A double dash (–) is used to separate thoughts and phrases or add emphasis to a sentence.
Did you know:
Emily Dickinson turned the dash into an art form—using it to pause or emphasize, or simply to leave thoughts enigmatic and unfinished. In poems like
Key takeaways
Em dash (—): This is used to create a pause, add emphasis, or replace commas, colons, or parentheses in a sentence. It’s the longest of the three punctuation marks.
En dash (–): This is used to represent a range (such as numbers, dates, or time) or to link related items, like sports scores or directions.
Hyphen (-): This is used to join words or parts of words, such as in compound terms, or to break words at the end of a line.
Part of the series “Grammar Debugged—English for Devs.”
The em dash, en dash, and hyphen are punctuation marks that are frequently mixed up because they look similar but have distinct functions. Understanding when and how to use each of these punctuation marks can elevate your writing, helping to make it clearer, more concise, and more stylistically sophisticated. This Answer breaks down the differences between the three dashes, explains when to use each, and highlights common mistakes people make.
The em dash (—) is the longest of the punctuation marks and is used to create a strong break or interruption in a sentence. It’s about the same length as the width of a capital “M” in most fonts and is used to represent:
Emphasize or set off a part of the sentence.
Indicate an abrupt change in thought or tone.
Replace other punctuation marks, like commas, colons, or parentheses.
Example: She was going to confess her secret—but then she changed her mind.
Use the em dash to emphasize or introduce a dramatic pause in the sentence.
An en dash (–) is a punctuation mark that is slightly longer than a hyphen (-) but shorter than an em dash (—). It’s about the same length as the width of a capital “N” in most fonts and is used to represent:
A range of values, such as numbers, dates, or time.
Connections between two related things (e.g., sports scores, directions)
Example: The meeting will be held from 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Use the en dash for ranges or connections that involve two things.
The hyphen (-) is the shortest of the three punctuation marks. It is used to:
Join words or parts of words, such as in
Indicate that two words are being combined to function as a single idea (e.g., “well-known,” “part-time”).
Example: She’s a well-known artist.
Use the hyphen to join words or parts of words, typically in compound terms.
Mistake 1: Using an en dash (–) instead of an em dash (—)
Incorrect: She was about to speak – but then stopped.
Correct: She was about to speak—but then stopped.
Mistake 2: Using hyphen for ranges
Incorrect: The meeting is from 2-4 p.m.
Correct: The meeting is from 2–4 p.m.
Mistake 3: Not using a hyphen in compound nouns
Incorrect: She is a well known artist.
Correct: She is a well-known artist.
Key aspect | em dash | en dash | hyphen |
Length | Longest punctuation mark (—) | Medium length (–) | Shortest punctuation mark (-) |
Purpose | To indicate a break in thought, or set off clauses | To show ranges, connections, or relationships | To join words or syllables, especially in compound words |
Common uses | Parenthetical phrases, abrupt changes in thought | Number ranges, dates, scores, and relationships | Compound adjectives, hyphenated words, prefixes |
How to pick the right one
Use the em dash (—) when you need a strong interruption or to add emphasis. It’s ideal for when you want to replace commas, parentheses, or colons in a sentence.
Use the en dash (–) for ranges of values, like numbers, dates, or times. It’s also used to indicate a connection or relationship between two items (e.g., sports scores or geographical ranges).
Use the hyphen (-) to join words or parts of words, especially in compound adjectives or compound nouns. It’s also used when a word breaks across a line at the end of a sentence.
Careful
While acceptable, many formal writing styles prefer commas, parentheses, or semicolons instead of em dashes. Use them cautiously in formal writing.
Fill in the blanks with either an em dash, en dash, or hyphen to test your understanding!
The Avengers __________ Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor __________ came together to save the world.
Em dash
She is a part__________time teacher at the local high school.
En dash
The concert was scheduled for 6:30 p.m.__________8:30 p.m., but it started late.
Hyphen
I need to buy some high__________quality, top__________notch headphones.
He’s a well-known pop star__________Lady Gaga’s biggest hit was “Bad Romance.
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To enhance technical writing and minimize common grammar mistakes, continue exploring these topics:
Commonly confused words (homophones & similar-sounding words): These words sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.
Prepositions & usage differences: These words and phrases are often confused due to subtle contextual differences.
Punctuation & formatting: These involve rules for using dashes, abbreviations, and sentence structure.
Grammar & sentence structure: These deal with pronoun choices, verb usage, and comparison.
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