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Using hyphens to create adjectives
I can identify when to use a hyphen to create adjectives.
Lesson 16 of 16
New
New
- Year 6
Using hyphens to create adjectives
I can identify when to use a hyphen to create adjectives.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A hyphen can be used to join a modifier to an adjective to make one adjective, e.g. well-dressed.
- A hyphen can be used to join two or more words that are functioning as one adjective.
- How to spell the curriculum words: familiar and opportunity.
Keywords
Hyphen - a punctuation mark that can join two words to make one compound adjective
Compound adjective - an adjective formed of two hyphenated words
Modifier - a word or phrase that provides additional information or describes an adjective or adverb
Common misconception
Pupils might assume any combination of words can create a compound adjective.
Look at some non-examples such as 'blood-paced' and 'fast-splattered' to teach them that not every combination makes a compound adjective.
If possible, find examples of hyphenated words in your class novel or current reading books so that children can see them in a familiar context and understand how they can aid descriptions.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the prefixes to the root words.
Match the prefixes to the root words.
Q2.When might a hyphen be used?
When might a hyphen be used?
when we join any prefix to a root word
in all prefixes that end in a consonant
Q3.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: You must __________ the button to restart the machine.
repress
recoil
re-coil
Q4.Choose the correct word to fill the gap in this sentence: The smell of flesh made him __________ as he entered the room.
Choose the correct word to fill the gap in this sentence: The smell of flesh made him __________ as he entered the room.
repress
re-press
re-coil
Q5.Select the words where a hyphen could be used to separate two vowels next to each other.
Select the words where a hyphen could be used to separate two vowels next to each other.
selfbelief
nonstop
Q6.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: Raise your hand rather than intrupt me whilst I am speaking.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: Raise your hand rather than intrupt me whilst I am speaking.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Identify the statements about hyphens which are correct.
Identify the statements about hyphens which are correct.
Hyphens can be used to join suffixes to root words.
Hyphens can be used in dates.
Q2.Identify the compound adjectives.
Identify the compound adjectives.
excellent
familiar
Q3.Match the pairs of words that would make a compound adjective using a hyphen.
Match the pairs of words that would make a compound adjective using a hyphen.
Q4.Which of these phrases requires a hyphen to create a compound adjective?
Which of these phrases requires a hyphen to create a compound adjective?
a short sharp shock
a long narrow path
Q5.Which of these sentences makes clear that the shark is capable of eating the man?
Which of these sentences makes clear that the shark is capable of eating the man?
The man eating shark approached the shore.
As I surfed on the waves, I kept an eye peeled for the man eating shark.
Q6.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence. I had never seen his face before but his voice sounded immediately famillier.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence. I had never seen his face before but his voice sounded immediately famillier.
