Hyphens

You should hyphenate words in your writing to create clear, well-written sentences.

 

What to Hyphenate

Follow these rules to use your hyphens correctly.

• Use a Hyphen when Two or More Words Serve as a Single Adjective before a Noun.
  happy-looking girl
  

• Use Hyphens in All Compound Numbers from Twenty-One Through Ninety-Nine.
  twenty-seven
  

• Use Hyphens in All Spelled-Out Fractions.
  two-thirds
  

• Use Hyphens in Certain Prefixes and Suffixes.
  
  ex- (meaning former)
  ex-boyfriend
  
  self-
  self-motivated
  
  all-
  all-out
  
  -elect
  Congressman-elect
  

• Use Hyphens Between a Prefix and a Capitalized Word.
  mid-December
  
  
• Use Hyphens with Figures or Letters.
  post-1970
  
  
• Use Hyphens to Avoid Confusion or an Awkward Combination of Letters.
  re-lease a car, but release a film
  

 

What Not to Hyphenate

• Do Not Use Hyphens in Compound Adjectives.
  happy little girl
  
  
• Do Not Use Hyphens with “-ly” Adverbs + Adjective Combinations.
  dimly lit kitchen (‘dimly’ is an adverb describing ‘lit,’ not an adjective)
  carefully written paper
  rapidly approaching deadline
  
  
• Do Not Use Hyphens with a Combination of Words Used after the Noun.
  It was coffee-flavored ice cream.
  The ice cream was coffee flavored.
  
  She went on a much-needed vacation.
  The vacation she went on was much needed.

 

 

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