noun to make a compound word (accident-prone)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • two words that, when linked, describe a noun (agreed-upon sum, two-dimensional object)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • a prefix with a noun (un-American)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • double numbers (twenty-four)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • numbers and units describing a noun (1000-foot face; a 10-meter difference)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • \u201cself\u201d words (self-employed, self-esteem)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • new word blends (cancer-causing, cost-effective)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • prefixes and suffixes to words, in particular when the writer wants to avoid doubling a vowel or tripling a consonant (anti-inflammatory; shell-like)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • multiple adjectives with the same noun (blue- and\u00a0yellow-green beads; four- and five-year-olds)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>
    A general rule for the hyphen is that the resulting word must act as one unit; therefore, the hyphen creates a new word that has a single meaning. Usually, you can tell whether a hyphen is necessary by applying common sense and mentally excluding one of the words in question, testing how the words would work together without the hyphen.For example, the phrases \u201chigh-pressure system,\u201d \u201cwater-repellent surface,\u201d and \u201cfuel-efficient car\u201d would not make sense without hyphens, because you would not refer to a \u201chigh system,\u201d a \u201cwater surface,\u201d or a \u201cfuel car.\u201d<\/section>As you become attuned to proper hyphenation practices, you will recognize where hyphens fit best.\r\n

    Properly Used Hyphens<\/h3>\r\nBy convention, hyphens are not used after words ending in \u2013ly, nor when the words are so commonly used in combination that no ambiguity results. So, for example, above, we use no hyphen when discussing properly used hyphens.\r\n\r\n
    In these examples, hyphens are necessary:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    small-scale study<\/td>\r\ntwo-prong plug<\/td>\r\nstrength-to-weight ratio<\/td>\r\nhigh-velocity flow<\/td>\r\nfrost-free lawn<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    self-employed worker<\/td>\r\none-third majority<\/td>\r\ncoarse-grained wood<\/td>\r\ndecision-making process<\/td>\r\nblue-green algae<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    air-ice interface<\/td>\r\nsilver-stained cells<\/td>\r\nprotein-calorie malnutrition<\/td>\r\nmembrane-bound vesicles<\/td>\r\nphase-contrast microscope<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    long-term-payment loan<\/td>\r\n\u00a0cost-effective program<\/td>\r\n\u00a0time-dependent variable<\/td>\r\nradiation-sensitive sample<\/td>\r\n\u00a0long-chain fatty acid<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/section>\r\n

    When Hyphens Are Not Needed<\/h3>\r\nBy convention, hyphens are not used after\u00a0words ending in -ly<\/em>, nor when the words are so commonly used in combination that no ambiguity results.\u00a0So, for example, above, we use no hyphen when discussing properly used hyphens.\r\n\r\n
    In these examples, no hyphens are needed:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    finely tuned engine<\/td>\r\nblood pressure<\/td>\r\nsea level<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    real estate<\/td>\r\ncensus taker<\/td>\r\natomic energy<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    civil rights law<\/td>\r\npublic utility plant<\/td>\r\ncarbon dioxide<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/section>\r\n
    Phrases containing the word well like\u00a0well known are contested.\u00a0Well is an adverb (like finely and other adverbs that typically end in -ly). Thus many think a hyphen is unnecessary with well known. Others say that leaving out the hyphen may cause confusion and include it (well-known).The standard in MLA is as follows: When it appears before the noun,\u00a0well known should be hyphenated. When it follows the noun, no hyphenation is needed.\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • She is a well-known person.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • The actor in the series is a well-known bodybuilder.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • She is well known.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • As she becomes more well known, her Instagram following will probably increase.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n

      Prefixes and Suffixes<\/h3>\r\nMost prefixes do not need to be hyphenated; they are simply added in front of a noun, with no spaces and no joining punctuation necessary.\r\n\r\n
      \r\n

      Prefixes<\/h4>\r\nThe following is a list of common prefixes that do not require hyphenation when added to a noun:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
      after<\/td>\r\nanti<\/td>\r\nbi<\/td>\r\nbio<\/td>\r\nco<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      cyber<\/td>\r\ndi<\/td>\r\ndown<\/td>\r\nhetero<\/td>\r\nhomo<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      infra<\/td>\r\ninter<\/td>\r\nmacro<\/td>\r\nmicro<\/td>\r\nmini<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      non<\/td>\r\nphoto<\/td>\r\npoly<\/td>\r\nstereo<\/td>\r\nthermo<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/section>When prefixes are added to a proper noun, they\u00a0require a hyphen (e.g., nonviolent<\/em>, but\u00a0non-European<\/em>).\r\n\r\n
      The prefix\u00a0re<\/em> generally doesn't require a hyphen. However, when leaving out a hyphen will cause confusion, one should be added. Look at the following word pairs, for example:\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • resign<\/em> (leave a position) v. re-sign<\/em> (sign the paper again)<\/li>\r\n \t
      • recreation<\/em>\u00a0(an activity of leisure) v. re-creation\u00a0<\/em>(create something again)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>Common suffixes also do not require hyphenation, assuming no ambiguities of spelling or pronunciation arise. Typically, you do not need to hyphenate words ending in the following suffixes:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
        able<\/td>\r\nless<\/td>\r\nfold<\/td>\r\nlike<\/td>\r\nwise<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nAmbiguities of spelling or pronunciation are exceptions.\r\n\r\nHer face is bell-like. (Using an \u201cl\u201d three times in a row would be messy).\r\n

        Commonly Used Word Blends<\/h3>\r\nAlso, especially in technical fields, some words commonly used in succession become joined into one. The resulting word\u2019s meaning is readily understood by technical readers, and no hyphen is necessary.\r\n\r\n
        \r\n

        Word blends<\/h4>\r\nHere are some examples of such word blends, typically written as single words:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
        blackbody<\/td>\r\ngroundwater<\/td>\r\nairship<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
        downdraft<\/td>\r\nlongwall<\/td>\r\nupload<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
        setup<\/td>\r\nrunoff<\/td>\r\nblowout<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/section>
        [ohm2_question]40575[\/ohm2_question]\r\n\r\n<\/section><\/div>","rendered":"
        \"Appropriate
        Figure 1<\/strong>. A hyphen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        Hyphens<\/h2>\n
        \n

        The Oxford Manual of Style once stated, \u201cIf you take hyphens seriously, you will surely go mad.\u201d Hyphens belong to that category of punctuation marks that will hurt your brain if you think about them too hard, and, like commas, people disagree about their use in certain situations. Nevertheless, you will have to use them regularly because of the nature of academic and professional writing.<\/p>\n

        \n

        The hyphen’s function<\/h3>\n

        Fundamentally, the hyphen is a joiner. It can join several different types of things:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • two nouns to make one complete word (kilogram-meter)<\/li>\n
        • an adjective and a noun to make a compound word (accident-prone)<\/li>\n
        • two words that, when linked, describe a noun (agreed-upon sum, two-dimensional object)<\/li>\n
        • a prefix with a noun (un-American)<\/li>\n
        • double numbers (twenty-four)<\/li>\n
        • numbers and units describing a noun (1000-foot face; a 10-meter difference)<\/li>\n
        • \u201cself\u201d words (self-employed, self-esteem)<\/li>\n
        • new word blends (cancer-causing, cost-effective)<\/li>\n
        • prefixes and suffixes to words, in particular when the writer wants to avoid doubling a vowel or tripling a consonant (anti-inflammatory; shell-like)<\/li>\n
        • multiple adjectives with the same noun (blue- and\u00a0yellow-green beads; four- and five-year-olds)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n
          A general rule for the hyphen is that the resulting word must act as one unit; therefore, the hyphen creates a new word that has a single meaning. Usually, you can tell whether a hyphen is necessary by applying common sense and mentally excluding one of the words in question, testing how the words would work together without the hyphen.For example, the phrases \u201chigh-pressure system,\u201d \u201cwater-repellent surface,\u201d and \u201cfuel-efficient car\u201d would not make sense without hyphens, because you would not refer to a \u201chigh system,\u201d a \u201cwater surface,\u201d or a \u201cfuel car.\u201d<\/section>\n

          As you become attuned to proper hyphenation practices, you will recognize where hyphens fit best.<\/p>\n

          Properly Used Hyphens<\/h3>\n

          By convention, hyphens are not used after words ending in \u2013ly, nor when the words are so commonly used in combination that no ambiguity results. So, for example, above, we use no hyphen when discussing properly used hyphens.<\/p>\n

          In these examples, hyphens are necessary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
          small-scale study<\/td>\ntwo-prong plug<\/td>\nstrength-to-weight ratio<\/td>\nhigh-velocity flow<\/td>\nfrost-free lawn<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          self-employed worker<\/td>\none-third majority<\/td>\ncoarse-grained wood<\/td>\ndecision-making process<\/td>\nblue-green algae<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          air-ice interface<\/td>\nsilver-stained cells<\/td>\nprotein-calorie malnutrition<\/td>\nmembrane-bound vesicles<\/td>\nphase-contrast microscope<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          long-term-payment loan<\/td>\n\u00a0cost-effective program<\/td>\n\u00a0time-dependent variable<\/td>\nradiation-sensitive sample<\/td>\n\u00a0long-chain fatty acid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/section>\n

          When Hyphens Are Not Needed<\/h3>\n

          By convention, hyphens are not used after\u00a0words ending in –ly<\/em>, nor when the words are so commonly used in combination that no ambiguity results.\u00a0So, for example, above, we use no hyphen when discussing properly used hyphens.<\/p>\n

          In these examples, no hyphens are needed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
          finely tuned engine<\/td>\nblood pressure<\/td>\nsea level<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          real estate<\/td>\ncensus taker<\/td>\natomic energy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          civil rights law<\/td>\npublic utility plant<\/td>\ncarbon dioxide<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/section>\n
          \n
          Phrases containing the word well like\u00a0well known are contested.\u00a0Well is an adverb (like finely and other adverbs that typically end in -ly). Thus many think a hyphen is unnecessary with well known. Others say that leaving out the hyphen may cause confusion and include it (well-known).The standard in MLA is as follows: When it appears before the noun,\u00a0well known should be hyphenated. When it follows the noun, no hyphenation is needed.<\/p>\n
            \n
          • She is a well-known person.<\/li>\n
          • The actor in the series is a well-known bodybuilder.<\/li>\n
          • She is well known.<\/li>\n
          • As she becomes more well known, her Instagram following will probably increase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

            Prefixes and Suffixes<\/h3>\n

            Most prefixes do not need to be hyphenated; they are simply added in front of a noun, with no spaces and no joining punctuation necessary.<\/p>\n

            \n

            Prefixes<\/h4>\n

            The following is a list of common prefixes that do not require hyphenation when added to a noun:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            after<\/td>\nanti<\/td>\nbi<\/td>\nbio<\/td>\nco<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            cyber<\/td>\ndi<\/td>\ndown<\/td>\nhetero<\/td>\nhomo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            infra<\/td>\ninter<\/td>\nmacro<\/td>\nmicro<\/td>\nmini<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            non<\/td>\nphoto<\/td>\npoly<\/td>\nstereo<\/td>\nthermo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/section>\n

            When prefixes are added to a proper noun, they\u00a0require a hyphen (e.g., nonviolent<\/em>, but\u00a0non-European<\/em>).<\/p>\n

            The prefix\u00a0re<\/em> generally doesn’t require a hyphen. However, when leaving out a hyphen will cause confusion, one should be added. Look at the following word pairs, for example:<\/p>\n
              \n
            • resign<\/em> (leave a position) v. re-sign<\/em> (sign the paper again)<\/li>\n
            • recreation<\/em>\u00a0(an activity of leisure) v. re-creation\u00a0<\/em>(create something again)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n

              Common suffixes also do not require hyphenation, assuming no ambiguities of spelling or pronunciation arise. Typically, you do not need to hyphenate words ending in the following suffixes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
              able<\/td>\nless<\/td>\nfold<\/td>\nlike<\/td>\nwise<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

              Ambiguities of spelling or pronunciation are exceptions.<\/p>\n

              Her face is bell-like. (Using an \u201cl\u201d three times in a row would be messy).<\/p>\n

              Commonly Used Word Blends<\/h3>\n

              Also, especially in technical fields, some words commonly used in succession become joined into one. The resulting word\u2019s meaning is readily understood by technical readers, and no hyphen is necessary.<\/p>\n

              \n

              Word blends<\/h4>\n

              Here are some examples of such word blends, typically written as single words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
              blackbody<\/td>\ngroundwater<\/td>\nairship<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              downdraft<\/td>\nlongwall<\/td>\nupload<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              setup<\/td>\nrunoff<\/td>\nblowout<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/section>\n