1. Join words to create compound words:
* Closed compounds: These are permanently joined words (e.g., "birthday," "notebook").
* Hyphenated compounds: These are words joined with a hyphen (e.g., "well-being," "self-esteem").
* Open compounds: These are words separated by a space (e.g., "high school," "real estate").
2. Clarify meaning and avoid ambiguity:
* Preventing misinterpretations: A hyphen can differentiate between similar-sounding words, like "re-cover" (to cover again) vs. "recover" (to get better).
* Connecting modifiers: Hyphens help connect modifiers to the words they describe, such as "a one-way street" or "a well-known author."
3. Divide words at the end of a line:
* Syllabification: Hyphens are used to break words at the end of a line, separating syllables (e.g., "break-fast").
4. Create prefixes and suffixes:
* Prefixes: Hyphens often join prefixes to words (e.g., "pre-existing," "anti-gravity").
* Suffixes: Hyphens are sometimes used with suffixes (e.g., "self-assured," "duty-bound").
5. Indicate a range of numbers or dates:
* Numbers: Hyphens join numbers to indicate a range (e.g., "pages 12-20").
* Dates: Hyphens can separate parts of a date (e.g., "January 1-5").
Important Note: Hyphen usage can vary depending on style guides and the context of the writing. It's essential to consult reliable resources and dictionaries to ensure proper hyphenation.