from X - Y (from X to Y)

When a range starts with from, pair it with to: write "from X to Y." Writers sometimes insert a hyphen or dash after from ("from X - Y"), but that form is incorrect in running text.

This page gives the rule, quick checks, many copy-ready wrong/right pairs and rewrites, and realistic examples for work, school, and casual contexts so you can correct sentences fast.

Quick answer

If a sentence begins with from, use to to mark the endpoint: write "from X to Y." A hyphen or en dash after from is incorrect in prose. If you drop from (compact labels, tables, headlines), use an en dash: "July 1-10."

Correct (prose): from July 1 to July 10.
Incorrect in running text: from July 1 - July 10.
Compact/typography (no from): July 1-10 (en dash).

Core rule: use from ... to ... for ranges

From names the starting point; to names the endpoint. The pair forms a complete prepositional construction: from X to Y. A dash cannot replace the preposition in a normal sentence without breaking the grammar.

Correct pattern: From + start + to + end (dates, times, places, numbers).
If you spot from followed by a dash, replace the dash with to.

Wrong: I'll be on vacation from July 1 - July 10.
Right: I'll be on vacation from July 1 to July 10.

Hyphen, en dash, and when you can omit from

Hyphens (-) join words; en dashes (-) indicate ranges. In compact formats (tables, captions, headlines) you can omit from and use an en dash: "July 1-10."

In full sentences, keep the prepositional pair: from July 1 to July 10. Do not pair from with a hyphen or en dash in running prose.

Compact label (no from): 9:00-17:00, March-May, 2018-2020 (en dash).
Running text (with from): from 9 AM to 5 PM (no dash after from).

Wrong: The festival runs from June-August.
Right: The festival runs from June to August.
Compact: Festival: June-August (headline or schedule).

Spacing and punctuation: small fixes that matter

Spacing around dashes varies: "9 AM-5 PM", "9 AM - 5 PM", etc. Even with consistent spacing, a dash after from is wrong in prose.

Use clear, consistent forms: in prose, write from 9 AM to 5 PM; in compact lists, use 09:00-17:00 (en dash, no spaces) or 9:00-17:00 depending on style.

Avoid: from 9 AM - 5 PM → change to: from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Compact timetable: 09:00-17:00 (en dash, no spaces).

Wrong: Office hours are from 9 AM - 5 PM.
Right: Office hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Tone and context: when to prefer which form

Use from ... to ... in full sentences, emails, and instructions-it's clear and formal. Use compact X-Y in schedules, tables, or UI labels where space is limited.

When unsure, prefer the written preposition: it avoids typographic confusion and reads naturally.

Emails, memos, essays: from March 3 to March 5.
Schedules, tables, subject lines: Mar 3-5 (compact).

Usage (email): The seminar runs from March 3 to March 5.
Usage (schedule): Seminar: Mar 3-5.

Real usage: copy-ready examples for work, school, and casual contexts

Below are common contexts with three short, ready-to-use examples each.

Work
- The meeting is scheduled from 2 to 4 PM tomorrow.
- The promotion applies from June 1 to December 31; update Q3 forecasts.
- Budget items rose from $5,000 to $7,500 year over year.
School
- Read chapters from 10 to 12 for Monday's class.
- The course runs from September to December (see syllabus).
- Submit drafts of pages 5 to 8 by Friday.
Casual
- Let's meet from 6 to 8 tonight at the café.
- The sale runs from Friday to Sunday-lots of good deals.
- He worked at the festival from May to August last year.

Try your own sentence

Check the whole sentence rather than the fragment. Read it aloud: if you naturally say to, replace the dash with to. If the phrase reads like a label, drop from and use an en dash.

Examples and common wrong/right pairs (copy-ready corrections)

Replace any from X - Y with from X to Y in prose. For labels, remove from and use an en dash.

Wrong: We drove from New York - Los Angeles last summer.
Right: We drove from New York to Los Angeles last summer.
Wrong: The workshop is for ages from 8 - 12.
Right: The workshop is for ages from 8 to 12.
Wrong: Temperatures range from 15°C - 25°C during summer.
Right: Temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C during summer.
Wrong: Shift hours are from 7 - 11 PM.
Right: Shift hours are from 7 to 11 PM.
Wrong: The sale is valid from Nov 20 - Nov 27.
Right: The sale is valid from Nov 20 to Nov 27.
Wrong: Ages accepted: from 18 - 21.
Right: Ages accepted: from 18 to 21.
Wrong: The conference runs from 9-11 June.
Right: The conference runs from June 9 to June 11.

How to fix your sentence: quick rewrite patterns

Three editing steps: 1) Find sequences that start with from. 2) If they use a dash, swap the dash for to. 3) If you need brevity, remove from and use an en dash in labels.

Paste these rewrites into drafts or use them as templates.

Rewrite:
Original: From June 1 - July 15, the gallery is closed. → The gallery is closed from June 1 to July 15.
Rewrite:
Original: Packages sent from NY - LA may be delayed. → Packages sent from New York to Los Angeles may be delayed.
Rewrite:
Original: Office open from 9AM-5PM. → The office is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Rewrite:
Original: From 03/01 - 03/07, the lab is closed. → The lab is closed from March 1 to March 7.
Rewrite:
Original: From 10-12 students will present. → Between 10 and 12 students will present, or: From 10 to 12 students will present.
Rewrite (label): Original: Hours: from 9 - 5. → Label: Hours: 09:00-17:00. Prose: The office is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Memory tricks and quick checks

Two-step test: 1) If the phrase starts with from, say to aloud-if the speech uses to, type to. 2) If the phrase is clearly a short label (schedule, table, UI), drop from and use an en dash.

If it starts with from → use to, not a dash.
If it's a short label → drop from and write Jul 1-10 (en dash, no spaces depending on style).

Mental test: Read "from March 1 - 3" aloud. You'll naturally say "to"-so change the dash to to.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Related confusions appear often; choose the structure that matches your meaning.

Between vs from: "Between Monday and Friday" can list two items; "from Monday to Friday" shows a continuous span.
From ... through ...: use through to emphasize inclusive endpoints (schedules): "from June 1 through August 31."
Hyphens vs minus: don't use a hyphen as a minus sign in prose; use the proper minus glyph in technical text or an en dash for typographic ranges.

Usage: Between March and May (list or contrast).
Usage: The course runs from June 1 through August 31 (inclusive).
Usage: Pages 45-52 (compact, typographic range).

FAQ

Is "from X - Y" ever correct?

Not in standard running text. It omits to. You may see "X-Y" (en dash) without from in compact contexts like schedules or headlines, but avoid "from X - Y" in sentences.

Can I use an en dash instead of to?

Only when you omit from and the context is compact (tables, captions, headlines): "July 1-10." In full sentences that begin with from, write "from July 1 to July 10."

Should I change "9 AM - 5 PM" to "9 AM to 5 PM" in emails?

Yes. In emails and most prose prefer "from 9 AM to 5 PM" or simply "9 AM to 5 PM." Use "09:00-17:00" with an en dash for timetables and schedules.

Is "between X and Y" the same as "from X to Y"?

They often overlap but differ in nuance: between can list two items or choices; from ... to ... usually signals a continuous range. Pick the form that matches your meaning.

How can I check many sentences at once for this error?

Search for patterns like "from .* -" or scan sentences that start with from looking for dashes. Grammar or find-and-replace tools can fix many instances-then review edge cases manually.

Want a quick check on your sentence?

Paste a sentence into a grammar checker that recognizes range problems; it will suggest "from ... to ..." or the compact "X-Y" where appropriate. Use the rewrites above to fix text instantly.