At first glance, hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes might all look like simple straight lines, but they each serve different purposes in writing. Knowing when and how to use them correctly can improve the clarity and professionalism of your work. Let’s break down the differences and when to use each one.
Hyphens (-): The Connector
Hyphens are the shortest of the three and are used primarily to join words or break words at the end of a line.
Common uses of hyphens:
Compound adjectives before a noun:
Her eight-year-old daughter wanted a chocolate birthday cake.
That’s a well-written novel.
Compound nouns (in some cases):
We need to schedule a follow-up appointment.
She’s a big fan of self-care.
Clarifying meaning:
The small-business owner (a person who owns a small business) vs. the small business-owner (a short business owner).
En Dashes (–): The Spacer
An en dash is slightly longer than a hyphen and is named because it’s about the width of a lowercase “n.” It is primarily used to indicate a range of values or relationships.
Common Uses of En Dashes:
To indicate a range:
You can find the subject covered in chapters 3–6.
The meeting will take place from 1:00–3:00 PM.
To replace “to” in expressions of time and distance:
The New York–Los Angeles flight was delayed.
The show runs September–December.
For clarity in complex compound adjectives:
According to Grammarly, en dashes should be used when one of the elements in a compound adjective is an open compound (contains a space) or already includes a hyphen.
Amanda only decorates with Ming Dynasty–style furniture.
I’m wearing my great-grandmother’s World War I–era dress.
Helpful Hint: To insert an en dash:
Windows: Type
Alt + 0150Mac: Type
Option + Minus (-)
Em Dashes (—): The Emphasizer
An em dash is the longest of the three and is named because it’s roughly the width of a lowercase “m.” It is incredibly versatile and can replace commas, parentheses, colons, and even semicolons to add emphasis or clarity.
Common Uses of Em Dashes:
To replace commas for emphasis:
When they were finally able to go on vacation—after saving up for several years—they made sure to visit their dream destinations.
To replace parentheses for a stronger effect:
After trying samples of ice cream—all 32 of them—she finally chose a flavor.
To replace a colon for emphasis:
The tinted windows, the great gas mileage, and the heated seats—that’s why he chose that car.
To replace a semicolon for a smoother transition:
She asked him to go to the store—he went without hesitation.
To show an interruption or sudden change in thought:
Can you please bring me my glasses—no, wait, they’re right here on my head.
Helpful Hint: To insert an em dash:
Windows: Type
Alt + 0151Mac: Type
Option + Shift + Minus (-)
Mastering Dashes for Clearer Writing
Understanding the difference between hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes can elevate your writing by improving clarity and readability. When used correctly, these punctuation marks help prevent confusion and make your text more polished and professional.
Have questions about punctuation or need an expert copy editor for your manuscript? Let’s chat! I’d love to help you refine your work. Contact me today!
