Spelling: what is a hyphen?

In Russian grammar, dashes between words are often used. These characters can be dashes, minus or hyphens. On the keyboard, for example, these characters are denoted identically. Consider in this article what a hyphen and the rules for its use.

Definition

What is the answer to the question of what is a hyphen? This is a connecting sign or division mark, which is not literal and is used both in Russian spelling and in the writing of other languages.

The difference between dashes and hyphens

The dash divides certain parts of the sentence, for example: "Winter is the cold season." A dash is a punctuation mark, like a comma or a question mark. There are spaces before and after it.

A hyphen combines complex words and phrases (some, historical-philological, 150-year-old), is used for shortened forms of words, and is also used for line breaks.

Thus, we can say that even though the hyphen and dash are similar, the tasks in sentences and phrases are different. A hyphen is a spelling sign, and a dash is a punctuation mark. If we consider the signs from the point of view of the printing house, then a number of hyphens do not put spaces, unlike dashes. And the hyphen is shorter.

Hyphen: Terms of Use

What words are necessarily written with a hyphen? Here are the main applicable rules:

1. Vocabulary formations that are a repetition of a single word. Suppose: the color is yellow-yellow, woof-woof, barely had time. It takes into account a certain limitation or strengthening of the parameters.
2. If the word is repeated, but slightly transformed at the end or prefix: a large, very large balloon, one sitting alone, put it crosswise.
3. The hyphen is indicated by two similar meanings: matched later. Note: if one word is in the nominative and the other is in the instrumental, then these same words are written without a hyphen: an eccentric is an eccentric, work is work.
4. Graphic abbreviation of two complex adjectives to indicate abbreviations of phrases. To understand what a hyphen is, examples will help: (naval), agricultural (agricultural).
5. In the formation of complex words that use digital notation. For example: 33 percent, 10 degree.
6. When forming words with numbers that form ordinal numbers: 100 thousandth.
7. For the formation of numerals that end in ordinal endings: the 14th, the 41st year, the 100th buyer.
8. Some terms or names; perhaps abbreviations that use a certain letter. Let's say: the M-8 track, α-rays (alpha particle), P-4 form.

Parts of speech using hyphens

If classified in parts of speech, the hyphen is used in adjectives, nouns, adverbs, particles and prepositions.

So, a hyphen is put in those adjectives that were formed from:

1. Nouns - names, denominations: Tatar-Mongolian, social democratic.
2. Before the words of directions: south, north, etc.
3. For words that specify the quality or addition to the shades: bright red, lemon yellow, sweet and sour.
4. When using two words of equal meaning: the Russian-French dictionary.

A hyphen in a noun is used for complex names - surnames and geographical names. Also put before foreign words - headquarters, prime minister.

What is a hyphen in adverbs? Words that begin with “by”, as well as ordinal numbers, must be written with a hyphen: first, thirdly, etc. In addition, the “dash” is used in complex prepositions and particles.