What is a Hyphen, Meaning and Definition

What Is a Hyphen?

A hyphen (-) is a small punctuation mark used in English to join words or separate syllables. It helps make sentences clear and prevents confusion. For example, in well-known phrases, the hyphen connects two words to form a single idea. 

Hyphen usage in English includes forming compound words like mother-in-law, connecting numbers like twenty-one, and adding prefixes such as re-enter. Using a hyphen correctly shows the intended meaning and avoids misunderstandings, like re-sign versus resign. Learning the hyphen meaning and practicing hyphen examples improves writing clarity for students of all classes.

Read More: What is Alliteration

Hyphen Definition

A hyphen (-) is a small punctuation mark in English. The hyphen meaning is easy: it joins two words, numbers, or letters to make the meaning clear. The hyphen definition formula is: Hyphen = Word1 + - + Word2, for example, well-known or part-time. Learning hyphen usage in English helps avoid mistakes, like re-sign and resign. Using hyphen examples shows how a hyphen works. Knowing hyphen in English helps students write clearly and correctly.

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Hyphen Usage in English

The hyphen usage in English is very common. Using a hyphen correctly in English is important for making writing clear and easy to read. It helps join words, numbers, or letters, and shows the correct meaning in sentences. Students should learn how to use it well. Here are a few ways students can use a hyphen:

1. Compound words: Words like “mother-in-law,” “part-time,” and “long-term” use a hyphen to connect two words.

2. Numbers and fractions: Words like twenty-one or two-thirds use a hyphen.

3. Prefixes and suffixes: Sometimes, a hyphen is needed in words like self-esteem or re-enter.

4. Avoiding confusion: Re-sign (sign again) is different from resign (quit), and the hyphen helps clarify the meaning.

Hyphen Examples

Here are some simple hyphen examples to help students understand how a hyphen works. These examples show how to join words, numbers, or prefixes to make sentences clear and avoid confusion in writing. Using these hyphen examples, students can see how the hyphen joins words and clarifies the meaning.

• Well-known author

• Six-year-old child

• Part-time job

• Mother-in-law

• Brother-in-law

• Long-term plan

• Re-enter the room

• Twenty-one students

• High-speed train

Read more: Figures of Speech

Examples of Sentences Using a Hyphen

Below are some examples of sentences that use hyphens. These show how hyphens connect words or numbers to make sentences clear and easy to read.

Using Hyphens with Measurements or Numbers

Below are examples of using hyphens with measurements or numbers:

• The teacher lifted a ten-kilogram bag of books easily.

• I bought a fifty-centimetre-long ribbon for my craft project.

• The little boy carried a twenty-pound backpack to school.

Using Hyphens in Compound Words

Check below the examples of using hyphens in compound words:

• My father has a well-built house near the park.

• She is a kind-hearted girl who helps everyone.

• We went on a fun-filled trip to the beach.

Why Is a Hyphen Important?

A hyphen is important because it clarifies writing, joins words, and prevents confusion. It helps form compound words, connect numbers, clarify meanings, improve sentence flow, and make English writing more accurate and easier to understand for students. Learning the hyphen meaning and its correct usage is important because:

• It makes your writing clear and easy to read.

• It helps in forming compound words.

• It avoids misunderstandings in sentences.

Read More: Two Letter Words in English

Sample Questions on Hyphen with Solutions

Here are some sample questions with options and answers to help students learn how to use a hyphen correctly.

Question 1: Which sentence uses the hyphen correctly?
a) My mother in law baked a cake.
b) My mother-in-law baked a cake.
c) My mother in-law baked a cake.
Answer: b) My mother-in-law baked a cake.

Question 2: Choose the correctly hyphenated word:
a) Eight year old
b) Eight-year-old
c) Eightyear-old
Answer: b) Eight-year-old

Question 3: Identify the correct hyphen usage:
a) We need a well known actor.
b) We need a well-known actor.
c) We need a well known-actor.
Answer: b) We need a well-known actor.

Question 4: Pick the sentence with correct hyphen usage:
a) She has a kind hearted personality.
b) She has a kind-hearted personality.
c) She has a kind-hearted-personality.
Answer: b) She has a kind-hearted personality.

Question 5: Which is correct?
a) I bought a fifty centimetre ribbon.
b) I bought a fifty-centimetre ribbon.
c) I bought a fiftycentimetre ribbon.
Answer: b) I bought a fifty-centimetre ribbon.

Also read: Top 10 Longest Words in English

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