Understanding Dashes and Hyphens

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What is a dash?

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A dash is a punctuation mark (—) used to indicate a break in thought, to set off information for emphasis, or to create a pause in a sentence.

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What is a hyphen?

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A hyphen is a punctuation mark (-) used to join words or parts of words, such as in compound words or to indicate a word break.

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When should a dash be used for clarification?

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A dash should be used to set off additional information that clarifies or elaborates on the main clause, as in 'The best players—Michael Jordan and LeBron James—are often compared.'

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How is a dash used for emphasis?

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A dash can be used to emphasize a word or phrase within a sentence, as in 'The winner of the contest—surprisingly—was the youngest participant.'

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What is the purpose of a hyphen in a compound word?

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The purpose of a hyphen in a compound word is to join two or more words to form a single compound word, such as 'mother-in-law.'

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How do you use a hyphen with numbers?

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A hyphen is used to join numbers in written form, such as 'forty-four'.

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What is the difference between a dash and a hyphen?

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A dash (—) indicates a break or pause in thought, while a hyphen (-) connects words or parts of words.

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Can a dash replace commas?

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Yes, a dash can replace commas for added emphasis or to create a stronger break in the sentence.

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What is an example of a sentence using a dash for additional information?

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An example is: 'The conference—held annually—attracts many participants from around the world.'

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What is an example of a compound word using a hyphen?

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An example is 'well-being,' which combines two words into one.