Dash & Hyphen

Em dashes set off the list of names as an appositive.

'Sad' is a simple adjective and doesn't need a hyphen to modify 'boy'.

Fractions used as adjectives or nouns often require a hyphen.

Em dashes provide dramatic emphasis.

Compound phrases used as adjectives require hyphens.

An en dash denotes a range of years.

Compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine use a hyphen.

Em dashes indicate a sharp interruption.

'Self-' is a prefix that traditionally takes a hyphen in compound adjectives.

Colons are used for ratios, not hyphens or dashes.

Both commas and em dashes can set off non-restrictive appositives, but em dashes provide more emphasis.

En dashes (–) indicate 'to' or 'through' in ranges.

Some prefixes (re-) take hyphens to clarify pronunciation.

'Life-changing' is a compound adjective.

The em dash (—) is approximately the width of the letter 'M'.

An em dash (—) is used for abrupt breaks, interruptions, or shifts in thought.

Prefixes like 'semi-' often use a hyphen before the root word.

Hyphens are used to join compound adjectives that precede a noun.

En dashes are used for numerical ranges (e.g., pp. 45–50).