Dashes vs. Hyphens

General Definition: Hyphens Hyphens: (-) used to connect two or more words (and numbers) into a single concept, especially for building adjectives. Note that a hyphen never has spaces on either side. Example: There are fewer Italian-American communities these days.

General Definition: Dashes Dashes: (-) used to connect set content off from the rest of a sentence Note that a dash is LONGER than a hyphen. Example: There was only one person suited to the job—Mr. Lee.

Using Dashes Use a dash to indicate a sudden break or change in the sentence. Example: Near the end of the month—and this is not always true—you can spot more unicorns in the Lollipop Forest. Use a dash to set off an introductory series from the clause (can stand alone) that explains the series. Example: An emu, a penguin, and a chicken—these are all examples of birds that cannot fly.

Using Dashes Use a dash to set off parenthetical material—material that explains or clarifies a word or a phrase. This material will INTERRUPT your sentence. (You could also use commas or parentheses for the same effect.) Example: My husband—the cutest guy on earth—is a farmer. Use a dash to indicate interrupted speech. Example: ISABELLE 1: Mama, why are you— MAMA: Isabelle, do as I say!

Using Dashes Use a dash to emphasize a word, a series, a phrase, or a clause (like you would with a colon). Example: After years of trial and error, Ms. Pohl finally made history with her discovery—the Sasquatch.

Using hyphens Use a hyphen with some prefixes, especially all-, co-, ex-, great-, numbers, and capital letters. All-knowing, all- around, Co-conspirator, co-author, ex-husband, ex-convict, great- grandmother, great- uncle, 35-cent piece of candy, 40-foot tree, T- shirt, PG-rated Use a hyphen when a word would be confusing or hard to read without it. Shell-like (shelllike would have three l’s in a row) Anne recovered from the flu and re- covered her living room chair. The fried-chicken salesman was hot, greasy, and unhappy.

Using hyphens Use a hyphen with double last names. Mary Scott-Simons Jim Blake-Adams Use hyphens with dates. 11-5-07 Use hyphens with numbers from 21 to 99. Twenty-one Thirty-six Use a hyphen with scores. We beat our arch rivals 86-78. Use a hyphen to mean through. Read pages 16-24 before class tomorrow. The store is open Monday-Saturday.

Using hyphens Use hyphens in compound adjectives if they come before the noun they describe. The 15-year-old girl Up-to-date technology Eight-grade students If they compound adjective comes after the noun, don’t use hyphens. The girl was 15 years old. The technology is up to date. The students are eight graders.

Using hyphens Use hyphens to spell out words. She said, “My name is Kacey, K-a-c-e-y.” Use hyphens to show faltering speech. Oh no! Y-y-you t-t-took my pl- pl-plums!