In a sentence, dashes are small horizontal lines that are placed between words, unlike underscores that are placed below words. Used to separate words instead of parts of words, dashes are longer than hyphens and denotes pauses or ranges. There are three types of dashes: em, en and double hyphen.

While the popular ones are the em and en dashes, all three kinds of dashes serve its own purpose. Often confused with each other, there is a good way to remember the visual difference between en and em dashes. Imagine the en dash is as horizontally long as the letter N, and the em dash is as long as the letter M.

Use of Em (-) Dashes

Em dashes are used when other types of punctuation make any sentence structure awkward. When there are many commas or parentheses in a sentence, em dashes can replace multiple punctuations to make the sentence clearer.

Example: Lucy, who already has three pets, recently got herself a puppy.

Lucy – who already has three pets – recently got herself a puppy.

While more formal than dashes, colons present information while amplifying it at the same. Em dashes do the same but are firmer and assertive than colons. To signify strong emotion in casual writing, it is better to use em dashes than colons.

Example: Jenny likes three colors: blue, purple and orange

Jenny likes three colors – blue, purple and orange

Em dashes are also used to substitute concealed, censored, or consciously excluded letters with em dashes. In such instances, em dashes appear in pairs of two dashes or three dashes.

Example: – – – has produced evidence against the defendant.

It is within the right of the ex-employee, Mr. D – –, to ask for additional compensation.

Uses of En (-) Dashes

En dashes are shorter in length, when compared to em dashes. While they look identical, their uses are very different from each other.

En dashes (-) are often used to indicate intervals of time and ranges of numbers. In such situations, the en dash means or denote to or through.

Example: Her body temperature is normal at 97°F – 99°F.

The appointment window for your checkup is 10:00 – 10:10am.

I have prepared the yearbook for the class of 2017 – 2018.

Links with En Dashes

En dashes can also be used to denote a link between two words. When you have to link hyphenated words or using two-word phrases as a modifier, place an en dash between them. This type of use of the en dash forms a compound adjective.

Example: The Academy Award – winning director is taking a break from movies.

The Los Angeles – Japan flight has many stop-offs.

Quick usage tips for dashes

Em dashes (-) give a strong break in a sentence-use them for interruptions, emphasis, or to set off parenthetical material when commas or parentheses would be awkward. En dashes (-) link values or connected items (years, ranges, or paired names).

Hyphens (-) join words and break single words across lines; they are not interchangeable with en or em dashes. For ranges and compound connections, prefer the en dash; for abrupt or emphatic pauses, use the em dash.

Spacing conventions vary: many American style guides use no spaces around the em dash (word-word), while others insert a space on each side (word – word). En dashes for ranges are most commonly written without spaces (2018-2020), though some publications add spaces for clarity.

• Use a hyphen for compound words and prefixes (self-employed, re-enter).
• Use an en dash for ranges and links between open compounds (pages 12-15; London-Tokyo flight).
• Use an em dash for emphasis, interruptions, or stronger parenthetical statements (She knew one thing-it was time to go.).
• Keyboard/HTML: en dash = – (Alt+0150 on Windows, Option+Hyphen on Mac); em dash = — (Alt+0151 on Windows, Option+Shift+Hyphen on Mac).

FAQ

When should I choose a hyphen instead of a dash?

Choose a hyphen to join words or prefixes (e.g., well-being, anti-inflammatory). If you are indicating a range, connection, or a strong pause, use an en dash or an em dash instead.

Are there firm rules about spacing around dashes?

Spacing depends on the style guide you follow. Many English-language publications prefer no spaces around em dashes and no spaces in ranges with en dashes, but consistency within a document is more important than which convention you choose.

What’s the simplest way to type dashes reliably?

Use the platform shortcuts above or insert the HTML entities (– and —) when composing online to ensure correct characters rather than plain hyphens.

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