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.

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

​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.