HYPHEN in a Sentence Examples: 21 Ways to Use Hyphen

Are you puzzled about when and how to use hyphens in your writing? A hyphen is a small horizontal line used to connect parts of a compound word or separate syllables in a word. Understanding the proper placement of hyphens can enhance the clarity and readability of your writing.

Hyphens come into play when creating compound words, forming prefixes, and separating elements in certain phrases. Knowing the rules for hyphen usage can prevent ambiguity and ensure your writing conveys your intended message effectively.

7 Examples Of Hyphen Used In a Sentence For Kids

• My name is Riya-.
• The bus stop is down the street-.
• We can play hide-and-seek-.
• The cat is black-and-white-.
• The sun is shining bright-.
• I have a red-and-blue kite-.
• Let’s sing a song together-.

14 Sentences with Hyphen Examples

• Make sure to use a hyphen when writing compound words like “self-motivated” in your essays.
• The hyphen key on your keyboard can be found between the 0 and = keys.
• Remember to hyphenate the numbers in your lab reports according to the prescribed format.
• The hyphen is commonly used in APA style citations for page ranges, such as (Smith, 2015, p. 25-30).
• When taking notes, use a hyphen to indicate a range of topics covered in a particular lecture.
• Hyphenate your email address when filling out official forms to avoid any errors in communication.
• Use a hyphen to separate prefixes from proper nouns, like in “pre-Columbian civilizations.”
• Make sure to hyphenate compound modifiers, such as “time-consuming,” to improve the clarity of your writing.
• In mathematical expressions, a hyphen can be used to denote subtraction, as in 10 – 5 = 5.
• When listing prerequisites for a course, separate them with hyphens to indicate they are part of a single requirement.
• The hyphen is often used in creating personalized email addresses, like [email protected].
• Use a hyphen to join two words that are working together as a single adjective, like in “goal-oriented.”
• Always remember to include a hyphen in your URL links to ensure they are correctly formatted.
• When writing chemical formulas, a hyphen is used to separate elements, such as in H2O for water.

How To Use Hyphen in Sentences?

To use a hyphen correctly in a sentence, follow these guidelines:

1. Compound Words: Hyphens are used in compound words when they act as a single adjective before a noun. For example, “well-known author” or “high-quality service.”

2. Prefixes: Hyphens are used when a prefix is added to a word that already exists. For example, “pre-owned car” or “anti-inflammatory drug.”

3. Numbers: Hyphens are used with numbers that are spelled out. For example, “twenty-one” or “sixty-five.”

4. Dividing Words: Hyphens can be used to divide words at the end of a line in writing to avoid awkward spacing.

5. Clarity: Hyphens are used to bring clarity to a sentence. For example, “small-business owner” is clearer than “small business owner.”

Remember that incorrect use of hyphens can change the meaning of a sentence, so it’s important to use them accurately and consistently. If you are unsure whether a hyphen is needed, check a reliable grammar guide or consult a dictionary. With practice, you will become more comfortable with using hyphens correctly in your writing.

Conclusion

In writing, sentences with hyphens are commonly used to connect words or phrases, serving to create compound words or clarify relationships between parts of a sentence. Hyphens are essential in ensuring clarity and proper grammar, especially when combining words or phrases. They help convey a specific meaning or association that might be lost without this punctuation.

Using hyphens correctly can enhance the readability and coherence of your writing, preventing confusion or ambiguity. Whether it’s joining two words to form a new expression or connecting elements in a sentence for better understanding, mastering the use of hyphens contributes to effective communication and precision in writing.