Scribd
Upload
31 views2 pages

Hyphens and Dashes: Usage Guide

The document explains the differences between hyphens and dashes, detailing their specific uses in writing. Hyphens are used to combine words, create compound adjectives, and avoid misreading, while dashes are used to indicate breaks in thought or to set apart clauses. It also describes the en dash for ranges and the em dash for isolating ideas within sentences.

Uploaded by

Amel BOULEMIIZ
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
31 views2 pages

Hyphens and Dashes: Usage Guide

The document explains the differences between hyphens and dashes, detailing their specific uses in writing. Hyphens are used to combine words, create compound adjectives, and avoid misreading, while dashes are used to indicate breaks in thought or to set apart clauses. It also describes the en dash for ranges and the em dash for isolating ideas within sentences.

Uploaded by

Amel BOULEMIIZ
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Hyphens( -) and Dashes (—)

Hyphens are used to combine two words into a single new one; a dash double the length of a

hyphen –shows a break or interruption of thought ,

between sentence parts. (“hyphens connect words, dashes separate groups of words”)

The high‐energy music show – which I attended last year – was a wonderful experience.

There are 4 situations in which the hyphen is used to combine words…

1/ Use a hyphen when two words are used together as an adjective before the noun:

The teacher gave Toshiko a newspaper‐wrapped fish and a seashell.

Dr. Jill Stein is not a well‐known presidential candidate.

Can you believe that she bought first‐class tickets?

But, do not use a hyphen if the same compounds word occurs after the noun it describes:

This presidential candidate is not well known.

Their hotel was often described as first rate.

2/ Use a hyphen for the prefixes self‐, quasi‐, all‐, elect‐, and ex‐ (meaning “formerly”):

Her ex‐husband often expressed anti‐ American ideas.

This organization supports self‐help projects that support low‐income families.

3. Use a hyphen for written


out numbers* (but not before/after category numbers like hundred, thousand,

or million) and fractions:

She was widely believed to be one hundred twenty‐two years old.

One‐fourth of his income went to childcare expenses.

4/Use a hyphen to avoid misreading, especially if the prefix would result in a double letter, or
to avoid misreading:

James and Daniel are co‐owners of the restaurant.

The film was praised for its re‐creation of nineteenth‐century London.

Bicycling is my favorite form of recreation.


En dash: – (to show page or date spans, or distinctions like ‘subject–predicate’)

Em dash: — (to isolate clauses and fragments)

En-dash

 Joins numbers in a range, such as ―1993–99‖ or ―1200–1400 B.C.‖ or ―pages 32–


37‖ or open-ended ranges, like ―1934–‖.
 Joins words that describe a range, like ―July–October 2010‖.

Em-dash

 Works better than commas to set apart a unique idea from the main clause of a
sentence:

―Sometimes writing for money—rather than for art or pleasure—is really quite
enjoyable.‖

 Separates an inserted thought or clause from the main clause, such as:

―I can’t believe how pedantic Ken is about writing—doesn’t he have anything better to
do?‖

―Hunter strode into the room—was he mad?—and the family stopped and stared.‖

―Computers make everyday punctuation—for reasons that we’ll discuss later—more


precise yet more confusing.‖

 Shows when dialogue has been interrupted:

―I reached in and pulled the spray can out of my pants—‖ ―In front of the police?‖

You might also like