Dashes Hyphens and Slashes

The term "parent" is not hyphenated when used as a standalone noun. However, it can be hyphenated in compound phrases, such as "parent-teacher conference" or "parent-child relationship," where it modifies another noun. In these cases, the hyphen helps clarify the relationship between the words.

Yes, "year to date" should be hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun, as in "year-to-date performance." However, when it appears after the noun, such as "the performance year to date," no hyphens are needed. Always consider the context to determine the correct usage.

In Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the forward slash (/) serves multiple purposes. It is commonly used in URLs to separate different components, such as the protocol, domain, and path to a specific resource. Additionally, the forward slash can indicate division in programming and mathematics, and it is used in file paths to delineate directories and subdirectories in operating systems.

No, "outpatient" is not hyphenated; it is written as a single word. It refers to patients who receive medical treatment without being admitted to a hospital. The term is commonly used in healthcare settings to describe services that do not require an overnight stay.

The hyphen in "re-sign" is used to clarify the meaning of the word, distinguishing it from "resign," which means to quit a position. In this case, "re-sign" indicates the act of signing again, such as renewing a contract. The hyphen helps prevent confusion between the two similar-sounding terms.

The term "third world" is typically not hyphenated when used as a noun or adjective in modern contexts. However, some style guides may allow for "third-world" as an adjective when it precedes a noun, such as "third-world countries." It's important to consider the context and the style guide you are following. In general, it's advisable to use the term "developing countries" for a more accurate and respectful description.

No, "agency wide" does not need a hyphen when used as an adverbial phrase. It should be written as "agency wide" when describing something that applies across an entire agency. However, if used as a compound adjective before a noun, it is typically hyphenated as "agency-wide." For example, you would say "an agency-wide policy."

No, "hand carved" is not hyphenated. It is typically written as two separate words when used as a verb phrase or when it follows a noun, such as in "a hand carved statue." However, when used as a compound adjective directly before a noun, it can be hyphenated as "hand-carved."

The term "double majored" does not need a hyphen when used as a verb phrase, as in "She double majored in biology and chemistry." However, when used as an adjective before a noun, it may be hyphenated, such as in "She is a double-major student." The hyphenation depends on the context of its usage.

The word "retake" is not hyphenated; it is written as a single word. It refers to the act of taking something again, such as a test or a photograph. Hyphenation is not necessary in this case, as "retake" is a standard compound verb in English.

Yes, "part-time" is hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun, as in "part-time job." However, when used as a noun or adverb, it is typically written as two separate words, such as "She works part time."

The term "upper class" typically does not require a hyphen when used as a noun or adjective in most contexts, such as "the upper class" or "upper class citizens." However, it can be hyphenated as "upper-class" when used as a compound adjective directly before a noun, for example, "upper-class families." Always consider the context to determine if hyphenation is necessary.

No, "kick around" does not have a hyphen. It is typically used as a phrasal verb meaning to discuss or consider something informally. However, if used as a compound adjective before a noun, it may be hyphenated as "kick-around ideas."

No, "year long" is not hyphenated when used as an adverbial phrase, such as "The project will last year long." However, when used as a compound adjective before a noun, it should be hyphenated, as in "a year-long project."

No, "nonconcur" is not hyphenated. It is a single word that means to disagree or not to concur. In general, prefixes like "non-" are typically combined with the root word without a hyphen, unless clarity requires it.

When filing a hyphenated name alphabetically, you typically treat the entire hyphenated name as a single unit. For example, if you have "Smith-Jones," you would file it under "S" for "Smith" rather than separating it into "Smith" and "Jones." In cases where the hyphenated name is part of a larger name, you still prioritize the first part of the hyphenated name for alphabetical order.

Yes, "short-lived" is hyphenated. The hyphen connects the two words to create a compound adjective that describes something that has a brief duration. Using the hyphen clarifies that "short" modifies "lived" together, rather than suggesting a separate meaning for each word.

A dash sign typically appears as a horizontal line that is longer than a hyphen. There are different types of dashes, including the en dash (–), which is about the width of a capital letter "N," and the em dash (—), which is roughly the width of a capital letter "M." Both are used in writing to create breaks in thought or to set off clauses.

No, "three story house" should not be hyphenated. It is correctly written as "three-story house" when used as a compound adjective before a noun. The hyphen is necessary to clarify that "three-story" describes the type of house.

"Showfloor" is commonly written as one word, particularly in contexts related to events, exhibitions, or trade shows. However, some may also use it as two words ("show floor"). The usage can vary depending on the style guide or publication, but "showfloor" as a single term is increasingly accepted.

No, "multitasking" does not have a hyphen. It is a compound word formed by combining "multi" and "tasking," and it is commonly written as a single word. Hyphens are typically used in compound adjectives or when clarity is needed, but in this case, "multitasking" is well-established as a standalone term.

"Long term" does not always require a hyphen. When used as a noun or an adjective before a noun (e.g., "long-term goals"), it is typically hyphenated. However, when used as an adverb phrase (e.g., "investing for the long term"), it does not need a hyphen.

Yes, there is a hyphen in "fifty-nine." When writing out compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine, a hyphen is used to connect the two parts of the number. Therefore, it is correct to write it as "fifty-nine."

No, "game changer" does not need a hyphen when used as a noun or adjective. It is typically written as two separate words, as in "He is a game changer in the industry." However, if used in a compound adjective before a noun, it can be hyphenated as in "game-changing technology."

Yes, hyphens can be used in idioms, particularly when they help clarify meaning or improve readability. However, it's important to use them correctly and consistently. For example, "run-of-the-mill" is a hyphenated idiom that means something is average or ordinary. Overall, whether to use hyphens depends on the specific idiom and the context in which it is used.