How do you use an en dash in writing?

An en dash is a punctuation mark that is slightly longer than a hyphen (-) but shorter than an em dash (—). It is primarily used to indicate a range or connection between two elements. Here are some common ways to use an en dash in writing:

1. Indicating a range: The en dash can be used to show a range of numbers, dates, or times. For example:
- The event will take place from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- The years 2010–2015 were marked by significant economic growth.

2. Connecting words: The en dash can be used to connect words or parts of words to show a relationship or connection. For example:
- The New York–London flight was delayed.
- The pre–World War II era was a time of great uncertainty.

3. Replacing a hyphen in compound adjectives: When a compound adjective consists of two or more words, and one of those words is already hyphenated, an en dash can be used to avoid confusion. For example:
- The post–World War II economy experienced a boom.
- She is a well-known New York–based artist.

It is important to note that there should be no spaces before or after an en dash, and it should be used sparingly and appropriately to maintain clarity and readability in writing.