Whether you’re writing for students, staff, or the community, using hyphens correctly ensures your message is clear, professional, and easy to understand.
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BC Editorial Standards: Mastering Hyphenation for Clear Communication
At Bellevue College, consistent and effective communication is essential, and proper hyphenation plays a key role in achieving that. Whether you’re writing for students, staff, or the community, using hyphens correctly ensures your message is clear, professional, and easy to understand. Here’s a quick guide to Bellevue College’s hyphenation standards, with examples to clarify some frequently asked questions.
Hyphenating Compound Modifiers
Use a hyphen to connect two or more words that work together as a single modifier describing a noun:
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Correct: She is a well-known author.
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Incorrect: She is a well known author.
When the modifier appears after the noun, the hyphen is typically not needed:
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Correct: The author is well known.
When Hyphens Change Meaning
Some words take on entirely different meanings with or without a hyphen. Use the meaning as your guide:
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Recover (to regain): He hopes to recover from his illness.
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Re-cover (to cover again): I need to re-cover the couch with new fabric.
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Resign (to quit): She plans to resign from her position.
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Re-sign (to sign again): He will re-sign the contract next week.
Paying attention to hyphen placement ensures the intended meaning is clear to your audience.
Hyphenation with Prefixes and Suffixes
Contemporary writing often omits hyphens in most prefix combinations. For guidance on exceptions, consult AP Style or Merriam-Webster. Here are some common examples:
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Correct: coworker, cofounder
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Correct: reelect, reemerge, reexamine
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Correct: predetermine, preestablish
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Correct: nontoxic, nonbinding
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Correct: campuswide, collegewide
Even when prefixes create double vowels (e.g., reelect, reemerge), the hyphen is not necessary unless it creates confusion or an unusual appearance.
Why It Matters
Using hyphens appropriately is more than just a matter of style—it directly impacts the clarity of your writing. For example:
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With a hyphen: The small-business owner celebrated her success. (small-business modifies owner)
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Without a hyphen: The small business owner celebrated her success. (small modifies business, not owner).
By following these rules, you’ll ensure your writing is professional, consistent, and easy to follow for all readers.
Pro Tip: When in Doubt
For words that aren’t clear-cut, refer to trusted resources like AP Style or Merriam-Webster. Keeping a consistent approach across all Bellevue College communications reinforces professionalism and eliminates confusion.
Remember, writing with precision reflects Bellevue College’s commitment to clear and accessible communication. Hyphenation may seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in how your message is received.
Last Updated January 14, 2025