On the Use of Hyphens
Correct Use of Hyphens
In general, use hyphens:
- Between syllables within a word
- Divide a hyphenated word at the end of a line at the existing hyphen
Incorrect Use of Hyphens
In general, don’t use hyphens to:
- Isolate a single letter
- Hyphenate acronyms or abbreviations
- Hyphenate the last word of a paragraph or page
As a Prefix
Before numbers or proper nouns:
pre-2001, post-Soviet Union
To clarify a concept:
re-create is not the same as recreate
re-cover is not the same as recover
With specific prefixes:
all- all-knowing
cross- cross-reference
ex- ex-wife
self- self-indulgent
half- half-baked
quarter- quarter-turn
Correct Use for Compound Words
Compound modifiers before a noun:
stock-market quotes, man-made lake
Compound numbers less than one hundred:
forty-seven, two-thirds, three hundred twenty-nine
Adjective-adverb combinations:
best-selling author, well-known athlete
Phrases used as adjectives:
state-of-the-art sound system, 12-page-per-minute laser printer
Numbers before a unit of measure and a noun:
11-inch paper, half-million-dollar withdrawals
Noun-participle combinations:
self-training book
Incorrect Use for Compound Words
Compound modifiers if the first word ends in -ly:
hastily made decision, easily assembled bookcase
Adverb-adjective combinations when the adverb cannot be misread as an adjective:
high level meeting, more common definition