DASHES AND HYPHENS
DASHES
Should be used sparingly for special emphasis. Follows the rules for comma use. EXAMPLE: The caretakers—those who are helpers, nurturers, teachers, mothers—are still devalued in society.
EXAMPLE: Although the French teacher emphasized language—speaking, reading and writing—the lessons always started with politeness.
DASHES AND HYPHENS
HYPHENS
Use (among other things) with hyphenated compound words. Use a hyphen for a compound word being used as an adjective before the noun (e.g., “well-researched report” not “report is well researched”). Use a hyphen with number modifiers (e.g., two-year program). Use a hyphen with comparative and superlative compound forms (e.g., better-fitting shoes or best-known player), but not more/most or less/least.
DASHES AND HYPHENS
HYPHENS
Do not use a hyphen when the compound modifier starts with an –ly adverb (e.g., happily married couple).
Do not use a hyphen when the compound modifier is a foreign phrase (e.g., post hoc fallacies). Do not use a hyphen with a possessive compound (e.g., a full week’s work or eight hours’ pay)