The main topic of this content is the use of dashes in English punctuation, specifically the en dash and em dash. The en dash connects ranges and related concepts, while the em dash adds emphasis and isolates additional information within sentences. Understanding their correct application is key to enhancing readability and precision in writing.
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Dashes are punctuation marks used to clarify and emphasize content in written English
En Dash
The en dash is used to indicate ranges of numbers or dates, and to connect related items or concepts
Em Dash
The em dash is used to insert parenthetical information or to add emphasis within a sentence
Dashes are longer and used for indicating ranges, connecting thoughts, or adding emphasis, while hyphens are used to form compound words
The en dash is primarily used to convey a range, such as "The meeting will take place from 3:00–4:00 p.m."
The en dash can be used to link related terms, such as "the Nobel Prize–winning author."
The en dash can be used to create compound adjectives, such as "post–World War II."
The em dash is used to introduce a break in the flow of a sentence, similar to a parenthetical comma or a set of parentheses
The em dash can isolate additional information, as in the sentence, "The discovery of penicillin—one of the most significant medical breakthroughs—revolutionized healthcare."
The em dash can be used to add emphasis to a particular point in a sentence
En dashes should not be spaced when denoting a range, but should be spaced when connecting words or phrases
Em dashes should not be spaced and are used to set off information or emphasize a part of the sentence
Dashes can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, and when used in pairs, they bracket information that could be considered an aside from the main clause
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Difference between dash and hyphen
Dashes are longer than hyphens and serve different functions in text.
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En dash usage
En dashes connect ranges of numbers/dates and relate items/concepts.
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Em dash function
Em dashes insert parenthetical info or add emphasis, often more informal than commas/parentheses.
