Dashes Hyphens and Slashes

No, "closeby" is typically written as two separate words: "close by." In standard usage, it's an adverb describing proximity. However, in some informal contexts, you might see it hyphenated as "close-by," but the most common and accepted form is without a hyphen.

The term "year to date" is typically not hyphenated when used in a sentence. However, when it functions as a compound adjective before a noun, it can be hyphenated as "year-to-date." For example, you would write, "The year-to-date results are impressive," but simply "The results are year to date."

The phrase "to date" should not be hyphenated. It is commonly used as an adverbial phrase meaning "up until now." When used in this context, it remains as two separate words. However, if used as part of a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., "to-date information"), it can be hyphenated.

A hyphen is used in writing to connect two or more words that function as a single adjective before a noun, such as "well-known author" or "high-quality product." It is also used in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine and in fractions when used as adjectives, like "one-third." Additionally, hyphens can be used to avoid ambiguity or confusion, such as in "re-sign" (to sign again) versus "resign" (to quit a job).

The term "catch up" is generally not hyphenated when used as a verb, as in "I need to catch up on my reading." However, it can be hyphenated as "catch-up" when used as a noun or an adjective, such as in "We have a catch-up meeting scheduled." Always consider the context to determine whether hyphenation is necessary.

The correct spelling is "doubleheader" without a hyphen. It is commonly used as a single word in American English to refer to two games played back-to-back by the same teams. However, some style guides may accept "double-header" with a hyphen, but "doubleheader" is the more widely accepted form.

Yes, squeezing your breasts too hard can potentially cause internal damage, such as bruising or injury to the underlying tissues. This may lead to pain, swelling, or discomfort. While occasional pressure might not cause harm, excessive squeezing should generally be avoided to prevent injury. If you experience significant pain or notice unusual changes, it's best to consult a healthcare professional.

Yes, "manager-in-training" should be hyphenated. The hyphen helps clarify that the phrase functions as a single modifier describing someone who is in the process of becoming a manager. Without the hyphen, the meaning could be less clear.

A hyphen is a punctuation mark that looks like this: “-”. It is commonly used to connect words or parts of words, such as in compound words (e.g., well-being) or to indicate word breaks at the end of a line. The hyphen is shorter than a dash, which is used for different purposes.

No, "bookkeeping" should not be hyphenated. It is a compound word formed from "book" and "keeping," and it is commonly written as a single word in standard usage. The same applies to related terms like "bookkeeper," which is also written as one word.

Yes, the term "gold-filled" should be hyphenated. The hyphen indicates that the two words function together as a single adjective describing a type of jewelry or metal that is filled with gold. This clarifies that the gold is not merely a surface coating but rather an integral part of the material.

A hyphen in an email appears as a short horizontal line (-). It is often used to connect words or parts of words, such as in compound adjectives (e.g., well-known) or to indicate a range (e.g., 10-12). In email addresses, hyphens can also separate different parts of the address (e.g., name-surname@example.com).

The word "reopening" is not hyphenated. It is a compound word formed from the prefix "re-" and the word "opening." In standard usage, it is written as a single, unhyphenated term.

Yes, "cut-sheet" is typically hyphenated when used as an adjective to describe a type of paper or printing method. The hyphen helps clarify that "cut" modifies "sheet," indicating that the sheets are pre-cut to a specific size. However, when used as a noun, it may sometimes appear without a hyphen as "cutsheet." Always check specific style guides for preferences.

Yes, "state-mandated" is hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun. The hyphen clarifies that "state" modifies "mandated," indicating that the mandate comes from the state. For example, you would say "state-mandated regulations." However, if used after the noun, it would typically not be hyphenated, as in "regulations that are state mandated."

No, "cross training" does not require a hyphen. It is commonly written as two separate words. However, when used as a compound adjective before a noun, it can be hyphenated as "cross-training."

The em dash originated from typesetting practices in the 18th century, where it was created by using a space equal to the width of the letter "M" in the typeset font. It was used to create a strong break in thought or to set off information within a sentence, providing a more informal tone than parentheses or colons. The em dash became popular in English writing as a versatile punctuation mark that enhances readability and adds emphasis. Its name reflects its length, distinguishing it from the en dash and hyphen.

The word "breakout" does not have a hyphen and is typically used as a single, unhyphenated word. It can function as both a noun and an adjective, depending on the context. However, in some specific phrases or compound terms, hyphenation may apply, but "breakout" itself is generally written without a hyphen.

In general, both words in a hyphenated compound should be capitalized if they are part of a title or heading. However, in regular text, only the first word is typically capitalized unless the second word is a proper noun. Always follow specific style guidelines (like APA, MLA, or Chicago) for capitalization rules in specific contexts.

One function of the hyphen is to join two or more words together to create a compound adjective that describes a noun. For example, in the phrase "well-known author," the hyphen connects "well" and "known" to clarify that they work together to modify "author." Additionally, hyphens can be used to avoid ambiguity in phrases, ensuring clear communication.

Yes, "employee self-service" should not have a hyphen. It is a compound noun where "self-service" acts as an adjective describing the type of service provided to employees. Hyphens are typically used to connect words that work together as a single concept, but in this case, "employee" and "self-service" function effectively without one.

Yes, you need a hyphen between "five" and "story" when using it as a compound adjective before a noun, as in "five-story building." The hyphen clarifies that the two words work together to describe the noun. However, if the phrase appears after the noun, such as in "the building is five stories tall," no hyphen is needed.

No, "run of the mill" is not hyphenated. It is an idiomatic expression that means something is ordinary or average. When used as a modifier before a noun, it should be written as "run-of-the-mill."

Yes, "guilt-tripping" should be hyphenated. The hyphen connects the two parts of the compound verb, clarifying that it refers to the act of inducing guilt in someone. This usage helps distinguish it from similar terms and maintains grammatical clarity.

Yes, "multi-family" is typically hyphenated when used as an adjective to describe housing types, such as in "multi-family homes." The hyphen helps clarify that the term refers to multiple families living in a single building or structure. However, when used as a noun, it can often be written as "multifamily" without a hyphen.