Punctuation Questions Long
The dash and the en dash are two punctuation marks that serve different purposes in writing.
Firstly, a dash is a punctuation mark that is longer than a hyphen and is used to indicate a sudden break or interruption in a sentence. It can be used to add emphasis, provide additional information, or create a dramatic effect. Dashes are often used to set off a parenthetical phrase or to introduce a list or explanation. They can also be used to indicate an abrupt change in thought or tone. In terms of appearance, a dash is typically longer than a hyphen and does not have any spaces before or after it.
On the other hand, an en dash is a slightly longer dash than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash. It is called an "en" dash because it is approximately the same width as the letter "n" in many fonts. The en dash is primarily used to indicate a range or connection between two elements. It is commonly used to show a range of numbers, such as "pages 10–15" or "the years 1990–2000." It can also be used to indicate a connection between two words, such as "the London–Paris flight" or "the New York–based company." Unlike a dash, an en dash is typically surrounded by spaces.
In summary, the main difference between a dash and an en dash lies in their usage and the purpose they serve in writing. A dash is used to indicate a break or interruption in a sentence, while an en dash is used to show a range or connection between two elements.