Which sentence correctly uses hyphenation conventions?A. the smile appeared under the salt-and pepper B. two faced-woman was liked by C. boy made everyone laugh with his D. contractor kept the load-bearing wall.

English Questions

Which sentence correctly uses hyphenation conventions?A. the smile appeared under the salt-and pepper B. two faced-woman was liked by C. boy made everyone laugh with his D. contractor kept the load-bearing wall.

Short Answer

Compound adjectives are formed by combining two or more words with a hyphen, enhancing clarity when describing nouns, as seen in examples like “load-bearing wall.” It’s essential to use hyphens correctly in various phrases, while distinguishing them from dashes, which serve to separate parts of a sentence for better flow.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand Compound Adjectives

Compound adjectives are formed when two or more words work together to describe a noun. When these adjectives appear before the noun they modify, a hyphen is typically used to connect them. Examples include phrases like ‘load-bearing’ in “load-bearing wall.” This usage clarifies meaning and enhances readability.

Step 2: Recognize Hyphenation in Context

Correct hyphenation is crucial in various phrases acting as adjectives. For instance, consider:

‘The four-year-old girl’
‘A by-the-numbers process’
‘The broken-down car’
‘The short-term solution’

Each of these examples uses hyphens appropriately to improve clarity by showing that the combined terms function as a single descriptor.

Step 3: Differentiate Between Hyphens and Dashes

While hyphens connect words, dashes serve a different purpose‚ÄöAithey help to separate parts of a sentence for clarity. For instance:

‘Which hairstyle do you prefer ‚ÄöAi short or long?’
‘Guess what ‚ÄöAi I got the job!’

These dashes introduce pauses or shifts in thought, enhancing the flow of the sentence without altering the meaning.

Which sentence correctly uses hyphenation conventions? A. The smile appeared …