Understanding the Use of Hyphens in Numbers, Words, and Adjectives
When it comes to learning English, small punctuation marks such as hyphens can drastically affect the understanding and meaning of a phrase. One of the most common questions that learners ask is: do you put a hyphen between numbers and words? How do you hyphenate compound adjectives? In this guide, we unravel the complexities of hyphens with the use of numbers and adjectives.
What Exactly is a Hyphen?
A hyphen (-) is a short horizontal line used in the English language to connect words, prefix, or suffix, or to separate syllables of a single word. It’s used to avoid ambiguity and form compound terms.
Hyphen Usage with Numbers
One of the most common areas to find hyphens in English is in written numerals. So, do you put a hyphen between numbers and words? The answer is ‘Yes’ when using compound numbers from 21 to 99 in their written form, a hyphen is necessary. For example, the number 45 is written as forty-five.
However, when expressing a range or span of numbers, an en dash, slightly longer than a hyphen, is used. For instance, You’ll find the information on pages 5051.
Hyphenation of Compound Adjectives
The second area addressed in this guide is how to hyphenate compound adjectives. It’s a vital skill to master, as it can significantly change the meaning of a sentence. Compound adjectives are formed by two or more words that function together as a single descriptor. They are usually hyphenated if they proceed a noun to prevent misunderstanding, For example:
- A fine-art exhibition (without the hyphen, it could be misunderstood as a very good art exhibition)
However, if the compound adjective follows the noun, it does not require a hyphen. For example:
- The exhibition was fine art.
Hyphens with Numbers and Words
Finally, when it comes to using words and numbers together, hyphens are necessary if the combined words represent a single number. For instance, in phrases like ‘twenty-one players’ or ‘a sixty-five percent increase’, the hyphen helps indicate that these words collectively form a single figure.
Conclusion
The rules for using hyphens in English might seem complicated, but with practice, it becomes clearer. Remember, the primary purpose of using a hyphen is to avoid confusion and ensure clarity in your writing. Surely, mastery of these rules can go a long way in enhancing your language skills.
Questions?
If you have any further questions or need more explanation about hyphen use, our expert Language Tutor at Chatmunk.ai is always ready to help. Don’t hesitate to seek support!
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