Subjects
Grades
Punctuation—The Hyphen (-) & the Dashes (–) (—)
Concept sheet | English Language Arts
Secondary
1-5
Table of contents
The Hyphen -
Hyphens are used:
-
in compound words
-
for range between numbers or time periods (replacing the words to or through*)
*The en dash can also be used for the same reason.
The word following the hyphen is not capitalized.
In compound words
To indicate range
The En Dash – & the Em Dash —
En Dash –
The en dash is used:
-
for range, replacing the words to or through*
-
for scores
-
in directions
-
for complex compound adjectives
The en dash gets its name from being the same length as the letter -n.
*The hyphen is often used for range instead of the en dash.
The word following the en dash is not capitalized.
Em Dash —
The em dash is used:
-
to add extra information to a sentence—replacing parentheses
-
to attribute a quote
The em dash gets its name from being the same length as the letter -m.
The word following the em dash is not capitalized.
En dash use examples
|
Range |
|
She worked there from 2018–2021. |
|
Scores |
|
Hufflepuff won the match 7–2. |
|
Directions |
|
Take the North–South expressway. |
|
Complex compound adjectives |
|
It is a World War II–period audio recorder. |
Em dash use examples
|
To add extra information to a sentence—replacing parentheses |
|
I love dogs—but please don’t tell my cat. I love dogs (but please don’t tell my cat). |
|
To create emphasis—replacing a comma or a colon |
|
Fluffy’s favourite is tuna—he eats 2 cans a day. Fluffy’s favourite is tuna: he eats 2 cans a day. |
|
To attribute a quote |
|
“I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat.”—Edgar Allan Poe |