- Dashes are horizontal lines that connect words or ideas within a text. They can show a connection between two things or replace more commonly used punctuation.
- Dashes emphasize information, show breaks or changes in thought, and connect related ideas in a sentence. Writers often use dashes instead of commas, periods, or parentheses.
- There are three kinds of dashes: en dash, em dash, and double hyphen. The en dash and em dash appear frequently. While the double hyphen is found within some texts, its use is not as common as that of the en and em dash.
- En dashes (–) and em dashes (—) each have different functions. The en dash is shorter and is frequently used to show numerical ranges or connections between words in compound adjectives when one of the elements comprises multiple words. The em dash is longer and generally used to note a break, provide drama, or give an example.
- Writers use the en dash like this: “To pass the class, Sally needs to score between 80%–90% on the exam.” In contrast, writers use the em dash like this: “Alex needs to pass chemistry—a very difficult class—to graduate this semester.”
In English writing, shorter is often better, but complex thoughts may require longer sentences with multiple clauses. This is where the en dash and em dash are useful. A dash is a horizontal line within a text, longer than a hyphen, used to indicate a range or pause and separate groups of words. There are three types of dashes: en dash, em dash, and double hyphen. In this post, we’ll explore their uses and differences.
Table of contents
Common mistakes to avoid when using dashes
How to use a dash correctly FAQs
What is a dash?
A dash is a line within text, positioned between words or characters, unlike an underscore, which sits at the bottom. Dashes help join words, numbers, or ideas, enhancing readability as an alternative to commas, periods, or parentheses. There are three main types—en dash, em dash, and double hyphen—each differing in length and usage.
- En dash: The en dash (–) is of medium width and is used to show ranges, connect places, join compound adjectives, and show relationships.
- Em dash: The em dash (—) is slightly longer than the en dash and is used to signify a break, add additional information, introduce a concept, express dialogue, and replace other punctuation.
- Double hyphen: The double hyphen (–) features two individual hyphens side by side and has the same functions as an em dash.
Hyphens vs. dashes
You may have noticed we haven’t mentioned the traditional hyphen (-); that’s because it’s not considered a dash. Unlike dashes, hyphens join words together. They are the smallest of the characters covered here and serve distinct purposes, like linking words in phrases or compound words, as in mother-in-law.
What is an en dash?
En dashes (–) are punctuation marks bigger than a hyphen (-) and smaller than an em dash (—). The en dash gets its name because it’s the width of a capital N. Despite their visual similarities, the en dash functions separately from its cousins. They are used to show a relationship between words, numbers, and more:
- Showing ranges: En dashes can be used to present a range of numbers, including dates, percentages, or pages (Example: 60%–86%).
- Connecting places: Writers sometimes use en dashes to illustrate a journey from one place to another (Example: an SFO–LAX flight).
- Indicating a connection or comparison: En dashes can demonstrate a relationship or connection between two words and help the reader understand the nature of that connection (Example: the teacher–student relationship). They can also be used to compare things (Example: the dog–cat divide).
- Joining open compounds with another word: En dashes are used when an open compound (a compound that is not hyphenated, often a proper noun) combines with another word in a compound adjective that modifies a noun (Example: the New York–based company).
It’s important to note that the double hyphen (–) is considered a dash rather than a hyphen, as it performs the same job as the em dash.
When to use an en dash
As shown above, the en dash has various uses that provide specific benefits to the writer. Here is a more in-depth look.
Using an en dash to indicate spans or ranges
The en dash is often used to indicate a period or a range of numbers. In this context, the dash should be interpreted as to or through. Consider the examples below:
- Reading assignments: “The teacher assigned pages 101–181 for tonight’s reading material.”
- Time windows: “1–3 p.m. is the scheduled window for the cable installation.”
- Multiyear events: “The exhibition will showcase artwork created during the years 2010–2015, highlighting the evolution of modern art over that period.”
In the examples above, adding from before the expression using the en dash would be incorrect. Another way of reading an en dash is “between X and Y.” In these cases, adding between would also be incorrect, as it would be redundant with the en dash.
Using an en dash to connect places
An en dash connects places in a text by visually linking them as a shared idea, making it clearer and more concise than words like to or and. For example, a writer could use a phrase such as “the Los Angeles–San Francisco flight” to describe the route.
Using an en dash to indicate a connection or comparison
The en dash may also indicate a connection or comparison between two words, reducing the possibility of confusion for the reader.
- Connection: The en dash can indicate a connection between two words and help the reader understand the nature of that connection. For example, en dashes can be used to describe a region that combines two distinct areas, such as “the California–Baja California border area.”
- Comparison: The en dash can be used to compare things. For example, one could state that “the East–West economic rivalry is the most important in the United States.”
Here are other examples of using an en dash to indicate a connection or comparison:
- “The father–son relationship”: The dash tells the reader that the father and son are two distinct entities—rather than a combined form—and that the relationship is between them.
- “The North–South divide”: Here, the en dash makes it clear that the two regions are being compared rather than combined.
Using an en dash to join open compounds with another word
En dashes are used when an open compound (a compound that is not hyphenated, often a proper noun) combines with another word in a compound adjective that modifies a noun. In that case, the en dash goes between the open compound and the other word:
En dashes are also used before an open compound when it’s being modified by another word or prefix:
The open compound (in this case, “Cold War”) determines whether the phrase takes an en dash. The en dash indicates that both words in the compound are included in the relationship with the word on the other side of the dash.
When one or both elements are already hyphenated, it’s acceptable to use either an en dash or a hyphen in between the hyphenated words—just make sure to be consistent throughout your writing.
- With an en dash: “Investing in that startup seems like a high-risk–low-reward strategy.”
- Without an en dash: “Investing in that startup seems like a high-risk-low-reward strategy.
What is an em dash?
The em dash (—) is the longest of the dashes. The em dash gets its name because it’s the width of a capital M. Unlike the en dash, the em dash usually replaces other punctuation marks and doesn’t serve a unique function. That being said, the em dash has a wide variety of use cases, including the following:
- Adding information: The em dash can add nonessential, context-rich details, replacing parentheses. (Example: “Her latest novel—a thrilling mystery set in Venice—has received rave reviews.”)
- Adding emphasis: The em dash can add dramatic emphasis, often replacing ellipses. (Example: “Winning that award—it changed her life.”)
- Creating a list: The em dash can signal an upcoming list, replacing a comma or colon. (Example: “We packed everything for the trip—tents, food, clothes.”)
- Signifying a break: The em dash can convey a break in thought, often replacing a comma. (Example: “I was about to tell you something important—but never mind.”)
- Attributing quotes to authors: The em dash can be used to attribute a quote to its author at the end of a sentence. (Example: “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt.)
- Signifying interrupted speech: The em dash can signify interrupted speech, such as hesitance or confusion. (Example: “I thought I had it, but—wait, what just happened?”)
The em dash enhances readability by clarifying intent and reducing comma clutter.
When to use an em dash
Em dashes can mark breaks, add information, introduce concepts, and replace punctuation. Unlike the en dash, using the em dash is largely at the writer’s discretion. However, there are a variety of instances in which it is beneficial.
Using an em dash to set off parenthetical information
Parentheses add nonessential information but can clutter text or shift meaning. In these cases, em dashes are often better, allowing interjections without the pause parentheses create.
- With parentheses: “After a split second of hesitation, the second baseman leaped for the ball (or, rather, stumbled for it).”
- With the em dash: “After a split second of hesitation, the second baseman leaped for the ball—or, rather, stumbled for it.”
Using an em dash to set off appositives that contain commas
Commas are normally used to indicate the beginning and end of an appositive, making the text easier to read. An appositive provides additional information and context to the noun that precedes it. For example:
In this sentence, the appositive is “Handsome Bob,” which communicates the name of the basset hound that is a good boy.
However, when the appositive contains internal commas, the heavy use of commas can make sentences difficult to understand without rereading. In instances when the comma is overused, writers may consider setting off the appositive with em dashes:
- With commas: “The committee discussed several key issues, budget constraints, staffing needs, and project deadlines, before making a decision.”
- With em dashes: “The committee discussed several key issues—budget constraints, staffing needs, project deadlines—before making a decision.”
Using an em dash to bring focus to a list
Similarly, em dashes can also notify the reader when a list begins and ends, making it clear what is and is not included.
- With commas: “The garden features a variety of flowers, roses, tulips, daisies, and sunflowers, each adding color and beauty to the landscape.”
In the above sentence, it is somewhat unclear whether the word flower is part of the list or the final word before it. The alternative is slightly clearer:
- With an em dash: “The garden features a variety of flowers—roses, tulips, daisies, and sunflowers—each adding color and beauty to the landscape.”
Using an em dash to mark sharp turns in thought
A key challenge in writing is conveying your intended meaning. Colons, commas, or ellipses can hinder this, so writers often turn to the em dash for sharp shifts or drama.
Common mistakes to avoid when using dashes
While dashes are useful, they should be used sparingly; commas, colons, and parentheses should be the default. Overusing dashes lessens their impact, while misusing them can hinder readability. Next, we’ll explore common mistakes in dash usage.
Avoid using dashes inconsistently
Dashes are optional and, when used sparingly and correctly, enhance readability, offering no unique function beyond other punctuation. If used, they should appear consistently throughout, similar to the Oxford comma.
Avoid using dashes instead of hyphens
Hyphens combine individual words and attach prefixes to create new words (e.g., most-liked bike, ex-boyfriend), while dashes show a break in thought or connect separate sentence elements. The en dash (–) often gets confused with the hyphen (-) due to their similar size and appearance.
Avoid using dashes instead of other punctuation
Dashes are most impactful when used only in important moments. They are not interchangeable with a comma or colon. Furthermore, when a writer neglects other punctuation for the dash, it may have the opposite of its intended effect: a more confusing piece of writing.
Avoid adding unnecessary spaces with dashes
In most writing styles, spaces are not used on either side of the dash. There are several reasons for this. First and foremost is clarity. Adding space disrupts the visual rhythm, making the text harder to understand. The reader may also confuse the dash for a hyphen.
Avoid using dashes to introduce direct quotations
Most standards advise against using a dash to introduce a quotation; colons are preferred, especially for longer quotes. If overused or used incorrectly, dashes can make sentences harder to read or feel informal, which may affect the tone, particularly in academic writing.
However, an em dash can be used for author or speaker attribution at the end of a sentence.
Avoid using dashes instead of words
Using dashes instead of words is generally incorrect because it can obscure meaning, as conjunctions, prepositions, and other parts of speech are essential for showing relationships between nouns. Here’s an example:
The sentence would be clearer if it used but or although in place of the dash. The current wording leaves the reader uncertain about the completeness of the thought and how the fact that it is raining relates to her wanting to go to the beach. Here’s the same sentence containing a conjunction instead of a dash:
In this version, the writer’s feelings are easier to understand. We understand that the character’s desire to go to the beach has been threatened by the rain.
How to use a dash correctly FAQs
When should you use dashes?
Use dashes when you want to make text easier to read. You may also turn to them if another punctuation mark is overused in the same piece of writing.
What’s the difference between an en dash and an em dash?
The en dash shows a relationship between words and numbers. In contrast, the em dash emphasizes or separates parts of a sentence, indicating breaks or interruptions in thought.
What’s the difference between a dash and a hyphen?
A dash, which is longer than a hyphen, is used to indicate ranges, pauses, or emphasis, with common types being the en dash (–) for ranges and the em dash (—) for breaks or emphasis. A hyphen (-) is shorter and primarily used to join words or parts of words, such as in compound terms or prefixes.
What is the double hyphen used for?
The double hyphen performs all the same functions as the em dash and has no additional uses. It is often used in lieu of a dash as keyboards do not feature an em dash key.
How do you type en dashes and em dashes?
In Windows, press the Alt key followed by 0150 for an en dash. For an em dash, press the Alt key followed by 0151 (you need a numeric keypad). On a Mac, press Option+hyphen for an en dash and the Option key followed by Shift+hyphen for an em dash.
