Hyphens, Dashes, and Ellipses

Front

What is a hyphen?

Back

A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark used to connect two words or parts of words, making them function as a single concept, such as in compound words (e.g., well-known).

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What is an en dash?

Back

An en dash (–) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a range of values, such as in dates (e.g., 1990–2000) or to connect related items (e.g., the New York–London flight).

Front

What is an em dash?

Back

An em dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to create a strong break in a sentence, often to set off a thought or explanation (e.g., She was going to the store—if it stopped raining).

Front

When should you use a hyphen?

Back

Use a hyphen to connect two words that work together as a single idea, especially in compound adjectives before a noun (e.g., a well-written essay).

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What is an ellipsis?

Back

An ellipsis (...) is a punctuation mark used to indicate the omission of words in a sentence or to create a pause for effect.

Front

How do you use ellipses in citations?

Back

Use ellipses to cut unnecessary details from a quote while retaining the essential meaning of the original text.

Front

What is the purpose of an en dash?

Back

The en dash is used to show a range of values or to connect related concepts, such as in time periods or scores.

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What is the difference between a hyphen and an en dash?

Back

A hyphen connects words, while an en dash indicates a range or connection between two related items.

Front

Can you give an example of a sentence using an em dash?

Back

Sure! Example: "I was going to the park—until I saw the rain clouds."

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What is a compound adjective?

Back

A compound adjective is formed when two or more words are combined to modify a noun, often requiring a hyphen (e.g., high-speed train).