Buzz
Mastering proper punctuation makes selecting between an exclamation point and a question mark simple. The choice between a semicolon and a colon is slightly more challenging. However, neither compares to the complexity of deciding which dash or hyphen to use in a sentence.
Part of the challenge lies in their similar appearance. The em dash (—) is approximately the width of the letter M, while the en dash (–) aligns more closely with the length of an N. The hyphen (-) is the shortest of the three. Without a side-by-side comparison, distinguishing between them can be tricky, so understanding their appropriate uses is essential.
Comparing Em Dashes and En Dashes
A helpful tip for deciding between an em dash and an en dash is to consider this: Are you aiming to divide entire sections of a sentence or connect specific terms?
If your goal is the first option, opt for an em dash. Its length mirrors the broader separation you’re creating. Choosing an em dash over other punctuation marks often depends on your preference. It can replace a semicolon, colon, or comma when introducing a clause with added emphasis or flair. For instance:
My cat has a rather disgusting habit I wish she’d stop—presenting me with dead creatures.
An em dash is also ideal for isolating an aside that might otherwise be enclosed in commas or parentheses. For example:
My cat—not the one who leaves me dead animals—enjoys submerging toys in her water dish.
According to Merriam-Webster, em dashes can also be utilized for attributing quotes, as shown here:
“Thanks for the mutilated mouse offering!” —Me, addressing my cat.
They are also used to indicate when someone is interrupted mid-sentence or thought, like this:
“What’s that you’re holding? It appears to be a—,” I paused abruptly, noticing the small animal gripped in my cat’s mouth was my child’s pet hamster.
On the other hand, an en dash links words or numbers to denote a range or score, often substituting the word to. For example, instead of writing September to December or chapters 12 to 16, you can use September–December and chapters 12–16.
En dashes are particularly useful when connecting modifiers to open compound terms, such as New York–style pizza. Since style modifies the entire phrase New York—not just York—a slightly longer and stronger punctuation mark than a hyphen is required.
Comparing En Dashes and Hyphens
Chicago-style pizza, however, requires a hyphen. This also applies to cases where you’re connecting a word to its immediate neighbor. Examples include compound terms like old-fashioned and left-handed; multi-word phrases such as merry-go-round and run-of-the-mill; and numerical expressions like twenty-seven and two-thirds.
In these scenarios, a hyphen is the appropriate choice over an en dash:
- To indicate that a word continues on the following line.
- To show that a word is being spelled out letter by letter.
- To represent speech with a stutter.
However, in date and number ranges, hyphens are often used instead of en dashes. So, if your preferred team triumphs in the Super Bowl with a score of 43–8, most people won’t focus on the punctuation between the numbers. (Just avoid using an em dash.)
