This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
October 7, 2019, marked another tragic incident in Kenya, where a vehicle slid off the Likoni ferry and plunged into the Indian Ocean, leaving two occupants inside. The incident highlighted the country's inadequacies in search and rescue operations, particularly in deep water.
As we reflect on the tragedy, it's essential to understand the nuances of language, particularly in the use of hyphens in compound words. In a recent article, I highlighted the importance of using the correct verb tense when describing tragic incidents, such as the use of 'rescue' and 'killed'.
Compound words are formed when two distinct words are joined to form a single word. They can be hyphenated or not, depending on their position in a sentence. For example, 'well-known' is a compound word that is hyphenated when it precedes a noun, but not when it follows one. 'Airport' is a compound word that is not hyphenated, as it consists of two distinct words that are joined to form a single word.
Hyphens are used to eliminate awkwardness in word combinations, such as 'semi-independent'. They are also used to indicate prefixes, such as 'all-knowing' and 'ex-soldier'. However, when compound words come after a noun, they are not hyphenated, as in 'The politician is well known'.
It's worth noting that a dash is used to introduce a parenthesis, and it must be accompanied by a space before and after the words it joins. For example, 'Donald Trump – the president of the USA – is an erratic leader'. A hyphen, on the other hand, is used to join two words without a space between them.
As we strive to improve our language skills, it's essential to understand the rules governing the use of hyphens in compound words. By doing so, we can communicate more effectively and avoid awkward word combinations.
