Dashes are punctuation marks that indicate a pause or break in a sentence. They can add emphasis, indicate a change in thought, or set off additional information.
Types of Dashes
Em Dash (—):
Used to create a strong break in the structure of a sentence.
Often replaces commas, parentheses, or colons.
Example: “She was the best player on the team—everyone agreed.”
En Dash (–):
Used to indicate a range of values, such as numbers, dates, or time.
Example: “Read pages 10–20 for homework.”
Hyphen (-):
Not a dash, but often confused with it. Used to connect words or parts of words (e.g., in compound adjectives).
Example: “Well-known author.”
Uses of Em Dashes
To Indicate Interruptions:
Example: “I was thinking—no, I wasn’t thinking—about the consequences.”
To Add Emphasis:
Example: “There is one thing I can’t stand—lies.”
To Set Off Parenthetical Information:
Example: “The conference—originally scheduled for May—has been postponed.”
Uses of En Dashes
To Indicate a Range:
Example: “The years 2000–2020 saw significant changes in technology.”
To Connect Related Concepts:
Example: “The Boston–New York train is on time.”
Formatting Dashes
Em Dash: Typically typed without spaces before or after (e.g., “word—word”).
En Dash: Also typed without spaces (e.g., “10–20”).
Avoid Overuse
While dashes can be effective for emphasis, overusing them can make writing appear chaotic. Use them judiciously for clarity.
