How do you hyphenate compound words in headlines?

1 Use hyphens for compound modifiers

A compound modifier is a pair of words that modifies another word, such as well-known author or high-speed train. When used before a noun, these should be hyphenated to avoid confusion and ambiguity. For example, consider the difference between “Small business owners protest tax hike” and “Small-business owners protest tax hike”; the latter clarifies that the focus is on small businesses, rather than small owners. Hyphenating compound modifiers helps the reader understand the meaning and emphasis of the text more accurately.

2 Avoid hyphens for compound nouns

A compound noun is a pair of words that forms a single noun, like football, birthday, or greenhouse. Generally, hyphenating these types of nouns should be avoided, unless they are very uncommon. This can make the headline appear cluttered and inconsistent. For example, compare the two headlines "How to grow tomatoes in a green-house" and "How to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse." The first headline looks outdated and awkward, while the second headline appears modern and polished. Hyphenating the compound noun does not add any value and can detract from the main message of the headline.

3 Follow a style guide for compound adverbs

A compound adverb is a pair of words that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, such as well done or highly rated. The hyphenation of compound adverbs depends on the style guide you follow, as different sources may have different preferences and exceptions. For example, some style guides recommend hyphenating "well" when it is part of a compound adverb, such as well-known, well-written, or well-done, while others suggest omitting the hyphen, such as well known, well written, or well done. Check the style guide you use and follow its rules and recommendations for compound adverbs.

4 Use en dashes for ranges and contrasts

An en dash (–) is longer than a hyphen and is used to indicate ranges or contrasts in numbers, dates, or concepts. For instance, it can denote a span of time (e.g. The museum is open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.), a range of values (e.g. The temperature is expected to be between 15–20 degrees Celsius), or a contrast or connection (e.g. The debate between pro-choice–pro-life activists was heated). To create an en dash, you can use the keyboard shortcut Alt+0150 on Windows or Option+Hyphen on Mac; however, using an en dash is more professional and consistent than using a hyphen with a space before and after it (e.g. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.).

5 Use em dashes for interruptions and emphasis

An em dash (—) is longer than an en dash and is used to indicate interruptions or emphasize in sentences. For example, it can be used to show a break in thought or speech (She was about to say something—when the phone rang), a parenthetical remark or explanation (The results were surprising—almost unbelievable), or strong contrast or emphasis (He loved her—not as a friend, but as a lover). To create an em dash, you can use the keyboard shortcut Alt+0151 on Windows or Option+Shift+Hyphen on Mac, or two hyphens with no spaces between them (She was about to say something--when the phone rang). Hyphenating compound words in headlines can be tricky, but by following five rules and guidelines, you can do so with confidence and accuracy. Make sure to check your style guide for any special cases and proofread your headlines before publishing them.

6 Here’s what else to consider

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