Dashes Hyphens and Slashes

To type a long hyphen, also known as an em dash (—), you can use keyboard shortcuts depending on your device. On Windows, press "Alt" + "0151" on the numeric keypad, while on Mac, press "Shift" + "Option" + "Minus." In many word processing programs, you can also type two hyphens in a row, and it will automatically convert to an em dash.

Yes, "youth-enhancing" is hyphenated because it is a compound adjective used to describe something that enhances youth. The hyphen helps clarify that "youth" and "enhancing" are linked, modifying a noun that follows, such as "product" or "treatment."

No, "audiovisual" does not have a hyphen. It is a single word that combines "audio" and "visual" to describe content that involves both sound and images. The term is commonly used in various contexts, such as media, technology, and education.

No, "stepfather" is not hyphenated. It is a compound word formed by combining "step" and "father," and it is commonly written as one word. Similarly, other related terms like "stepmother" and "stepsibling" are also written without hyphens.

The term "cool down" is typically written as two separate words when used as a verb phrase, as in "to cool down." However, when used as a noun or adjective, it can be hyphenated as "cool-down," such as in "a cool-down period."

Yes, you should use a hyphen in "90-day" when it is used as a compound adjective before a noun, such as in "90-day warranty." However, if it is used as a predicate or after the noun, you would not hyphenate it, as in "The warranty lasts 90 days."

The term "out of scope" is typically not hyphenated when used in a sentence, as it functions as a prepositional phrase. However, it can be hyphenated as "out-of-scope" when used as a compound adjective before a noun, such as in "out-of-scope items." Always consider the context to determine the correct usage.

No, "month end" is not typically hyphenated. It is commonly used as two separate words when referring to the conclusion of a month. However, in some contexts, particularly when used as an adjective before a noun, it may appear as "month-end" (e.g., "month-end report").

Yes, you should use a hyphen in "world-renowned." The hyphen connects the words "world" and "renowned" to indicate that they work together as a single adjective describing someone or something that is famous globally. This helps clarify the meaning and ensures proper readability.

The term "plug and play" is typically not hyphenated when used as a noun or an adjective in most contexts. However, when used as a compound adjective before a noun, it can be hyphenated as "plug-and-play." For example, you would say "The device is plug and play" but "It’s a plug-and-play device."

Yes, "newly renovated" is not hyphenated. In this phrase, "newly" serves as an adverb modifying the adjective "renovated," so there is no need for a hyphen. Hyphenation is typically used to connect two adjectives that together modify a noun, but in this case, the adverb does not require it.

No, "noncompliance" does not need a hyphen. It is commonly written as a single word without a hyphen, following standard conventions for prefixes like "non-." This applies to other similar terms as well, such as "nonprofit" or "nonexistent."

The term "time-barred" is hyphenated when used as an adjective to describe something that is prohibited or restricted by the passage of time, such as a time-barred claim. However, when used as a noun or in different contexts, it may not be hyphenated. Always check the style guide relevant to your writing for specific rules.

No, "inner self" does not have a hyphen. It is typically written as two separate words. Hyphenation is generally used when combining words that create a single adjective before a noun, but in this case, "inner" modifies "self" without requiring a hyphen.

The term "star-shaped" does have a hyphen when used as a compound adjective before a noun, such as in "star-shaped object." However, when used after a noun, the hyphen is typically omitted, as in "The object is star shaped."

No, "broker dealer" is not hyphenated. It is typically written as two separate words when referring to a firm or individual that buys and sells securities on behalf of clients or for its own account. However, in some contexts or specific phrases, it may be hyphenated, such as "broker-dealer" when used as a compound adjective before a noun.

No, there is no hyphen in "high water mark." It is typically written as three separate words. However, if used as an adjective before a noun, it can be hyphenated as "high-water mark."

Yes, "fit for purpose" is typically hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun, as in "fit-for-purpose solution." However, when used in a sentence without preceding a noun, it does not require hyphens, such as "The solution is fit for purpose." The hyphenation helps clarify the phrase's meaning in specific contexts.

Yes, "people-oriented" should be hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun, such as in "a people-oriented approach." The hyphen helps clarify that the two words function together as a single descriptor. However, when used after a noun, it typically appears without a hyphen, as in "This approach is people oriented."

No, "out of control" does not use hyphens. It is a phrase that stands alone without the need for hyphenation. Hyphens are typically used to connect words that function together as a single idea when they appear before a noun, such as "out-of-control behavior."

No, "point of contact" should not be hyphenated when used as a noun. It is a compound noun consisting of three separate words. Hyphenation is typically not necessary in this case, as the meaning is clear without it.

The symbol "ø" represents the letter "o" with a forward slash through it and is used in various contexts. In the Danish and Norwegian alphabets, it is a distinct vowel. In mathematics and engineering, it can denote the empty set or a specific type of diameter in engineering drawings. Additionally, it is sometimes used in phonetics to represent a specific vowel sound.

Yes, "pre-dose" typically uses a hyphen when it functions as a compound adjective before a noun, such as in "pre-dose assessment." The hyphen helps clarify that "pre" modifies "dose" as a single concept. However, if used as a noun or in other contexts, it may not require a hyphen, so usage can depend on the specific context.

Yes, "hand-cut" is typically hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun, such as in "hand-cut fries." The hyphen clarifies that "hand" modifies "cut," indicating that the item was cut by hand rather than by a machine. However, when used as a verb, it is written as two words: "to hand cut."

Jerry-built

jet-propelled

jet-lagged