How to use Connectors and Dividers: Hyphens

What are hyphens?

Hyphens (-) are the shortest horizontal marks that you will use when using punctuation. (Dashes are the long ones.) Hyphens can be used to break up words. An Example of this is when you arrive on the righthand margin, when in the middle of a word; by using a hyphen it enables you to finish the word on the next line.

How do I break the word?

To break the word all you have to do is break the word at the end of a syllable. If you struggle knowing where the end of the syllable is, a dictionary will help you greatly, if you dont have one then use an online dictionary. Please remember not to leave only one or two letters all by themselves.

Hyphens and compounds

What are compounds? Hyphens are used to create compounds they are used when two words are linked to create the one meaning. They can also sometimes to attach a prefix to a word.

What are prefixes (pre-, post-, ante-, UN)

Prefixes attach themselves to the front of other words, thereby changing the meaning. Most prefixes attach without hyphens, but there are a few that (an examples is self) tend do appear with hyphens.

Hyphens are subject to fashion

The hyphen seems to be subject to fashion. Many prefixed and hyphenated compounds that were used over a hundred years ago have now become single words. An examples if this is non-negotiable you today you would write nonnegotiable.

Hyphens seems so confusing

In a word yes, but thankfully you have the dictionary that will act as an excellent guide for every writer whos unsure about a particular case.

Some guidelines that will help you understand them a little more
It is best to use a hyphen if your reader will become confused without one. Example We are going to re-create that old piece of art work of art

We are going to recreate at your local amusement park. Without the hyphen, people will not understand. If two vowels show up together, then more often then not you are going to need a hyphen. My father is Anti-insurance. The doctor needs to re-examine my knee.