Em Dash, En Dash and Hyphen: The Guide I Needed
And maybe you do too...
I was proofreading a book in English earlier this year. The whole thing was first copy-edited and checked for clarity and fluency. Then it was my turn to make sure the formal side of things was in order (commas, spaces, quotation marks and... dashes).
I found one thing particularly confusing. The use of these horizontal lines – each had different length, position and a seemingly different purpose.
I'm a stickler to the rules when it comes to language and writing (less so in other areas of life). So, naturally, this was something that's been gnawing at me.
Why are these lines of different lengths? Why are there spaces around them in some texts and other times they're without them?
And the journey down a rabbit hole begins…
I've found some people on LinkedIn, discovered style guides and paid for Grammarly Premium (got a good deal).
And this piece is the distilled wisdom of my research. It should save you some time and help you navigate the ambiguity I was facing.
I'll refer to this as my guide whenever I need it, and you can do the same.
It's time to finally set things straight in the often-overlooked Em dash, En dash and hyphen conundrum.
I'll have a look at how the placement and use of these assets can transform your writing, sharpen your style and keep your readers engaged.
Note: I'll be referring to CMOS which is the Chicago Manual of Style.
First off… How the heck do you type these things?
I can only give you advice for Mac, so here it is.
Using US keyboard settings:
EM DASH:
Option + Shift + Dash —
EN DASH:
Option + Dash –
Dash is right next to 0 on the numerical keyboard.
Using SK keyboard settings:
Same, but dash is next to the Right Shift in this setup.
You can also look them up in the Symbols list, rummage around the good old Internet or just copy them to your clipboard.
I used to have a Word document only for my dashes, hyphens and quotation marks. It's a good idea to set one up if you use these symbols often and work across multiple languages.
But when to use them? And how?
Why do you need three different horizontal lines in your writing? Isn't that just confusing?
I had to clear some things up – for myself. And maybe it'll help you too.
Clearing the Confusion: Em Dash vs. En Dash vs. Hyphen
When I first found out that these three symbols are in fact different, I had to ask around…
My first steps lead me to social media. I follow some cool and reputable people…
In the words of a professional book editor and my LinkedIn buddy (I like to think so), Adina Edelman:
"En dashes are used for ranges (1989–1987). Em dashes—the long ones—are used when breaking off a thought or, yes, when connecting ideas. It’s less formal than a semicolon. CMOS says no spaces; some publishers use spaces around the dashes"
As you can see, Em dash, En dash and hyphen may look similar, but they vary in use. Most people don't think about the difference when they read – which is fine. If you did, you'd start obsessing over it and feel compelled to write an article about three horizontal lines (ehm).
Comparison
Em dashes are longest. They act like commas or parentheses and create a break in a sentence.
En dashes, shorter than Em dashes but longer than hyphens, express a range of values or connect related items.
Hyphens, the shortest of the three, connect compound words and help avoid ambiguity.
Easy, right? Well, not so quickly.
A funny thing I noticed was that Tolkien – my personal favorite – uses En dashes instead of Em dashes, and always uses spaces around them.
So, is he wrong?
Not necessarily. While the table above is a great and simple guide, don't forget to consider both British and US English. The above goes for the US English.
And how about the British?
The UK English generally doesn't make use of the Em dash and uses En dash instead. The British also use spaces around the En dash. It's the most natural way to write it, as Microsoft Word and other online tools (e.g. Google Docs) automatically transform 'space-hyphen-space' into En dash – like so.
The English make this conundrum easier to navigate. But if I were to write only about the British standards, this article would be as dry as their gin.
EM DASH
Definition and Purpose
An Em dash is a punctuation mark that indicates a sudden break or emphasis in a sentence.
It's important to distinguish it from the shorter hyphen, used mainly for compound words like “well-being”, and the medium-sized En dash, often adopted for ranges (e.g. 1980–1990).
interruption in a dialogue
abrupt change in thought
explanatory comment
dramatic emphasis
The charm of Em dashes is their visual uniqueness which draws attention – they emphasize certain parts and break your sentences into edible, reader-friendly chunks.
How to Use Em Dashes?
Using Em dash correctly can be straightforward if you follow this rule:
For a sudden break or interruption—for example, in dialogue—insert an Em dash.
There's no strict rule about using spaces around the Em dash. But CMOS says no spaces, and I rarely come across Em dashes with spaces around them.
In Writing with Style, The Economist Style Guide, Lane Greene quotes Sir Ernest Gowers:
"Use a dash to introduce an explanation, amplification, paraphrase, particularisation or correction of what immediately precedes it. Use it to gather up the subject of a long sentence. Use it to introduce a paradoxical or whimsical ending to a sentence."
Em dashes may set off a phrase that enhances the sentence but doesn't dictate the sentence function. That means the sentence works both with and without the phrase (like in the bullet point above).
By understanding and using the Em dash correctly, you can better guide the reader through your manuscript.
EN DASH
Definition and Purpose
Contrary to popular belief, it's not just the shorter cousin of the Em dash or a longer version of the hyphen.
En dash ( – ) approximates the width of the letter 'n' in common typefaces, hence its name.
How to use En dash in a sentence?
En dash often works as a bridge, range or connector. It creates a link between related or contrasting elements.
spans of time/ranges
scores
conflict
connection between two things
Examples include Berlin–Paris flights, years 2009–2015 and a 3–2 game score.
Like so:
1. The London–New York flight has been delayed.
2. The meeting will be held from 2–3 PM.
HYPHEN
Definition and Purpose
Let's shift the focus towards the hyphen – the shortest out of the three, yet no less important.
Mainly used for connecting words, a hyphen has the power to transform a “first hand job experience’” into a somewhat less exciting “first-hand job experience”.
As you can see, hyphens help you to:
clarify context and meaning
avoid ambiguity
prevent misinterpretation
NOTE: The Oxford University Press manual does warn us that “if you take hyphens seriously, you will surely go mad”. And I feel like that applies to the whole subject. Though it never hurts to know more.
How to Use Hyphens Effectively
Here's how to use the hyphen in three easy and memorable ways (with examples):
Compound Words: Hyphenate two or more words to form an adjective before a noun.
Example: a well-planned strategy.Avoiding Ambiguity: A hyphen can resolve ambiguous situations.
Example: re-cover suggesting ‘to cover again’ vs. recover meaning to become healthy again.Prefixes and Suffixes: Use a hyphen when the prefix is self-, ex-, or the suffix is -elect.
Example: ex-senator, self-drive, president-elect.
And always keep in mind:
There's no substitute for a well-articulated rulebook.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Common mistakes include using the hyphen instead of the em dash to indicate a pause or change in thought or using the hyphen in place of the en dash to express a range or connection.
❌ We can help you look your best - even if you don't feel that great.
Hyphen used instead of em dash (we're not connecting word parts)
❌ We can help you look your best – even if you don't feel that great.
En dash used instead of em dash (we're not indicating a range)
✅ NOTE: This would be considered correct in the UK. ✅
✅ We can help you look your best—even if you don't feel that great.
Correctly used em dash; we're introducing amplification, elaboration.
How to avoid these mistakes
You can use Grammarly or hire a professional editor for comprehensive proofreading.
But even with the Premium version of Grammarly, you might fall victim to wrong suggestions. And proofreaders tend to be costly.
That's why this guide will help you whenever in doubt. For free.
And you're one step closer to dashingly perfect and error-free writing.
Resources for Further Learning
Looking for more on dashes and hyphens? Here are some resources that'll take you even further down the rabbit hole:
Grammarly Blog: Grammarly blog offers a mix of short lessons on specific punctuation marks.
Strunk & White's "The Elements of Style": Considered the everlasting grammar bible.
CMOS: Chicago Manual of Style
"Writing With Style" by Lane Greene: The Economist style guide.
Conclusion
There's a beauty to these subtle differences. Em dash is used for abrupt changes or to connect ideas. En dash marks ranges or bridges related ideas, but also has the role of em dash in the UK. And hyphen neatly connects words and creates compound expressions.
What's next?
You can go back and proofread your latest piece of writing. Pay special attention to your use of dashes and hyphens. Can you spot misuse or any inconsistencies? Or maybe adding an em dash, en dash or hyphen here and there might improve readability?
Use what keeps me awake at night. Use it as a guide to improve your writing. Otherwise, the sleepless nights were all in vain.
And if you're still not sure what's what, let's get in touch and I won't go to sleep until your writing is dashingly perfect.
Thank you! As an actuary turned writer late in my career I found this super helpful!
Excellent post. Clear and to the point. Thank you so much! ☺️