GV

Hyphens and Dashes

Using hyphens (-), en dashes (–), and em dashes (—) correctly

intermediate

When to Use Hyphens and Dashes

  • •Hyphen (-): compound adjectives before nouns: a well-known author
  • •Hyphen (-): compound numbers: twenty-one, two-thirds
  • •Hyphen (-): prefixes in some cases: self-aware, ex-president
  • •En dash (–): ranges: pages 10–20, Monday–Friday
  • •Em dash (—): interruption or emphasis: She was—believe it or not—early.

How to Form Hyphens and Dashes

Affirmative (+)

Hyphen: word-word | En dash: number–number | Em dash: word—word

Negative (-)

Don't use hyphens for ranges; don't use dashes in compound adjectives

Question (?)

Same rules apply in questions

💡 Hyphen is shortest (-), en dash is medium (–), em dash is longest (—).

Examples of Hyphens and Dashes

✓She's a well-known actress.

✗She's a well known actress.

Compound adjectives before a noun need a hyphen.

✓Read chapters 5–8 for homework.

✗Read chapters 5-8 for homework.

Use en dash for ranges, not hyphen.

✓The answer—surprisingly—was yes.

✗The answer-surprisingly-was yes.

Use em dashes for interruptions or parenthetical statements.

Common Mistakes with Hyphens and Dashes

💡 Practice Tips for Hyphens and Dashes

  • • Hyphen (-): joins words, no spaces
  • • En dash (–): 'to' or 'through' in ranges
  • • Em dash (—): dramatic pause, interruption, or aside
  • • Compound adjective + noun = hyphen; noun + compound adjective = no hyphen
  • • When in doubt, check a dictionary for compound words
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.Which sentence uses the hyphen correctly? 
  2. 2.Which sentence uses the correct mark for a range? 
  3. Question 3: Which mark is used for emphatic interruption: 'The answerblanksurprisingly___was yes'? (mark for each blank)
    3.Which mark is used for emphatic interruption: 'The answersurprisingly___was yes'? (mark for each blank)
  4. Question 4: Which mark joins a compound number like twentyblankone? (mark only)
    4.Which mark joins a compound number like twentyone? (mark only)
  5. Question 5: True or false: 'The actress is well-known' (after the noun) needs the hyphen.blank
    5.True or false: 'The actress is well-known' (after the noun) needs the hyphen.
  6. Question 6: Insert the correct mark: My exblankhusband called. (mark only)
    6.Insert the correct mark: My exhusband called. (mark only)
  7. Question 7: Insert the correct mark for the date range: I work MondayblankFriday. (mark only)
    7.Insert the correct mark for the date range: I work MondayFriday. (mark only)
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