Punctuation Questions Long
The difference between a hyphen and a dash lies in their length and usage.
A hyphen (-) is the shortest of the two and is primarily used to join words or parts of words together. It is commonly used in compound words, such as "mother-in-law" or "self-esteem." Hyphens are also used to divide words at the end of a line when they cannot fit entirely on one line. Additionally, hyphens are used to form certain prefixes, such as "pre-" or "re-," and to indicate a range of numbers, like "pages 10-15."
On the other hand, a dash (– or —) is longer than a hyphen and has different functions. There are two types of dashes: the en dash (–) and the em dash (—).
The en dash is slightly longer than a hyphen and is primarily used to indicate a range or connection between two elements. For example, it can be used to show a range of dates, like "Monday–Friday," or a range of numbers, like "pages 5–10." It can also be used to connect compound adjectives when the first part of the adjective modifies the second part, such as "New York–based company."
The em dash is the longest of the three and is used to indicate a break or interruption in a sentence. It can be used to set off a parenthetical phrase or to emphasize a particular point. For example, "I have three favorite colors—blue, green, and purple." The em dash can also be used in place of commas, colons, or parentheses to create a more dramatic or abrupt pause in the sentence.
In summary, the main difference between a hyphen and a dash is their length and usage. Hyphens are shorter and primarily used to join words or parts of words, while dashes are longer and used to indicate a range, connection, or interruption in a sentence.