English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
To be: use the correct form
To be: use the correct form
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between a hyphen, an en dash, and an em dash.
Correctly use hyphens to form compound adjectives, especially those including forms of 'to be' (e.g., 'soon-to-be').
Use em dashes to set off parenthetical phrases that contain forms of the verb 'to be' for emphasis or clarification.
Distinguish between a hyphenated modifier before a noun and a predicate adjective phrase after a 'to be' verb.
Analyze how the combined use of 'to be' verbs and dashes/hyphens enhances clarity and style in literary and analytical writing.
Revise sentences to correctly incorporate hyphens and dashes in constructions involving 'to be' verbs.
Ever wonder how one tiny line can completely change a sentence's...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Verb 'To Be'The most common, irregular verb in English, indicating existence, state, or identity. Its forms include am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been.The theme of the novel **is** complex.
Hyphen (-)A short punctuation mark used to join words into a single concept or to separate syllables of a single word.She is a well-read student.
Em Dash (—)A long punctuation mark used to indicate a pause, an interruption, or an emphatic aside in a sentence. It is longer than a hyphen.The character's motivation—which **is** never stated directly—must be inferred by the reader.
Compound AdjectiveTwo or more words, often joined by a hyphen, that act as a single adjective before a noun.The **soon-to-be-king** addressed his subjects.
Parenthetical PhraseA word...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Compound Adjective Rule
When a phrase including a form of 'to be' acts as a single adjective *before* a noun, use hyphens to connect the words.
This rule clarifies that the words function as a single descriptive unit. For example, in 'the soon-to-be graduate,' the phrase 'soon-to-be' describes the graduate. This structure adds sophistication and conciseness to your writing.
The Predicate Adjective Exception
Do not hyphenate words that form a compound modifier if they come *after* the noun they describe, often following a 'to be' verb.
When the descriptive phrase follows the noun and a linking verb like 'is' or 'was', the relationship is already clear, so no hyphens are needed. Compare: 'a state-of-the-art l...
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Challenging
From the following facts, construct the most rhetorically effective sentence: 1. The event was a turning point. 2. It will never be forgotten. 3. The event was the fall of the Berlin Wall.
A.The fall of the Berlin Wall was a never-to-be-forgotten turning point.
B.The never-to-be-forgotten event, the fall of the Berlin Wall, was a turning point.
C.The fall of the Berlin Wall—a never-to-be-forgotten turning point—was a pivotal moment in history.
D.The turning point, which was the fall of the Berlin Wall, will never-be-forgotten.
Challenging
Evaluate the following sentence from an analytical essay: 'The protagonist's choice is, from a modern perspective, difficult-to-understand, and this choice—which is the climax—defines his character.' What is the most significant revision needed?
A.The em dash should be replaced with commas for a less dramatic tone.
B.The phrase 'difficult-to-understand' should not be hyphenated because it functions as a predicate adjective after the verb 'is'.
C.The phrase 'from a modern perspective' should be moved to the end of the sentence.
D.The verb 'is' should be changed to 'was' to maintain a consistent literary past tense.
Challenging
Which sentence best uses hyphens and em dashes to create a clear and stylistically sophisticated argument about a character's nature?
A.The character is self-aware—a trait that is rare—but he is not self-critical.
B.The character is self aware, a trait that is rare, but he is not self-critical.
C.The self-aware character—a rare trait—is not self critical.
D.The character's self-aware nature—a quality that is exceedingly rare—is undermined by his refusal to be self-critical.
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