Hyphenate when using compound modifiers to lessen confusion in an expression. For example, the sentence, "I watched a man eating shark," elicits confusion. "I watched a man-eating shark" uses a hyphen to better convey the author's meaning.
Include the hyphen in a compound modifier when it comes before a noun, but not after. For example, "The fast-talking salesman is fast talking."
Add a hyphen when using suffixes. For instance, when using the suffix, "-esque," as in "Oprah-esque." "Oprahesque" is incorrect.
Note when to use a hyphen for a prefix. Use a hyphen when there may be confusion with word definition. For example, when using the word "recreate" use a hyphen to express creating something again, "re-create."
Know how to use hyphens with numbers. All fractions need a hyphen such as, "Nine-tenths of the law." When writing numbers twenty-one through ninety-nine, hyphenate to be grammar conscious.
Be attentive to words ending in "-ed." Any modifier ending in "-ed" requires a hyphen, as in "strong-willed child."
List hyphenated words with suspensive hyphenation. For example, "All the long- and short-haired actresses were perfect for the part."