Suspended Hyphen Creates Shortcut

My last punctuation column described hyphens as joiners, and I focused specifically on hyphen use for compound modifiers: full-time job, low-income housing.

Hyphens also can create a shortcut in expressing what otherwise would require two consecutive hyphens.

Notice that each of these hyphenated examples has a common base word:

  • The program was created for fifth-graders and sixth-graders.
  • We need to make both long-term and short-term plans.
  • Expect a three-hour to four-hour delay in my arrival.

Using what is called a suspended hyphen enables you to take a shortcut and use the base word just once:

  • The program was designed for fifth- and sixth-graders.
  • We need to make both long- and short-term plans.
  • Expect a three- to four-hour delay in my arrival.

You also can use a suspended hyphen when the base word comes first:

  • The company is employee-owned and employee-operated.
  • Students undertook self-designed and self-executed projects.

Here’s the shortcut:

  • The company is employee-owned and -operated.
  • Students undertook self-designed and -executed projects.

Hyphens have many applications, and rules for their use will depend on which writing resource you consult. In general, when a hyphen helps avoid confusion or misunderstanding — or enables you to express something in fewer words — use it!

Ruthless Editor follows The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law guidelines for word and punctuation usage. Webster's New World College Dictionary serves as a secondary reference.

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