Grammar tips

Today we will end our analysis on the use of hyphens!

Hyphens are often used in compound modifiers when the modifier comes before the word it’s modifying. There are several rules for different types of hyphens, such as hyphens with multiple-word adjectives before nouns, compound modifiers with participles, “high” and “low”, and numbers.

Hyphens with high and low

When using high or low as part of a compound modifier, use a hyphen when the compound comes before the noun it’s modifying.

• “Low-income countries find more difficulties to access credit than their high-income counterparts.”

Hyphens and numbers

Numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine should be hyphenated when they’re spelled out.

Spelled-out two-word simple fractions are also hyphenated.

• “I’ve talked with one-third of the delegates in the previous climate conference about our sustainable agenda.”

Hyphens in compound modifiers involving numbers

When a number appears as the first part of a compound modifier that comes before a noun in a sentence, the compound modifier is hyphenated. This applies whether the number is spelled out or in numerals, and whether it is cardinal or ordinal.

• “This historian is knowledgeable about nineteenth-century politics.”

However, a hyphen is not used between a number and the word percent appearing before a noun.

• “Inflation rates registered a 3 percent increase in Europe since the war in Ukraine broke out.”

Stay tuned for more of Todd's grammar tips in our CACD English Newsletter!!