Grammar Detective: Hyphens (2)

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 terms.

Front

When should you use a hyphen in compound adjectives?

Back

Use a hyphen in compound adjectives when they appear before a noun to clarify meaning, e.g., 'a well-known author'.

Front

Provide an example of a compound adjective using a hyphen.

Back

'A high-speed train' is an example of a compound adjective using a hyphen.

Front

What is the rule for hyphenating numbers?

Back

Hyphens are used in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine, e.g., 'twenty-one'.

Front

When do you use hyphens with age expressions?

Back

Use hyphens in age expressions when they are used as adjectives before a noun, e.g., 'a five-year-old child'.

Front

What is a common mistake when using hyphens?

Back

A common mistake is omitting the hyphen in compound adjectives, e.g., writing 'high school student' instead of 'high-school student'.

Front

How do you correctly hyphenate the phrase 'face to face'?

Back

The correct hyphenation is 'face-to-face' when used as an adjective, e.g., 'a face-to-face meeting'.

Front

What is the difference between 'well-known' and 'well known'?

Back

'Well-known' is hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun, while 'well known' is not hyphenated when used after a verb.

Front

When should you not use a hyphen?

Back

Do not use a hyphen when the compound adjective follows the noun, e.g., 'The author is well known'.

Front

What is the rule for hyphenating prefixes?

Back

Hyphenate prefixes before proper nouns or when the prefix ends with the same vowel that the root word begins with, e.g., 're-enter'.