The hyphen is one of the commonly used punctuation marks. Countless times, I studied its popular use in a myriad of books and articles online and offline. Although they are correctly used by some authors, other books are ridden with its incorrect use. As English students, it is pertinent to carefully study the rules governing its usage to avoid grave errors in your write-ups. Many students have never used any other punctuation marks apart from the comma and the full stop. One of the reasons could be the fear of being penalized for using them wrongly. So today’s topic is dedicated to explaining the rules of hyphen in detail. Of course, the knowledge will help you apply them while crafting your content like a professional.
Several poorly-edited books are in the library. (Wrong)
Several poorly edited books are in the library. (Correct)
The infraction in the wrong sentence above is caused by the use of a hyphen between “poorly” and “edited”. This is a violation of one of the rules of hyphen: Do not hyphenate adjectives that are modified by adverbs ending in -ly, even when they precede nouns in your sentences.
Study the following sentences:
The highly-recognized politician is in the city. (Wrong)
The highly recognized politician is in the city. (Correct)
The student’s essay is ridden with badly-constructed sentences. (Wrong)
The student’s essay is ridden with badly constructed sentences. (Correct)
The refrigerator is fully-stocked with soft drinks. (Wrong)
The refrigerator is fully stocked with alcoholic drinks. (Correct)
The recently-concluded general elections were peaceful. (Wrong)
The recently concluded general elections were peaceful. (Correct)
The emotionally-unstable student has been sent back home. (Wrong)
The emotionally unstable student has been sent back home. (Correct)
I want a freshly-baked loaf of bread. (Wrong)
I want a freshly baked loaf of bread. (Correct)
The correct sentences above abide by the rule I stated at the beginning of this article.
COMPOUND ADJECTIVES
Whenever two adjectives form a single idea and come before a noun, you must use the hyphen.
Examples:
She prayed for a good-looking husband. (Correct)
She prayed for a good looking husband. (Wrong)
The woman has a short-term goal. (Correct)
The woman has a short term goal. (Wrong)
Do not wear old-fashioned clothes. (Correct)
Do not wear old fashioned clothes. (Wrong)
The left-handed student passed her examination. (Correct)
The left handed students passed her examination. (Wrong)
Note: The wrong expressions are not acceptable because of the omission of the hyphens. For instance, “old” and “fashioned” are two adjectives that form a single idea. Also, they appear before the noun “clothes”. Therefore, you must use the hyphen since they describe the noun.
ADVERBS NOT ENDING IN –LY
Recall the rule that states that an adverb ending in –ly should not be hyphenated when it modifies an adjective (e.g., highly valued). However, you are expected to hyphenate adverbs without –ly when they come before nouns, not after them.
Read the following sentences correctly:
The much-anticipated meeting was postponed till further notice. (Correct)
The much anticipated meeting was postponed till further notice. (Wrong)
The just-concluded election is the best. (Correct)
The just concluded election is the best. (Wrong)
I phoned a well-recognized professor yesterday. (Correct)
I phoned a well recognized professor yesterday. (Wrong)
“Much”, “just” and “well” are all adverbs that do not end in –ly.
Exception:
Do not hyphenate the words when they appear after nouns.
The meeting was much anticipated. (Correct)
The meeting was much-anticipated. (Wrong)
The professor is well recognized. (Correct)
The professor is well-recognized. (Wrong)
The election was just concluded. (Correct)
The election was just-concluded. (Wrong)
COMMAS FOR ADJECTIVES
Do not use a hyphen for two separate adjectives when you should use a comma or “and”.
The dynamic, innovative organization is in the United States. (Correct)
The dynamic and innovative organization is in the United States. (Correct)
The dynamic-innovative organization is in the United States. (Wrong)
The ancient and popular university in Africa is situated in Egypt. (Correct)
The ancient, popular university in Africa is situated in Egypt. (Correct)
The ancient-popular university in Africa is situated in Egypt. (Wrong)
HYPHENATE COMPOUND NUMBERS
All numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine should be hyphenated.
Fifty-seven children were around for Children’s Day.
Seventy-nine women were in Abuja for Women’s Day.
HYPHENATE SPELLED-OUT FRACTIONS
All spelled-out fractions should be hyphenated.
One-third of the students were absent from school.
Two-third of the world population is languishing in poverty.
I hope you have painstakingly studied the rules of hyphen. I would recommend reading today’s article twice for sound comprehension.
Assignment
Choose the correct answer to each of the following questions:
1. The _________ woman had an accident yesterday. (a) kind hearted (b) kind-hearted (c) kind with hearted woman
2. Bala is a _________ teenager. (a) strong-willed (b) strong willed (c) strongly-willed
3. To be successful, consistency is ________. (a) much-needed (b) much-needful (c) much needed
Kindly forward your answers to [email protected] 07049203179.
Names of those who answered last questions correctly
Osaremen Odigie, David Okufuwa, Olaniyi Temitayo, Adesina Sofiyat, Pitan Rasheed, Alimi Olive, Rasheed Fatah, Idowu Rofiat, Eze Jeremiah, Caroline Praise, Shukurat Adekola, Bolanle, Olusola, Bala Aminat, Bello Sulaimon, Adaeze Beauty and Jerry Solomon.
