Hyphens

Hyphens separate words and parts of words.  Here are the uses for hyphens:

2 Word Modifiers

When two words are combined to make a single adjective, they should include a hyphen. 

·        The well-prepared student

·        The freshly-baked pie

·        A one-to-one conversation

However, this is only true when the words come before the noun. 

·        He was well prepared.

·        The pie was freshly baked.

Prefixes

Hyphens are always used with these prefixes:

self

all

ex

great

• ex-wife
• self-help
• all-purpose

Hyphens separate prefixes with proper nouns (nouns that begin with a capital letter):

·        pro-Catholic

·        pre-Cambrian

Numbers

Hyphens separate all two word numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.

·        Thirty-two

·        Fifty-four

This also includes fractions:

·        One-third

·        Three-fifths

Times also use hyphens:

·        Seven-thirty

·        Eight-fifteen

Hyphens can be used with numbers in place of the word "to".

·        The score was 3-2.

·        There will be about 10-15 people at the meeting.