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Legal Writing: Dashes & Hyphens

This document defines and explains the proper usage of dashes and hyphens in legal English. Dashes are used to signal abrupt breaks in thought or structure, while hyphens join compound words or divide words at line breaks. The five main uses of dashes are outlined, and examples are provided. Hyphen usage rules cover numbers, prefixes, suffixes, and compound words. Compound nouns, adjectives, and verbs should generally be hyphenated, while not all compound words require hyphens.

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Nadine Malaya Nadiasan
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169 views2 pages

Legal Writing: Dashes & Hyphens

This document defines and explains the proper usage of dashes and hyphens in legal English. Dashes are used to signal abrupt breaks in thought or structure, while hyphens join compound words or divide words at line breaks. The five main uses of dashes are outlined, and examples are provided. Hyphen usage rules cover numbers, prefixes, suffixes, and compound words. Compound nouns, adjectives, and verbs should generally be hyphenated, while not all compound words require hyphens.

Uploaded by

Nadine Malaya Nadiasan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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LEGAL ENGLISH 1 DASH and HYPHEN I.

Definition Dash - a dash signals a sudden break in the structure or thought of a sentence (Forlini, et al, 2004: 352). It is symbolized by (--). Hyphen - hyphens are used to join certain numbers and parts of words, to join some compound words, and to divide words at the ends of lines (Forlini, et al, 2004: 360). It is symbolized by a (-). N.B. The hyphen is distinctively shorter than a dash. Make sure to make your hyphens half as long as your dahes! II. Proper Usage of Dahes According to Forlini, et al (2004: 352), there are five main uses of a dash. These are: 1. To indicate an abrupt change of thought ex. Reading the full text of a case helps get all the facts of a case -- by the way, did you find the cases needed in the internet? 2. To set off interrupting ideas dramatically ex. He was able to memorize all aggravating circumstances you may find this hard to believe in fifteen minutes. 3. To set off a summary statement ex. Determination and a positive outlook in life if you have these, you may succeed in everything you do. 4. To set off words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence with additional but not essential information. ex. Two aggravating circumstances insult to public authority and recidivism were appreciated in this case. 5. To set off a parenthetical expression when it is long, already punctuated, or especially dramatic. ex. The heat there was a lack of ventilation in the classroom has made it harder to concentrate on the exam. III. Proper Usage of Hyphens Hyphens are mainly used with numbers, word parts, and words (Ibid). 1. Numbers ex. twenty-one years old thirty-seven acres two-thirds majority one-half inch

2. Word Parts a. When using a prefix ex. mid-October pro-Marcos b. When using words with the prefixes all-, ex-, self-, and words with the suffix -elect. ex. self-explanatory ex-President all-powerful President-elect Note: There are certain prefixes that are often found before proper nouns and proper adjectives. They include the following: ante-, anti-, mid-, post-, pre, pro-, and un-. 3. Words Use a hyphen to combine two or more words. a. Compound Nouns ex. brother-in-law secretary-treasurer jack-of-all-trades b. Compound Adjectives ex. a strong-willed aunt an up-to-date design a well-deserved award c. Compound Verbs ex. To double-track To sun-dry Note: Not all compound words are to be used with a hyphen. When you are not really sure if you need to use a hyphen, just check the dictionary. References: Forlini, Gary, et al. (2004). Grammar and Composition, Volume 3. Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia. Ruschaupt, Paige. (2010). Using Hyphens Correctly. Retrieved from: http://www.uhv.edu/ac/grammar/pdf/hyphens.pdf. Accessed July 22, 2013. Group Members: Rodriguera, Eduard Angelo Tiwaken, Romeo Jr Treptor, Ronic Albert Ventura, Maria Teresita Vitug, Jane Erika

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