Hyphens are used to divide words at the end of a line when the word cannot fit on the remainder of the line.
It is best not to divide a word this way. If necessary for considerations of space or format, there are seven rules to follow.
1. Divide the word between syllables. This means, of course, that one-syllable words are never divided.
| Incorrect: | Incorrect: | Correct: |
|
sp-
orts |
su-
pport | sup- port |
2. The hyphen goes at the end of the first line.
| Incorrect: | Correct: |
|
sup
-port | sup- port |
3. Prefixes and suffixes make natural divisions.
| Incorrect: | Correct: |
|
in-
ternational | inter- national |
(The prefix is inter.)
4. There should be at least two letters plus the hyphen on the first line and three letters on the second.
| Incorrect: | Incorrect: | Correct: |
|
e-
lect | supposed- ly | sup- posedly |
5. Do not divide proper nouns or proper adjectives.
| Incorrect: | Correct: |
|
Wash-
ington | Washington |
6. Divide hyphenated word using the hyphen already in the word.
| Incorrect: | Correct: |
|
moth-
er-in-law | mother- in-law |
7. Do not divide a word at the end of a line if the parts of the word will be on two separate pages. This is hard for the reader to follow.