Hyphens and Apostrophes

By Ellyn Ball and Lilly Jenkins

Hyphens for Numbers

• A hyphen (-) is used to combined some numbers and some word parts and to show a connection between syllables of words that are broken at the end of lines.

• Some compound numbers and fractions require the use of the hyphen.

• Use a hyphen when writing out compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine.

• Example: • Before she fell asleep, Tracy counted to fifty-nine. • We bought twenty-five tickets for the game.

Hyphens for Numbers

• Use a hyphen when writing fractions that are used as adjectives.

• Example: A two-thirds vote of approval was necessary.

• When a fraction is used as a noun, do not hyphen.

• Example: Two thirds of the players come from Florida.

• Hyphens are also used to separate certain prefixes and suffixes. The next two rules govern the use of hyphens with prefixes and suffixes.

Using Hyphens for Word Parts and Compound Words

• Use a hyphen after a prefix that is followed by a proper noun or adjective.

• Example:

• The softball tournament take place in mid-July.

• The pro-Atlantic fans sat together in the stands.

• There are three prefixes and one suffix that always requires the use of hyphens.

• Use a hyphen in words with the prefixes all-, ex-, and –self-, and in words with the suffix –elect.

Using Hyphens for Word Parts and Compound Words

• Examples: all-powered self-employed

• ex-football player president-elect

• In many instances, compound words also require the use of hyphens.

• A hyphen is used to connect two or more nouns that are used as one compound word. Compound nouns are written in several ways.

• One word: ballplayer, footstep, earthquake

• Separate words: seat belt, sweet potato, time limit

• With Hyphens: son-in-law, great-grandmother, six-year-olds

Using Hyphens for Word Parts and Compound Words

• Use a hyphen to connect a compound modifier that comes before a noun.

• In a compound modifier, the hyphen shows that the first modifier describes the second modifier, not the noun.

• Examples:

• The team used a full-court press to slow down the opposing players.

• The seven well-fed puppies curled up together for a nap.

• Sometimes, a compound modifier comes after a noun. Generally, no hyphen is needed in this situation.

• Example:

• The never-ending sound of cheering thrilled the players.

• The sound of cheering was never ending.

Using Hyphens for Word Parts and Compound Words

• However, it may be wise to consult a dictionary when you are using compound modifiers after nouns.

• Examples:

• The happy-go-lucky goalie rarely worries.

• The goalie is happy-go-lucky.

• You should also remember as a final rule to writing compound modifiers: do not use a hyphen with a compound modifier that includes a word ending in –ly, or in a compound proper adjective or a compound proper noun acting as an adjective.

• Incorrect: poorly-written letter South -American tourist

• Correct: poorly written letter South American tourist

Rules for Dividing Words at the End of a Line

• Hyphens serves a useful purpose when they are used to divide words at the end of a line. They should not, however, be used more often than is necessary. Following are several rules that determine how to divide a word at the end of a line.

• The first rule for dividing words at the end of a line is the most important rule for you to remember and use whenever you divide words.

• If a word must be divided, always divide it between syllables. • Example: • The coach’s pep talks, usually quite inspiring, • are often characterized by wild hand ges-• tures and frequent shouts.

Rules for Dividing Words at the End of a Line

• In addition to the preceding rule, other details also affect division. As the following example indicates, a hyphen used to divide a word should never be placed at the beginning of the second line. It must be placed at the end of the first line.

• Example:

• Incorrect: To make one large room, knock down the par

• -tition.

• Correct: To make one large room, knock down the par-

• tition.

Hyphens Rules

• One syllable words should never be divided, even if they seem long or look like two syllable words.

• fif-th (incorrect) fifth (correct)• When a one syllable word does not fit at the end of a line, just leave the

space and write the word, without a hyphen, on the next line. • Avoid dividing a word so a single letter stands alone. • A-lone, i-dle (incorrect)• Avoid dividing proper nouns or proper adjectives. • Eliza-beth (incorrect) Ger-man (incorrect)• Divide a hyphenated word only immediately following the existing

hyphen.• It was a post-sea-son soccer game. (incorrect) , It was a post-season

soccer game.

Quick Check

• Round Table (Kagan p6.34; use selector tool)

• Write down different ways a hyphen is used.

Using Apostrophes to form Possessive Nouns

• The apostrophe (‘) is used mainly in two situations:

• To show possession in nouns and pronouns or

• To indicate missing letters in contractions.

• Add an apostrophe with nouns to show ownership. Add an apostrophe and s to show possessive case of most singular nouns.

• Example: the bat of the player becomes the player’s bat

• Even when a singular noun already ends in s, an apostrophe and s should usually be added to show possession.

• Examples: The shape of the lens becomes the lens's shape

• The impact of loss becomes the loss’s impact

Using Apostrophes to form Possessive Nouns

• Add just an apostrophe to show the possessive case of plural nouns ending in s or es.

• Example: The buzzing of the bees becomes the bees’ buzzing.

• The flavor of the strawberries becomes the strawberries’ flavor.

• Forming the possessive of plural nouns that do not already end in s requires a different rule.

• Add an apostrophe and s to show the possessive case of plural nouns that do not end in s or es.

• Example: The tournament of women becomes the women’s tournament.

• The game of the children becomes the children’s game.

Using Apostrophes to form Possessive Nouns

• The following two steps can help you decide where to place the apostrophe and whether an s is needed when you form possessives.

• First, determine the owner quality or object involved. Ask yourself, “To whom does it belong?”

• Second, if the answer to this question is a singular noun, follow the rule for forming singular possessives. If the answer is a plural noun, follow the rules for forming plural possessives.

• If you use the phrase the mountains beauty, ask yourself, “To what does the beauty belong?” If the answer is the “the mountain,” then the possessive is singular: the mountain’s beauty.

• If the answer is “the mountains,” then the possessive is plural: the mountains’ beauty.

Quick Check

• Rally Robin • You and your partner put the apostrophe in the correct

spot and label the nouns as S for singular and P for plural.• Trainer gymnasts• Softballs team• Racket athletes• Feet muscle• Goals toss• Trophies track

Using Apostrophes with Pronouns

• Both indefinite and personal pronouns can indicate possession. Here are two rules to follow to show possession.

• Use an apostrophe and s with indefinite pronouns to show possession.

• Examples: everyone’s plan each one’s decision

• Do not use an apostrophe with possessive personal pronouns.

• The following personal pronouns show possession: my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, their and theirs. Some of these pronouns are generally used as adjectives.

• Example: Your batting stance is unusual.

• Others can be used as subjects, direct objects and subject compliments.

• Example: Give me mine

• Whatever the use, a possessive personal pronoun should never include an apostrophe.

Using Apostrophes with Contractions

• Contractions are shortened forms of words or phrases.

• Remember that you should avoid using contractions in formal speaking or writing.

• Use an apostrophe in a contraction to indicate a missing letter or letters.

Common Contractions with VerbsVerb + not are not (aren’t) did not (didn’t) should not

(shouldn’t)Is not (isn’t) was not (wasn’t) cannot (can’t)

Pronoun + the verb will I will (I’ll) he will (he’ll) she will (she’ll)You will (you’ll) we will (we’ll) who will (who’ll)

Pronoun or noun + the verb be

I am ( I’m) you are (you’re) they are (they’re)He is (he’s) we are (we’re) Andy is (Andy’s)

Pronoun or noun + the verb would

I would (I’d) Penny would (Penny’d) he would (he’d)You would (you’d) they would (they’d)

Quick Check

•Questions?

You Do

On the left side of your interactive notebook, list one of each kind of Hyphen and Apostrophe learned today (do not use any examples given today). Make sure to illustrate and color code.