M and n dash2/27/2024 ![]() Figuring out whether to use an en dash, em dash, 2 em dashes, or even (gasp!) 3 em dashes can be confusing. When in doubt, consult your AP Stylebook for answers.If you're confused about the various types of dashes and when to use them, you're not alone. Just remember: Avoid en dashes, use em dashes for drama and use hyphens to make sentences clearer. Also use hyphens to avoid having two vowels in a row, such as anti-ice windshield.Ĭonfusing? It can be. For instance, I want to re-create the mural at the recreation center. For some prefixes and suffixes, like ex-boyfriend or dairy-free.For compound nouns that may not be read as one thought, like merry-go-round.Outside of the modifier, here are other times when you may need hyphens: For words that describe dual heritage, like African American or Asian American.Any adverb that includes “very” or a word ending in “ly.”.After that, hyphens can often muddy the waters rather than add clarity. If there are more than three words modifying a noun.Commonly used terms where the meaning is clear, such as sixth grade teacher, or climate change bill.Here are some instances when you don’t need a hyphen for a compound modifier: Don’t hyphenate if it comes after.īut not every compound modifier gets a hyphen. It’s important that this only applies when the modifier comes before a noun. ![]() Think: “how-to guide” or, small-business guide. Blame the Angles.Ī hyphen is most commonly used for compound modifiers, or when two or more connected words precede a noun. Remove it if it makes it harder.īut English isn’t set up to be simple, is it? Sorry. Simply, use the hyphen if it makes a sentence easier to read. However, the 2020-2022 Edition (note the hyphen in the range of years) notes that its use is not standardized and is often “a matter of taste, judgment and style sense.” AP defines them simply as “joiners,” used to connect compound words together. The littlest of the three is among the most helpful. Finally, they can also be used as attribution for a quote or in datelines. Save it for special occasions.Įm dashes can also be used for a series within a phrase, such as: She went over her grocery list - a block of cheese, shredded cheese, a tub of cheese - as she grabbed her keys. Remember, the dash will lose its punch if you overuse it. In almost every case when an em dash is used for these purposes, it could be replaced by commas. The quick turn of subject, the stark separation of a part of the sentence, they all can quickly become overused. ![]() Now, why is this punctuation mark hated by some editors? It’s because it can be a crutch for writers. Shows a quick diversion from the main meat of the sentence and a return to form. She sometimes - but not always - remembers the difference between em and en dashes.Signifies a pause contrasting what Panic! At the Disco does and does not write. ![]() It can also be used to set off a clause within a sentence. It’s the most dramatic of all punctuation marks - literally its most common usage is to signify an abrupt change in the sentence or a pregnant pause, according to the AP Stylebook. This little symbol is beloved by writers everywhere and hated by many editors. In AP style, the dash should be set off with spaces on both sides. If you guessed that it’s as wide as the letter “M,” you get a gold star.
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