Dividing Words at End of Line

Hyphens are used to divide words at the end of a line when the word cannot fit on the remainder of the line.

It is best not to divide a word this way. If necessary for considerations of space or format, there are seven rules to follow.

1. Divide the word between syllables. This means, of course, that one-syllable words are never divided.

Incorrect:	Incorrect:	Correct:
sp- orts	su- pport	sup- port

2. The hyphen goes at the end of the first line.

Incorrect:	Correct:
sup -port	sup- port

3. Prefixes and suffixes make natural divisions.

Incorrect:	Correct:
in- ternational	inter- national

(The prefix is inter.)

4. There should be at least two letters plus the hyphen on the first line and three letters on the second.

Incorrect:	Incorrect:	Correct:
e- lect	supposed-   ly	sup- possedly

5. Do not divide proper nouns or proper adjectives.

Incorrect:	Correct:
Wash- ington	Washington

6. Divide hyphenated word using the hyphen already in the word.

Incorrect:	Correct:
moth- er-in-law	mother- in-law

7. Do not divide a word at the end of a line if the parts of the word will be on two separate pages. This is hard for the reader to follow.

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