Hyphens, en- and em-dashes

ContentProfessional writing
Written By Angela Hoskins
Woman at a pool table, taking aim at the balls.

There are many instances of incorrectly used hyphens in our web content — i.e. people using hyphens instead en- or em-dashes. These three punctuation marks have distinct roles in professional writing. Knowing how to properly use them can not only improve the quality of your writing, but your confidence as well.

Opting for using a hyphen instead of the en- or em-dash has become a lazy habit of many writers but using en- and em-dashes is easy and results in professionally presented content when used correctly; it’s just a matter of getting familiar with the typographical rules, the short-cut keys, and using them!

It's just a matter of getting familiar with when and how to use them. Your professional writing will take a boost.

Typographic rules

Hyphens

Hyphens are used to join words in a compound construction, or separate syllables of a word as a compound adjective. For example:

  • well-written

  • cruelty-free eggs

  • en- or em-dash.

En-dashes

An en-dash (a bit longer than a hyphen) is used to connect values in a numerical range. For example:

  • during the years 1939–1955

  • pages 31–32 are relevant.

Em-dashes

An em-dash (a bit longer than an en-dash) is typically used as a stand-in for a comma or parenthesis, and indicates a break in thought. For example:

  • UNE — the first regional university in Australia

  • Em-dashes separate phrases — or even just a word — in a sentence.

Here’s how to insert en- and em-dashes: use these short-cut keys …

Shortcut keys

Mac

  • Em-dash: shift-option + hyphen

  • En-dash: option + hyphen

PC

  • Em-dash: ctrl + alt + minus (use the number pad for the minus).

  • En-dash: ctrl + minus (use the number pad for the minus).

Happy editing!

Angela Hoskins

Built my first site in 2000 and steadily learned what it takes to make websites work. Dabbled in WordPress back then, still do. Since building my first Squarespace site in 2016, I’ve been impressed with the relatively streamlined approach to website design and development that Squarespace offers compared to WordPress. SEO was a major challenge from the start — I’ve spent a lot of time keeping up with what’s required to get sites working, ranking well on a SERP. I have confidence with what Squarespace offers for SEO.

Having worked for more than 10 years in the web team of an inland, regional university in Australia and dealing with frustrations that come with working for a large corporate enterprise, the idea of setting up my own web design business became my goal.

Set up my business in late 2017. Opted for a sea change, too: I now live on Coochiemudlo Island 45 minutes from Brisbane. Love working from home. Love working for small business clients. Still get casual work with the university.

Challenges? The main one is pricing my work for small businesses. Doing quality work, doing the research to be up to date in the industry, takes time; it’s hard to factor in this time to my pricing while being competitive in the market and affordable for many small businesses.

https://sitecontent.com.au
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