1. Hyphens, Dashes, and Parentheses

2. 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.

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

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

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

6. 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.

7. 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
***********

8. 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.

9. 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.