How To Use Dashes And Hyphens
The differences might appear subtle but their usages are distinct.
How to use dashes and hyphens. Use an em dash to join independent clauses. If you re typing out a score using numerals an en dash goes between the numbers. Dashes shouldn t be confused with hyphens. The most common types of dashes are the en dash and the em dash. Span similarly if you re using numerals to indicate a span of time you d pop an en dash in the middle.
Use a hyphen in a compound modifier when the modifier comes before the word it s modifying. The dash works somewhat like parentheses or commas but it is used where a stronger punctuation is needed. You can type this hyphen with the regular hyphen key. The lakers beat the celtics 96 89. There are three forms of dashes.
The hyphen the shortest is used to join multiple words that function together as a single concept a k a. The em dash the longest and most versatile is used to act. Let s take a look at the different types of dashes you can use in your writing and when and when not to use a hyphen. Dashes can be used to add extra information within a longer sentence so are a way of showing parenthesis similar to the way brackets and commas can. Hyphens are shorter than dashes and are used to connect words.
An em dash can connect an independent clause with the related thought in. Dashes are used to separate groups of words not to separate parts of words like a hyphen does. Most commonly a dash connects an independent clause with another with a related thought plus a conjunction like or but yet as for and after the second dash. Many students have trouble identifying the right time to use a dash or a hyphen. Find out more in a bitesize ks2 english guide.
Dashes are used as punctuation in sentences. This hyphen is available between 0 and keys on the top number row of a standard keyboard layout. For example long term and short term are hyphenated compound words using regular. A hyphen is a punctuation mark that s used to join words or parts of words. How to use dashes and hyphens.