English Language Writing Skills

By Danso Kwasi Nti Samuel (DAS). Study the complete course source, examine every model and practise alongside Professor Jarvis.

Course printed page 47 PDF page 53 of 505

For tables, matching columns, IPA and original formatting, open the course PDF above.

HYPHENS

Hyphens are used to form compound words or join word units. They are used to join prefixes,

suffixes, and letters to words. Use hyphens with compound numbers from twenty-one to

ninety-nine and with fractions used as modifiers.

EXAMPLE: forty-two applicants

two-thirds majority (two-thirds is an adjective modifying majority)

three-fourths empty (three-fourths is an adverb modifying empty)

two thirds of the voters (two thirds is not being used as an adjective here because thirds is a

noun being modified by two)

Use hyphens in a compound adjective only when it comes before the word it modifies.

However, some compound adjectives are always hyphenated, such as well-balanced. Look

up compound adjectives in the dictionary if you are unsure whether or not to hyphenate

them.

EXAMPLE: a well-liked author an author who is well liked

A world-renowned composer a composer who is world renowned

Use a hyphen with the prefixes ex-, self-, and all-; with the suffix -elect; and with all prefixes

before a proper noun or proper adjective.

DASHESASHES

Dashes connect groups of words to other groups of words in order to emphasize a point or

show that the information is unessential. Usually the dash separates words in the middle of

a sentence from the rest of the sentence, or it leads to material at the end of the sentence. In

the middle of a sentence, a dash can put special emphasis on a group of words or make them

standout from the rest of the sentence.

EXAMPLE: Linda Simpson's prescription for the economy, lower interest rates, higher

employment, and less government spending, was rejected by the president's Administration.