When should you use dashes?

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The em dash can be used in place of a colon when you want to emphasize the conclusion of your sentence. The dash is less formal than the colon. After months of deliberation, the jurors reached a unanimous verdict?—guilty.



Consequently, when should a hyphen be used?

Rule 1. Generally, hyphenate two or more words when they come before a noun they modify and act as a single idea. This is called a compound adjective. When a compound adjective follows a noun, a hyphen is usually not necessary.

Also Know, what is a hyphen used for? The hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark used to join words, and to separate syllables of a single word. The use of hyphens is called hyphenation. Non-hyphenated is an example of a hyphenated word.

In this regard, how do you use dashes and hyphens?

A hyphen joins two or more words together while a dash separates words into parenthetical statements. The two are sometimes confused because they look so similar, but their usage is different. Hyphens are not separated by spaces, while a dash has a space on either side.

What happens when you say hyphen 5 times?

Many people have found that after saying the fifth "hyphen," their phone's iOs immediately "crashes" and either restarts their phone completely or closes their current screen and brings them back to their home one. So if you do, don't worry - your phone will be exactly as it was before you said "hyphen" five times.

29 Related Question Answers Found

What happens if you say hyphen 5 times?

Say this word 5 times and it will crash your iPhone.
Basically, it works in the area where dictation is present. This doesn't work with SIRI. You have to tap dictation in the keyboard and sayhyphen5 times continuously and it will crash the iPhone. It's completely harmless and it won't do anything to your iPhone.

What is the purpose of a dash in a sentence?

The dash (—) is a mark of punctuation used to set off a word or phrase after an independent clause or a parenthetical remark (words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence). "A dash is a mark of separation stronger than a ?comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than ?parentheses."

What is a dash symbol?

A dash is a little horizontal line that floats in the middle of a line of text (not at the bottom: that's an underscore). It's longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. The most common types of dashes are the en dash (–) and the em dash (—).

What are some examples of hyphenated words?

Here are a few examples of commonly-used hyphenated compound words:
  • runner-up: getting second place in a contest or competition.
  • self-esteem: how you feel about yourself.
  • word-of-mouth: hearing about something from another person.
  • empty-handed: walking away from a situation with nothing.

How do you use dashes in writing?

A dash is a horizontal line that shows a pause or break in meaning, or that represents missing words or letters. Note that dashes are rather informal and should be used carefully in writing. Dashes are often used informally instead of commas, colons and brackets. A dash may or may not have a space on either side of it.

How do you use a hyphen in writing?

On the use of hyphens
  1. If possible, put the hyphen between two parts of a compound word (eg.
  2. Otherwise, put the hyphen before a suffix (understand -ably, instead of understa -ndably) or after a prefix (mono- transitive, instead of monot- ransitive).

How do you use a dash example?

Example: Joe—and his trusty mutt—was always welcome. Rule 2. Dashes replace otherwise mandatory punctuation, such as the commas after Iowa and 2013 in the following examples: Without dash: The man from Ames, Iowa, arrived.

How do you make a dash instead of a hyphen?

Using a single hyphen instead of an em dash can confuse readers and make your writing look unprofessional. If you're writing text in a program or on a website where the em dash character is completely unavailable, use two hyphens together (–) to signify an em dash.

What does a hyphen look like in an email address?

Hyphen. Alternatively known as a dash, subtract, negative, or minus sign, the hyphen ( - ) is a punctuation mark on the underscore key next to the "0" key on US keyboards. Pictured is an example of the hyphen and underscore key on top of the keyboard.

What is a dash of bitters?

When added to cocktails, bitters are measured in "dashes," and typically, a dash of bitters is 6-8 drops or 1/8th of a teaspoon. If you're looking for a more precise method of adding bitters to your cocktails, you can choose instead to use a glass bottle with a dropper.

How much is a dash?

Measured out in drops, using a precise, milliliter-dropper like the ones used to dispense medicine, a dash is about 10 single drops. Measured out in teaspoons, a dash would be 1/5 teaspoon, or as I discovered in my kitchen, between 1/8th teaspoon and 1/4 teaspoon.

When should I use a dash in a sentence?

The em dash can be used in place of a colon when you want to emphasize the conclusion of your sentence. The dash is less formal than the colon. After months of deliberation, the jurors reached a unanimous verdict?—guilty.

Where is em dash keyboard?

Hold down one of the Alt keys and type on the numeric keypad: 0150 for an en dash or 0151 for an em dash. The dash appears when you release the Alt key. On a keyboard with no numeric keypad, use a Fn (Function) key combination to type the numbers.

What is the difference between en dash and em dash?

The most obvious difference is the length. Hyphens are shortest, followed by the en dash, and then the em dash. Fun fact: the en dash is the width of the letter “N”, while the em dash is the width of the letter “M”.

What are hyphenated adjectives?

Hyphenated adjectives are adjectives (words to describe nouns) that are made up of more than one word, attached by hyphens. They can also be called compound adjectives. Examples: He's a very down-to-earth person. She is a five-year-old girl.

Is there a hyphen in much needed?

One hyphenation rule that you can almost take to the bank is this one: When you use a compound adjective (or phrasal adjective) before a noun, use a hyphen. When the phrasal adjective comes after the noun, it is usually open. Much-needed rain, but rain was much needed (adverb + participle or adjective)

What is the meaning of a hyphen in units?

Units are words that describe what is being measured or counted. What is the meaning of a hyphen in? units? The hyphen means multiplication.