Module 6.6: Hyphens and dashes Flashcards
What is the primary visual difference between a hyphen, en dash, and em dash?
Hyphen is the shortest, en dash is the width of an N, em dash is the width of an M.
What is the main use of hyphens?
Linking terms or parts of terms, such as in compound words.
What is an example of a hyphenated phrase that illustrates clarity?
A clear-bag policy vs. a clear bag policy.
When should you hyphenate a word?
When conventionally hyphenated, to avoid letter collision, with compound adjectives before nouns, and for clarity.
True or False: Hyphens are always required with the prefixes ex- and self-
True.
When are hyphens required with numbers?
When using an age or a time span adjectivally and when writing out numbers from 21 to 99 in full.
What are suspensive hyphens?
Hyphens used to avoid repetition in compound modifiers.
Fill in the blank: Compounds formed with adverbs such as ______ and adverbs ending in -ly are never hyphenated.
very.
What are the three primary uses of en dashes?
- Ranges of numbers
- Scores
- Conflicts or connections
How can you type an en dash on a Windows machine?
Hold down alt and type the numbers 0 1 5 0.
What is the main use of em dashes?
To set off parenthetical information.
True or False: Em dashes are generally spaced.
False.
How can you type an em dash in Microsoft Word?
Type a hyphen twice between two words.
What should you check when proofreading for hyphens and dashes?
Your client’s style sheet for specific guidelines.
What is an example of a situation where hyphens and dashes rules may vary?
The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook uses a hyphen for ranges of dates.
Fill in the blank: The hyphenated form of ‘cooperate’ is ______.
co-operate.
What is the purpose of using hyphens for clarity?
To avoid ambiguity in phrases with similar wording.
What is an example of a compound adjective that requires a hyphen?
Free-range eggs.
