A hyphen is used to join two or more words that together form an adjective, where this adjective is used before the noun it describes.

Example: the last-minute rush

Example: great-grandmother

Always use a hyphen with the prefixes all-, ex-, and self-, and with the suffix -elect.

Example: ex-wife

Example: self-control

Use a hyphen to prevent misreading of certain words.

Re-collect means to collect again; without a hyphen the word recollect has a different meaning.

Re-creation means to create again; without a hyphen, the word recreation has a different meaning.

Co-respondent without the hyphen could be confused with correspondent.

Here’s a little quiz to test your “hyphen” knowledge:

Welcome to your All About the Hyphens Quiz

Which sentence is correct?

Which sentence is correct?

Which sentence is correct?

Which sentence is correct?

Which sentence is correct?

Which sentence is correct?