Hyphenate a word at the end of a line of text if the complete word does not fit in the margins. The hyphen should be with the first part of the word on the first line and the second part of the word should be on the following line.
Always place the hyphen between syllables.
locate = lo-cate
honest = hon-est
maximum = max-imum or maxi-mum
When a word, for example "mass-market," already contains a hyphen, separate the word at the hyphen.
Use a hyphen before a word suffix when possible. With an -ing suffix, if the root word doubles its final consonant before adding the suffix, separate the consonants.
tanning = tan-ning
running = run-ning
walking = walk-ing
golfing = golf-ing
Use hyphens when writing out compound numbers and fractions.
forty-two
ninety-six
one-third
four-fifths
Insert a hyphen between two words when they act as a single adjective before a noun.
a happy-looking dog
a much-deserved raise
Three-word compounds also require hyphens.
a head-to-head match
an up-to-date book
Add a hyphen to potentially ambiguous words to avoid misinterpretation.
A re-covered sofa has new upholstery. A recovered sofa was saved from the garbage.
"He resigned from the position," means he quit. "He re-signed a lease" means he signed the lease again.
Use hyphens after the prefixes all-, ex- and self-, and after a prefix that precedes a proper noun.
an all-encompassing journal
an ex-husband
a self-reliant child
pro-American
Prefixes that include single capital letters and prefixes that modify figures should be hyphenated as well.
V-neck sweater
mid-1600s