This document discusses the proper use of hyphens and numbers in writing. It provides examples of how to use hyphens in compound words, with numbers, compound modifiers, participles, and prefixes. It also provides guidelines for using numbers such as writing out one number and using numerals for the other when next to each other. Situations like dates, addresses, book volumes/chapters, and times should use numerals instead of spelling out the numbers.

1. H Y P H E N & N U M B E R S
F U N C T I O N S A N D E X A M P L E S
( - )

2. H Y P H E N
a punctuation mark
used to join words or part of words together to avoid
confusions
hyphenation - the use of hyphens
*Hyphenated compound words
*Hyphens and numbers
*Hyphens with compound modifiers
*Hyphens with participles
*Hyphens with prefixes

3. mother-in-law
two-year-old
e.g.
H Y P H E N A T E D C O M P O U N D W O R D S
- words with hyphen between them
I am twenty-one years old.
The teacher gave a 30-minute lecture to the class.
Fractions: one-third of flour
e.g.
H Y P H E N S A N D N U M B E R S
- numbers should have hyphen between them when spelled
out (especially two words/one word)
The bread was impossible to eat because it was rock hard.
The rock-hard bread was impossible to eat.
e.g.
H Y P H E N S W I T H C O M P O U N D M O D I F I E R S
- hyphens use to show that the two words work together to
describe the noun
Present participles: There are some beautiful-looking
flowers in the garden.
Past participles: A well-known poet is performing
tonight.
e.g.
H Y P H E N S W I T H P A R T I C I P L E S
He was the ex-mayor of the town.
She is my co-worker.
e.g.
H Y P H E N S W I T H P R E F I X E S
- hyphens are used with the prefix
(e.g.ex-,co-,pre-,post- etc.)

4. N U M B E R S
When two numbers are right next to
each other, use one word for one of
them and a numeral for the other.
e.g. He made five 100-pound cakes.
Use letters for the shorter number
when written side by side.
e.g. There were 10 four-foot boards on
the truck.
However, numbers that refer to comparable
quantities in close proximity should be in
the same style.
e.g. Sam bought 5 apples and 12 oranges.
Sarah has two older brothers and one
younger sister.
One number style for one category and
one number style for another category.
e.g. Jane read two books with more than
200 pages and a hundred articles with
fewer than 3 pages.

5. Dates
Addresses
Book Volumes/Chapter
Times (when written as 12:30 p.m.)
S I T U A T I O N S W H E R E N U M E R A L S
S H O U L D B E U S E D I N S T E A D O F
S P E L L I N G O U T T H E N U M B E R S