Troublemakers: Hyphens, Colons & Underline or Italics Punctuation Practice Troublemakers: Hyphens, Colons & Underline or Italics

Hyphens Rule #1: Use a hyphen to divide a word between syllables at the end of a line. Rule #2: Use a hyphen with compound numbers from twenty- one to ninety-nine. Use a hyphen with fractions used as adjectives. (e.g. two-thirds majority.) Rule #3: Use a hyphen with prefixes such as ex-, all-, self-, etc. (e.g. the ex-player, all-start) Rule #4: Use hyphens when using a compound adjective in front of the noun. (e.g. He has a never-say-die attitude.)

Colons Rule #1: Use a colon when you write the time in numericals. Rule #2: Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions like as follows. Rule #3: Use a colon between chapter and verse of the Bible. (e.g. John 3:15) Rule #4: Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter. Rule #5: Use a colon before a long formal statement or quotation. (e.g. President Clinton had this to say on the subject of national security: “…”)

Underlining or Italics Rule #1: When you write underline titles of books, magazines, newspapers, plays, long musical compositions, works of art, and ships. When you type, italicize these same titles. Underlining/Italics are used for title of larger works. Rule #2: If you are writing underline foreign words and for words, letters, and figures referred to as such. When typing, italicize. (e.g. The word success is often misspelled. Bonjour means hello in French.)