Em-dash, En-dash, and Hyphen: A Quick Guide

True, punctuation — like dashes — can add flavor to your writing, but let’s get the dashes right. Not all dashes are created equally, and they have different uses and meanings. You may not realize it, but there are three dashy distinctions we need to work on as new authors.

Let’s get to it!

Em-dash (—)

The em-dash is called an em-dash because its width is approximately the same as the height of the capital letter "M" in the font set. This convention dates back to the days of typesetting when the dash's size was physically measured against the letter "M" on the typesetting blocks. Thus, "em-dash" refers to the comparable length of the dash. But what does it mean?

The em-dash is the drama queen of punctuation. It's long and loves to make an entrance, creating a pause that grabs your reader's attention. Use it to add emphasis, break thoughts, or insert an aside — just like this. It’s the length of an “M” (hence the name) and is perfect for those moments when you want to make a statement.

Most word processors translate a double hyphen as an em-dash and insert the ASCII symbol (—) rather than (--).

Here’s the skinny on how to create an em-dash in Windows.

Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Alt Code: Hold down the Alt key and type 0151 on the numeric keypad (not the numbers at the top of your keyboard). Release the Alt key, and the em-dash will appear.

Method 2: Using Microsoft Word

1. AutoFormat: In Microsoft Word, you can type two hyphens (--) and then press the spacebar or continue typing, and Word will automatically convert it into an em-dash.

2. Insert Symbol: Go to the "Insert" tab, click "Symbol" on the far right, choose "More Symbols," find the em-dash in the list, and click "Insert."

Method 3: Using Character Map

1. Character Map Application: Search for "Character Map" in the Windows search bar and open the application. Find the em-dash in the list, select it, click "Select," and then "Copy." You can now paste the em-dash wherever you need it.

Method 4: Using Unicode

1. Unicode: Type Ctrl + Shift + u, then type 2014, and press Enter (this works in certain applications that support Unicode input, such as some text editors).

Here’s how to create an em-dash on a Mac.

Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Keyboard Shortcut: Press Option (or Alt) + Shift + - (hyphen key). This will insert an em-dash directly into your text.

Method 2: Using Microsoft Word

1. AutoFormat: In Microsoft Word for Mac, you can type two hyphens (--) and then press the spacebar or continue typing, and Word will automatically convert it into an em-dash.

2. Insert Symbol: Go to the "Insert" menu, select "Symbol," then "Advanced Symbol," find the em-dash in the list, and click "Insert."

Method 3: Using the Character Viewer

1. Character Viewer: Click the "Edit" menu and select "Emoji & Symbols" (or use the shortcut Control + Command + Space). In the Character Viewer, type "em dash" in the search field, find the em-dash, and double-click it to insert it into your text.

And here’s how you create an em-dash in Google Docs.

Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Keyboard Shortcut: On a Windows computer, press Alt + 0151 on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, press Option (or Alt) + Shift + - (hyphen key).

Method 2: Using the Special Characters Menu

1. Special Characters:

   1. Place your cursor where you want the em-dash.

   2. Go to the "Insert" menu.

   3. Select "Special characters."

   4. In the search box, type "em dash" and it will appear in the grid below.

   5. Click on the em-dash symbol to insert it into your document.

Method 3: Using Auto-Replace

1. Auto-Replace:

   1. Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Preferences."

   2. In the "Automatic substitution" section, type a unique text string that you want to replace with an em-dash, such as --.

   3. In the "Replace with" field, paste an em-dash (you can copy one from another document or use the Special Characters menu to get one).

   4. Click "OK" to save the preference.

En-Dash (–)

The en-dash, being about half the width of an em-dash, gets its name similarly from its size relative to the letter "N." The en-dash is a bit more modest, shorter than the em-dash but longer than a hyphen, and is typically used to indicate a range, like “1990–2000” or “pages 45–50.” Think of it as a connector, bridging elements together smoothly.

On Windows (Microsoft Word):

1. Keyboard Shortcut: Press Ctrl + - (on the numeric keypad). This will insert an en-dash.

2. Insert Symbol:

   • Go to the "Insert" tab.

   • Click "Symbol" on the far right.

   • Choose "More Symbols."

   • In the Symbol dialog box, find the en-dash in the list, select it, and click "Insert."

On Mac:

1. Keyboard Shortcut: Press Option + - (hyphen key). This will insert an en-dash.

2. Insert Symbol:

   • Go to the "Insert" menu.

   • Select "Symbol," then "Advanced Symbol."

   • Find the en-dash in the list and click "Insert."

In Google Docs:

1. Keyboard Shortcut:

   • On a Windows computer, there is no direct shortcut for an en-dash, but you can use the Special Characters menu (see below).

   • On a Mac, press Option + - (hyphen key).

2. Special Characters:

   • Place your cursor where you want the en-dash.

   • Go to the "Insert" menu.

   • Select "Special characters."

   • In the search box, type "en dash," and it will appear in the grid below.

   • Click on the en-dash symbol to insert it into your document.

3. Auto-Replace:

   1. Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Preferences."

   2. In the "Automatic substitution" section, type a unique text string that you want to replace with an en-dash, such as --.

   3. In the "Replace with" field, paste an en-dash (you can copy one from another document or use the Special Characters menu to get one).

   4. Click "OK" to save the preference.

Hyphen (-)

Finally, the hyphen is the author’s workhorse. It’s the shortest of the trio and is used to link words, forming compound terms like “well-being” or “mother-in-law.” It’s straightforward, functional, and gets the job done without any fuss.

Why Does This Matter?

Using these dashes correctly can enhance the clarity and style of your writing. Imagine crafting a beautiful sentence, only to have a contest judge/reader stumble because of a misplaced hyphen for an em-dash. By mastering these, you’ll polish your prose and keep your readers hooked.

So, hop to it! The next time you're writing, remember the roles these dashes play. Your story — and your readers — will thank you for it!

R

#WritingTips #PunctuationPower #NewAuthors