Em dash vs en dash. , well-known, part-time, self-esteem.
Em dash vs en dash.
Dashes come in two sizes—the en dash and the em dash.
Em dash vs en dash Focus on using the double dash (–) where you’d use an em-dash, and your editor or formatter will handle the conversion in the final layout. The em dash (about as wide as an uppercase M), is a relatively artistic punctuation mark, compared to the more technical hyphen and en dash. An en dash (–), the second-longest “dash,” shows when a range of things in writing are related to one Apr 6, 2020 · Some say to use the en dash instead of the em dash, while others go so far as to advocate using the hyphen, advice that would lead to confusion for readers, as we have noted above. It is most commonly used to denote a range of values, e. en dash, the real differences come in how they are both used. a) Length: Em dash is longer than an en dash. Em dash ist eine Art Strich, der für die Interpunktion in englischer Sprache verwendet wird. En Dashes. The main difference in em dash vs en dash usage is that em dashes are typically used for emphasis or interruption, while en dashes primarily indicate ranges or connections. A dash (generally, an "en dash") can replace a hyphen in a compound adjective with two equal elements. For example: I’m going to stay healthy – knock on wood. See examples of dashes for range, connection, emphasis, and more. em dash. An em dash (—) is roughly the size of the letter M, while an en dash (–) is the size of the letter N. To indicate an em dash, type two hyphens in a row Nov 13, 2022 · The Function of Em Dashes vs. Apr 19, 2022 · What Is an Em Dash? An em dash is called this because it’s the same length as the letter m. Let's take a look at the different types of dashes and when to use these little punctuation marks. Aug 20, 2024 · In British English, the en dash can be used like an em dash. See full list on scribbr. " Each has distinct uses in writing. Types of Dashes and Their Uses. He explains that for the En dash, the actual size of the dash is the same width as the letter ‘n’ while Feb 5, 2025 · There are three dashes used in writing: the hyphen (-), the en dash (–), and the em dash (—). Examples: Feb 5, 2025 · There are three dashes used in writing: the hyphen (-), the en dash (–), and the em dash (—). A dash (always an "em dash") can be used to credit a quotation. The em dash is longer (—), often used for breaks or extra ideas. ’ Differences between an em dash and en dash. ) May 18, 2025 · Learn the difference between em dash and en dash, essential punctuation marks in writing. The em dash (—) is typically about as wide as a capital H. Oct 30, 2024 · Em dash vs. En dash – Image Oct 28, 2022 · Now, similar to the em dash, the en dash, too, derives its name because of its width is similar to the letter ‘N. To Show Range: En dashes are often used to indicate a range of numbers. Like em dashes, they have multiple uses. Understanding when to use each one can greatly improve the clarity and flow of your writing. Although most informal publications don’t use en dashes, you might see them in major newspapers, such as The New York Times, or in research periodicals. The hyphen (-) is often incorrectly used in place of a dash. Em dash vs. Here’s a quick breakdown: Hyphen (-) is used to join words or parts of words together; e. While a dash separates or modifies the meaning of text or numbers, it is the length of the dash that signifies how it should be read in context. The en dash (–) is slightly shorter than the em dash, but still longer than a single hyphen. Jul 25, 2023 · 1. A, a hyphen (-) is the shortest “dash” and connects two words. dash. ” Jun 27, 2023 · When using an em dash in this way, two or three em dashes are typically used for each missing word or portion of a word. g. " Feb 13, 2024 · When to use en dash; Examples; Em dash and en dash. Usage. In fact, it might the most versatile punctuation mark there is. 3 of 5 En Dashes The en dash is longer than a hyphen, but shorter than an em dash (–). , well-known, part-time, self-esteem. Many people use these two dashes interchangeably. For example: The India–Pakistan issue; The Smith–Jones case (7) A Dash to Credit a Quotation. See examples of how to use them for connection, range, interruption, and emphasis. The em dash (—) is primarily used to indicate interruptions, emphasize elements, set off appositives, replace colons or semicolons, and create a break in sentence flow. Sep 14, 2024 · Writers often mix up the em dash vs en dash, especially when trying to emphasize a point or denote a range. Hyphen: The prize-winning entry caused quite a stir in the Hyphens, En Dashes, and Em Dashes: Differences, Similarities, and Uses, Fall 2022. , 3–7) and to connect two terms in an Feb 12, 2025 · The Em Dash (—) What is an Em Dash? The em dash (—) is the longest of the three marks and is primarily used in interruptions, emphasis, and parenthetical statements. Search em dash to insert it at the cursor. 68–72), or to mean “to” in phrases like “the London–Leeds train. Understanding the difference between em dashes and en dashes is key to using them correctly: Em Dash (—): Creates a stronger break, often replacing commas or parentheses for added drama. Simple tips and examples from a student writing mentor. When to use em dash vs en dash? The em dash and en dash serve distinct purposes in punctuation. en dash: What’s the difference? En dashes (–) are specifically used in ranges, basically as a substitute for the word to, as in 1994–1995 or 900–999 or A–Z. ” How Trinka Grammar Checker Helps Jul 18, 2011 · The first basic concept to get your head around concerns the length of the punctuation mark. The en and em are units of Jun 26, 2022 · What's the Difference Between Em Dash, En Dash, and Hyphen? By Benj Edwards. Understand their uses, including indicating ranges, setting off clauses, and separating items in lists. The em dash is called an “em” because the dash is approximately the width of a typed letter M. En Dash (–): Indicates ranges or relationships, such as “pages 5–10” or “New York–London. Anywhere formal typography appears, an en dash might pop up. Aug 26, 2021 · The en dash and em dash get their names from their approximate length: The en dash is shorter, about the width of the letter N, and the em dash is longer, about the width of the letter M. En dash: – Jan 17, 2025 · Em Dash vs. em dash quiz. Oct 30, 2024 · The most interesting part of how the En and Em dash was named correlates to the width size of the dashes, as explained in an article called “How To Type En Dashes, Em Dashes, and Hyphens on a Mac” written by OWC Mark C on Rocket Yard. Oct 30, 2024 · Learn when to use em dashes (—) and en dashes (–) in English writing, and how they differ from hyphens (-). However, they are meant to be used for different purposes: an en dash (–) is most often used to indicate ranges, while an em dash (—) is used to mark breaks within a sentence. For example: "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. An en dash (–), the second-longest “dash,” is used to show how a range of things in writing are related to one another. ” Overusing the em dash: Apr 20, 2019 · To type an em dash in Microsoft Word, press the Option + Shift + hyphen keys (on Mac OS). Don’t do that—it’s another typewriter habit. com Jun 2, 2025 · En dash vs. One of the most common mix-ups between different punctuation has to be confusing the em dash and en dash. En dash vs. But they’re a critical tool for any writer, especially if you’re hoping to add drama or connect thoughts together. Unlike an em dash, an en dash has a smaller number of appropriate uses. An easy way to remember the difference between em dashes and en dashes is by their sizes. Em Dash: An em dash is useful to display how a person changes his subject mid-sentence or gets Oct 30, 2024 · This is because the en dash is used to show connection or conflict, or a span of time, dates, or scores, not as punctuation as part of a sentence as hyphens or em dashes’ might be. An em dash is most often used to indicate a pause in a sentence. En and em dashes are often approximated by typing two or three hyphens in a row (--or ---). Or simply type two hyphens one after the other, type the word that is supposed to appear after the em dash, and press Space—the hyphens magically turn into an em dash. En dash. The novelty of the em dash makes it perfect for text that you want to stand out. Let’s dive into how AP style says to use each of these punctuation marks properly to punch up your writing. Der Grund, warum dieser Strich Em Strich genannt wird, liegt an dem Buchstaben M auf der Tastatur eines Computers. Use em dashes to set off parenthetical information. An en dash (–) is a mid-sized dash that indicates ranges in numbers, dates, and times by replacing the word "to. A pair of em dashes can be used in place of commas to enhance readability. The en dash (–) is about half as wide. Aug 29, 2010 · An em-dash is typically used as a stand-in for a comma or parenthesis to separate out phrases—or even just a word—in a sentence for various reasons (e. Note, however, that dashes are always more emphatic Oct 8, 2023 · Usage. Never used a double hyphen to replace an em or en dash. An em dash is a long dash (—) that sets off a word or clause to add emphasis, indicate an interruption, or expand upon an idea. The main types are the em dash (—), en dash (–), and the hyphen (-). Use real dashes. The main difference is that US English uses em dashes—usually without spaces—in place of parentheses, while UK English prefers the shorter en dash – with a space either side – for the same purpose. We’ll show you examples of each of these uses in a moment. Never use a hyphen for a range of numbers or dates. —should consult the style manual to which they default. Figure dashes indicate a separation between numbers that isn’t a range, but the mark is frequently used in place of an en-dash when en-dashes aren’t supported by the typeface. Em dashes are mainly used to set off parenthetical information in American English: Baldwin’s first novel—Go Tell it on the Mountain—is set in 1930s Harlem. In fact, the en dash is preferred to the em dash by the Oxford Style Guide. The en and em are units of Place your cursor where you want the em dash, and go to Insert and click on Special Characters. Jan 18, 2023 · Let’s consider the dashes in some more detail. An em dash (—), the longest “dash,” is used as a substitute for a comma, colon, semi-colon, or parentheses and emphasizes information. Em Dash? The en dash and em dash are often misused. Em dashes (—) can be used in place of commas and parentheses to offset parenthetical information in a sentence—like this. The en-dash serves many a purpose in English typography. However, if you have a two-word adjective phrase that must be connected to a How to Properly Use an En Dash. It is mainly used between dates to mark a span of time. It is generally used in place of "to" for Oct 11, 2019 · Em Dash vs. Learn how to use em dashes (—) and en dashes (–) in punctuation, with explanations and examples. Find out the differences between em dashes and hyphens (-), and when to use en dashes instead of hyphens or commas. ’ Hyphen: The hyphen is exactly half the size of an en dash. Ready to dive deeper and elevate your […] The en-dash. En dashes can be used to Dec 30, 2022 · For a couple of straight lines, hyphens, em dashes and en dashes can be surprisingly tricky to use. Using Em Dashes (–) and Em Dashes (—) There are two different kinds of dashes: (1) en dashes and (2) em dashes. Dashes come in two sizes—the en dash and the em dash. 英文寫作通常會直接分辨 hyphen 或 dash，較少會特別區分這個 dash 是所謂的 em dash 還是 en dash。 俗稱的 dash 通常指的就是 ，也就是中文的「破折號」：功能是連結不同句子（或是句子的不同部分），而 hyphen (連字號) 則是用來連結 Figuring out whether to use an en dash, em dash, 2 em dashes, or even (gasp!) 3 em dashes can be confusing. En dashes show ranges, connect places, or join compound adjectives, while em dashes indicate breaks, add drama, or replace punctuation. A dash can be used to link words or numbers or to create a pause in a sentence, but each situation calls for a different type of punctuation. It adds emphasis and draws attention to the information enclosed by the dash. Using em dashes instead of parentheses puts the focus on the information between Em-dashes are used to break up the extra information in sentences, while en-dashes are used to indicate a range of items, usually numbers. En dash In ranges. The en dash is shorter than the em dash but longer than the hyphen. ” When using the em dash and the en dash you should not leave any spaces between the punctuation and the next word. An en dash should be read as “to” or “through” when it is being used to represent a span or range between numbers, dates, and times. 1) Indicating a Span or Range between Numbers, Dates, and Times. ’ En Dash: Just like em dash, an en dash’s size is the width of the letter ‘N. Each has a special role in sentences. Jun 29, 2022 · As we’ve seen, en dashes—the width of an n—and em dashes—the width of an m—are used in much the same way on both sides of the pond. So, let’s dive deeper into the differences between em dashes and en dashes and explore some examples of how they can be used effectively. There are two types of dashes in English: The en dash (–) is shorter and is used to indicate a range, such as a page range (pp. Dec 2, 2015 · En and Em Dashes and Hyphens One thing editors do is to fuss with punctuation, especially dashes. En Dash. Learn the difference and usage of three lengths of dashes: hyphen, en dash, and em dash. Its alphabetical cousin, the en dash, is about the same width as the letter N. English has two main dashes: the em dash and the en dash. So, now you know how to use en and em dashes, let’s recap the main differences (with a few more examples). For both en dashes and em dashes, do not put any spaces before or after the dashes. The en dash (–) gets its name because it's the same width as the letter N. Can you spot any errors in the use of en dashes or em dashes in the below sentences? (Based on CMOS recommendations outlined in this blog post. Em dashes in place of commas. . hyphen vs. The hyphen is used to connect two words together and should not be used in place of either an em or an en dash. First, we’ll explain the en dash. Dashes, if used incorrectly, can actually confuse readers (not just bother detail–oriented editors). Em Dash vs. Aug 28, 2024 · Em dash vs en dash. Dieser Strich hat eine Länge, die der Breite des Buchstabens M entspricht und wird daher als Em-Strich bezeichnet. Em Aug 2, 2024 · Ever wondered about the difference between em dashes and en dashes? While these punctuation marks might seem similar, they serve distinct purposes in writing. 破折號 em dash vs. The most confusing thing about an en dash is the fact that it is so similar to two other punctuation marks, the em dash and the The en dash is shorter, named after the width of the letter "n," and the em dash is longer, named after the width of the letter "m. September–October; 2:00–3:00 pm; Pages 113–117; It is generally recommended to use the word “to” instead the dash, should the latter lead to possible confusion or if it were in any way typographically May 23, 2025 · Confused about dashes? Learn how to use a dash correctly, when to use an em dash or en dash, and the difference between hyphen vs. When using an en dash in this way, there are always spaces on either side. The en dash (–) is shorter and connects numbers, dates, or linked words. Unlike the versatile em dash, the Nov 17, 2020 · Em Dash: As already mentioned above, an em dash’s size is the width of the letter ‘M. In general, a good way to remember whether you need an em dash or an en dash is to ask yourself some version of this question: Are you trying to separate whole parts of a Sep 30, 2010 · The em dash draws a reader’s attention, partly because of the physical separation that the longer dash creates and partly because these dashes appear less frequently than hyphens and en dashes. The em dash is the length of a lower case letter “m” and the en dash is the length of the letter “n. Dec 9, 2024 · Learn how to use en dashes (–) and em dashes (—) correctly in your writing. Do not mistake the em dash (—) for the slightly narrower en dash (–) or the even narrower hyphen (-). A common mistake writers make is using a hyphen Aug 6, 2021 · The Em Dash (—) Em dashes get their name from typography: Possessing the same width as the letter “m,” em dashes are a versatile punctuation mark with a variety of uses. Jul 14, 2023 · While the two dashes may seem similar, they have distinct uses in writing. m. Compare hyphens and en-dashes in these examples: Hyphen: She was a scholar of the post-war novel. Not exactly rocket science is it? EM Dash. Here are a few common mistakes: Using an em dash instead of an en dash for ranges: Incorrect: “The concert runs from 6:00—9:00 p. See examples, rules, and tips for using dashes correctly and effectively. They look so similar (and even sound similar!) so it’s easy to get confused. When to Use an Em Dash. Mar 10, 2018 · The en dash is about as wide as an uppercase N; the em dash is as wide as an M. em dash vs. 連接號 en dash. One use case for em dashes is as a substitute for commas. It’s stronger than a comma, but weaker than a period or semicolon. ” Correct: “The concert runs from 6:00–9:00 p. ) Use the knowledge you’ve learned above and try not to peek at the answers below! Between 1–3 inches of rainfall fell last night. In addition, em dashes are used in dialog to indicate interrupted speech: “Don’t be Jun 29, 2022 · As we’ve seen, en dashes—the width of an n—and em dashes—the width of an m—are used in much the same way on both sides of the pond. (This image was made with PowerPoint and Photoshop; the relative sizes of the dashes look right, however, the en dash and em dash don’t exactly match the width of the upper-case N and M – and they rarely do! It also depends on fonts, software and devices. Discover how to use em dashes and en dashes correctly, enhancing clarity and readability in your writing with proper dash usage. Aug 2, 2023 · Learn the difference between em dash and en dash, two types of dashes used in writing to separate phrases, indicate ranges, or emphasize information. Em dashes are often used to set off parenthetical information. a parenthetical; an ersatz-ellipsis). En Dash vs. In Place of Parentheses or Commas Em dashes can be used instead of parentheses or commas to set off additional information. We will limit our discussion to the most common uses of the en and em dashes as they will fulfill the bulk of the needs of most writers. Jan 16, 2024 · When to use em dashes. " An en dash can also help maintain clarity with May 13, 2021 · Summary: En Dashes vs Em Dashes. A writer's use of dashes (hyphens, em dashes, and en dashes) is one of the typographical elements that "jump out" at editors. Not only does an em dash (—) look very similar to an en dash (–), but they also sound similar when we discuss them too, so mixing them up can be quite common. En-dash: She was a scholar of the post–World War II novel. Hyphens are half an en; en dashes are half an em. Published Jun 26, 2022. Our British and Canadian readers—and, indeed, any English-speaking reader outside the U. Sep 12, 2022 · Em Dash vs. Em dash (—) vs. Jan 18, 2025 · Pro Tip: When typing a manuscript, don’t sweat en-dashes. The functions of em dashes and en dashes couldn’t be more different. Figuratively speaking, the hyphen pulled the short end of the stick. How to type an em-dash. Part 3: Common Uses of the Em-Dash (and Mistakes to Avoid) The em-dash is a writer’s best friend when it comes to creating rhythm, drama Dashes can be a complex topic with many subtle uses. The clue is in their names! The dashes are named after the letters M and N. ; Example: “The meeting will last from 2–4 p. Em dashes are used in place of standard punctuation such as the comma, parenthesis, colon, and semi-colon: The cat—which had always hated Emily—snuggled up to Jane. How to Use an Em Dash. Use an en dash for ranges of numbers (e. en dash (–) It’s easy to confuse the em dash with the en dash, but a simple tip can help you tell them apart. It’s easy to confuse the en dash with the hyphen and em dash, but they serve different purposes. A matter of length. b) Applicability: Em dash can replace punctuation marks like parentheses, colons, commas, and semi-colons. Hyphen. Follow Followed Like Jul 22, 2024 · Past the visual distinctions of em dash vs. S. Those marks serve different purposes and are further explained in other sections. The various types include the en dash, em dash, 2-em dash, and 3-em dash. How Do You Use the En Dash vs. ” To Connect Ideas: En dashes can connect words that describe a relationship or conflict. Aug 6, 2021 · However, when the compound adjective contains an entity that is made up of multiple words, it’s correct to use an en-dash. bcxmejypvvywielpniwdkqtvzcdlpwwguzfqjynzkrpdvoshhmgc