To hyphenate or dash it? When size does matter – that troublesome little line between words.
Often-used punctuation, but the length of the line varies.
We have dashes ( – ) and hyphens ( - ). This is a simplified guide on use.
Dash
Looks like: ( – ) Also called the En dash
Dashes are used in several ways:
- To help explain or conclude something from text that has just been written
Examples:
He had just got out of bed – hence the untidy hair.
Sally was good at maths – she passed all her college exams.
Tom was a gifted musician – hence the invitation to play in the orchestra.
- To highlight a point that could be put in brackets (parentheses)
Examples:
There are many different buses – including three silver ones – that go from the bus station.
You can include chocolate – dark, milk or white – in your cakes.
I like to practise my painting – whether watercolour or acrylic – before I start any new piece.
- To show a range
Examples:
See pages 1 – 5.
Look it up in your A – Z of London.
Office hours are 9.00am – 5.00pm.
Hyphen
Looks like: ( - )
Hyphens are used to join words where the words work together to describe something. Below are a few examples:
- This is a long-stay car park.
- I have been offered a full-time job.
- We are going on a fact-finding mission.
Hyphens are also used to create compound words. For example:
- I recommend an anti-inflammatory
- He is a co-owner of the company
- We need to ask the decision-makers for their opinions.
If unsure, check your word in a good dictionary. If it is not there, it is best to split the words.
For more information, you could try: http://www.punctuationmatters.com/the-hyphen-dash-n-dash-and-m-dash/
Jane Thomas
Milton Contact Ltd
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Microscopy information
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Microscopy information
Since I published my book, Understanding and Using the Light Microscope, I have been asked ...
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Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
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Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...
Using the Light Microscope
Books and a suite of 9 videos to help you get started with using the Compound Light ...