The English language is infamous for its many tricky grammar rules, and the difference between “how-to” and “how to” is one such example. Understanding when and how to hyphenate this phrase can make a big difference in clarity. This guide provides everything you need to know about the correct usage of these phrases, their pluralization, and some essential hyphenation rules to use elsewhere in English writing.
Key Points to Remember:
- Use “how-to” (with a hyphen) when referring to a set of instructions.
- Use “how to” (without a hyphen) when “how” acts as a conjunction.
- Pluralize “how-to” as “how-tos,” not “how-to’s.”
How-to vs. How to: What’s the Difference?
1. “How-to” (Hyphenated)
You should hyphenate “how-to” when referring to something instructional, such as a tutorial or step-by-step guide. It can function as either a noun or an adjective, but in both cases, it conveys the idea of instructions.
- As a noun: “how-to” refers to a guide, article, or tutorial.
- Example: “The website offers a comprehensive how-to for repairing bicycles.”
- As an adjective: “how-to” modifies a noun, usually a type of instructional resource like a book or video.
- Example: “There are countless how-to articles on cooking techniques.”
This hyphenated form is far more common in American English than in British English.
2. “How to” (Unhyphenated)
In contrast, “how to” is a conjunction and does not require a hyphen. It refers to the manner or method of doing something.
- Example: “She knows how to bake a cake.”
Here, “how” connects the sentence to “to bake a cake,” showing the process or method involved.
Pluralizing “How-to”: Is It “How-tos” or “How-to’s”?
The correct plural form of “how-to” is “how-tos”. Avoid using an apostrophe here, as apostrophes are only needed to indicate possession or in contractions (like “it’s” for “it is”).
- Correct: “The website features dozens of how-tos.”
- Incorrect: “The website features dozens of how-to’s.”
Although “how-tos” doesn’t always sound fluid, it’s grammatically accurate. For smoother readability, you can rephrase by pluralizing the noun being described, such as “how-to articles” or “how-to guides.”
When to Use Hyphens: A Quick Guide
Hyphens play a key role in English, especially in compound words. Here are a few other instances where you should use them:
1. Compound Adjectives
Hyphenate two or more words that function as a single adjective before a noun.
- Example: “She’s a well-known author.”
If the adjective comes after the noun, do not use a hyphen:
- Example: “The author is well known.”
2. Compound Numbers and Fractions
Always hyphenate compound numbers (from twenty-one to ninety-nine) and written-out fractions.
- Example: “They have seventy-five employees.”
- Example: “One-half of the cake is missing.”
3. Clarifying Double Vowels and Word Meanings
Use hyphens to prevent confusion, especially with words that have double vowels or are homophones.
- Example: “She needs to re-cover her chair” (as opposed to “recover” from illness).
4. Prefixes with Capitalized Words
When attaching prefixes to capitalized words, always use a hyphen.
- Example: “The pre-Thanksgiving dinner was delicious.”
5. The Suffix -elect and Prefixes ex-, self-, and all-
Always hyphenate terms like President-elect, ex-boyfriend, self-aware, and all-knowing to keep the meaning clear.
6. Line Breaks
When splitting a word at the end of a line, place the hyphen at the break between syllables or within already-hyphenated words.
Conclusion: Mastering “How-to” vs. “How to”
Understanding when and how to hyphenate “how-to” versus “how to” can greatly improve the clarity of your writing. By keeping these guidelines in mind, you’ll confidently navigate one of the many quirks of English grammar.
For more tips and guides on correct grammar usage, feel free to explore other how-to articles online!
