Thanks.russ_watters said:
well, here's the first PF member with a potentially funny double-barrelled name!cristo said:
That answers my question.Moonbear said:
The "Do Not Hyphenate" rule in grammar is meant to clarify and streamline the use of hyphens in writing. It helps to avoid confusion and inconsistency in the placement of hyphens, which can affect the meaning and readability of a sentence.
A hyphen should be used in a compound word when it is used as an adjective before a noun. For example: well-known actress, high-quality product. It should also be used when there is a potential for confusion or misinterpretation without a hyphen, such as with double letters or words that could be misread, like "re-cover" and "recover".
No, a hyphen should only be used to connect two words that form a compound word. Using a hyphen to connect two words that are not part of a compound word is considered incorrect grammar.
In general, it is best to avoid hyphenating words at the end of a line in writing. However, in some cases, it may be necessary for formatting purposes. If possible, try to reword the sentence to avoid hyphenating at the end of a line.
Yes, there are a few exceptions to the "Do Not Hyphenate" rule. Some words, like "cooperate" and "coordinate", are commonly hyphenated in British English but are not in American English. Additionally, some style guides may have specific rules for hyphenation, so it's important to check the guidelines for the specific publication or organization you are writing for.