Hyphen (-)

Hyphen Usages

Form Compound Words When Closed Compound Word is Not Available

Normally, hyphen is used for compound words that doesn't have any closed compound counterpart available. The closed compound words are usually made available once it achieves the popularity and mass majority acceptance. A good example would be:

• Open Compound: on line (back in 1960 to 2000)
• Hyphen Compound: on-line (back in 2000 to current)
• Closed Compound: online (2003 to current)

For Clarity

We use hyphen to clarify words that has a completely different meaning with their respective closed compound form.

• I want to buy that chicken coop from the co-op team.
  • coop (closed compound) means chicken hen house.
  • co-op (hyphen compound) means a jointly cooperative team.

Checklist for Grammar Review

1. Are the contexts a form of word?
   1. NO - use dash
2. Is the closed compound word (joint) carries a different meaning from the hyphenated version?
   1. YES - use hyphen
3. Is there any available closed compound word for the hyphenated version?
   1. YES - use that closed compound word
   2. NO - use hyphen