Em dashes (—) are versatile and primarily used to indicate a break in thought—like this—or to set off parenthetical information. They can also replace colons or commas for added emphasis. En dashes (–) are shorter than em dashes and mainly connect ranges of numbers, dates, or times, like 9–5 or January–June. Hyphens (-) are the shortest and connect compound words (e.g., long-term) or parts of words broken at the end of a line. Use two hyphens together (--) if you don't have access to an em dash or en dash.
This Merriam-Webster article meticulously delineates the proper usage of three frequently confused horizontal punctuation marks: the em dash, the en dash, and the hyphen. It begins by establishing the visual distinctions between these marks, clarifying that the em dash is the longest, the hyphen the shortest, and the en dash falls in between. The article emphasizes the importance of visually differentiating these marks for clarity and professional presentation, although it acknowledges that on some keyboards and in certain fonts, the physical appearance might be indistinguishable.
The exposition then delves into the specific functions of each mark. The em dash, it explains, serves primarily to indicate a break in thought or a sudden interruption within a sentence. This interruption can manifest as an abrupt shift in topic, an explanatory aside, or an emphatic addition. The article further elaborates on the stylistic versatility of the em dash, suggesting it can be used in place of parentheses, commas, or colons, although it cautions against overusing this versatile mark lest it lose its impact.
Next, the article elucidates the role of the en dash, distinguishing it from the em dash by its more limited, yet equally important function. The en dash, the article explains, signifies a span or range of numbers, dates, or times. It serves as a concise connector, replacing the phrase "to" or "through" between numerical values. Furthermore, the article highlights the en dash's usage in compound adjectives when one element of the compound is itself an open compound or already hyphenated, preventing potential confusion. It also touches upon the en dash's less common use in representing conflict, connection, or direction.
Finally, the article addresses the hyphen, the shortest of the three marks, elucidating its primary function in joining words to form compound terms. These compounds can be nouns, adjectives, or verbs. The article expounds upon the hyphen's role in creating clarity, particularly when distinguishing between words with different meanings based on their hyphenation. It provides examples of hyphenated compound modifiers preceding nouns, stressing their importance for unambiguous communication. The article also delves into specific rules for hyphenating prefixes and suffixes, including scenarios where hyphens are necessary to avoid awkward letter combinations or misinterpretations. Additionally, it touches upon the usage of hyphens with numbers and fractions, illustrating their function in maintaining coherent numerical expressions. The article concludes by reiterating the significance of using each mark correctly for precise and polished writing.
Summary of Comments ( 104 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43497719
HN users generally appreciate Merriam-Webster's explanation of em and en dash usage. Some find the spacing rules around em dashes overly pedantic, especially in informal writing, suggesting that as long as the dash stands out, the spacing is less crucial. A few commenters discuss the challenges of typing these dashes efficiently, with suggested keyboard shortcuts and text replacement tools mentioned for macOS and Linux. One commenter points out the increasing trend of using hyphens in place of both en and em dashes, expressing concern that proper usage might be fading. Another highlights the ambiguity created by different coding styles rendering en/em dashes visually identical, leading to potential misinterpretations for developers.
The Hacker News post titled "How to Use Em Dashes (–), En Dashes (–), and Hyphens (-)" linking to the Merriam-Webster style guide on the topic generated a moderate number of comments, mostly focusing on the practical usage and stylistic preferences related to dashes.
Several commenters discussed the challenges and nuances of typing em and en dashes on different operating systems and keyboards. One commenter pointed out the difficulty in differentiating between them visually, especially with variable-width fonts, and questioned the practical necessity of strict adherence to the distinction. This sparked a small thread about the importance of typographic correctness and the potential for misinterpretation, particularly in technical writing where precision is crucial. Some argued that the subtle visual difference is less critical than consistent usage within a given document.
Another thread emerged around the stylistic choices regarding spacing around em dashes. While the Merriam-Webster article recommends no spaces, some commenters expressed preference for thin spaces or even regular spaces, citing improved readability and visual separation. This preference was often linked to specific writing styles or personal habits. One user mentioned LaTeX's handling of dashes, automatically adjusting spacing based on context.
A few comments touched upon the use of dashes in different languages, highlighting variations in conventions and typographic practices. German usage, in particular, was mentioned as having different rules for spacing around em dashes. Someone else mentioned the utility of using em dashes for interruptions in dialogue, a stylistic choice often seen in fiction writing.
There was a brief discussion on the overuse of em dashes, with some users cautioning against their excessive deployment, suggesting they can become distracting if used too frequently. This led to a related comment about the preference for parentheses or commas in certain situations where em dashes might be overused.
Finally, a couple of commenters provided helpful tips and resources for typing em and en dashes efficiently on various platforms, including keyboard shortcuts and specific software tools. These practical suggestions offered concrete solutions to the challenges mentioned earlier in the thread.