The Perils of Hyphenation: Suffixes, Verbs, Foreign Phrases and Soft Hyphens

Hyphenation in academic and scientific writing can be complex, as different style guides and grammatical rules dictate its use. Misplacing or misusing hyphens can lead to ambiguity, confusion, or incorrect word formation. Understanding the challenges of hyphenation—particularly with suffixes, verbs, foreign phrases, and soft hyphens—is essential for clear and professional writing. This article explores common pitfalls and best practices for hyphen use.

1. Hyphenation and Suffixes

Suffixes such as -like, -wise, -fold, and -elect sometimes require hyphens to improve readability. However, their usage varies depending on whether they are attached to a simple or compound word.

• Hyphenate when clarity is needed (e.g., “shell-like structure” vs. “shelllike structure”).
• Avoid hyphens with commonly used suffixed words (e.g., “worldwide,” “otherwise,” “childlike”).

For further insights, read how to use hyphens with suffixes correctly.

2. Hyphenation in Compound Verbs

Hyphenation in compound verbs is often misunderstood, as some phrasal verbs should remain open, while others require hyphens.

• No hyphen: “check in,” “follow up,” “set up” (when used as verbs).
• Hyphenate when forming adjectives: “check-in counter,” “follow-up meeting,” “set-up process.”

Learn how to hyphenate compound verbs and phrases correctly.

3. Hyphenation in Foreign Phrases

Foreign phrases, especially borrowed terms from Latin, French, and German, may retain their original spacing but sometimes require hyphenation in English writing:

• Hyphenate when used as adjectives: “ad hoc-based decision,” “post-mortem analysis.”
• Keep open if used as standalone phrases: “an ad hoc committee,” “the post mortem was conducted.”

For more details, read how to handle foreign words and hyphenation.

4. The Role of Soft Hyphens

A soft hyphen () is an invisible character used in digital typesetting to indicate where a word should break when wrapping to the next line. Issues arise when:

• Soft hyphens appear incorrectly in copy-pasting from PDF or web sources.
• They disrupt readability in electronically formatted documents.

Read how to avoid formatting errors with soft hyphens for best practices.

5. Maintaining Consistency in Hyphen Usage

Different style guides (APA, Chicago, MLA) have slightly different hyphenation rules. Always consult journal or institutional guidelines before finalizing your document. Read how to ensure hyphenation consistency in academic writing.

Conclusion

Hyphenation plays a critical role in clarity, readability, and proper word formation. By understanding its application in suffixes, compound verbs, foreign phrases, and soft hyphens, writers can avoid ambiguity and ensure professionalism in academic writing. Mastering hyphen usage enhances the precision and effectiveness of research papers, journal articles, and formal documents.

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