The year 2021 is upon us and already there are debates floating around about how to correctly write the year. Some are calling it “2021”, while others are writing it as “two thousand twenty-one” or “twenty twenty-one”. However, one common question that is being asked is whether or not the phrase “two thousand twenty-one” should be hyphenated? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the debate and provide you with the answer.
What is Hyphenation?
Before we dive into the hyphenation debate, let’s first define what hyphenation actually means. Hyphenation is a writing technique used to link two or more words together to form a single compound word. When two or more words are used together to describe a single noun or concept, they can be combined into a compound modifier by using a hyphen.
For example, terms like “well-known,” “good-hearted,” and “self-confident” are all examples of compound modifiers that use hyphenation. These compound modifiers are frequently used to create clear and concise writing, particularly in technical or academic writing.
The Debate: Is Two Thousand Twenty-One Hyphenated?
Now let’s get to the big question at hand – is two thousand twenty-one hyphenated? In short, there is no one right answer. The Associated Press (AP) stylebook, which is a commonly used style guide for American news writing, recommends writing out the year as “2021” without any hyphens.
On the other hand, many other style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, advise hyphenating the phrase as “two thousand twenty-one”. This is based on the principle of using hyphens for clarity and consistency in writing.
Some other writers and editors argue that since the year can be said in various ways, such as “twenty twenty-one”, “two thousand and twenty-one”, or “two zero two one”, it should be written as “2021” to avoid confusion.
Why Use Hyphens?
Using hyphens can help reduce ambiguity and clarify meaning by linking related words together to create a single, unified phrase. In the case of “two thousand twenty-one”, the hyphen helps to connect the two thousand and twenty-one parts of the phrase, making it clear that these two words are being used together to describe the year.
Additionally, as previously mentioned, the use of hyphenated compound modifiers is common in technical and academic writing. Writing “two thousand twenty-one” without a hyphen may not follow these conventions or be consistent with other similar compound modifiers.
The Verdict:
So, what is the verdict? Is two thousand twenty-one hyphenated? There is no definitive or right answer. The decision ultimately depends on the style guide or preference of the writer or editor. If you’re using the AP style, you would write “2021” without the hyphens. If you’re using a style guide that recommends hyphens for compound modifiers, you could write it as “two thousand twenty-one”.
However, it’s important to be consistent within your own writing and to make sure you’re following the guidelines of the publication or style guide you’re using. Consistency leads to clarity, which is crucial when it comes to clear and effective writing.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, hyphenation can be a useful tool in writing. While there is no definitive answer to whether or not “two thousand twenty-one” should be hyphenated, it ultimately depends on personal preference and the style guide you’re using. As with any writing, consistency and clarity are key, so make sure to stick with one style or method throughout your writing.
FAQ
Does the number twenty-one have a hyphen?
Yes, the number twenty-one has a hyphen between the words twenty and one when it is written out in full form. This is because in English grammar, numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine are always hyphenated when written out in words. This hyphenation is a general rule that applies to all numbers within that range, regardless of whether they are used in formal or informal writing.
The purpose of using a hyphen in these numbers is to indicate that the two words (twenty and one, for example) in the number are connected and should be read as a single entity. The hyphen reinforces the idea that the words should be considered together as a compound adjective modifying the noun that follows it.
It is worth noting that when numbers are written in numerical form (21, for example), there is no need to use a hyphen between the digits. In fact, using a hyphen in this case would be incorrect. However, when writing out numbers in full form, writers should always use a hyphen between the words in numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine.
Whether you are writing an academic paper, a business document, or a personal letter, it is important to follow the standard rules for using hyphens in numbers between twenty-one to ninety-nine. This will enhance the readability and clarity of your writing, and help you to communicate your ideas effectively.
Do you hyphenate twenty five?
In written English, it is common to ask whether a number like “twenty five” should be hyphenated. The general rule when writing numbers in full is to use a hyphen to link all numbers between 21 and 99 together. Therefore, to write “twenty five” correctly, you should hyphenate it as “twenty-five.” This rule is in place to help avoid ambiguity when reading written numbers in full. By using a hyphen, it helps to clarify that the two separate written words, in this case “twenty” and “five”, together form a single number. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, such as the numbers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90, which do not require hyphenation.
It is important to note that the use of hyphens in numbers is usually only relevant when the numbers are written out fully in words, rather than written in numerical form. If the number is written in numerical form, such as “25”, there is no need to use a hyphen. If the number is part of a larger written sentence or passage, it is important to remain consistent with the use of hyphens in number usage throughout the text for clarity and consistency.
Do you put a dash between numbers?
When it comes to using a dash between numbers, it depends on the specific context and the type of numbers you are referring to. In general, hyphenation is used when you are describing compound numbers between 21 and 99, that is, when two or more words are used to describe a single number. For example, twenty-one, seventy-five, and ninety-nine all require a hyphen between the two words that form the number.
However, it is important to note that some numbers, such as thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, and ninety, don’t require a hyphen. These numbers are self-explanatory and can stand alone without any confusion or ambiguity.
Apart from this, numbers higher than 99 do not usually require a hyphen. For example, you can write 127 or 2500 as they are, without any dash between the digits.
Additionally, for clarity and readability, it is important to use hyphens in phone numbers, social security numbers, serial numbers, ZIP codes, and other such combinations of numbers and letters that need to be presented in a specific format.
To sum up, the use of a dash between numbers depends on the context and the type of numbers you are referring to. However, when in doubt, it is always a good idea to consult a style guide or seek guidance from a professional editor or proofreader to ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and coherent.
Do you write twenty-one or twenty-one?
When it comes to writing numbers in word form, it is important to use the correct format and spelling. Regarding the number 21, it is a compound number and should be written as “twenty-one” rather than “twenty one”. This is because compound numbers (numbers made up of multiple words) between 21 and 99 should always be hyphenated for clarity and to follow proper grammar and style rules.
Hyphenating compound numbers between 21 and 99 ensures that the reader can easily identify the separate components of the number and prevents any confusion that may arise from the absence of a hyphen. For example, writing “twenty one” without a hyphen could be mistaken for the number 201 rather than 21.
Therefore, the correct way to write the number 21 in word form is “twenty-one”. It is worth noting that this rule applies to all compound numbers between 21 and 99 when they are written in word form. So, it’s always better to use the correct format to avoid any confusion or misinterpretation when communicating information involving numbers.
