1. Hyphens, Dashes, and Parentheses

2. Use a hyphen to divide a word at the end of a line. Use a hyphen to divide a word at the end of a line. Only words with more than one syllable can be divided. Do not leave a single letter at the beginning or the end of a line. Only words with more than one syllable can be divided. Do not leave a single letter at the beginning or the end of a line. Longer words can be divided in more than one place. Longer words can be divided in more than one place. Elec-tion Elec-tion Li-brary Li-brary

3. Use a hyphen in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine and in fractions used as adjectives. Use a hyphen in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine and in fractions used as adjectives. Thirty-two Thirty-two A two-thirds majority A two-thirds majority

4. You have seen hyphens in some compound nouns. When two or more words expressing one thought act as an adjective before a noun, use a hyphen to connect them. You have seen hyphens in some compound nouns. When two or more words expressing one thought act as an adjective before a noun, use a hyphen to connect them. Long-range plans Long-range plans

5. Use a dash to set off a sudden change of thought or an afterthought, or to mean namely or in other words. Use a dash to set off a sudden change of thought or an afterthought, or to mean namely or in other words. Tom and Alex are very close – most brothers are. Tom and Alex are very close – most brothers are. The game – it went into overtime – was really exciting. The game – it went into overtime – was really exciting.

6. Parentheses indicate another type of interruption. They enclose information that isn’t necessary to the meaning of a sentence or information that some readers may already know. Parentheses indicate another type of interruption. They enclose information that isn’t necessary to the meaning of a sentence or information that some readers may already know. The president (Cooper Smith) presented the award. The president (Cooper Smith) presented the award.

7. Use hyphens or dashes correctly in these sentences. 1. One of the best known pieces or furniture is the bed. 2. A king size bed the largest size is wider than a double bed. 3. How do you divide furniture, fur niture or furni ture?

8. Use hyphens or dashes correctly in these sentences. 1. One of the best-known pieces or furniture is the bed. 2. A king-size bed--the largest size-- is wider than a double bed. 3. How do you divide furniture, fur-niture or furni-ture?

9. Where are parentheses needed in these sentences? 4. A double bed is four and a half feet 1.37 meters wide. 4. A double bed is four and a half feet 1.37 meters wide. 5. French beds of the Empire period early 1800s were large. 5. French beds of the Empire period early 1800s were large.

10. Where are parentheses needed in these sentences? 4. A double-bed is four and a half feet (1.37 meters wide.) 4. A double-bed is four and a half feet (1.37 meters wide.) 5. French beds of the Empire period (early 1800s) were large. 5. French beds of the Empire period (early 1800s) were large.

11. Use hyphens or dashes correctly in these sentences. 6. A very rough bed is often called a bunk perhaps a shortened form of bunker. 6. A very rough bed is often called a bunk perhaps a shortened form of bunker. 7. American colonists usually stuffed their beds with whatever was plentiful corn husks, wood chips, or straw. 7. American colonists usually stuffed their beds with whatever was plentiful corn husks, wood chips, or straw. 8. Could a bed be one third husks and two thirds straw? 8. Could a bed be one third husks and two thirds straw? 9. The bedroom rarely a separate room could be in a corner. 9. The bedroom rarely a separate room could be in a corner.

12. Use hyphens or dashes correctly in these sentences. 6. A very rough bed is often called a 6. A very rough bed is often called a bunk-- perhaps a shortened form of bunker. bunk-- perhaps a shortened form of bunker. 7. American colonists usually stuffed their beds with whatever was plentiful--corn husks, wood chips, or straw. 7. American colonists usually stuffed their beds with whatever was plentiful--corn husks, wood chips, or straw. 8. Could a bed be one-third husks and two- thirds straw? 8. Could a bed be one-third husks and two- thirds straw? 9. The bedroom-- rarely a separate room-- could be in a corner. 9. The bedroom-- rarely a separate room-- could be in a corner.

13. Use hyphens or dashes correctly in these sentences. 10. Many children slept with their parents or in a trundle bed a bed pushed under the parents’ bed during the day. 10. Many children slept with their parents or in a trundle bed a bed pushed under the parents’ bed during the day. 11. Privacy a sought after condition was almost impossible. 11. Privacy a sought after condition was almost impossible. 12. How is privacy divided, priv a cy or pri va cy? 12. How is privacy divided, priv a cy or pri va cy?

14. Use hyphens or dashes correctly in these sentences. 10. Many children slept with their parents or in a trundle bed--a bed pushed under the parents’ bed during the day. 10. Many children slept with their parents or in a trundle bed--a bed pushed under the parents’ bed during the day. 11. Privacy-- a sought after condition -- was almost impossible. 11. Privacy-- a sought after condition -- was almost impossible. 12. How is privacy divided, priv-a-cy or pri- va-cy? 12. How is privacy divided, priv-a-cy or pri- va-cy?