Dashes & Hyphens
Though they look similar, dashes (—) and hyphens (-) have very different jobs. Dashes create separation and emphasis, while hyphens join words together.
Dashes (— and –)
The Em Dash (—) and En Dash (–)
Dashes are used to separate groups of words, not to join parts of words.
| Usage | Example |
|---|---|
| Marking an Abrupt Break: To show a sudden interruption or change in thought. | "She was about to leave—but then she remembered her keys." |
| Setting Off Appositives: To emphasize an appositive (a phrase that renames a noun) for dramatic effect. | "Her greatest fear—spiders—was now a reality." |
| Introducing a Summary: To introduce a list or summary at the end of a sentence. | "Kindness, honesty, courage—these are the qualities I admire." |
| Indicating a Range (En Dash): The en dash (–) is used to show a range between numbers, dates, or times. | "Pages 5–10" |
Hyphens (-)
The Hyphen (-)
A hyphen is a short dash used to join words together into a single concept.
| Usage | Example |
|---|---|
| Creating Compound Adjectives: To join two or more words that function as a single adjective before a noun. | "She is a well-known author." |
| Writing Compound Numbers: To write out numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine. | "There were thirty-two students in the class." |
| Indicating Word Breaks: To divide a word at the end of a line when it doesn't fit. | "This is an example of proper hyphen- ation." |
Key Takeaways
- Use a dash (—) to separate ideas and add emphasis.
- Use a hyphen (-) to join words together into a single concept.
- An en dash (–) is used for ranges of numbers or dates.
- Hyphenate compound adjectives that come before a noun (e.g., "well-known author"), but usually not when they come after (e.g., "The author is well known").
Exercises and Worksheets
Ready to practice? Test your knowledge with these resources.