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Brian Hitchcock
Brian Hitchcock
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As others have stated, there are no absolute authorities or rules on English punctuation. However, there are certain guidelines that are helpful. Rather than putting my foot in my mouth by trying to list or explain such guidelines, I point you to two useful resources.

RemeberI recommend you read there not only about hyphens, but about en-dashes and em-dashes as well, as people (even native speakers) are often confused about when to use which.

Keep in mind that the above references are only two author's opinions. They are not "cast in stone". Others here can probably point to other good resources re hyphenation.

I(I specifically do notNOT recommend Eats, Shoots and Leaves, because Ms. Truss does not distinguish between hyphens, en-dashes, and em-dashesdashes; rather, instead callingshe calls them all "dashes". Just)

Again, remember also that opinions vary. See, for, example other questions about hyphens on this forum. [editors please add link?]

As others have stated, there are no absolute authorities or rules on English punctuation. However, there are certain guidelines that are helpful. Rather than putting my foot in my mouth by trying to list or explain such guidelines, I point you to two useful resources.

Remeber that the above are only two author's opinions. Others here can probably point to other good resources.

I specifically do not recommend Eats, Shoots and Leaves, because Ms. Truss does not distinguish between hyphens, en-dashes, and em-dashes, instead calling them all "dashes". Just remember also that opinions vary. See, for, other questions about hyphens on this forum.

As others have stated, there are no absolute authorities or rules on English punctuation. However, there are certain guidelines that are helpful. Rather than putting my foot in my mouth by trying to list or explain such guidelines, I point you to two useful resources.

I recommend you read there not only about hyphens, but about en-dashes and em-dashes as well, as people (even native speakers) are often confused about when to use which.

Keep in mind that the above references are only two author's opinions. They are not "cast in stone". Others here can probably point to other good resources re hyphenation.

(I specifically do NOT recommend Eats, Shoots and Leaves, because Ms. Truss does not distinguish between hyphens, en-dashes, and em-dashes; rather, she calls them all "dashes".)

Again, remember that opinions vary. See, for example other questions about hyphens on this forum. [editors please add link?]

Source Link
Brian Hitchcock
Brian Hitchcock
  • 13.7k
  • 1
  • 24
  • 39

As others have stated, there are no absolute authorities or rules on English punctuation. However, there are certain guidelines that are helpful. Rather than putting my foot in my mouth by trying to list or explain such guidelines, I point you to two useful resources.

Remeber that the above are only two author's opinions. Others here can probably point to other good resources.

I specifically do not recommend Eats, Shoots and Leaves, because Ms. Truss does not distinguish between hyphens, en-dashes, and em-dashes, instead calling them all "dashes". Just remember also that opinions vary. See, for, other questions about hyphens on this forum.