Hyphens, Dashes, and Parentheses

Hyphens, Dashes, and Parentheses

Hyphens (-)

Hyphens are commonly used to connect words or parts of words to form compound words or clarify the meaning of a phrase.

Hyphen Rules

• Only words of two syllables or more may be broken, and at least two letters must be on each line.

• Make sure that the word is separated between syllables.

  Examples: val-ue, an-tique, old-er

• non examples: valu-e, ant-ique, o-lder

​When do you use a Hyphen?

• Use hyphens in certain compound words, such as self-made and man-hour.

• Use hyphens in compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine.

• Use hyphens in spelled-out fractions, such as one-sixth and two-eighths.

Fill in the Blanks

Write each of these words and phrases correctly, adding hyphens where needed.

fifty four stamps

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct way to add a hyphen to this phrase.

"well balanced stamp collection"

• well balanced-stamp collection

• well-balanced stamp collection

• well-balanced-stamp-collection

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct way to add a hyphen to this phrase.

"new self sealing stamps"

• new-self sealing stamps

• new self sealing-stamps

• new self-sealing stamps

Multiple Select

Choose the words that are broken correctly for use at the end of a line. (multiple answers!!!!)

• quart-er

• dol-lar

• nick-el

• bo-oks

Multiple Select

Choose the words that are broken correctly for use at the end of a line. (multiple answers!!!!)

• pict-ure

• su-ccess

• mod-el

• bru-sh

• paint-ing

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct way to add a hyphen to this phrase..

"thirty two cent stamps"

• thirty-two cent stamps

• thirty two cent-stamps

• thirty two cent stamps

Fill in the Blanks

two thirds complete

​Dashes

Use dashes to show an abrupt break in thought.

Examples:

1. Each model you see -don't touch!- requires weeks of work.

2. I was about to leave the house - wait, did I forget my keys?

The concert - which was held at the Civic Center - was sold out.

dashes added

The concert, which was held at the Civic Center, was sold out.

Example:

Dashes Continued

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence that uses a dash in the right spot.

• The concert was amazing - until the power went out.

• The concert - was amazing until the power went out.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence.

• She was in a hurry she ran out the door without - saying goodbye.

• She was in a hurry - she ran out the door without saying goodbye

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence

• The car was running smoothly - until it suddenly broke down.

• The car was running smoothly until it suddenly broke down.

Parentheses

Parentheses are used to set off information that is not essential to the main sentence but provides additional context.

​Examples

1. The meeting (which was scheduled for 2 PM) has been postponed until tomorrow.

2. To indicate an abbreviation: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends wearing masks in public.

Fill in the Blanks

Add parenthesis where they are needed in this sentence.

Buying new baseball cards they are usually cheap is something I do quite often.

Fill in the Blanks

Add parenthesis where they are needed in this sentence.

Shirley runs three miles every day it takes her half an hour.