Everyone knows that punctuation can play a subtle but vital role in making a sentence clear in meaning. The least understood or correctly applied punctuation marks are hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes. Though these resemble each other somewhat, their uses are rather different. Knowing when and how to use each correctly is important for writing clearly and professionally.
The hyphen primarily connects words and syllables of words, while the dashes -en and em- are used for indicating ranges and relationships and breaks in thought. Although small, incorrect usage of these punctuation marks sometimes changes the meaning of a sentence or makes your writing appear unprofessional. In this tutorial, we shall look into how you can use hyphens, en-dashes, and em-dashes to understand their correct usage clearly.
Hyphens: Use in Compound Words, Prefixes, and Numbers
If you’d like to know a simple way to put it, think of it like this: hyphens are joiners. In other words, they are the shortest of the two kinds of dashes. Don’t worry too much about them, though, they’re not too self-conscious about their height! Notice how we used a hyphen there? That just goes to show how useful they can be!
But jokes aside, they are used to join word parts or word groups. The primary function of a hyphen is to prevent confusion or ambiguity. Let’s look at how and when you can use hyphens.
Compound Words
Compound words come in three flavors: open, hyphenated, or closed. A hyphen is very helpful, especially in compound adjectives before a noun, to help the reader recognize that the words go together.
Examples:
- A high-risk investment – the investment is risky, not “high.”
- A well-known artist – the artist is famous, not “well” alone.
Hyphenation is not necessary if the compound modifier follows the noun:
Example:
- The artist is well known.
Other compound words, such as “mother-in-law” or “merry-go-round,” take a hyphen regardless of whether they come before or after the noun. Many compounds, however, begin as hyphenated and, over time, become closed. For example, “email” was once “e-mail.”
Prefixes
Hyphens can occur when you join a prefix with a root word. Most of the prefixes, such as un-, pre-, and non-, do not take hyphens, but there are instances where adding a hyphen improves the clarity of the expression:
To evade awkward or unclear letter combinations.
Examples:
- Re-sign (to sign again) vs. resign (to quit)
- Co-op (cooperative organization) vs. coop (a small cage for animals)
When the root word starts with a capital letter or a numeral.
Examples:
- Anti-American sentiment
- A mid-1990s movie
To avoid ambiguity or confusion.
Examples:
- Re-cover (to cover again) vs. recover (to get better)
Also, prefixes such as “ex” and “self” are virtually always separated from the following word by a hyphen.
Examples:
- Ex-husband
- Self-esteem
Numbers and Fractions
Numbers and fractions also have specific instances when they need to be hyphenated. A hyphen is necessary to connect the parts when, for example, writing numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine as words.
Examples :
- Forty-five students
- Seventy-two hours
Fractions used as adjectives are also hyphenated.
Examples:
- A two-thirds majority
- A three-quarter inch pipe
No hyphen is required when employing fractions as nouns.
Examples:
- Someone ate up two thirds of the cake.
- Someone gathered three quarters of the funds.
En Dashes: Use for Ranges and Connections
The en dash -, named for being approximately the width of the letter “n,” falls between the hyphen and the em dash in length. Though its primary function is to denote ranges, the en dash links together items or ideas of importance to one another. This is the en dash’s primary distinction from the hyphen. Too many authors don’t use the en dash when needed; instead, they erroneously use the hyphen.
Ranges of Numbers, Dates, and Time
The most common use of the en dash is to show ranges of numbers, dates, or time frames. Unlike hyphens, which you can use to combine words, en dashes show continuity between values.
Examples:
- The meeting will be from 2:00–4:00 p.m.
- The project ran from 2010–2015.
- Read pages 120–145 in the textbook.
If you’re introducing a range using the words “from” or “between,” you don’t need to use the en dash. Instead, you would use “to.”
Examples:
- The project ran from 2010 to 2015. (Not: from 2010–2015)
- The meeting will be between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. (Not: between 2:00–4:00 p.m.)
Relationships or Connections
Dashes also join two items with some sort of relationship or function. Think of them replacing the words “to” or “and.” They’re more common in professional and academic writing.
Examples:
- The New York–London flight (representing a route or connection).
- The debates between Clinton–Trump (representing the relationship between the figures).
This also allows you to combine more-than-one-word components with one-word words. It is important to note that this has implications for making explicit relations without ambiguity.
Examples:
- The post-World War II era
- A company based in Los Angeles
Em Dashes: Use to Indicate Emphasis, Breaks, and Parenthetical Statements
The em dash — represents the longest of the three. Many often describe it as the most versatile of the lot as well. You can replace commas, parentheses, or even colons with it, thus giving you the flexibility to regulate the flow and tone of a sentence as someone who writes.
Emphasis
Some of the most common usages of an em dash are indications of emphasis and to draw attention to specific parts of a sentence. An em dash would appear to indicate there is a break in thought or shift in thought. It adds drama-or even suspense.
Examples:
- The answer was obvious—no one needed to say it.
- She had only one option—run.
The em dash is commonly used in narrative writing to denote a dramatic pause or a shift of focus.
Breaks or Interruptions
Em dashes are perfect for pointing to a sudden shift in thought or interruption, especially in dialogue. They give meaning to hesitation, surprise, and even a change of focus.
Examples:
- I was going to the—wait, what was that sound?
- The door slammed shut—she didn’t even look back.
If you’re writing dialogue for a work of fiction or nonfiction, you can use em dashes to set off interruptions that create a more realistic flow. This is one of the many reasons authors and screenwriters love using them!
Parenthetical Statements
It would help if you recognized that you could use em dashes like parentheses or commas to interject nonessential information. Unlike with the use of parentheses, though—through which the reader often whispers the aside—the em dashes shout it out.
Examples:
- The results of the experiment—although surprising—were promising.
- Her smile—wide, genuine, infectious—lit up the whole room.
This usage of the em dash is far more colloquial yet effective in narration—the additional comment does not distract the reader’s attention.
As a Substitution for the Use of Colons
Some authors may use em dashes instead of colons before certain introductions of lists, explanations, or clarifications because they can insert a more casual tone.
Example:
- There was but one thing to do—go.
Common Errors
By now, you should have a solid idea regarding the different uses of hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s call attention to some common errors writers commit when using these punctuation marks.
Using Hyphens and Dashes Interchangeably
Many authors incorrectly use hyphens instead of en dashes or em dashes, especially when writing formally. Remember that the hyphen joins words while dashes—en and em—perform special jobs.
- Erroneous: He was a part-time employee (using a hyphen for an interruption).
- Correct: He was a part-time employee—until he got promoted.
Using Hyphens Instead of En Dashes for Ranges
You should set ranges off with an en dash, never with a hyphen.
- Erroneous: The conference will be held from 9-11 a.m.
- Correct: The conference will be held from 9–11 a.m.
Inconsistent Use of Hyphens and Dashes
Be consistent in the use of hyphens with compound words or modifiers. Some compounds are always hyphenated; these include, for example, father-in-law. Others are only hyphenated when the two words appear before the noun they are modifying.
- Erroneous: This is a three year old child.
- Correct: This is a three-year-old child.
- Erroneous: The cake is two-thirds full.
- Correct: The cake is two thirds full.
Hyphens and Dashes: A Conclusion
Mastering hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes goes a long way toward clarity and style in your writing. Hyphens help the readers to avoid confusion while using a compound word. The en dashes provide relations in the ranges and other related things quite clearly, whereas you can use em dashes for emphasis or dramatic breaks in the thoughts. Proper punctuation gives way to professional, polished writing, so paying attention to these little but powerful marks is always important.
