When typing a hyphen, use one key stroke (-) to indicate
this punctuation. Be sure to check the
dictionary to make sure that the compound words require hyphens because some do
not.
· Division
of compound words for describing a noun
Hyphens are used to join two or more words that describe
a noun
The nine-year-old boy
jumped over the fence.
(Hyphens are used in-between nine, year, and old which
describe the noun boy.)
The fish swim upstream
through the quickly moving stream.
(There is no hyphen between quickly and stream
because ly adverbs describing a noun
do not need one.)
·
Division of words at
the end of lines
Hyphens can be used to divide words at the end of lines. However, the words can be divided only
between syllables, and one-syllable words must never be divided. If you are in doubt, consult a dictionary.
Only
25 divers in her age group qual-
ified
for the prestigious competition.
(As an example, the word qualified
has been divided with a hyphen between.)
Many
experts believe that drinking te-
a
cleanses the body of harmful chemicals.
(Tea is a one-syllable
word, so it cannot be divided.)
·
Division of fractions
and numbers
Hyphens are used to indicate fractions and numbers from
twenty-one and ninety-nine.
One-third of the class
voted for having a pizza party at the end of the semester. (fraction)
When I arrived at the
Social Security Office, twenty-five people were waiting ahead of me.