Hyphens Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library - Free Printable

Let's solve the worksheet titled "When to Use a Hyphen" step by step. The goal is to rewrite each sentence using a hyphen correctly, based on the rules listed at the top of the page.

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🔹 Rules for Using a Hyphen (from the worksheet):

1. Divide a word that doesn’t fit in its entirety on a line.
2. Divide the parts of compound words.
3. Join two or more words that function as a single adjective *before* a noun.
4. Spell out written forms of fractions and compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.
5. Use with prefixes like *all-*, *ex-*, *self-*, and suffix *-elect*.

> ✔ Note: In a series, use a hyphen for each item: *first-, second-, third-class.*

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Now let’s go through each sentence:

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1. Elen is a first class student.

🔍 "First class" is used as a compound adjective modifying "student". Since it comes before the noun and describes it, we need a hyphen.

✔ Corrected:
Elen is a first-class student.

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2. There are twenty three children in this class.

🔍 "Twenty three" is a compound number between 21–99. When writing numbers in words, hyphenate them.

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

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3. My friend isn't very self aware.

🔍 "Self aware" is a compound adjective made up of *self-* + *aware*. It functions as a single descriptive unit before the noun (implied: "person"). Also, the prefix *self-* needs a hyphen when attached to a word.

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

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

🔍 "Two thirds" is a fraction written in words. Fractions should be hyphenated when written out.

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

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5. My mother's ex husband came to dinner last night.

🔍 "Ex husband" uses the prefix *ex-* which requires a hyphen when joined to a noun.

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

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

🔍 "Time bound" is a compound adjective describing "goal", and it appears before the noun. So it must be hyphenated.

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

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Elen 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.

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📌 Summary of Key Rules Used:

- Compound adjectives before nouns: e.g., first-class, self-aware, time-bound
- Numbers 21–99: twenty-three
- Fractions: two-thirds
- Prefixes: ex-husband

These are all standard hyphenation conventions in English grammar.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for any rule!