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Year 6

Hyphens and ellipsis

I can use the hyphen for different reasons and I can use ellipsis.

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Year 6

Hyphens and ellipsis

I can use the hyphen for different reasons and I can use ellipsis.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A hyphen is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
  2. A hyphen can join two words to make a compound adjective.
  3. A hyphen can join a prefix to a base word to avoid spelling or meaning ambiguity.
  4. An ellipsis can be used to invite the reader to read on or to increase tension.

Keywords

  • Hyphen - a punctuation mark that can join two words to make one compound adjective

  • Compound adjective - an adjective formed of two hyphenated words

  • Hyphen - a punctuation mark that can join a prefix to a base word to avoid spelling or meaning ambiguity

  • Ellipsis - a punctuation mark that can invite the reader to read on or to increase tension

Common misconception

Pupils may start using hyphens for all prefixes.

Emphasise that not all prefixes require a hyphen - some prefixes frequently use them, but others rarely do.

If possible, find examples of hyphenated words and ellipsis in your class novel or current reading books so that children can see them in a familiar context and understand how ellipsis is used to build tension.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
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except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the groups of words with the ways the apostrophe has been used.
Correct Answer:for contraction,It's a long way!
tick

It's a long way!

Correct Answer:for singular possession,We took Alex's mum shopping.
tick

We took Alex's mum shopping.

Correct Answer:for plural possession,The boys' shoes were covered in mud.
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The boys' shoes were covered in mud.

Q2.
Which sentence is missing an apostrophe for contraction?
The polar bear rubbed its head against the bars.
Correct answer: Its a difficult situation, but we need to do more.
The laptop wasn't working so I removed its battery.
Q3.
Which sentence should contain an apostrophe for singular possession?
We took turns playing with the basketball.
Correct answer: Sams dad offered us a lift to the match.
Bikes are getting very expensive.
Q4.
Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe for singular possession for the idea 'the suggestions belonging to the girl'?
The girls' suggestions were excellent.
Correct answer: The girl's suggestions were excellent.
The girls suggestions were excellent.
Q5.
Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe for singular possession for the idea 'the suggestions belonging to Lucas'?
We ignored Luca's suggestions.
We ignored Luca's suggestions.
Correct answer: We ignored Lucas' suggestions.
Q6.
Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe for plural possession for the idea 'the suggestions belonging to the boys'?
Correct answer: I was impressed by the boys' suggestions.
I was impressed by the boys's suggestions.
I was impressed by the boy's suggestions.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these are true for hyphens?
They have spaces on either side.
Correct answer: We use them to join words or parts of words.
Correct answer: We can use them to create compound adjectives.
Correct answer: We can use them to add prefixes to words.
Q2.
Which of the following numbers are punctuated correctly?
Correct answer: forty
forty five
Correct answer: one hundred and forty-seven
forty two thousand, three hundred and fifty-one
Q3.
Which of these phrases requires a hyphen to create a compound adjective?
a short sharp shock
Correct answer: a bitter sweet moment
Correct answer: a fast flowing river
a long narrow path
Q4.
Which of these sentences makes clear that the shark is capable of eating the man?
The man eating shark approached the shore.
As I surfed on the waves, I kept an eye peeled for the man eating shark.
Correct answer: The lifeguard scanned the area, searching for any sign of a man-eating shark.
Q5.
Match the prefixes with hyphens to the root words that they could be joined to.
Correct Answer:pre-,existing
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existing

Correct Answer:self-,conscious
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conscious

Correct Answer:non-,fiction
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fiction

Correct Answer:co-,owner
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owner

Q6.
What are two ways we can use ellipsis in our writing?
Correct answer: at the end of a paragraph to invite the reader to read on
to join a prefix to a root word
to join two words to make a compound adjective
Correct answer: to build tension by adding a pause before the end of a sentence