Another Hyphen Lesson

First, let’s look at the comic, specifically the words “to do.” How correct are these, and why?

Betty Comic Strip for October 24, 2021
https://www.gocomics.com/betty/2021/10/24

Okay, the answers:

  • Panel 1: Let’s don’t call it a little dash. Call it a hyphen.
  • Panel 2: Here “to-do” is a compound noun. The hyphen is okay. (I think she’s using “dash” as an activity, not as punctuation.)
  • Panel 3: Here he’s using it as a verb. No hyphen.
  • Final panel: Here “to-do” is a compound adjective. Hyphen is correct.

How did you do?