![]() Note: If you're a stickler for the rules, use an en dash in your adjective. (2) Using Dashes in Compound Adjectives with Equal PartsĪ dash can replace a hyphen in a compound adjective with two equal elements. Note: If you're a stickler for the rules, use an en dash between times and dates. (As the values are inclusive, the fire lasted 5 days.) The Great Fire of London took place 2–6 September 1666.When using dashes between ranges, the values are inclusive. Using a dash in a range is particularly common in tables. The project will be delivered January–June.Here are some more examples of using dashes with ranges. Note: This is an alternative to the following: (A dash will usually replace the words from.to or between.and.) For example: Use of Dashes Explained in Detail (1) Using Dashes with Ranges (e.g., Times and Dates)Ī dash can be used between times and dates. The hyphen and the en dash are almost indistinguishable from each other when using normal size fonts. Here are the four main dash-like characters ordered longest to shortest: Some writers like to use two hyphens (-) to represent one dash to differentiate. That's not such a crime, but it's something of a missed opportunity to show off that you know the difference between a hyphen and a dash. The em dash is the same length as the character "M" (uppercase), and the en dash is same length as the letter "n" (lowercase).Īs dashes do not feature on a standard keyboard, lots of people use hyphens instead of dashes. There are two types of dash: the em dash (-) and the en dash (–). When used as parentheses, dashes are alternatives to brackets or commas. When used to extend a sentence, a dash can replace a semicolon ( ), a colon (:), or three dots (.) used as a pause for effect. It is usually used as an alternative to another punctuation mark. "Love is a serious mental disease." - Platoįor the most part, the dash does not have a unique role in grammar.(In this example, the dashes have been used commas or parentheses, i.e., brackets.) It depends - as my mother used to say - on trust.(4) To mark a parenthesis (e.g., an afterthought or a clarification). (Here, the dash has been used like an ellipsis (three dots).) (Here, the dash has been used like a semicolon.) (In this example, the dash has been used like a colon.) (2) To divide the equal parts of a two-part adjective. (1) To show ranges (e.g., with times and dates). Here is more detail of the five ways dashes are used: (2) Using Dashes in Compound Adjectives with Equal Parts.(1) Using Dashes with Ranges (e.g., Times and Dates).If you are unsure about the use of hyphens, consider using a professional proofreading service.Don’t get hyphens confused with their longer relative, the dash.Most styles (including APA) say that hyphens should only be used when they are truly needed. And don’t be afraid to look things up if you are unsure! Follow standard usage rules as much as you can, paying particular attention to what most often appears in your secondary literature.(The alternative: subchapters, subsections, and subquestions.) For instance, if you refer to sub-chapters, you should also refer to sub-sections and sub-questions. Be consistent in how you hyphenate related items.In addition to the above, keep the following tips in mind: Hyphens are tricky, even for experienced writers. In addition, sometimes a phrase means something completely different when a hyphen is added.Įx: The Quaker religion has a long standingĪ tradition that has existed a long time.Įx: Lighting candles is a long-standing tradition.Įx: The library recovered the book from its patron.Įx: The librarian re-covered the damaged book. Sometimes the absence of a hyphen makes it unclear what you are trying to say. The anti-UN faction was very vocal during the mid-March 1970 discussions. One firm guideline is to always hyphenate prefixes that come before a capital letter, numeral, or date. If in doubt, use a dictionary.Īlso bear in mind that prefixes are more frequently hyphenated in British English (e.g., sub-section) than in American English (e.g., subsection). Practices also vary over time as a term becomes more common, the hyphen usually disappears (such as e-mail, which has gradually turned into email). Use the best grammar checker available to check for common mistakes in your text.įew fixed rules exist about whether hyphens should be used to connect prefixes (such as un, pre, and multi).
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