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1. Use a hyphen to join words to show that their meaning is linked in some way: cable-tool
drillers, hand-powered rotating bits
2. Use a hyphen to make compound modifiers before nouns:
a blue-eyed boy (but The boy was blue eyed.)
3. Use a hyphen with certain prefixes. The prefixes all-, ex-, and self- usually need a
hyphen:
all-inclusive
ex-wife
self-control
When a prefix comes before a capitalized word, use a hyphen:
non-English
4. Use a hyphen when writing numbers 21 to 99, and fractions:
twenty-one
one hundred and sixty-five
two-thirds
5. Use a hyphen to show that a word has been broken at the end of a line
6. Use a hyphen with "suspended compounds". When we use several very similar
compounds together, it may not be necessary to repeat the last part of the compound:
They need to employ more full- and part-time staff. (not They need to employ more full-
time and part-time staff.)
The slash (/) is also known as: forward slash, stroke, oblique. You should use the slash with
care in formal writing.
1. A slash is often used to indicate "or":
Dear Sir/Madam (Sir or Madam)
Do not over-use the slash to indicate "or". It can suggest laziness on the part of the writer.
The "and/or" construction is widely considered to be very bad form.
2. Use a slash for fractions:
1/2 (one half)
2/3 (two thirds)
9/10 (nine tenths)
3. Use a slash to indicate "per" in measurements of speed, prices etc:
The speed limit is 100 km/h. (kilometres per hour)
4. People often use a slash in certain abbreviations:
This is my a/c number. (account)
John Brown, c/o Jane Green (care of)
5. A slash is often used in dates to separate day, month and year:
On credit card: Expires end 10/15 (October 2015)
6. The slash is used to separate parts of a website address (url) on the Internet, and to
separate folders on some computer systems:
www.example.com/writing/slash.htm
file:///Users/mac/tara/photos/image.jpg
The colon is used to introduce a strong pause within a sentence. The job of the colon is
simple: to introduce.
1. Use a colon to introduce a list:
There are three countries in North America: Mexico, the USA and Canada.
2. Actually, you can use a colon to introduce a single item, especially when you want to
emphasize that item:
We were all waiting for the hero of the evening: John.
3. Use a colon to introduce direct speech or a quotation:
He stood up and said loudly: "Ladies and Gentlemen, please be seated."
4. Use a colon to introduce an explanation:
We had to cancel the party: too many people were sick.

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