Punctuation Questions Medium
The main difference between a dash and an en dash lies in their length and usage.
A dash is a punctuation mark that is longer than a hyphen and is typically used to indicate a sudden break or interruption in a sentence. It can be used to set off a phrase or clause that adds extra information or to emphasize a point. Dashes are often used in pairs, like parentheses, to enclose additional information within a sentence. They can also be used to indicate a change in thought or tone.
On the other hand, an en dash is slightly longer than a hyphen but shorter than a dash. It is primarily used to indicate a range or connection between two elements. For example, it can be used to show a range of numbers, such as "pages 10–15" or "the years 2000–2010." It can also be used to connect two words that are related, such as "New York–London flight" or "pre–World War II era."
In summary, a dash is used to indicate breaks or interruptions within a sentence, while an en dash is used to show ranges or connections between elements.