Hyphenation is using hyphens to split a word across a line break or to link separate words together.
Splitting words at the end of a line is a typography job, usually handled automatically by browsers and layout software. Joining words is a writing and editing choice. Line-break hyphenation matters most in justified text. Without breaking longer words, it’s very hard to get even spacing across both margins.
Joining words is where style debates start. As a rule of thumb, hyphens build compound modifiers like pet-friendly and compound terms like sister-in-law.
Never use a double hyphen. When you need a stronger break, don’t use a double hyphen. Instead, swap in an en dash or em dash, depending on your style manual.
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