HYPHEN Meaning and
Definition
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A hyphen is a punctuation mark (-) that is used to join words or parts of words together. It is a small line-shaped symbol placed at the end of a line when a word or part of a word continues onto the next line. The primary purpose of a hyphen is to indicate the connection or union between two or more words, creating a compound word or joining word parts.
Hyphens are commonly used to form compound words such as "mother-in-law," "well-being," or "self-confidence." They help clarify the relationship between the connected words and make it easier for the reader to understand the intended meaning. Hyphens also come into play when connecting prefixes and suffixes to words or when splitting words at the end of a line to maintain proper formatting.
Moreover, hyphens are used to denote ranges, such as in time (e.g., 9:00-5:00) or numbers (e.g., pages 45-62). They can also indicate word breaks in dictionaries or to separate syllables when breaking words at the end of a line.
Correct usage of hyphens is vital for clear and accurate writing. Using hyphens appropriately helps avoid confusion or ambiguity and ensures proper interpretation of compound words and word combinations.
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A short line between the parts of a compound word.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for HYPHEN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for HYPHEN
Etymology of HYPHEN
The word "hyphen" has its origins in the Latin word "hyphen" and the Greek word "hyphén", which both mean "together, in one", or "under one". It was later adopted into English from the Latin, and its use as a punctuation mark to connect words or parts of words dates back to the 17th century.
Similar spelling words for HYPHEN
Conjugate verb Hyphen
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have hyphened
you
would have hyphened
he/she/it
would have hyphened
we
would have hyphened
they
would have hyphened
I
would have hyphen
you
would have hyphen
he/she/it
would have hyphen
we
would have hyphen
they
would have hyphen
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been hyphening
you
would have been hyphening
he/she/it
would have been hyphening
we
would have been hyphening
they
would have been hyphening
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would hyphen
you
would hyphen
he/she/it
would hyphen
we
would hyphen
they
would hyphen
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be hyphening
you
would be hyphening
he/she/it
would be hyphening
we
would be hyphening
they
would be hyphening
FUTURE
I
will hyphen
you
will hyphen
he/she/it
will hyphen
we
will hyphen
they
will hyphen
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be hyphening
you
will be hyphening
he/she/it
will be hyphening
we
will be hyphening
they
will be hyphening
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have hyphened
you
will have hyphened
he/she/it
will have hyphened
we
will have hyphened
they
will have hyphened
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been hyphening
you
will have been hyphening
he/she/it
will have been hyphening
we
will have been hyphening
they
will have been hyphening
IMPERATIVE
you
hyphen
we
let´s hyphen
to hyphen
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was hyphening
you
were hyphening
he/she/it
was hyphening
we
were hyphening
they
were hyphening
PAST PARTICIPLE
hyphened
PAST PERFECT
I
had hyphened
you
had hyphened
he/she/it
had hyphened
we
had hyphened
they
had hyphened
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been hyphening
you
had been hyphening
he/she/it
had been hyphening
we
had been hyphening
they
had been hyphening
PRESENT
I
hyphen
you
hyphen
he/she/it
hyphens
we
hyphen
they
hyphen
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am hyphening
you
are hyphening
he/she/it
is hyphening
we
are hyphening
they
are hyphening
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
hyphening
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have hyphened
you
have hyphened
he/she/it
has hyphened
we
have hyphened
they
have hyphened
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been hyphening
you
have been hyphening
he/she/it
has been hyphening
we
have been hyphening
they
have been hyphening
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
hyphen
SIMPLE PAST
I
hyphened
you
hyphened
he/she/it
hyphened
we
hyphened
they
hyphened
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