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Hyphens and Dashes A Mini-Lesson. UWF Writing Lab. The Differences. The hyphen (-) is used to separate parts of a word. The dash (–) is used to separate parts of a sentence. (Note: The dash can be represented by two hyphens.).
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Hyphens and DashesA Mini-Lesson UWF Writing Lab
The Differences • The hyphen (-) is used to separate parts of a word. • The dash (–) is used to separate parts of a sentence. • (Note: The dash can be • represented by two • hyphens.)
Dashes should be used in all of the following sentences. Notice the potential for confusion when the hyphen is used instead of the dash. • I have told you everything I know-nothing has been omitted from my account. • Whatever may be your pleasure-seek no further, friends-you have come to the right place! • Boy, I love being single-parents, I feel for you-because I don’t think I’ll ever get married and have kids. • Please find a place to sit-down on the left there-and we can get started.
Confused yet? Using a dash instead of a hyphen will correct all of these sentences: • I have told you everything I know— nothing has been omitted from my account. • Whatever may be your pleasure—seek no further, friends—you have come to the right place! • Boy, I love being single—parents, I feel for you—because I don’t think I’ll ever get married and have kids. • Please find a place to sit—down on the left there—and we can get started.
Use a Hyphen • To separate the parts of a compound adjective or noun • a well-written document • a thought-provoking story • out-of-state students • out-of-shape people • a five-year-old boy • (BUT: The boy is five • years old.) • secretary-treasurer • student-teacher ratio • work-study program • inner-city schools • jack-in-the-box • mother-in-law
Use a Hyphen • To set off certain prefixes well-being well-preserved self-conscious self-employed all-purpose ex-minister ex-husband anti-intellectual pro-American
Use a Dash(carefully and sparingly) • To add emphasis • Studies—published and unpublished—are included in the portfolio. • I promise I will make it to your birthday party—as long as you save me some cake!
Use a Dash • To digress from the main clause • All of my classes this semester—chemistry, English, calculus, psychology, and physics—are really pushing me to my limit. • The last contestant—two • hours late—finally made it to • the competition. (This sentence is an example of digression and emphasis.)
So how do I make sure to use the right one? • The dash can be represented by two hyphens (--). Microsoft Word will automatically turn two adjacent hyphens into a dash. Microsoft Word will also turn one hyphen into a dash if you enter the following keystrokes: SPACE, hyphen, SPACE. This dash (–) is a little shorter than the long dash, but it is still longer than the hyphen.
REVIEW • NOTE THE USE OF THE HYPHEN AND THE DASH IN THE SNTENCE BELOW: • "To white evangelical women, Sarah Palin is a modern-day prophet, preaching God, flag, and family--while remaking the religious right in her own image" (Lisa Miller, June 21, 2010 Newsweek).