The three most common punctuation marks used to create a pause or break in a sentence or to join two words together are the em-dash, en-dash, and the hyphen. While they may seem similar, each of these marks serves a unique purpose and should be used correctly in order to maintain clarity and consistency in written communication.
Hyphen
The hyphen (-) is the most widely used punctuation mark, often used to join two words together, for example: “My brother-in-law is coming to town.” It can also be used to divide a word at the end of a line to prevent it from breaking up over two lines, split syllables of a single word (e.g., “in-cre-ment-al”), or divide numbers (e.g., “twenty-three”). Additionally, hyphens can construct compound nouns and adjectives, like “state-of-the-art” or “one-way street.”
Examples:
I'm going to book a last-minute flight.
She was a hard-working student.
The project was state-of-the-art.
The author was a best-selling novelist.
The business was family-owned.
The new law will reduce carbon-dioxide emissions.
The store sells eco-friendly products.
The play was a mix of comedy-drama.
The team is made up of high-achievers.
The restaurant has a farm-to-table menu.
En-dash
The en-dash (–) is similar to the hyphen but is slightly longer. It is used to connect two words into a single unit but can also be used to indicate a range of values (e.g., “pages 9–12”). It is also used to show a connection between two things (e.g., “the New York–Washington express”).
Examples:
The store hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The report covered the years 2009–2015.
The competition was open to students ages 8–12.
The flight left at 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
The New York–London flight, is the longest of the day.
The conference will take place from May 5–7.
I'm going to Dallas–Fort Worth next week.
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Em-dash
The em-dash (—) is the longest of the three punctuation marks and is used to indicate an abrupt break in thought, a pause, or to emphasize a certain point. For example: “The new policy — which has been met with much criticism — will take effect next month.” Em-dashes can also be used to create a strong contrast between two ideas. For example: “The CEO was pleased with the results — though other members of the board were not.”
Examples:
I couldn't believe it—my dream was now turning into a reality.
I was so excited—I had no idea what to do next.
He was determined—he was going to succeed no matter what.
It's a tough task—but I know I can make it.
I'm not sure what I'm feeling—but it's real.
It is important to remember that each of these punctuation marks serves a distinct purpose and should be used appropriately in order to maintain clarity and consistency in written communication. Hyphens are used to join two words together, en-dashes are used to indicate a range of numbers, dates, or times, and em-dashes are used to create an abrupt break in thought or to emphasize a point.