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Punctuation Lessons

using apostrophes using colons using commas using dashes using hyphens using brackets using semicolons using quotation marks

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En Dashes and Em Dashes

What are En Dashes and Em Dashes? (with Examples)

A dash (—) is a punctuation mark with several uses. A dash should not be confused with a hyphen (-) which is used as a joiner in compound adjectives (e.g., first-class restaurant) and compound nouns (e.g., water-bottle).

Dashes are slightly longer than hyphens when handwritten. (As most keyboards do not have a dash readily at hand, some writers use two hyphens (--) to represent a dash, but most just use a hyphen.)

Read more about dashes.

Dashes do not have a unique use (i.e., they are used in places where other punctuation marks could be used). For example:

Dashes As Parentheses

Dashes (generally, em dashes) can be used as parentheses. For example:

• On Saturday, I took the club secretary (Pat Derbyshire) to Skegness.
• On Saturday, I took the club secretary - Pat Derbyshire - to Skegness.
(commas could also be used)

A Dash As a Pause for Effect

A dash (generally, an em dash) can replace three dots when used as a pause for effect. For example:

• I eventually found it...in my shoe.
• I eventually found it — in my shoe.

A Dash in Place of a Semicolon

A dash (generally, an em dash) can replace a semicolon used to merge two independent clauses. For example:

• He cannot afford it; the flight alone is too much.
• He cannot afford it — the flight alone is too much.

A Dash in Place of a Colon

A dash (generally, an em dash) can be used to replace a colon to introduce an appositive. For example:

• She is only interested in one thing: money.
• She is only interested in one thing — money.

A Dash to Replace From..To... or Between...And...

A dash (generally, an en dash) can be used between times and dates. For example:

• 1999–2020.
• July–November.
• 14 February–24 February
• 0900–1000.

When using a dash to separate times and dates, omit words like from...to... and between...and....

A Dash in Place of a Hyphen in a Compound Adjective with Equal Parts

A dash (generally, an en dash) can replace a hyphen in a compound adjective with two equal elements. For example:

• The India–Pakistan issue
• The Smith–Jones case

A Dash to Credit a Quotation

A dash (always an em dash) can be used to credit a quoation. For example:

• "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever
  they go." — Oscar Wilde