Hyphen

hyphen

A hyphen is a very short horizontal line between words.

Note that there is no space between a hyphen and the character on either side of it.

Do not confuse a hyphen (-) with a dash (—), which is longer.

The rules about hyphens are not fixed. The points below are guidelines rather than rules.

1. Use a hyphen to join words to show that their meaning is linked in some way:

2. Use a hyphen to make compound modifiers before nouns:

3. Use a hyphen with certain prefixes. The prefixes all-, ex-, and self- usually need a hyphen:

When a prefix comes before a capitalized word, use a hyphen:

When a prefix is capitalized, use a hyphen:

4. Use a hyphen when writing numbers 21 to 99, and fractions:

5. Use a hyphen to show that a word has been broken at the end of a line (hyphenation):

The directors asked
for a more conven-
ient
location.

6. Use a hyphen with "suspended compounds". When we use several very similar compounds together, it may not be necessary to repeat the last part of the compound: