chapter 1-2 or chapters 1-2

[englishhobby]

How should I say:
1) Read chapter 1-2 and answer the questions or
2) Read chapters 1-2 and answer the questions?

 

[emsr2d2]

Chapters 1 and 2.

I wouldn't write it as "chapters 1-2" either.

 

[englishhobby]

And if I want them to read six chapters, starting from chapter 2? How should I say it? Should I name every chapter or just say 'Read from chapter 2 to chapter 8 inclusively'?

 

[emsr2d2]

Chapters 2 to 8 inclusive is seven chapters, not six.

 

[GoesStation]

You can say Read chapters two through seven, at least in AmE, if you want them to read six chapters. I have a feeling BrE requires inclusive somewhere, though.

 

[Rover_KE]

BrE uses to — not through, with inclusive to make it clear.

'Read chapters two to seven inclusive.'

 

[tedmc]

Is the word "inclusive" necessary? I would just say "two to seven"(since there is nothing between six and seven).

 

[Rover_KE]

It's not necessary, but it's highly advisable to prevent misunderstandings.

(There are four between two and seven.)

 

[englishhobby]

Is the following correct? How about pages? Do you write the numbers of pages to be read in the same way as chapters or is it okay to put a hyphen between them?
Read chapters 1 to 4 inclusive (pp 1-36) (BrE)
Read chapters 1 through 4 (pp 1-36) (AmE)

 

[GoesStation]

Is the following correct? How about pages? Do you write the numbers ogf pages to be ead in the same way as chapters or is it okay to put a hyphen between them?
Read chapters 1 to 4 inclusive (pp 1-36) (BrE)
Read chapters 1 through 4 (pp 1-36) (AmE)

I think everyone would understand pp 1-36 to mean page one through thirty-six, inclusive. The short form is fine.

 

[Barb_D]

Actually, 1–36 would use an en-dash, not a hyphen, if you have that option.

An en-dash replaces the "to."

There's no problem with "Chapters 2–8" or "Chapters 2 through 8" or "Chapters 2 to 8" in American English. All of them are fine.

The problem with the 1–2 in the beginning is that it's only two (and it also can look like a sub-section within chapter 1). If you have three or more, then the en-dash/hyphen is fine.

If you want to type an en-dash, you can hold down the Alt key and type 0150 – and Alt + 0151 is an em-dash —. On an iPhone, you can hold down the hyphen for a moment and get options that include the en- and em-dashes.