Dashes Hyphens and Slashes

The hyphen that prevents two words from splitting at the end of a line is called a "non-breaking hyphen." It ensures that the two words connected by the hyphen stay together on the same line, preventing a line break between them. This is particularly useful for phrases like "mother-in-law" or when creating compound adjectives in text formatting. In many word processors, it can be inserted using specific keyboard shortcuts or through the character menu.

Yes, "lifesaving" is typically written as a single word without a hyphen. It is used as an adjective to describe actions or measures that save lives. For example, "lifesaving techniques" is the correct usage.

No, "all season" is not hyphenated when used as a noun phrase, such as "all season tires." However, when used as a compound adjective before a noun, it should be hyphenated, as in "all-season tires." Always consider the context to determine the correct usage.

The term "not for profit" is typically not hyphenated when used as an adjective, so you would write "not for profit organization." However, when used as a compound adjective before a noun, it can be hyphenated as "not-for-profit organization." The key is to consider its placement in the sentence to determine whether hyphenation is necessary.

No, "customer focused" is not typically hyphenated when used as a compound adjective. It is generally written as two separate words. However, if used directly before a noun, it can be hyphenated as "customer-focused" to clarify that it describes the noun that follows.

No, "well mannered" is not typically hyphenated. It is generally written as two separate words, especially when used as an adjective after a noun (e.g., "a well mannered child"). However, it can be hyphenated as "well-mannered" when used directly before a noun (e.g., "a well-mannered child").

No, "high performance" is not hyphenated when used as a noun phrase, such as "high performance is important." However, when used as a compound adjective before a noun, it is hyphenated as "high-performance," for example, "high-performance vehicle."

Yes, "long-term" should be hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun, such as in "long-term goals." However, when it is used as a noun or after a verb, it does not require a hyphen, as in "The goals are long term."

The word "multipurpose" is typically not hyphenated when used as a single adjective. It combines "multi" and "purpose" to describe something designed for multiple uses. However, if you are using it in a compound adjective before a noun and want to clarify its meaning, you might see it hyphenated as "multi-purpose." In general usage, "multipurpose" is the preferred form.

The term "self-employed" is hyphenated when used as an adjective to describe someone who works for themselves, such as in "She is self-employed." However, when used as a noun, it is typically written as "self employed" without a hyphen. Always check the context to determine the correct usage.

The word "kickoff" is typically written as a single word without a hyphen when used as a noun or verb, as in "The kickoff is at noon" or "We will kickoff the event." However, it can be hyphenated as "kick-off" when used as a compound adjective, such as in "kick-off meeting." Overall, the usage depends on context, but the single-word form is more common.

The term "co-ordinate" can be spelled with a hyphen in British English, but it is commonly written as "coordinate" without a hyphen in American English. Both forms are correct, but usage may vary depending on regional preferences. In formal writing, it's best to be consistent with whichever version you choose.

The word "passerine" is hyphenated as "pas-ser-ine."

No, "multinational" is not hyphenated. It is a single word used to describe entities, such as corporations or organizations, that operate in multiple countries. The prefix "multi-" combines with "national" without the need for a hyphen.

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Hyphen (or Ctrl + Shift + Minus) is commonly used in word processing programs like Microsoft Word to create a non-breaking hyphen. This type of hyphen prevents a line break at its position, ensuring that the words on either side remain together on the same line, which is particularly useful for compound words or phrases.

The term "single story" is typically not hyphenated when used in general contexts, such as referring to a narrative or perspective. However, if used as a compound adjective before a noun, it may be hyphenated as "single-story" (e.g., "a single-story building"). The correct usage depends on the context in which the term appears.

The term "biweekly" is typically used without a hyphen when referring to something occurring every two weeks. However, the hyphen may be used in some contexts for clarity, especially when it precedes a noun (e.g., "bi-weekly meeting"). It's important to consider the audience and style guide you are following, as preferences may vary.

Yes, "long-range" should be hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun, such as "long-range goals." The hyphen helps clarify that the two words work together to describe a single concept. However, if "long range" appears after the noun, it typically does not require hyphenation, as in "the goals are long range."

Another phrase for "team player" is "collaborative individual." This term emphasizes the ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal. Other alternatives include "cooperative member" and "group-oriented participant."

Adding a forward slash to the end of a website URL is often referred to as "trailing slash" notation. It can indicate a directory rather than a specific file, signaling to the server that the URL is a folder. While it may not always affect how a website functions, consistency in using trailing slashes is important for SEO and can prevent duplicate content issues.

A hifacation mark, commonly known as a "hiatus," is not a widely recognized term in standard language. However, if you're referring to a specific mark in a particular context, like linguistics or typography, it might resemble an elongated dash or a specific symbol indicating a break or pause in speech or text. If you meant a different term, please clarify for further assistance!

Yes, "repackaged" is not hyphenated. It is a compound word formed by the prefix "re-" and the verb "packaged," and it is commonly written as a single word. Hyphenation is typically not needed in this case, as the meaning is clear without it.

A colon is used to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation, signaling that what follows is directly related to the preceding clause. For example, you might say, "She has three favorite fruits: apples, bananas, and oranges." A hyphen, on the other hand, is used to join words or parts of words, such as in compound adjectives (e.g., "well-known author") or to connect numbers (e.g., "twenty-four").

The correct way to hyphenate "great grandchildren" is "great-grandchildren." The hyphen is used to connect "great" and "grandchildren" to indicate that the term refers to the grandchildren of one's children, rather than just grandchildren in general.

The word "enroute" does not have a hyphen and is typically written as a single word. It means "on the way" or "in transit." In some contexts, especially in British English, it may be seen as "en route," written as two separate words. However, the hyphenated version is not standard.