Vocab and Grammar Lesson Review

Grammar: Hyphens

Introduction to Hyphens

  • Hyphens are used in two main contexts: compound nouns and compound adjectives.

Hyphens in Compound Nouns

  • Definition: Compound nouns are formed when two words collectively represent a single noun.

  • Example Sentences:

    • "Andy had to make a last minute decision about whether or not to see the movie."

    • Analysis: "last minute" is a compound noun.

    • "Damon and I planned to take a five minute break during dance rehearsal."

    • Analysis: "five minute" is a compound noun.

    • "My cousins and I raced up the stairs of the 20 story building."

    • Analysis: "20 story" is a compound noun.

  • Note: Compound words can appear in three forms:

    • Hyphenated: get-together

    • Fused into one word: haircut

    • Kept as two separate words: high school

Identifying Compound Nouns

  • Words may be hyphenated as compound nouns but not in other contexts.

    • Example: "Grady forgot to follow through with his promise."

    • Analysis: "follow through" is not hyphenated because they function as two separate words (verb + preposition).

  • Example: "Courtney wants to get together to discuss the math homework this afternoon."

    • Analysis: "get together" hyphenated when functioning as a single entity.

Hyphens with Compound Adjectives

  • Definition: When two descriptive words are joined together to describe a noun, they form a compound adjective.

Rules for Compound Adjectives

  • Rule 1: When the compound adjective comes before a noun, connect the words with a hyphen.

    • Example: "I met a well-respected lawyer."

    • Analysis: "well-respected" is a compound adjective before the noun.

  • Rule 2: When compound adjectives come after a noun, do not connect them with a hyphen.

    • Example: "The lawyer I met is well respected."

    • Analysis: "well respected" is not hyphenated after the noun.

  • Rule 3: Never use a hyphen if the first word in the compound adjective ends with "ly".

    • Example: "highly paid" is correct (no hyphen).

Example Exercises

  • Example 1: "I warned my baby cousins not to pet the long-haired monkey."

    • Analysis: "long-haired" is a compound adjective before the noun (hyphenated).

  • Example 2: "I caught up to the happily skipping children."

    • Analysis: "happily skipping" does not use a hyphen because it starts with a word ending in "ly".

Quick Review

  • Hyphens are also used to form compound nouns, where two words collectively represent a single noun.

  • Example: "The Texas Longhorns play Kentucky this Saturday."

    • Author's prediction stated as: "My prediction is that we will win 42 to 3."