En Dash vs. Em Dash

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En Dash vs. Em Dash
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En Dash

• An en dash, just one dash when typed, is used for
  periods of time when you might otherwise use to
• You never put a space before or after the dash
• Examples The years 20012003    
• JanuaryJune

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En Dash

• An en dash is also used in place of a hyphen when
  combining open compounds.  
• Examples North CarolinaVirginia border    
• a high schoolcollege conference

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Em Dash

• An em dash is the width of two dashes when typed.
  
• Do not use a space before or after the dash
• Use an em dash sparingly in formal writing.

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Em Dash

• In informal writing, em dashes may replace
• commas,
• semicolons,
• colons,
• parentheses
• to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or
  an abrupt change of thought.

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Em Dash

• Examples
• You are the friendthe only friendwho offered to
  help me.
• I pay the billsshe has all the fun. A semicolon
  would be used here in formal writing.
• I need three items at the storedog food,
  vegetarian chili, and cheddar cheese. Remember,
  a colon would be used here in formal writing.

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Em Dash

• Examples
• My agreement with Fiona is clearshe teaches me
  French and I teach her German. Again, a colon
  would work here in formal writing.
• Please call my agentJessica Cohenabout hiring
  me. Parentheses or commas would work just fine
  here instead of the dashes.

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What is a Hyphen?

• A hyphen is used to join words and to separate
  syllables of a single word.
• Three-hundred-year-old

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Any

• Questions?