Dashes

Want to learn more about dashes? Well, you're already off to a dashing start! Alongside our vocabulary, we can use punctuation—such as dashes—in written communication to add clarity and accuracy to the meaning of our sentences. In fact, the previous sentence is an excellent example of how to use dashes!

Dashes Punctuation

So what actually is a dash?

Dashes in Writing

Dashes can be used in different ways in writing. They can be used for various reasons, such as to separate words/phrases, emphasize an idea, add additional information, indicate a range, or connect words. There are two main types of dashes.

Types of Dashes

The two main types of dashes are the en dash ( – ) and the em dash ( — ). Both are used for slightly different purposes.

The En Dash

The en dash ( – ) is the shorter of the two. The primary use of the en dash is to specify a range (e.g., numbers, time span, places). Make sure there are no spaces between the dash and the numbers.

For example:

In this instance, think of the en dash as having the same meaning as the word "to." If you were to replace the dash with the word "to," the sentence would still make sense.

They can also be used to link ideas and have the same meaning as the word "and," for example:

The en dash can also connect words (in place of a hyphen) and create compound adjectives. These are two words joined together that act as an adjective in a sentence. For example:

The en dash can occasionally be used to break up information in a sentence. In this instance, the dash should be used with spaces on either side. For example:

The Em Dash

The em dash ( — ) is longer than the en dash. It is mainly used to create a break in a sentence and set off additional information. This information may not always be necessary, meaning the sentence would still make sense without it. The em dash is often used in place of commas and parentheses, as they are all used to set information apart in a sentence. Keep in mind that commas are more formal than dashes or parentheses, so they are used more in formal writing (such as reports and letters). Additionally, dashes are often considered less formal than parentheses, so they can also be found in more informal writing (such as emails).

Here is an example of how commas, parentheses, and em dashes can be used to punctuate the same sentence:

Fig. 1 - Commas, parentheses, and em dashes are used to set information apart.

The em dash is to be used without spaces on either side. If em dashes separate information in the middle of a sentence, use them in pairs. An example is as follows:

Although em dashes can be used to set off additional information, they can also emphasize a specific idea. For example:

Here, the em dash creates a break and adds emphasis.

Fig. 2 - En dashes are shorter than em dashes.

Other Types of Dash

Although the en dash and em dash are the most commonly used types of dashes, there is another type of dash called the 3-em dash (the size of three em dashes). This type of dash is usually used to omit a person's name or signify a word has been redacted. It is generally used in legal documents and is not typically found in everyday communication. For example:

If this seems confusing, not to worry; it's a very technical use. Outside of certain industries, you probably won't come across this type of dash often!

Dashes Example

Check out the table below for some more examples of dashes in sentences.

Rules for Dashes

In summary, make sure you remember the following things when using both en and em dashes:

• Dashes can be used at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence. When used in the middle of a sentence to set off information, use them in pairs.
• If you are using an en dash to signify a range, there should be no spaces between them.
• If you are using an en dash to separate information, make sure there are spaces between them and the words.
• If you are using an em dash to set off additional information or emphasize an idea, there should be no spaces between them.

Dashes and Hyphens - What Are the Differences?

Dashes can sometimes be mistaken for hyphens as they look very similar, but there are differences between them! The main visual difference is that a hyphen is shorter than a dash.

Hyphen: -

En dash: –

Em dash: —

Hyphens combine words to show that they have a singular meaning and express one idea as a whole. Words that are joined together in this way are referred to as compound words. An example is:

Hyphens are also often used to help prevent pronunciation difficulties, especially if the word begins with a prefix (letters placed at the beginning of a root word). For example:

Fig. 3 - Hyphens can be used to prevent mispronunciation.

When compound words are hyphenated, this often makes them easier to pronounce as the different syllables are made more evident.