When You CAN Use a Hyphen

Okay, I have a headache from reading all the rules on when to use hyphens LOL And I'm still confused at times. Holy Confusing Mix of Contradicting Rules, Grammar Man!

*sigh*

However, I found a wonderful site with tons of good info and lots of examples of all these confusing rules. So, thanks to The Grammar Curmudgeon, Rich Turner (please check out his site for all your grammar needs, he has TONS of good stuff over there - the info and most of the examples listed below come from his site), here's what I found out.

1. Use hyphens for numbers - twenty-eight; two-thirds, etc

2. Use a hyphen when you are using two or more adjectives that act as a single idea -

low-budget job (the job is not low and budget, it is low-budget)
first-class decisions
clear-headed thinking
devil-may-care attitude
well-known author (though after the noun you wouldn't use it...the author is well known)
mother-in-law
top-notch
fine-tune
easy-to-follow
go-ahead (She gave me the go-ahead on the project)

- In other words, if you can add a comma or "and" and keep the meaning, you probably don't need a hyphen. For example:

The red, ripe apple fell from the tree.

You wouldn't say red-ripe apple because the apple is both red and ripe, two separate descriptions that work independently from each other.

3. When prefixed by ex-, self-, all-

ex-wife
self-evident
all-inclusive

And occasionally cross-

cross-reference

4. When needed for clarity -

You need to re-sign the forms to resign your position.
We studied the re-creation process for recreation.


5. When the second word is capitalized -

non-English
anti-American

6. Other examples -

de-emphasize
pre-owned
co-op
anti-inflammatory

Another interesting fact that I sort of knew but never really thought about -

Words evolve. They tend to start out as two words, then get hyphenated and eventually end up as one word....like database.

For more examples (and rules....and explanations of those rules) check out The Grammar Curmudgeon's site. He's got more info over there then you ever wanted to know :D

When NOT to use a Hyphen

I found this list over on the Terribly Write blog and just had to pass it along. Seriously, when or when not to use a hyphen just perplexes me at times. :) So, courtesy of Laura at Terribly Write, here are 30 words that do NOT need a hyphen:


backstabbing
breakup (noun)
breathtaking
comeback (noun)
counterintuitive
downright
hobnob
latchkey
mainstream
midweek
nevertheless
newfound
nighttime
nonetheless
nonstop
overdo
overexpose
overpriced
overrated
oversized
postpartum
preteen
rendezvous
roundup (noun)
secondhand
sidekick
sightseeing
sourpuss
straightforward
woebegone

And, the rule for using a hyphen when discussing the age of someone....if you are using "years old" (plural) you don't need hyphens. If it is not plural (year old) you use 2 of them.

For example - My main character is 18 years old, but she throws a fit like a 2-year-old.

For more awesome grammar tips, check out Laura's site HERE. And come back Thursday...I'll be spending some time with a dictionary finding words that DO need a hyphen :D