Hyphenation

Two or more words are hyphenated when they are used as an adjective and clarity is needed for the reader.

For example: Ontario Tech University offers a technology-enriched learning environment.

If writing about Ontario Tech University, it is a university for the 21st century (noun), but a 21st-century university (adjective).

Hyphens are not required after a word ending in ly (e.g. environmentally friendly).

Use a hyphen to differentiate between words of different meanings but the same or similar spellings.

For example: resign (to quit) versus re-sign (to sign again); recover (to gain health) versus re-cover (to cover again).

Hyphens are used to avoid doubling a vowel, tripling a consonant or duplicating a prefix.

For example: co-operative, doll-like, sub-subcommittee

Do not capitalize prefixes or suffixes added to proper nouns.

Do not capitalize the second element of a compound if it simply modifies the first word, or if the hyphenated elements make up a single word.

For example: Students completing degrees at Ontario Tech University are working towards accomplishing their long-term goals.

Note: In titles, the first word of the compound is capitalized, while the subsequent is not (as they are considered one word when attached by a hyphen).

For example: Brad MacIsaac is the Vice-president, Administration at Ontario Tech University.