Hyphens And Compound Adjectives

1. Where should you divide up the compound adjective, mass-produced, for a line break?

After the first letter d in the word produced

Between the words mass and produced. Divide it at the hyphen

Between the first and second letter s in the word mass

The only answer that makes sense is answer choice B. For already-hyphenated words, you have to divide the word at the hyphen for line breaks.

Explanation

The only answer that makes sense is answer choice B. For already-hyphenated words, you have to divide the word at the hyphen for line breaks.

2. Hyphens should never be used for compound numbers.

True

False

This statement is False. Hyphens should be used with compound numbers in order to eliminate any awkward or clunky situations that combining the numbers may cause.

Explanation

This statement is False. Hyphens should be used with compound numbers in order to eliminate any awkward or clunky situations that combining the numbers may cause.

3. Should you use a hyphen between syllables when dividing words at the end of the line?

Yes

No

It is convention that a hyphen must be used between the syllables of a word when dividing words at the end of a line.

Explanation

It is convention that a hyphen must be used between the syllables of a word when dividing words at the end of a line.

4. Hyphens are useful for avoiding confusion or awkward combinations of letters.

True

False

This is absolutely true. Consider the sentence, "You need to re-press your jeans." If the word "re-press" was instead "repress," the sentence wouldn't make any sense.

Explanation

This is absolutely true. Consider the sentence, "You need to re-press your jeans." If the word "re-press" was instead "repress," the sentence wouldn't make any sense.

5. Which of the following sentences demonstrates the correct use of hyphens?

The firm was very impressed by his clear-headed approach.

The firm was very impressed that his approach was clear-headed.

The firm was very impressed by his clear headed-approach.

The correct answer is A. A hyphens should only be used when joining 2 or more words as a single adjective before a noun and not after the noun like in answer choice B. Answer choice C makes no sense.

Explanation

The correct answer is A. A hyphens should only be used when joining 2 or more words as a single adjective before a noun and not after the noun like in answer choice B. Answer choice C makes no sense.

6. You should divide already hyphenated words only at the hyphen.

True

False

This is another convention. For line breaks, you should divide already-hyphenated words only at the hyphen.

Explanation

This is another convention. For line breaks, you should divide already-hyphenated words only at the hyphen.

7. Which of the following sentences illustrates the correct use of hyphens?

After a long day at work, John sat on his couch and de-compressed.

The final exam was all-inclusive and proved to be difficult for many students.

Since he consumed a lot of sugar, he was very hyper-active.

Hyphens should never be used for the prefixes de- and hyper-, however it should be used after the prefix all-. This is just convention that should be followed.

Explanation

Hyphens should never be used for the prefixes de- and hyper-, however it should be used after the prefix all-. This is just convention that should be followed.

8. You should hyphenate when compound modifiers come after a noun.

True

False

You should only use a hyphen to join 2 or more words serving as a single adjective before a noun and not after the noun.

Explanation

You should only use a hyphen to join 2 or more words serving as a single adjective before a noun and not after the noun.

9. Which of the following words are hyphenated correctly?

Mis-informed

Bi-monthly

Co-worker

None of the above

The correct answer is none of the above. For prefixes such as mis-, bi- and co-, hyphens should not be utilized.

Explanation

The correct answer is none of the above. For prefixes such as mis-, bi- and co-, hyphens should not be utilized.

10. Where should you hyphenate the word preference at the end of a line?

Between the f and the second e

Between the second r and the third e

Both of the above

None of the above

You can use a hyphen to divide words at the end of a line as long as you make the break between the syllables. In both cases, the word is being divided between syllables hence why C is the correct answer.

Explanation

You can use a hyphen to divide words at the end of a line as long as you make the break between the syllables. In both cases, the word is being divided between syllables hence why C is the correct answer.