When do you use a hyphen?

A hyphen (-) is used to connect two words and show that they should be read in combination to express one meaning. The main contexts where hyphenation is needed are:

In compound adjectives before a noun: well-known ideas, many-faceted explanation, mind-bending episode
When a phrasal verb (e.g., “break in”) is used as a noun: a break-in, the go-ahead
In some compound nouns consisting of several words: father-in-law, free-for-all, jack-of-all-trades

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