Hyphenated words are words that connect through a hyphen (-) to create a single concept or word. English uses hyphenated words to express complex ideas and compound words. Hyphenated words create new meanings by linking different parts of speech, such as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.
We use hyphenated words for various reasons, such as to indicate the relationship between two words or to avoid ambiguity or confusion. For instance, the adjective “well-known” describes a person or thing that is famous or recognized by many people. In contrast, “high-quality” describes something superior in its class or category. Additionally, hyphenated words are also used to express words that have a different meaning, like “re-pair,”. It means to repair something again rather than to take something apart.
It is essential to use hyphenated words correctly and in the right context. Misuse or overuse of hyphenated words can make writing and speech confusing or difficult to understand. If you are unsure whether to use a hyphen or not, consult a grammar guide or dictionary for guidance. In summary, hyphenated words are an essential aspect of the English language. We use hyphenated words to express complex ideas, create new meanings, and avoid confusion or ambiguity in writing and speech.
Hyphenated Words in the IELTS Exam
Hyphenated words are used in the IELTS exam, especially in the Writing section. Using hyphens correctly can help you convey your message more clearly and effectively.
Here are some guidelines for using hyphens and hyphenated words in the IELTS exam:
- Compound adjectives: When two or more words are used together to describe a noun, they should be hyphenated. For example, “well-written essay,” “high-quality food,” “life-changing experience,” etc.
- Prefixes: When a prefix is added to a word, it should be hyphenated if it comes before a proper noun or a word that starts with a capital letter. For example, “non-governmental organization,” “pre-school education,” “post-World War II era,” etc.
- Numbers: When two or more numbers are used together to form a compound adjective, they should be hyphenated. For example, “five-year plan,” “100-meter race,” “two-thirds majority,” etc.
- Noun and verb combinations: When a noun and a verb are used together to form a compound word, they should be hyphenated. For example, “break-up,” “make-up,” “pick-up,” etc.
- Avoid overusing hyphens: While it is important to use hyphens correctly, it is also important to avoid overusing them. Overusing hyphens can make your writing look cluttered and difficult to read. Use hyphens only when they are necessary for clarity and readability.
Hyphenated Words in Listening and Reading Parts
In both the IELTS Listening and Reading sections, it is crucial to pay close attention to hyphenated words and their meanings. Hyphenated words are often used to convey complex ideas and details. By understanding their meanings and treating them as a single word when counting the number of words in your response, you can better comprehend the questions and more accurately answer them.
In the IELTS Listening and Reading sections, it is important to note that hyphenated words are counted as a single word. This means that if a question asks for a specific number of words, you should include hyphenated words as one word. For example, if the question asks for a three-word answer and the correct response is “well-known company,” you should write it as one word instead of three.
In the IELTS Listening and Reading sections, hyphenated words are counted as a single word.
If you are not sure whether a hyphenated word should be counted as one word or two, it is best to err on the side of caution and count it as one word. This can help you to avoid losing marks for not following the instructions correctly.
Additionally, hyphenated words can be particularly important in the IELTS Listening section when it comes to identifying specific details. Sometimes, hyphenated words may be used to describe a person, place, or thing that is important to the answer to a question. By paying close attention to hyphenated words and counting them as one word, you can more easily identify and remember these important details.
Hyphenated Words in IELTS Writing
Hyphenated words are an important aspect of the IELTS Writing exam. The correct use of hyphenated words is crucial in achieving a high band score on the exam. The IELTS Writing test evaluates the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively and accurately in written English. Hyphenated words play a significant role in meeting the requirements of the exam by improving the clarity and precision of the written content.
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For example, in the IELTS Writing test, candidates may need to describe a particular product or service. For instance, instead of writing, “The company offers a car with four doors,” it is better to write, “The company offers a four-door car.” Similarly, instead of writing, “The computer’s screen is high resolution.” it is better to write, “The computer has a high-resolution screen.”
We also use Hyphenated words to create compound adjectives, which are used to modify a noun. For instance, instead of writing, “The company has a customer service department that is open at all times,” it is better to write, “The company has a 24-hour customer service department.” Similarly, instead of writing, “The company provides a free shipping service,” it is better to write, “The company provides a free-shipping service.”
In summary, the correct use of hyphenated words is essential in achieving a high band score in the IELTS Writing exam. Hyphenated words improve the clarity and precision of the written content. It helps to accurately describe the features of products or services. They can also be used to create compound adjectives, which are used to modify a noun.
Tips & Conclusion
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using hyphenated words in the IELTS exam:
- If you are unsure about the usage of a hyphenated word, look it up in a dictionary or online.
- Pay attention to how hyphenated words are used in reading passages and listening exercises.
- Use hyphenated words correctly in your written responses, and be sure to proofread for any errors.
In conclusion, understanding hyphenated words is an important aspect of the English language and a valuable skill for anyone preparing for the IELTS exam. By knowing the different types of hyphenated words and their usage in each section of the exam, you can improve your language skills and give yourself.
