Grammar of the WeekGrammar of the Week

HyphensHyphens

Rule 1: Use a hyphen between a Rule 1: Use a hyphen between a prefix and a proper noun or prefix and a proper noun or proper adjective.proper adjective.• pre-Babylonian, anti-American, or pro-pre-Babylonian, anti-American, or pro-

WesternWestern Rule 2: Use a hyphen to connect Rule 2: Use a hyphen to connect

two or more nouns that are used two or more nouns that are used as one wordas one word• lady-in-waiting, great-grandmother, lady-in-waiting, great-grandmother,

father-in-law, secretary-treasurerfather-in-law, secretary-treasurer

Rule 3: Use a hyphen to connect a Rule 3: Use a hyphen to connect a compound adjective that comes compound adjective that comes before a noun.before a noun.• a well-deserved vacation, a once-in-a-lifetime a well-deserved vacation, a once-in-a-lifetime

change, the well-disciplined child, an easy-change, the well-disciplined child, an easy-going mangoing man

Rule 4: Do not use a hyphen in a Rule 4: Do not use a hyphen in a compound word when one of the compound word when one of the words ends in words ends in –ly –ly or a compound or a compound proper adjective.proper adjective.• WRONG: clearly-writtenWRONG: clearly-written• RIGHT: clearly writtenRIGHT: clearly written• WRONG: Eastern-EuropeanWRONG: Eastern-European• RIGHT: Eastern EuropeanRIGHT: Eastern European

Rule 5: Use a hyphen when Rule 5: Use a hyphen when writing out the numbers twenty-writing out the numbers twenty-one through ninety-nine. A one through ninety-nine. A fraction used as an adjective fraction used as an adjective needs a hyphen. A fraction used needs a hyphen. A fraction used as a noun does not need a as a noun does not need a hyphen.hyphen.• A two-thirds majority is needed to pass A two-thirds majority is needed to pass

the law.the law.• Two thirds of the earth is covered with Two thirds of the earth is covered with

water.water.

Rule 6: Use a hyphen to show a Rule 6: Use a hyphen to show a word has been broken into word has been broken into syllables and continued on the syllables and continued on the next linenext line

If this box were a piece of paper, the words on this page would be bro-en between syllables. This is an ex-ample.

PracticePractice

1.1. in pre Columbian South Americain pre Columbian South America

2.2. a well written papera well written paper

3.3. seventy five peopleseventy five people

4.4. the quickly written paperthe quickly written paper

5.5. in this post war erain this post war era

6.6. her long winded speechher long winded speech