Hyphens Review

Front

What is a hyphen?

Back

A hyphen is a punctuation mark (-) used to join words or parts of words together, often to create compound words or to indicate a break in a word.

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When should you use a hyphen in compound adjectives?

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Use a hyphen in compound adjectives when they come before a noun, e.g., 'well-known author'.

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Provide an example of a compound noun that uses a hyphen.

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Sister-in-law.

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What is the rule for hyphenating numbers?

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Hyphenate numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine when they are written out in words, e.g., 'twenty-one'.

Front

True or False: Hyphens are used to connect two independent clauses.

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False. Hyphens are not used to connect independent clauses; commas or conjunctions are used instead.

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What is the difference between 're-sent' and 'resent'?

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'Re-sent' means to send something again, while 'resent' means to feel bitterness or anger towards someone.

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When should you not use a hyphen?

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Do not use a hyphen when the words are not functioning together as a single idea, e.g., 'bright happy faces'.

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What is a common mistake when using hyphens?

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A common mistake is over-hyphenating, such as writing 'bright-happy faces' instead of 'bright happy faces'.

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How do hyphens affect the meaning of words?

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Hyphens can change the meaning of words by creating compound terms, e.g., 'small-business owner' vs. 'small business owner'.

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What is the purpose of a hyphen in a compound number?

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The purpose of a hyphen in a compound number is to clarify the number's value when written out, e.g., 'forty-two'.