Inconsistent Spacing: Be consistent in spacing around dashes and ellipses. Writing an Ellipsis Incorrectly: Remember that an ellipsis consists of three periods, evenly spaced between the dots and on either side.ĭ. Reserve them for situations where their emphasis or interruption is necessary.Ĭ. Overusing Em Dashes: While em dashes are versatile, don't overuse them. Ensure you use the appropriate mark for the intended purpose.ī. Using Hyphens Instead of Dashes: Mixing up hyphens and dashes can lead to confusion. Now that we've explored the proper uses of these punctuation marks, let's take a look at some common mistakes to avoid:Ī. Trailing Off: To convey that someone's speech or thought is trailing off, as in 'I was thinking about. Omitting Words: When quoting a passage but excluding some text, use ellipses to indicate the omission. Here's how to use ellipses effectively:Ī. It consists of three periods and is used to indicate the omission of words from a direct quotation or to create suspense or trailing off in a sentence. ) is another frequently misunderstood punctuation mark. To clarify, let's compare these three dashes side by side:ĭash (-): Used for compound words and word division.Įn Dash (–): Used for ranges of numbers and dates, as well as connecting compound adjectives.Įm Dash (-): Used for emphasizing, interrupting, clarifying, or adding information within a sentence.

The Dash (-) - The En Dash (–) - The Em Dash (-): A Comparison For example: Despite the heavy rain-which was unexpected for this time of year-the outdoor event, which had been meticulously planned for weeks, was moved indoors, causing disappointment among the attendees. Clarification in complex sentences: Em dashes can be helpful for breaking up complex, comma-heavy sentence, as they help create distinctions. For instance, 'The book-the one she recommended-is sold out.'ĭ. Em Dash Pairs: In some writing styles, pairs of em dashes (like parentheses) are used to enclose non-essential information. Lisa exclaimed, 'Sarah, I can't believe you-'Ĭ. Interrupting or Adding Information: Em dashes can be used to insert additional or explanatory information into a sentence, like 'She finally made it to the summit-after years of preparation.' They can also show an interruption in dialogue: For example, 'The cake-made from scratch-is delicious.'ī. Emphasizing Information: Em dashes are used to set off information that needs to be highlighted within a sentence. The em dash (-) is the longest of the three and is versatile in its applications. Connections in Compounds: En dashes can also be used to connect compound adjectives when one of the elements consists of two words or is already hyphenated, like 'post–World War II' or 'New York–London flight.' 3. Ranges of Numbers and Dates: The en dash is used to indicate ranges, such as 'pages 5–10' or 'June–August.' It represents a connection between two related items.ī. The en dash (–) is slightly longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash.

Prefixes and Suffixes: Hyphens are used to connect prefixes and suffixes to base words, such as 're-educate,' 'anti-inflammatory,' or 'pre-existing.' 2. Word Division: Hyphens are also used to divide words at the end of lines in print when a word can't fit entirely on one line.Ĭ. For example: 'well-known,' 'mother-in-law,' and 'high-tech.'ī. Compound Words: When two or more words work together to form a single concept, a hyphen is used. Here are some common uses of the hyphen:Ī. The hyphen (-) is primarily used to join words together, creating compound words or linking word parts. Let's start with the hyphen, the smallest and simplest of these marks. Understanding them will help you ensure consistency, clarity, and eloquence in your prose. Dashes, hyphens, and ellipses can be a source of confusion for many writers, but they have distinct purposes and uses.

Em dash vs en dash