{"id":719169,"date":"2024-05-22T16:09:12","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T10:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/?p=719169"},"modified":"2025-07-29T15:00:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T09:30:15","slug":"hyphen-symbol-meaning-definition-usage-and-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/","title":{"rendered":"Hyphen Symbol &#8211; Meaning, Definition, Usage and Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_37 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><label for=\"item\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' style='display:block'><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#Hyphen_Symbol_Definition_and_Examples\" title=\"Hyphen Symbol Definition and Examples\">Hyphen Symbol Definition and Examples<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#Using_Hyphens_in_Your_Writing_-_Guidelines_and_Key_Considerations\" title=\"Using Hyphens in Your Writing \u2013 Guidelines and Key Considerations\">Using Hyphens in Your Writing \u2013 Guidelines and Key Considerations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#When_to_Use_a_Hyphen_in_a_Sentence\" title=\"When to Use a Hyphen in a Sentence\">When to Use a Hyphen in a Sentence<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#Hyphen_Symbol_Sentence_Examples\" title=\"Hyphen Symbol Sentence Examples\">Hyphen Symbol Sentence Examples<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#How_to_Use_Hyphens\" title=\"How to Use Hyphens\">How to Use Hyphens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#Dont_Miss_English_Vocabulary_Words\" title=\"Don&#8217;t Miss English Vocabulary Words\">Don&#8217;t Miss English Vocabulary Words<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#Hyphen_vs_Dash_-_Whats_the_Difference\" title=\"Hyphen vs. Dash &#8211; What&#8217;s the Difference?\">Hyphen vs. Dash &#8211; What&#8217;s the Difference?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#FAQs_on_Hyphen_Symbol\" title=\"FAQ&#8217;s on Hyphen Symbol\">FAQ&#8217;s on Hyphen Symbol<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#How_to_Use_Hyphen_in_a_Sentence\" title=\"How to Use Hyphen in a Sentence?\">How to Use Hyphen in a Sentence?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#What_are_5_Uses_for_a_Hyphen\" title=\"What are 5 Uses for a Hyphen?\">What are 5 Uses for a Hyphen?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#What_is_a_Sentence_for_Hyphenated\" title=\"What is a Sentence for Hyphenated?\">What is a Sentence for Hyphenated?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/hyphen-symbol\/#How_Does_a_Hyphen_Differ_from_an_Em_Dash\" title=\"How Does a Hyphen Differ from an Em Dash?\">How Does a Hyphen Differ from an Em Dash?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>Hyphen Symbol:<\/strong> The hyphen, denoted by &#8220;-&#8220;, is a versatile <a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/punctuation\/\"><strong>punctuation mark<\/strong><\/a> used in writing to link words or parts of words. Its main role is in forming compound words like &#8220;well-known&#8221; or &#8220;high-quality&#8221; by combining two or more words. Additionally, it&#8217;s used for various purposes such as indicating word breaks, forming compound adjectives, and connecting <a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/prefix-and-suffix\/\"><strong>prefixes and suffixes<\/strong><\/a>. Despite its small size, the hyphen is crucial for clarity and precision in written English. In this article, we&#8217;ll explore the symbol of hyphen, role of hyphens in compound words, their definition, meaning, and usage, along with examples.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hyphen_Symbol_Definition_and_Examples\"><\/span>Hyphen Symbol Definition and Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A hyphen is a punctuation mark (-) used primarily to join words together, particularly in compound words or to separate syllables in words at the end of a line. It serves to link words, prefixes, or suffixes to form compound words or to clarify word combinations.<\/p>\n<p>For example, in the word &#8220;mother-in-law,&#8221; the hyphen connects the words to create a compound noun. Similarly, in &#8220;self-esteem,&#8221; the hyphen joins the prefix &#8220;self&#8221; with the root word &#8220;esteem.&#8221; Furthermore, hyphens are used to indicate word breaks in line wrapping and to form compound adjectives before nouns, such as &#8220;well-known author.&#8221; Hyphen plays a crucial role in enhancing readability, conveying precise meaning, and facilitating clear communication in written English.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Must Read:<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/how-to-learn-english\/\">How to Learn English Quickly <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Using_Hyphens_in_Your_Writing_-_Guidelines_and_Key_Considerations\"><\/span>Using Hyphens in Your Writing \u2013 Guidelines and Key Considerations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Hyphens serve as connectors between two words to create compound words, but they possess additional functions as well. Let&#8217;s explore these points:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hyphens can denote physical quantities when the unit is written out, rather than when it&#8217;s abbreviated.<\/li>\n<li>They are used with numbers to indicate time frames, distance estimates, and other attributes.<\/li>\n<li>Hyphens are employed when expressing the age of people or objects.<\/li>\n<li>In writing, they are included in compound numbers and fractions only when spelled out.<\/li>\n<li>Additionally, hyphens are added when attaching prefixes and suffixes, although this isn&#8217;t always necessary.<\/li>\n<li>Incorporating these guidelines will help ensure clarity and consistency in your writing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_Use_a_Hyphen_in_a_Sentence\"><\/span>When to Use a Hyphen in a Sentence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Compound Words:<\/strong> Use hyphens to join two or more words that function together as a single concept, such as &#8220;mother-in-law&#8221; or &#8220;editor-in-chief.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prefixes and Suffixes:<\/strong> Hyphens are used with certain prefixes (like &#8220;ex-&#8220;, &#8220;self-&#8220;, &#8220;all-&#8220;) and suffixes to clarify meaning, for example, &#8220;ex-marine&#8221; or &#8220;self-aware.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Numbers and Fractions:<\/strong> Apply hyphens in compound numbers (twenty-one) and spelled-out fractions (three-fourths).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ages and Time Spans:<\/strong> Use hyphens when indicating the age of a person or object (&#8220;a five-year-old child&#8221;) and for time spans (&#8220;a 10-year period&#8221;).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Avoiding Ambiguity:<\/strong> Use hyphens to prevent confusion in word combinations, such as &#8220;re-cover&#8221; (to cover again) versus &#8220;recover&#8221; (to get better).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Compound Adjectives Before Nouns:<\/strong> Hyphenate compound adjectives when they come before a noun, like &#8220;well-known artist&#8221; or &#8220;high-risk investment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Word Breaks:<\/strong> Hyphens can be used at the end of a line to divide a word between syllables if it doesn&#8217;t fit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read Related Punctuation Marks<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Comma Punctuation Mark<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/full-stop\/\"><strong>Full Stop Punctuation Mark<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/semicolon\/\"><strong>Semicolon Punctuation Mark<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hyphen_Symbol_Sentence_Examples\"><\/span>Hyphen Symbol Sentence Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<table width=\"712\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Category<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Examples<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Hyphens for Physical Quantities<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>I had to carry a fifty-pound suitcase up to the fourth floor yesterday.<\/li>\n<li>Ravi found a ten-centimeter-long lizard on a tree in his yard.<\/li>\n<li>Due to a wrist injury, Raj struggled to lift a three-kilogram bag of flour last week.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Hyphens in Compound Words<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Lila was a free-spirited child who loved every moment of her life.<\/li>\n<li>Sarah had a clear-eyed perspective on the issue.<\/li>\n<li>I didn&#8217;t realize that the blue-striped shirt I bought was torn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Hyphens for Time Frames, Distances, and Attributes<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>They told us the workshop would run from 2:00-4:00 p.m.<\/li>\n<li>We anticipated 300-500 attendees at the conference, but nearly 1000 showed up.<\/li>\n<li>Jessica said we needed to drive 2-3 miles after the roundabout to reach the park.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Hyphens for Age<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>We were amazed to see the eighty-year-old man running a marathon.<\/li>\n<li>Our six-year-old son won the art contest.<\/li>\n<li>The fifteen-year celebration of our business is next month.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Hyphens in Fractions and Compound Numbers<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Alex ate half of the pie on his own.<\/li>\n<li>More than one-fourth of the city&#8217;s population voted.<\/li>\n<li>Thirty-five participants advanced to the final round.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Hyphens with Prefixes and Suffixes<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>The ex-athlete now coaches local teams.<\/li>\n<li>He had a self-imposed deadline for the project.<\/li>\n<li>My great-aunt is visiting next week.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Use_Hyphens\"><\/span>How to Use Hyphens<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Linking Words:<\/strong> Connect words that belong together to form a single idea, such as &#8220;part-time&#8221; or &#8220;user-friendly.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Clarity with Prefixes:<\/strong> Add hyphens with prefixes to avoid misreading, for instance, &#8220;co-op&#8221; (cooperative) instead of &#8220;coop&#8221; (a cage for chickens).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Combining Numbers:<\/strong> Use hyphens to combine numbers into compound terms, like &#8220;thirty-two&#8221; or &#8220;ninety-nine.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Descriptive Phrases:<\/strong> When a compound adjective comes before a noun, use a hyphen to link the words together for clear meaning, such as &#8220;long-term plan.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Avoiding Misinterpretation:<\/strong> Ensure clarity by using hyphens where needed to maintain the intended meaning of your sentence, like &#8220;re-creation&#8221; (creating again) versus &#8220;recreation&#8221; (fun activity).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Breaking Words:<\/strong> When breaking words at the end of a line, place the hyphen at the syllable break, ensuring readability and flow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By following these guidelines, you can effectively use hyphens to improve clarity and precision in your writing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-responsive\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_Miss_English_Vocabulary_Words\"><\/span>Don&#8217;t Miss English Vocabulary Words<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table class=\"table table-bordered table-striped\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #89cff0; color: black;\">\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Discover More About English Vocabulary<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/3-letter-words\/\"><strong>3 Letter Words <\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/appreciation-words\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Appreciation Words<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/action-words\/\"><strong>Action Words <\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/opposite-words\/\"><strong>Opposite Words <\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/rhyming-words\/\"><strong>Rhyming Words<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/compound-words\/\"><strong>Compound Words<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/prefix-and-suffix\/\"><strong>Prefix and Suffix<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/daily-used-english-words\/\"><strong>Daily Used English Words<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/new-words-in-english\/\"><strong>New Words In English <\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/6-letter-words\/\"><strong>6 Letter Words<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/positive-words\/\"><strong>Positive Words in English<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/how-to-learn-english\/\"><strong>How To Learn English Quickly<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/difficult-words\/\"><strong> Difficult Words <\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/4-letter-words\/\"><strong> 4 Letter Words<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/praising-words\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Praising Words <\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/7-letter-words\/\"><strong>7 Letter Words<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/idioms-in-english\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Idioms in English<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/english-poems-for-kids\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>English Poems for Kids<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/8-letter-words\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>8 Letter Words <\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/poem-on-republic-day-in-english\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Poems on Republic day<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/9-letter-words\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>9 Letter Words <\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/transition-words\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Transition Words<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/homonyms\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Homonyms<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/homophones\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Homophones<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/dictation-words\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong> Dictation Words <\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/words-that-start-with-a\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Words that Start with a<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/tr-words\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Tr Words <\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/fl-words\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fl Words<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/pl-words\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>PL Words <\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/infinitylearn.com\/surge\/english\/one-word-substitution\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>One Word Substituion<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hyphen_vs_Dash_-_Whats_the_Difference\"><\/span>Hyphen vs. Dash &#8211; What&#8217;s the Difference?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table width=\"712\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Hyphen<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Dash<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Symbol<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>&#8211;<\/td>\n<td>\u2013 (en dash) \/ \u2014 (em dash)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Length<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Short<\/td>\n<td>En dash is longer than a hyphen; em dash is longer than an en dash<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Usage<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Joins words to form compound terms<\/td>\n<td>Separates parts of a sentence or indicates a pause<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Examples of Usage<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Mother-in-law, well-known, twenty-one<\/td>\n<td>2020\u20132021 (en dash), She was there\u2014right on time. (em dash)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Numbers<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Used in compound numbers (twenty-one)<\/td>\n<td>Used for ranges of numbers (10\u201315)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Prefixes\/Suffixes<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Joins prefixes\/suffixes to words (ex-president)<\/td>\n<td>Not typically used with prefixes or suffixes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Compound Adjectives<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Links adjectives before nouns (high-speed chase)<\/td>\n<td>Not used for compound adjectives<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Word Breaks<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Used at line breaks for word continuation<\/td>\n<td>Not used for breaking words<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Punctuation<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>No space before or after hyphen<\/td>\n<td>Spaces before and after em dash (usually)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Interruption\/Pause<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Not used for pauses in sentences<\/td>\n<td>Indicates interruption or a long pause (em dash)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_on_Hyphen_Symbol\"><\/span>FAQ&#8217;s on Hyphen Symbol<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t<section class=\"sc_fs_faq sc_card \">\n\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Use_Hyphen_in_a_Sentence\"><\/span>How to Use Hyphen in a Sentence?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHyphens are used in sentences to join words that form a single concept or to clarify word combinations. For example, She bought a well-made dress uses a hyphen to link well and made to form the compound adjective well-made.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"sc_fs_faq sc_card \">\n\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_5_Uses_for_a_Hyphen\"><\/span>What are 5 Uses for a Hyphen?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCombining compound words (for instance, mother-in-law), connecting prefixes and suffixes to root words (like ex-husband), indicating compound numbers and fractions (such as twenty-one), separating sentence parts for clarity or emphasis (for example, well-being), and crafting compound adjectives before nouns (as in high-speed chase) are all vital functions of the hyphen, ensuring precision and coherence in language usage.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"sc_fs_faq sc_card \">\n\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Sentence_for_Hyphenated\"><\/span>What is a Sentence for Hyphenated?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAn example sentence for hyphenated could be: The surname Smith-Jones is hyphenated to reflect both family names. Here, hyphenated is used to describe the action of connecting two words with a hyphen to create a compound term.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"sc_fs_faq sc_card \">\n\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_a_Hyphen_Differ_from_an_Em_Dash\"><\/span>How Does a Hyphen Differ from an Em Dash?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA hyphen is a shorter punctuation mark (-) primarily used to join words or parts of words, while an em dash (\u2014) is longer and used to indicate a break in thought, an abrupt interruption, or to set off a parenthetical statement within a sentence.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n\t{\n\t\t\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n\t\t\"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n\t\t\"mainEntity\": [\n\t\t\t\t\t{\n\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Question\",\n\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"How to Use Hyphen in a Sentence?\",\n\t\t\t\t\"acceptedAnswer\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Answer\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"text\": \"Hyphens are used in sentences to join words that form a single concept or to clarify word combinations. For example, She bought a well-made dress uses a hyphen to link well and made to form the compound adjective well-made.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t,\t\t\t\t{\n\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Question\",\n\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"What are 5 Uses for a Hyphen?\",\n\t\t\t\t\"acceptedAnswer\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Answer\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"text\": \"Combining compound words (for instance, mother-in-law), connecting prefixes and suffixes to root words (like ex-husband), indicating compound numbers and fractions (such as twenty-one), separating sentence parts for clarity or emphasis (for example, well-being), and crafting compound adjectives before nouns (as in high-speed chase) are all vital functions of the hyphen, ensuring precision and coherence in language usage.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t,\t\t\t\t{\n\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Question\",\n\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"What is a Sentence for Hyphenated?\",\n\t\t\t\t\"acceptedAnswer\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Answer\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"text\": \"An example sentence for hyphenated could be: The surname Smith-Jones is hyphenated to reflect both family names. Here, hyphenated is used to describe the action of connecting two words with a hyphen to create a compound term.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t,\t\t\t\t{\n\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Question\",\n\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"How Does a Hyphen Differ from an Em Dash?\",\n\t\t\t\t\"acceptedAnswer\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Answer\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"text\": \"A hyphen is a shorter punctuation mark (-) primarily used to join words or parts of words, while an em dash (\u2014) is longer and used to indicate a break in thought, an abrupt interruption, or to set off a parenthetical statement within a sentence.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t\t]\n\t}\n<\/script>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hyphen Symbol: The hyphen, denoted by &#8220;-&#8220;, is a versatile punctuation mark used in writing to link words or parts [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Hyphen Symbol","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Hyphen Symbol | Meaning, Definition, Usage and Examples","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"The hyphen symbol, often overlooked, plays a crucial role in writing. 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