Do you know the differences between an em dash, an en dash, and a hyphen? They all serve important functions in writing, but to truly wield their power to the fullest, it is important to understand what makes them unique and how to use them correctly.
According to The Chicago Manual of Style, the easiest way to understand the distinction is that hyphens “connect groups of words or numbers,” whereas dashes “set things off.”
Hyphenation rules can be complex, but for fiction writers, a few tips can help guide you in determining whether or not to use a hyphen.
Use a hyphen with compound words that could confuse a reader if not hyphenated. (Example: a part-time job)
Hyphens don’t usually accompany prefixes or suffixes, except for a few specific instances where the word could mean something completely different if the hyphen is omitted. (Example: re-cover and recover, re-creation and recreation)
Refer to the Merriam-Webster dictionary for specific nouns and verbs.
The Chicago Manual of Style has a helpful, easy-to-use hyphenation table for reference. It separates the hyphenation rule into categories such as colors, age terms, compass points/directions, numbers, noun + noun, noun + numeral, etc.
Alternatively, dashes are used to “set things apart.” En dashes and em dashes have distinctly different uses to differentiate certain information.
En dash: This dash is fairly easy to recognize as it is approximately the length of a capital N. It is also shorter than an em dash but longer than a hyphen. An en dash is usually used between numbers and ranges that mean to, through, or until. (See the first example below.) An en dash can also replace a hyphen in a compound adjective when at least one adjective is a two-word compound. (See the second example below.) There is no space on either side of the en dash.
The library is open 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
It is a pre–Civil War era artifact.
Em dash: This dash is known for being approximately the length of a capital M. The em dash can be a stylistic choice to replace commas, colons, semi-colons, and parentheses. It can also be used to show interrupted speech or thoughts. As with the en dash, there is no space on either side of the em dash.
Grammarians are passionate about punctuation—they have strong opinions about semicolons and em dashes.
When her sister arrived—a half-hour later than expected—Kat’s party began.
“Would you please—oh, never mind.”
These tips can help you during the self-editing stage, but our experienced editors and proofreaders will get all those hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes in order so your work can shine.
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