Examples Of Hyphens In A Sentence

Updated May 24, 2023

Examples of Hyphens in a Sentence

Hyphens can be a confusing punctuation mark for many writers. They are often mistaken for dashes or even ignored altogether. However, hyphens play an important role in clarifying meaning and adding structure to sentences. In this article, we will explore various examples of hyphens in a sentence to help you understand their usage better.

Compound Words

One of the most common uses of hyphens is to join compound words. These are words made up of two or more words that work together to form a single meaning. Here are a few examples:

Well-being: The hyphen in "well-being" connects the words "well" and "being" to indicate a state of being healthy and happy.
High-speed: In the phrase "high-speed," the hyphen combines "high" and "speed" to describe something that moves or operates at a fast pace.
Mother-in-law: Here, the hyphens join "mother" and "in-law" to refer to a person's spouse's mother.

Prefixes and Suffixes

Hyphens are also used with certain prefixes and suffixes to avoid confusion or clarify meaning. Let's take a look at a few examples:

Re-enter: The hyphen in "re-enter" helps distinguish it from "reenter," which means to enter again.
Co-worker: By using a hyphen in "co-worker," we differentiate it from "coworker," which could be misinterpreted as someone who works with cows.
Anti-inflammatory: The hyphen in "anti-inflammatory" links the prefix "anti" with "inflammatory" to describe a substance or medication that reduces inflammation.

Compound Modifiers

Hyphens are essential when using compound modifiers, which are two or more words that together modify another word. The hyphen helps ensure that the modifiers are treated as a single unit. Consider these examples:

Blue-eyed girl: The hyphen in "blue-eyed" connects the words "blue" and "eyed" to specify the color of the girl's eyes.
Well-written article: Here, the hyphen in "well-written" combines "well" and "written" to describe the quality of the article.

Numbers and Measurements

Hyphens are also used when writing out numbers or measurements. Here are a couple of examples:

Twenty-one: The hyphen in "twenty-one" connects the tens and units place to form the number 21.
Two-thirds: By using a hyphen in "two-thirds," we distinguish it from "two thirds," which could imply two separate entities.

Conclusion

Hyphens serve various purposes in sentence structure and clarity. Whether it's joining compound words, differentiating prefixes and suffixes, or creating compound modifiers, hyphens play an essential role in enhancing meaning and reducing ambiguity. Understanding and using hyphens correctly can greatly improve the readability and coherence of your writing. So, next time you encounter a situation that calls for a hyphen, remember these examples and apply them confidently in your sentences.

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