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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Free Hyphen Practice Quiz: Test Your Hyphenation Skills

Ready to improve proper hyphenation and hyphen usage? Dive in now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of a hyphen quiz with rules symbols and text elements on coral background

This free hyphen quiz helps you practice hyphen usage and rules so you punctuate with confidence in compounds, numbers, and modifiers. Work through quick examples to spot gaps before you write and avoid common errors. Each question is short and practical.

Which option shows the correct hyphenation for a person who is widely known?
widely known
widely-known
well known
well-known
The correct phrase is 'well-known,' with a hyphen to form the compound adjective before a noun. Without the hyphen, the relationship between words can be unclear. The hyphen connects 'well' and 'known' to indicate they work together modifying the noun. .
How should you correctly hyphenate the phrase describing a job that lasts only a short period?
part-time job
part time job
part time-job
part-timejob
When two or more words collectively modify a noun, a hyphen is needed: 'part-time job.' It clarifies the relationship between 'part' and 'time' as a single descriptor. Without the hyphen, readers may misinterpret the phrase. .
Select the correct way to hyphenate the description of a 10 year old child.
10-year old
10 year old
10 year-old
10-year-old
Compound adjectives before a noun, such as '10-year-old child,' require hyphens to clarify the relationship between words. All three parts are linked to describe the noun as a unit. Without hyphens, the phrase becomes ambiguous. .
Which phrase is correctly hyphenated to describe a classic made with high quality?
well-made classic
well made classic
well-madeclassic
well made-classic
As a compound adjective before a noun, 'well-made classic' requires a hyphen between 'well' and 'made.' This indicates that 'well-made' functions together to modify 'classic.' Without it, meaning can be unclear. .
Choose the correctly hyphenated phrase for someone with high self-regard.
selfesteem
self-esteem
self esteem
self- esteem
The noun 'self-esteem' always takes a hyphen, as per most style guides, because 'self' is used as a prefix that joins to the root with a hyphen. This ensures clarity and consistency. .
Which is the correctly hyphenated form of the phrase describing a shark that eats people?
maneating shark
man-eating shark
man-eatingshark
man eating shark
The compound adjective 'man-eating' requires a hyphen when it appears before the noun it modifies. Without the hyphen, the phrase could be misread. .
Identify the correctly hyphenated compound noun referring to a relative by marriage.
brother-inlaw
brother-in-law
brother in-law
brother in law
Compound nouns like 'brother-in-law' use hyphens to join all parts of the term. This distinguishes it as a single concept. .
Which phrase is correctly hyphenated to describe a partially true statement?
half-truth
half truth
half tru-th
halftruth
The noun 'half-truth' requires a hyphen to indicate that the two words together form a single concept. This ensures the phrase is easily understood. .
Which option correctly hyphenates the adjective in 'a short term plan'?
short term plan
short term-plan
short-term-plan
short-term plan
When 'short-term' modifies 'plan,' a hyphen is needed to link 'short' and 'term' into one descriptor. This avoids confusion. .
How should you hyphenate the phrase describing a 45 percent increase?
forty-five-percent increase
forty-five percent increase
forty five percent increase
forty five-percent increase
When a percentage serves as a compound adjective, hyphenate all components: 'forty-five-percent increase.' This clarifies that the percent increase is forty-five. .
Identify the correct hyphenation for someone who has left their spouse.
ex husband-
exhusband
ex husband
ex-husband
The prefix 'ex-' attaches with a hyphen to the noun it modifies: 'ex-husband.' This distinguishes former status clearly. .
Choose the correct form of the verb that means to enter again.
re-enter
re- enter
re enter
reenter
Many dictionaries recommend 're-enter' with a hyphen to avoid confusion when 're' precedes a word starting with 'e.' The hyphen helps denote the prefix clearly. .
Which is the correct hyphenation for someone who does not speak the local language?
non English-speaking
non-Englishspeaking
non-English-speaking
non-English speaking
The prefix 'non-' takes a hyphen before a proper noun: 'non-English-speaking.' This ensures clarity. .
Choose the correctly hyphenated word for a job that ends in a few weeks.
short-livedposition
shortlived position
short-lived position
short lived position
Compound adjectives like 'short-lived position' use a hyphen to connect 'short' and 'lived.' This indicates they together modify 'position.' .
Which sentence correctly uses hyphens with a compound modifier after a linking verb?
The interface is user-friendly.
The interface is user friendly.
The interface is userfriendly.
The interface is user friendly.
Compound adjectives after a linking verb are often not hyphenated. However, 'user-friendly' is an exception commonly hyphenated even after a verb. .
Which choice correctly uses a suspensive hyphen in the phrase 'short and long-term goals'?
short- and-long-term goals
short- and long-term goals
short and long-term goals
short and-long-term goals
Suspensive hyphenation allows 'short- and long-term' to share the second element 'term.' This maintains clarity and economy. .
Select the correctly hyphenated phrase: 'a highly qualified candidate.'
highly qualified-candidate
highly qualified candidate
highly-qualifiedcandidate
highly-qualified candidate
Adverbs ending in '-ly' do not take hyphens when forming compound modifiers: 'highly qualified candidate' is correct without a hyphen. .
How should you hyphenate the phrase 'a two thirds majority' when it precedes a noun?
two-thirds-majority
two thirds-majority
two thirds majority
two-thirds majority
When a fraction acts as a compound adjective before a noun, hyphenate both numerator and denominator: 'two-thirds majority.' .
Which is the correct hyphenation for clothes handed down through generations?
hand-me-down clothes
hand me down clothes
hand-medown clothes
hand-me down clothes
The noun 'hand-me-down' uses hyphens to join all parts in the compound, indicating an item passed from one person to another. .
Identify the correctly hyphenated multi-word number describing age:
one hundred year old
one hundred-year-old
one-hundred year-old
one-hundred-year-old
A multi-word number used as a compound adjective requires hyphens for all elements: 'one-hundred-year-old.' .
Which compound noun, referring to a carved pumpkin with a light inside, is correctly hyphenated?
jack o lantern
jack-o-lantern
jack-o'-lantern
jack-o lantern
The term 'jack-o'-lantern' retains the apostrophe and hyphens as traditionally styled, indicating elision of 'of.' .
Choose the correctly hyphenated term for someone who is wealthy.
wellto-do
well to do
well-to-do
well-to do
The compound adjective 'well-to-do' uses hyphens even after a linking verb to indicate wealth. It remains hyphenated in all positions. .
Which option correctly demonstrates suspensive hyphenation for 'prewar and postwar era'?
pre and post-war era
pre- and post-war era
pre- and postwar era
pre-and post-war era
Suspensive hyphens allow the shared element 'war' to be used only once: 'pre- and post-war era.' This style reduces repetition. .
Which word does NOT require a hyphen when adding a prefix?
pre-empt
ex-husband
anti-inflammatory
midlife
Many prefixes like 'mid' do not take hyphens: 'midlife' is closed. In contrast, 'anti-inflammatory,' 'ex-husband,' and 'pre-empt' all require hyphens. .
In which situation is the compound adjective hyphen retained after the verb?
The family is well to do.
The family is well to-do.
The family is wellto-do.
The family is well-to-do.
Some compound adjectives like 'well-to-do' retain hyphens even after a linking verb. 'The family is well-to-do' is correctly hyphenated. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Hyphen Usage -

    Learn the role of hyphens in connecting words, forming compound modifiers, and clarifying meaning in sentences.

  2. Apply Proper Hyphenation -

    Practice applying hyphenation rules to compound adjectives, numbers, prefixes, and phrasal verbs with confidence.

  3. Identify Common Errors -

    Analyze sentences to spot and correct missing, misplaced, or unnecessary hyphens for error-free writing.

  4. Master Hyphenation Rules -

    Internalize key hyphenation rules through targeted quiz questions that enhance your hyphen usage skills.

  5. Boost Writing Clarity -

    Improve overall readability and precision in your writing by mastering hyphen practice and usage guidelines.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Compound Modifiers -

    When two or more words form an adjective before a noun, link them with hyphens to improve clarity, as in "well-known author." This key hyphen usage rule from the Chicago Manual of Style ensures you master proper hyphenation. Practice spotting these in your writing to build confidence.

  2. Prefixes and Suffixes -

    Use hyphens after prefixes when the base word is a proper noun or begins with a capital letter, like "un-American," but skip them in most other cases, for instance "microwave." Grammarly and university writing centers recommend this balanced approach for consistent hyphen practice. Remember the mnemonic "No hyphens before non-propriety" to keep it simple.

  3. Numbers and Fractions -

    Spelled-out numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine always take hyphens, and fractions acting as adjectives, like "two-thirds," follow suit according to Purdue OWL guidelines. When used as nouns, fractions like "the two thirds" drop the hyphen, so context matters. Quiz yourself with these rules to sharpen your hyphen usage skills.

  4. Avoiding Ambiguity -

    Hyphens can completely change meaning - compare "re-cover the sofa" (cover again) versus "recover the sofa" (retrieve it). Using hyphens correctly is a powerful hyphenation rule that prevents misreading. Keep practicing this trick to write with precision.

  5. Suspended Hyphenation -

    When listing compounds sharing a common second element, suspend the hyphen: "first-, second-, and third-year students." This efficient style, endorsed by the APA Manual, reduces repetition and maintains readability. Test yourself by creating your own lists to reinforce proper hyphenation.

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