Dashes, Hyphens, and Ellipses

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What is a dash?

Back

A dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a sudden break in thought, to emphasize a word or clause, or to show that someone's speech is being interrupted.

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What is a hyphen?

Back

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

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What is an ellipsis?

Back

An ellipsis (...) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a pause in speech or to show that something has been left out.

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How is a dash used in a sentence?

Back

A dash can be used to set off additional information or to create emphasis, e.g., "She was going to the store—if she had time."

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How is a hyphen used in compound words?

Back

A hyphen is used to connect two or more words to form a compound word, e.g., "mother-in-law."

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When should you use an ellipsis?

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Use an ellipsis to indicate a pause in thought or speech, or to show that a sentence is incomplete, e.g., "I was thinking..."

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What punctuation indicates a pause in a sentence?

Back

A dash (—) or an ellipsis (...) can indicate a pause in a sentence.

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What is the difference between a dash and a hyphen?

Back

A dash (—) is longer and used for breaks in thought, while a hyphen (-) is shorter and used to connect words.

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Can a dash replace commas?

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

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What is an example of a sentence using a hyphen?

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"The well-known author gave a lecture." (The hyphen connects 'well' and 'known' to form a compound adjective.)