Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 15: Punctuation: Underlining (Italics), Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

Lesson 5: Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

In this Grade 5 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students learn the rules for using hyphens with compound numbers, fractions used as modifiers, and specific prefixes and suffixes such as all-, self-, ex-, and -elect. The lesson also covers how to use parentheses to enclose non-essential information, brackets to add explanations within quoted or parenthetical material, and dashes to signal an abrupt break in thought. Practice exercises guide students in applying each punctuation mark correctly in context.

Section 1

Hyphens with Numbers and Fractions

Definition

Use a hyphen with compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine and with fractions used as modifiers.

Explanation

Think of hyphens as glue for numbers! When you write out numbers like twenty-one all the way to ninety-nine, you need a little hyphen to hold the words together. Also, if a fraction is describing a noun (like “one-half cup”), it gets a hyphen too. But remember, if the fraction is just acting as a noun itself (like “I ate one half”), you don't need the hyphen.

Examples

  • My grandpa is eighty-five years old! [The compound number eighty-five is written with a hyphen.]
  • We needed a two-thirds majority to win the vote. [The fraction two-thirds is used to modify the noun majority. The fraction is hyphenated.]
  • She drank one third of the juice. [The fraction one third is not being used as a modifier. It is not written with a hyphen.]

Section 2

Hyphens with Prefixes and Suffixes

Definition

Use a hyphen with the prefixes all-, ex-, great-, and self- and with the suffixes –elect and –free and with all prefixes before a proper noun or proper adjective.

Explanation

Some word parts, called prefixes (at the start) and suffixes (at the end), need a hyphen to connect them. Always use a hyphen with special prefixes like all-, ex-, great-, and self-. The same goes for suffixes like -elect and -free. Also, a big rule: if a prefix comes before a capitalized proper noun, like a month or name, it needs a hyphen too!

Examples

  • My dog thinks he is all-powerful. [The prefix all- always needs a hyphen.]
  • The team celebrated with the captain-elect. [The suffix –elect always needs a hyphen.]
  • We are planning a trip for mid-December. [The prefix mid– needs a hyphen because it comes before the proper noun December.]

Section 3

Using Parentheses

Definition

Use parentheses to enclose material that is added to a sentence but is not considered of major importance.

Explanation

Parentheses are like whispering a little extra fact to your reader. You use them to tuck in information that's interesting or helpful, but not totally necessary to understand the main point of the sentence. Think of it as a "by the way" comment. If the sentence works just fine without the extra info, it can go in parentheses.

Examples

  • My favorite holiday (Halloween) is in the fall. [The writer has included additional information inside parentheses. The information is not necessary to understand the statement.]
  • The famous author (J.K. Rowling) wrote many popular books. [The information in parentheses gives extra detail but is not essential to the sentence.]

Section 4

Using Brackets

Definition

Use brackets to enclose an explanation or added information within quoted or parenthetical material.

Explanation

Brackets are special tools for adding your own words inside someone else's. You use them to clarify something within a direct quote or to add a note inside information that's already in parentheses. It's like saying, "I'm adding this little note here to help you understand." They show the reader which words are yours, not the original speaker's.

Examples

  • The coach yelled, “She [Maria] needs to pass the ball now!” [The information in brackets tells who She is. The coach did not speak the words Maria. The writer added the information.]
  • My favorite artist (Vincent van Gogh [1853–1890]) painted "The Starry Night." [The information in brackets adds extra information to the information already in parentheses.]

Section 5

Using Dashes

Definition

Use a dash to indicate an abrupt break in thought or speech.

Explanation

A dash is like hitting the pause button in a sentence to shout out an exciting or sudden thought! Use a dash when you want to show an abrupt change in direction or to emphasize some extra information. Dashes are stronger and more dramatic than parentheses. They make the reader stop and pay attention to what you've added.

Examples

  • This is the most exciting—and I mean the most exciting—game of the season! [The writer interrupts the sentence to add additional information. The writer wants the reader to notice the additional information.]
  • My new bike—the one I got for my birthday—is the fastest on the block. [The dash is used to set off an abrupt thought that adds emphasis.]

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Chapter 15: Punctuation: Underlining (Italics), Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Underlining (Italics)

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Quotation Marks A

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Quotation Marks B

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Apostrophes

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  5. Lesson 5Current

    Lesson 5: Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Hyphens with Numbers and Fractions

Definition

Use a hyphen with compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine and with fractions used as modifiers.

Explanation

Think of hyphens as glue for numbers! When you write out numbers like twenty-one all the way to ninety-nine, you need a little hyphen to hold the words together. Also, if a fraction is describing a noun (like “one-half cup”), it gets a hyphen too. But remember, if the fraction is just acting as a noun itself (like “I ate one half”), you don't need the hyphen.

Examples

  • My grandpa is eighty-five years old! [The compound number eighty-five is written with a hyphen.]
  • We needed a two-thirds majority to win the vote. [The fraction two-thirds is used to modify the noun majority. The fraction is hyphenated.]
  • She drank one third of the juice. [The fraction one third is not being used as a modifier. It is not written with a hyphen.]

Section 2

Hyphens with Prefixes and Suffixes

Definition

Use a hyphen with the prefixes all-, ex-, great-, and self- and with the suffixes –elect and –free and with all prefixes before a proper noun or proper adjective.

Explanation

Some word parts, called prefixes (at the start) and suffixes (at the end), need a hyphen to connect them. Always use a hyphen with special prefixes like all-, ex-, great-, and self-. The same goes for suffixes like -elect and -free. Also, a big rule: if a prefix comes before a capitalized proper noun, like a month or name, it needs a hyphen too!

Examples

  • My dog thinks he is all-powerful. [The prefix all- always needs a hyphen.]
  • The team celebrated with the captain-elect. [The suffix –elect always needs a hyphen.]
  • We are planning a trip for mid-December. [The prefix mid– needs a hyphen because it comes before the proper noun December.]

Section 3

Using Parentheses

Definition

Use parentheses to enclose material that is added to a sentence but is not considered of major importance.

Explanation

Parentheses are like whispering a little extra fact to your reader. You use them to tuck in information that's interesting or helpful, but not totally necessary to understand the main point of the sentence. Think of it as a "by the way" comment. If the sentence works just fine without the extra info, it can go in parentheses.

Examples

  • My favorite holiday (Halloween) is in the fall. [The writer has included additional information inside parentheses. The information is not necessary to understand the statement.]
  • The famous author (J.K. Rowling) wrote many popular books. [The information in parentheses gives extra detail but is not essential to the sentence.]

Section 4

Using Brackets

Definition

Use brackets to enclose an explanation or added information within quoted or parenthetical material.

Explanation

Brackets are special tools for adding your own words inside someone else's. You use them to clarify something within a direct quote or to add a note inside information that's already in parentheses. It's like saying, "I'm adding this little note here to help you understand." They show the reader which words are yours, not the original speaker's.

Examples

  • The coach yelled, “She [Maria] needs to pass the ball now!” [The information in brackets tells who She is. The coach did not speak the words Maria. The writer added the information.]
  • My favorite artist (Vincent van Gogh [1853–1890]) painted "The Starry Night." [The information in brackets adds extra information to the information already in parentheses.]

Section 5

Using Dashes

Definition

Use a dash to indicate an abrupt break in thought or speech.

Explanation

A dash is like hitting the pause button in a sentence to shout out an exciting or sudden thought! Use a dash when you want to show an abrupt change in direction or to emphasize some extra information. Dashes are stronger and more dramatic than parentheses. They make the reader stop and pay attention to what you've added.

Examples

  • This is the most exciting—and I mean the most exciting—game of the season! [The writer interrupts the sentence to add additional information. The writer wants the reader to notice the additional information.]
  • My new bike—the one I got for my birthday—is the fastest on the block. [The dash is used to set off an abrupt thought that adds emphasis.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 15: Punctuation: Underlining (Italics), Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Underlining (Italics)

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Quotation Marks A

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Quotation Marks B

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Apostrophes

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  5. Lesson 5Current

    Lesson 5: Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

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