Hyphens Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library - Free Printable

Let’s go through each sentence one by one and fix the hyphen use based on the rules given in the worksheet.

---

Rule reminder from the sheet:
- Use a hyphen to join two or more words that function as a single adjective before a noun.
- Use a hyphen for compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.
- Use a hyphen with prefixes like “ex-”, “self-”, and suffix “-elect” — but suspend (don’t use) hyphen in series like “first-, second-, third-class”.
- Also, fractions used as adjectives before nouns need hyphens.

---

Sentence 1: Ellen is a first class student.

→ “first class” is describing “student”, so it’s a compound adjective before a noun → should be hyphenated.

✔ Corrected: Ellen is a first-class student.

---

Sentence 2: There are twenty three children in this class.

→ “twenty three” is a compound number between 21–99 → must be hyphenated.

✔ Corrected: There are twenty-three children in this class.

---

Sentence 3: My friend isn’t very self aware.

→ “self aware” uses the prefix “self-” → always hyphenated when attached to an adjective.

✔ Corrected: My friend isn’t very self-aware.

---

Sentence 4: This recipe calls for two thirds of a cup of sugar.

→ “two thirds” is a fraction. But note: fractions only get hyphenated when they’re used as adjectives *before* a noun. Here, it’s “two thirds of a cup” — not directly before a noun like “a two-thirds cup”. So actually, no hyphen needed here? Wait — let’s double-check.

Actually, the rule says: “To spell out the written form of fractions and compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.” It doesn’t specify position. But standard grammar says: hyphenate fractions when they’re acting as adjectives (e.g., “a two-thirds cup”), but not when they’re objects or after verbs (e.g., “I ate two thirds”).

In this sentence: “two thirds of a cup” — “two thirds” is the subject of the phrase, not modifying a noun directly. So technically, no hyphen is required.

BUT — many style guides recommend hyphenating spelled-out fractions regardless. However, looking at the worksheet’s rule: “To spell out the written form of fractions...” — it implies spelling them out requires hyphenation.

Wait — let’s look again: the rule says “To spell out the written form of fractions and compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.” That suggests if you write “two thirds”, you should hyphenate it — even if not before a noun? Hmm.

Actually, no — standard English grammar says:

- Hyphenate fractions when used as adjectives: “a two-thirds majority”
- Do NOT hyphenate when used as nouns: “I ate two thirds of the pizza”

In sentence 4: “two thirds of a cup” — “two thirds” is a noun phrase here, not an adjective. So no hyphen needed.

But wait — the worksheet might expect hyphenation because it says “spell out the written form of fractions” — which could mean always hyphenate when written out.

This is ambiguous. Let me check common educational materials.

Actually, most elementary worksheets teach: hyphenate all spelled-out fractions, even if not before a noun. For example, “one-half”, “two-thirds”, etc.

Given that, and since the worksheet explicitly lists “fractions” under hyphen rules without specifying position, I’ll follow the worksheet’s likely intent.

✔ Corrected: This recipe calls for two-thirds of a cup of sugar.

*(Note: Some style guides differ, but for school-level work, hyphenating spelled-out fractions is common.)*

---

Sentence 5: My mother’s ex husband came to dinner last night.

→ “ex husband” uses the prefix “ex-” → always hyphenated.

✔ Corrected: My mother’s ex-husband came to dinner last night.

---

Sentence 6: His time bound goal seems quite achievable to me.

→ “time bound” is a compound adjective before the noun “goal” → should be hyphenated.

✔ Corrected: His time-bound goal seems quite achievable to me.

---

Now, compiling all corrected sentences:

1. Ellen is a first-class student.
2. There are twenty-three children in this class.
3. My friend isn’t very self-aware.
4. This recipe calls for two-thirds of a cup of sugar.
5. My mother’s ex-husband came to dinner last night.
6. His time-bound goal seems quite achievable to me.

Final Answer:
1. Ellen is a first-class student.
2. There are twenty-three children in this class.
3. My friend isn’t very self-aware.
4. This recipe calls for two-thirds of a cup of sugar.
5. My mother’s ex-husband came to dinner last night.
6. His time-bound goal seems quite achievable to me.