Is there a rule for use of hyphens?

[bubble99]

Some compound words seem obvious, multi-task, for example but others don't and I'm never sure which words or phrases do or don't need to be hyphenated. Do any of you clever clogs (did that need a hyphen?) Know?

And, while you're at it, should I have had two question marks in the last sentence or one?

Message withdrawn

One rule is that you can substitute them for the use of commas in an appositive - a clause that is not essential to the structure of the sentence.

it is basically to join words together to make your sentence easier to understand.
For example:

extra-marital sex
extra marital sex
a re-formed band
a reformed band

you should also use them when spelling numbers! sixty-four etc

they help some compound words... for example de-ice
because deice would be silly!

the prefixes pro, un, anti and quasi all need to be followed by a hyphen

My Engligh teacher told me I over-used them!

Or to prove you are still a virgin

I know, Aims. By this time on a Saturday night I've usually started my virtual yodelling and tap-dancing routine.

You see, there goes another one. Should tap-dancing have a hyphen? And any other 'something' dancing, as well?

My brain hurts.

Thanks SL. Your English teacher would be proud that you'd remembered so much.

ExP. You're just showing off.

Yeah, that horse riding will do it every time.

Does horse riding need a hyphen?

Ballroom dancing doesn't neither does Salsa dancing or line dancing

Does that help?

if you have a noun phrase followed by a noun then you should use a hyphen
so you can go tap dancing
but you would have a tap-dancing routine

I think so KM.

So, tap dancing shouldn't need one either, I think.

that said, you can use a hyphen in tap dancing if you want.
most people don't... but there is no reason why you shouldn't if you want to!

like a lot of English grammar there are no hard and fast rules with this one...

Well I don't tap dance so I wasn't sure (I do the other 3 tho')

Posts X, SL. Then I shall tap dance into the wee small hours without showing my hyphen. Or whats left of it.

and again it depends on the context of the sentence.

"were you impressed with my tap dancing?" could be misconstrued!

Apostrophe, Bubble, apostrophe.

I am becoming a tad obsessed, no?

hurrah! you are becoming a grammar pedant!

strangely, despite my love of grammar and spelling I seem to be incapable of using capital letters. hmmmm

Rogue or missing apostrophes are my particular gripe.

I saw a sign in the children's reading corner of our local library......Lets read.

In a library, FGS.