Hyphens

Joining words to avoid ambiguity in compound modifiers and numbers

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Which phrase needs a hyphen? A) well known author (before the noun) B) the author is well known C) a big tree D) running quickly
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2
Add the missing hyphen by typing it in the blank: She is a twenty___one year old student. She is a twenty___one year old student.
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3
True or false: Hyphens are used in compound modifiers when they come before a noun. Hyphens are used in compound modifiers when they come before a noun. A) True B) False
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4
Which word uses a hyphen correctly? A) wellknown B) well known C) well-known D) well, known
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5
Which sentence uses a hyphen correctly? A) We watched a heart-warming film last night. B) We watched a heart warming-film last night. C) We watched-a heart warming film last night. D) We watched a heart warming film-last night.
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6
Type the hyphen in the right place: The ex___president gave a speech. The ex___president gave a speech.
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7
Which phrase uses hyphens correctly? A) a five-year-old child B) a five year-old child C) a-five year old child D) a five-year old-child
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8
Which sentence should NOT have a hyphen? A) The film was very well known. B) She wore a bright-red scarf. C) He is forty-two years old. D) We need a well-trained dog.
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9
True or false: We hyphenate 'sixty five' when writing it as a number word. We hyphenate 'sixty five' when writing it as a number word. A) True B) False
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10
Which uses a hyphen correctly with a prefix? A) ex-president B) expresident C) ex president D) ex,president
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Answer key

Hyphens · for parents and teachers

1
well known author (before the noun)
'Well-known author' needs a hyphen because the two words act together as one modifier before the noun.
2
-
Compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine are hyphenated.
3
True
True. We hyphenate compound modifiers before a noun but usually not after the noun.
4
well-known
'Well-known' is a hyphenated compound adjective.
5
We watched a heart-warming film last night.
'Heart-warming' is a compound modifier describing the film, so it takes a hyphen.
6
-
We hyphenate 'ex-' when it means 'former': ex-president, ex-husband, ex-teacher.
7
a five-year-old child
'Five-year-old' is one compound modifier describing the child, so all parts are hyphenated.
8
The film was very well known.
After the noun, 'well known' doesn't need a hyphen. Hyphens in compound modifiers come before the noun.
9
True
True. Compound numbers 21-99 are hyphenated: twenty-one, sixty-five, ninety-nine.
10
ex-president
'Ex-' is typically followed by a hyphen.