2. HYPHENS
• Use to clarify meaning and “glue” words together
• This well-known author is signing cookbooks .
Instead of: This well known author is signing
cookbooks.
• However don’t hyphenate after a noun
• EX. The author is well known and is signing
cookbooks.
3. HYPHENS (CONT.)
•Use with compound numbers
•Twenty one – Incorrect
•Twenty-one – Correct
•Also written-out fractions
•One third –Wrong
•One-third – Correct
4. HYPHENS (CONT.)
•When using words that add a prefix using the
same letter add a hyphen
•Re-read your work.
• Instead of: Reread your work.
5. DASHES
• Use when dealing with ranges
• Ex. World War Two (1939 – 1945 ) was said to be the
war to end all wars.
• Can be used to replace commas and show emphasis
• Dylan – from Nevada – is enrolled in English 1010.
6. DASHES (CONT.)
• Used to change a tone or thought
• I wish I wouldn’t – oh never mind.
• Used to insert commentary
• The dog – which is cute – is fighting the cat and
losing.
7. PRACTICE
• Find and correct the errors in the following sentences:
•My ex boyfriend is a lazy worker.
• ISIS is anti American.
•The dog , which is ugly ,stupid, and
brown, was watering my roses.
•The average college career lasts 3-5
years.
8. PRACTICE CORRECTIONS
•My ex-boyfriend is a lazy worker.
•ISIS is anti-American.
•The dog – which is ugly, stupid, and
brown – was watering my roses.
•The average college career lasts 3 – 5
years.
