Dashes…….

You see them everywhere even though you may not realize it.  But did you know that there are three types of dashes?  Really, there are three.

• hyphen (-)
• en dash (–)
• em dash (—)

Now you may be saying, what—I’ve never heard of that!

Well, neither had I before I found out I had been using dashes incorrectly all these years.  So, I did a little research and here is what I found.

A hyphen is used between consecutive adjectives before a noun.  An example would be

• award-winning author
• state-of-the-art system
• four-bedroom apartments

An en dash is used with time and numbers.  An example would be

• 2010–2012
• 3:00pm–4:00pm

The en dash can also be used between words of connection, conflict or direction.  An example would be

• democrat–republican candidate
• north–south transit
• New York–Orlando flight

The em dash is used to indicate a pause—placing emphasis on words.  It can also replace other punctuation.  For example

• He follows behind her—his laughter mixing with hers.
• His green cloak hung from his shoulders—limp and wet from the rain.
• He looked at me with hope—like I could actually make the shot from this far away—his eyes teary with joy.

For more facts about grammar visit my website.  You can also sign up to receive a free Writing Planner & Tracking Tool that will help you along on your journey as a writer.

As always, happy writing my friends!