a punctuation mark that can join two words to make one compound adjective

an adjective formed of two hyphenated words

a word or phrase that provides additional information or describes an adjective or adverb

Using hyphens to create adjectives

English

In this unit, pupils focus on spellings of key letters strings, words of French and Greek origin and curriculum words. In ‘Review and revision of all taught spelling’, pupils revise the full range of spelling content learnt across KS2. 

In ‘Homophones and tense', pupils learnt a range of spelling patterns and conventions, with a focus on homophones and suffixes. In this unit, pupils focus on spellings of key letters strings, words of French and Greek origin and curriculum words. 

In this unit, pupils review and learn a wide range of Year 6 spellings, including letter strings, words with the suffixes -ant, -ance, -ent, -ence, -able and -ible, silent letters, French and Greek origin words, curriculum words and words that use the hyphen in two ways.

Letter strings, etymology and curriculum words

Hyphens can be used to join suffixes to root words.

Hyphens can be used to join prefixes to root words.

Hyphens can be used to create compound adjectives.

Identify the statements about hyphens which are correct.

Match the pairs of words that would make a compound adjective using a hyphen.

Which of these phrases requires a hyphen to create a compound adjective? 

The man eating shark approached the shore. 

As I surfed on the waves, I kept an eye peeled for the man eating shark. 

The lifeguard scanned the area, searching for any sign of a man-eating shark. 

Which of these sentences makes clear that the shark is capable of eating the man? 

Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence. I had never seen his face before but his voice sounded immediately **famillier**.

in prefixes where we would otherwise have a vowel next to another vowel

Choose the correct word to fill the gap in this sentence: You must __________ the button to restart the machine.

Choose the correct word to fill the gap in this sentence: The smell of flesh made him __________ as he entered the room.

Select the words where a hyphen could be used to separate two vowels next to each other.

Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: Raise your hand rather than **intrupt** me whilst I am speaking.

Starter Quiz