Hyphens, Dashes, and Parentheses

Rule 1 Use a hyphen to show the division of a word at the end of a line. Always divide the word between its syllables. Ex. Forests and their products are of the great- est importance to people.

Rule 2 Use a hyphen in compound numbers. Ex. Eighty-seven Ex. Thirty-nine

Rule 3 Use a hyphen in a fraction that is spelled out. Ex. One-half of all tree diseases are caused by fungi.

Rule 4 Use a hyphen or hyphens in certain compound nouns. Ex. Great-grandfather, mother-in-law, attorney-at-law

Rule 5 Hyphenate a compound modifier only when it precedes the word it modifies. Ex. It’s a well-maintained park. It is well maintained.

Rule 6 Use a hyphen after the prefixes all-, ex-, and self-. Use a hyphen to separate any prefix from a word that begins with a capital letter. Examples All-powerful Ex-wife Self-educated pre-Colimbian ***********

Rule 7 Use a dash or dashes to show a sudden break or change in thought or speech. Ex. Mrs. Poulos- she lives nearby- helps the park attendants.

Rule 8 Use parentheses to set off words that define or helpfully explain a word in the sentence. Ex. In tropical rain forests, dozens of species of plants may grow in one square mile (2.6 square kilometers) of land.