Can You Use A Hyphen/Dash Correctly?

In this sentence, the hyphens in "mother-in-law" serve to connect the separate words into a single, cohesive unit functioning as a compound modifier. The compound modifier provides additional information about the noun "visited," specifying that it is the mother-in-law who visited. The hyphenation clarifies the relationship between the words and ensures that the reader understands "mother-in-law" as a distinct concept modifying the noun.

The correct answer is "I am forty-five years old." This is the correct usage of a hyphen to join the words "forty" and "five" together as a compound adjective modifying the noun "years." The other options either incorrectly use a hyphen to separate the words or do not use a hyphen at all.

In this sentence, "merry go-round" functions as a compound noun describing an amusement ride. The absence of hyphens is appropriate here because "merry go-round" is considered a single, unified concept. The words work together to create a clear and specific image of the amusement ride at the park without the need for hyphenation.

In this sentence, the hyphens in "editor-in-chief" form a compound modifier that specifies the role of the person overseeing the magazine. The hyphenation ensures that "editor-in-chief" is perceived as a single, distinct concept modifying the noun "oversees." It conveys a clear and specific meaning about the person in charge of the magazine.

The hyphens in "empty-handed" create a compound modifier indicating that the person returned without anything in their hands. The hyphenation ensures that "empty-handed" is understood as a single concept modifying the verb "returned." It conveys a specific and vivid image of the person coming back from the quest without any tangible items in their possession.

"The three-year-old child was very curious." It follows proper hyphenation rules for compound adjectives, connecting "three" and "year" with hyphens. This ensures clarity and accuracy in expressing the child's age.

The hyphen in "self-esteem" connects the two words to create a compound noun representing a person's emotional and psychological well-being. The use of the hyphen clarifies that "self-esteem" is a cohesive concept, emphasizing the connection between one's self and their sense of worth.

"The state-of-the-art facility is now open to the public," demonstrates correct hyphen usage. The hyphens are appropriately placed to connect the compound adjective "state-of-the-art," which describes the facility. This ensures clarity and accuracy in conveying the modern and advanced nature of the facility.

In this sentence, the hyphens in "man-eating" form a compound modifier that describes the type of tiger – one that eats humans. The hyphenation ensures that "man-eating" is understood as a single concept modifying the noun "tiger." It clarifies the tiger's behavior and distinguishes it from other types of tigers that do not eat humans.