Hyphens, Dashes, and Hyphens, Dashes, and ParenthesesParentheses

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Use a Use a hyphenhyphen to divide a word at the end to divide a word at the end of a line. of a line.

Only words with more than one syllable Only words with more than one syllable can be divided. Do not leave a single letter can be divided. Do not leave a single letter at the beginning or the end of a line. at the beginning or the end of a line.

Longer words can be divided in more than Longer words can be divided in more than one place.one place.Elec-tionElec-tionLi-braryLi-brary

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

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

Use a Use a dashdash to set off a sudden change of to set off a sudden change of thought or an afterthought, or to mean thought or an afterthought, or to mean namelynamely or or in other words. in other words. Tom and Alex are very close – most brothers Tom and Alex are very close – most brothers

are.are.The game – it went into overtime – was really The game – it went into overtime – was really

exciting. exciting.

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

award. award.

Use hyphens or dashes correctly in Use hyphens or dashes correctly in these sentences. these sentences.

1.1. One of the best known pieces or furniture One of the best known pieces or furniture is the bed. is the bed.

2.2. A king size bed the largest size is wider A king size bed the largest size is wider than a double bed. than a double bed.

3.3. How do you divide furniture, fur niture or How do you divide furniture, fur niture or furni ture?furni ture?

Where are parentheses needed in Where are parentheses needed in these sentences?these sentences?

4. A double bed is four and a half feet 1.37 4. A double bed is four and a half feet 1.37 meters wide. meters wide.

5. French beds of the Empire period early 5. French beds of the Empire period early 1800s were large. 1800s were large.

Use hyphens or dashes correctly in Use hyphens or dashes correctly in these sentences.these sentences.

6. A very rough bed is often called a bunk 6. A very rough bed is often called a bunk perhaps a shortened form of bunker. perhaps a shortened form of bunker.

7. American colonists usually stuffed their 7. American colonists usually stuffed their beds with whatever was plentiful corn beds with whatever was plentiful corn husks, wood chips, or straw. husks, wood chips, or straw.

8. Could a bed be one third husks and two 8. Could a bed be one third husks and two thirds straw?thirds straw?

9. The bedroom rarely a separate room 9. The bedroom rarely a separate room could be in a corner. could be in a corner.

Use hyphens or dashes correctly in Use hyphens or dashes correctly in these sentences.these sentences.

10. Many children slept with their parents 10. Many children slept with their parents or in a trundle bed a bed pushed under the or in a trundle bed a bed pushed under the parents’ bed during the day.parents’ bed during the day.

11. Privacy a sought after condition was 11. Privacy a sought after condition was almost impossible.almost impossible.

12. How is privacy divided, priv a cy or pri 12. How is privacy divided, priv a cy or pri va cy?va cy?