The Em-Dash versus the Hyphen
The Hyphen: A hyphen is a single - mark on the keyboard. It is located between to the 0 and the = key.
The hyphen is used to join two words together and to sep-ar-ate syllables in a single word. Hyphenated words can be tricky in English, so look up a word if you aren't sure it should be hyphenated. Do NOT USE hyphens as DASHES (see below).
When to use it?:
The En Dash is the width of a typed "n", and is a little longer than a hyphen. It is used for periods of time. Example: The years 2000-2013.
An en dash is also used in place of a hyphen when combining two nouns as compounds: North Carolina-South Carolina or high school--college sports.
No spaces should interrupt a dash (before or after en or em dashes). To form an en dash with most PCs, type the first number or word, then hold down the ALT key while typing 0150 on the numerical pad on the right side of your keyboard. Then type the second number or word. Jeez. A lot of trouble for such a little thing. Usually people won't notice too much if you screw this one up. They WILL notice this one:
Em Dash
An em dash is the width of an m. Use an em dash sparingly in formal writing; the same thing applies to semi-colons. In informal writing, em dashes replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought. This occurs a lot in scripts to indicate an interruption or digression.
To form an em dash on most PCs, type the first word, then hold down the ALT key while typing 0151 on the numerical pad on the right side of your keyboard. Then type the second word. You may also form an em dash by typing the first word, hitting the hyphen key twice, and then typing the second word. Your program will turn the two hyphens into an em dash for you.
Now use hyphens and dashes correctly! You have been taught!
The hyphen is used to join two words together and to sep-ar-ate syllables in a single word. Hyphenated words can be tricky in English, so look up a word if you aren't sure it should be hyphenated. Do NOT USE hyphens as DASHES (see below).
When to use it?:
- Compound verbs are either hyphenated or appear as one word. If you do not find the verb in the dictionary, hyphenate it. Example: To air-condition the school will be expensive.
- Usually (not always), we hyphenate when two or more adjectives are used in a sentence when they come before a noun and act as a single idea. Example: friendly-looking woman, grumpy-sounding teacher.
- When adverbs not ending in -ly are used as compound words in front of a noun, hyphenate. If the combination is used after the noun, do not hyphenate. Example: The well-known poet accepted his award.
- Most of the time we use a comma, not a hyphen, between two adjectives.
- Hyphenate all compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine.
- ATTENTION COOKS: Hyphenate all spelled-out fractions. Example: Use one-third cup of sugar.
The En Dash is the width of a typed "n", and is a little longer than a hyphen. It is used for periods of time. Example: The years 2000-2013.
An en dash is also used in place of a hyphen when combining two nouns as compounds: North Carolina-South Carolina or high school--college sports.
An em dash is the width of an m. Use an em dash sparingly in formal writing; the same thing applies to semi-colons. In informal writing, em dashes replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought. This occurs a lot in scripts to indicate an interruption or digression.
Jackie: You are the friend—the only friend—who loves—I wish you would—oh, never mind. Learn how to use an em dash.
Todd: You bet, baby!
Now use hyphens and dashes correctly! You have been taught!
Comments