Dashes, Hyphens, and Ellipses

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What is a hyphen?

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A hyphen is a punctuation mark (-) used to join two words into one, clarify meanings, and divide words at the end of a line.

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When do you use a hyphen in a compound number?

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A hyphen is used in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine (e.g., twenty-five).

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What is a dash?

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A dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to show a sudden break in a sentence, to emphasize a word or clause, or to indicate an interruption in speech.

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How do you punctuate a sentence with a dash?

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Use a dash to set off additional information or to create emphasis, e.g., "Harvard—one of the most selective schools in the nation—is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts."

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What is an ellipsis?

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An ellipsis (...) is a punctuation mark used to indicate the omission of words or a pause in speech.

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When should you use an ellipsis?

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Use an ellipsis to show that a thought is trailing off or to indicate omitted text in a quotation.

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What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?

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A hyphen connects words (e.g., well-known), while a dash indicates a break or pause in a sentence.

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How do you use a hyphen in adjectives?

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Use a hyphen in compound adjectives before a noun, e.g., "a well-known author."

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What punctuation is used to indicate an interruption in speech?

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A dash is used to indicate an interruption in speech.

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How do you punctuate a sentence with an ellipsis?

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An ellipsis is placed where words are omitted or to indicate a pause, e.g., "I was thinking... maybe we should go."