Posted: February 6, 2024

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Definition: a short dash (–) used in punctuation, in particular between figures to show a range (for example, 1939–45) and a long dash (—) used in punctuation.

Note: Do not rely on grammar or spelling checkers to identify missing or misused punctuation. Although a checker may flag possibly missing or incorrect marks, it cannot do much else. While I still recommend using these AI checkers while you’re writing, I insist that you also trust a qualified human being to copyedit any work that you are working toward publishing.

The dash is a mark of interruption, usually for marking asides, signalling a shift, insertion, or break. Depending on your region, you may use an en-dash (–) or an em-dash (—). Do not use hyphens as a dash; despite their similarities, hyphens have a very different use than dashes.

Some authors love using dashes for everything, but many times, they are incorrectly used. A comma could be used instead. Too many dashes, as with all things, is bad. It can make the narrative seem stilted or choppy, which you don’t want.

The Hyphen

The main use of a hyphen is syllabication (for proofreaders), but another use is for compound words. It may also be used for number ranges in place of en-dashes (see below).

[Related article: Punctuation: The Hyphen]

The En Dash

An en-dash is half the width of an em-dash and is the full width of the lowercase letter n, hence the name. It is mainly used to replace the hyphen between two hyphenated words but has other uses as well.

In Ranges

Use an en-dash to indicate a range of page numbers, times or dates, and references.

• e.g. pp. 345–351
• e.g. World War II (September 1, 1939–September 2, 1945) was a dark time in human history.

Do not use an en-dash in place of from…to or between…and.

• e.g. “I’ll be at the party between two and four o’clock.” NOT “I’ll be at the party between two–four o’clock.”
• e.g. The Smith family was moving from Main to Ottawa. NOT The Smith Family was moving from Main–Ottawa.

In Compound Adjectives

Use an en-dash if at least one term in a compound adjective is already hyphenated or if another term is more than one word.

• e.g. The post–World War I era would never be the same. (World War I is multiple words)
• e.g. The high-income–low-income ratio was narrower than the previous year. (high-income and low-income are both hyphenated terms)
• e.g. He was taking the New York–Los Angeles connecting flight. (New York and Los Angeles are both more than one word)

Note: Do not use an en-dash in simple compound words.

The Em Dash

An em-dash is the width of the capital letter ‘M’ hence the name. It is the most common type of dash as it is used to set of parenthetical material, to indicate a shift in tone, or other such uses. (A spaced en-dash can also be used in its place in certain regions.)

To Set Off Parenthetical Material

Use an em-dash in place of commas to enclose parenthetical material.

• e.g. My best friends—Arthur, Matthew, and Jonas—all enjoy playing basketball.

Use an em-dash to signal a break in thoughts or a shift in tone.

• e.g. I can—I must—do it.
• e.g. The novel—if one can call it that—was published just last year.

Use an em-dash to set off a summarizing thought or to conclude an introductory series.

• e.g. To win the final game and claim the trophy—that was our aim.
• e.g. Shortness of breath, skin discolouration, the sudden appearance of moles, persistent indigestion, or the presence of small lumps—all these may signify cancer.
• e.g. Many patients are put off by the MRI machine—by the need to lie still for long periods in a small space and by the loud sounds it makes.

Use em-dashes to enclose an element needing emphasis.

• e.g. Book designers—especially fantasy and science fiction designers—must keep getting more and more creative.

To Indicate Faltering Speech

Use an em-dash to indicate an interrupted thought in dialogue.

• e.g. “Wha—”

Use an em-dash to indicate faltering speech.

• e.g. “I can’t—I didn’t—I can’t believe it!” she exclaimed.

Used Typographically

Use an em-dash to introduce a name following an epigraph or quotation.

• e.g. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”—Franklin D. Roosevelt

With Other Punctuation

Do not use a period or comma with em-dashes.

• e.g. Margaret began, “I really don’t think—”

An em-dash follows a question mark or exclamation mark (with no space) if the enclosed material contains either.

• e.g. “Late! Really, truly—oh, dear!—late!”

Overuse

As mentioned before, using too many dashes in your writing can make it feel jumpy or breathy. Use as few dashes as possible. Try rewording sentences so other punctuation can be used.

*An exception to this rule is if you’re writing dialogue for a character who speaks in a very jumpy or choppy way. Use this only for this character to give distinction. Still be careful of overuse, as it may become aggravating to a reader, like with writing a heavy accent.

2-Em Dash

2-em-dashes are used to indicate missing letters in transcribed material. (It may also indicate a chemical bond.)

• e.g. In 1885, Mr. John H—— discovered the ancient temple of The Dragon.

3-Em Dash

3-em-dashes are used to indicate a missing word in transcribed material, or in references. If the entire word is missing, keep normal spacing on either side. In references, end the 3-em-dash with the correct punctuation. If the middle of a word is missing, have no spaces on either side.

• e.g. Thom took three days to climb Mount ——— but reached the summit and returned unharmed.
• e.g. Symonds, John. “A Problem in Greek Ethics.” Sexual Inversion: A Critical Edition. Edited by Ivan Crozier, Knopf, 2008, pp. 227–95.
  ———. The Memoirs of John Addington Symonds. Edited by Phyllis Grosskurth, Hutchinson Press, 1984.

For further information, see my other Punctuation articles:

Sources:

Aaron, J.E. & Morrison, A. The Little, Brown Compact Handbook, 5th Canadian ed. Pearson, 2013, chap 5
Judd, K. Copyediting, A Practical Guide, 3rd ed. California, CA: Crisp Learning, 2001, chap 4