11.1. Punctuation http://www.ck12.org
Use the hyphen to join two or more words serving as a single modifier before a noun. We use hyphens to clarify how
multiple modifiers function before a noun.
Example 1- You might not know it on first seeing her, but she is awell-known author.
Example 2- That novelty shop on the boardwalk sellschocolate-covered peanuts.
Example 3- Last night Ms. Munoz attended ahigh-schoolprom-night fundraiser.
If each word worksseparatelyto modify a noun, they are not hyphenated. We also do not use a hyphen when the
compound modifiers comeaftera noun.
Example 1- The old manor house was covered with creepinggreenWisteria.
In this case, “creeping” is not modifying “green”; both words work as separate modifiers to describe “Wisteria.”
Example 2- You might not know it on first seeing her, but the author iswellknown.
Example 3- That novelty shop on the boardwalk sells peanuts that arechocolatecovered.
Review Questions
For each sentence, insert missing hyphens or omit unnecessary hyphens.
- I have nothing to wear for my job interview but a paint splattered tie.
- Those ragged-old clothes I got from the attic were moth-ridden.
- Shelia’s cat brought home a mouse that was scared-stiff but otherwise unharmed.
- The recycling bin was filled with empty-plastic water bottles.
- Walter said I could use his, even though it was dog-eared and had missing pages.
Apostrophes
We use apostrophes to indicate apossessivenoun. Follow these rules to create possessive nouns with apostrophes.
- Add [’s] to the singular form of the word (even if it ends in –s).
Ex. the owner’s insurance, the waitress’s coat
- Add [’s] to the plural forms that do not end in –s.
Ex. the children’s game, the people’s opinion
- Add [’] to the end of plural nouns that end in –s.
Ex. the three friends’ cars, the workers’ benefits
- Add [’s] to the end of compound words.