Dashes can be one of the most powerful punctuation marks a writer can use. However, before we delve further into their uses, let’s first look at the different types and how we create them.
We can distinguish between three types of dashes:
· the EN DASH (–)
· the EM DASH (—)
· the HYPHEN (-)
To type an EN DASH on Windows, press the ALT key and type 0150 on the numeric keypad. If you’re using a MAC, hold down the OPTION key while pressing HYPHEN (-).
To type an EM dash on Windows, press the ALT key and type 0151 on the numeric keypad. On a MAC, hold down the SHIFT and OPTION keys while pressing HYPHEN (-).
The hyphen can be found next to the number 0 on the qwerty keyboard.
So how and when do we use each?
THE HYPHEN
The hyphen is the dash we are probably most familiar with and is used as follows:
Numbers:
Hyphens are used when compound numbers are spelled out, as in this example:
Fifty-four, thirty-six
Adjectival compounds:
When one adjective modifies another, these words create what we call a compound. If this compound comes before a noun, we usually use a hyphen (although some style guides use an EN DASH), as follows:
She saw a dark-red butterfly.
But if the compound come after the noun and a linking verb, we can remove the hyphen as follows:
The butterfly was dark red.
Prefixes and suffixes:
The general guideline is to avoid using a hyphen with prefixes and suffixes but if this creates a spelling error or ambiguity, use a hyphen. Some fixed rules are:
Always use a hyphen with “ex” and “self”: e.g., ex-husband, self-confident.
Always use a hyphen to avoid ambiguity: e.g., “re-press the shirt” and not “repress the shirt”.
Varied:
Be careful where you place the hyphen as it can greatly alter the meaning of the sentence, as the following examples show:
Five hundred-year old trees are five trees that are each 100 years old.
Five hundred year-old trees are five hundred trees that are each a year old.
A man-eating shark is a shark that eats humans.
A man eating shark is a man who is eating shark meat.
THE EN and EM DASH
The EN DASH is so called because it is the approximate width of the letter “N”. Can you guess where the EM DASH takes its name? Yes, you’ve guessed it! It’s the approximate width of the letter M.
Ranges:
We often used a CLOSED-UP EN DASH (UK or US) to represent a range of numbers, dates or time frame. For example:
The years 2020–2022 were difficult for many.
Morning opening hours are: 9.30–11.30.
Indicating a connection or relation:
We use EN DASHES to show a connection between two words that can stand alone and that together, modify a noun:
The Oban–Mull crossing.
They enjoyed a great author–proofreader relationship.
Dashes used to set off text:
Sometimes commas, colons or parenthesis are used to set off explanatory text but the EM DASH and the EN DASH can also be used effectively to set off an explanatory phrase.
In the UK, convention states that a SPACED EN DASH should be used, while the US convention is to use a CLOSED-UP EM DASH. However, this does not mean that these are rules you must adhere to: they’re simply guides as to what many UK and US publishers choose.
Let’s look at a sentence showing each style:
SPACED EN DASH:
On that day – the day he left.
CLOSED-UP EM DASH:
On that day—the day he left.
The most important thing is to be consistent with the style you use, and when selecting your style, think about who and where your target reader is.
I hope this has helped but please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or need any help.
Comments