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A hyphen is used to break syllables of a word.
a) True
b) False

User Tehsockz
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1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The use of a hyphen is to join words or parts of words, not to break syllables. This is often done to create compound modifiers for clearer meaning.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that a hyphen is used to break syllables of a word is False. Hyphens are actually used to join words or parts of words together, such as in compound modifiers. A compound modifier is when two or more words are combined to modify a noun and provide clearer meaning. For example, in the phrase 'high-speed internet', 'high-speed' is a compound modifier describing 'internet' where a hyphen is used.

When discussing syllables and word formation in English, it's important to recognize other concepts such as elision, where syllables are dropped to fit a poetic meter, and the creation of homophones through contractions. Moreover, in poetry, a line break is used as an organizational tool to separate ideas and maintain rhythm without necessarily breaking syllables.

User Theblitz
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