![]() ![]() Hyphens are used in some compound words to make the word easier to read and help clarify words used together. For example, if you used the below search, the search engine would return results containing "free," "computer," and "help" but would not return any results containing "expensive." free computer help -expensive A hyphen in English With Internet search engines, the hyphen is used as a boolean operator that tells the search not to include a result. When formatting marks are enabled, these hyphens are represented with the conditional hyphen mark.Ī hyphen can also be used to create an en dash and em dash in many word processors by doing two or three hyphens next to each other. In many word processors, an optional hyphen or hyphenation is automatically inserted when a word is cut off by the end of a line. To subtract numbers on a computer or smartphone, a calculator or spreadsheet could be used. For example, the formula below shows that 2 1 equals 1. In a math formula, a hyphen represents a subtraction (minus). The following sections contain examples of how a hyphen is used. With computers, the hyphen key is commonly used in programming and mathematics to subtract one number from another. A negative is placed before a number to indicate it's not a positive number.A minus is a math operator to perform a subtraction between two numbers.A hyphen is a punctuation mark that's used to join words.A dash is a punctuation mark to insert an interjection or pause in a sentence.Below is a basic definition for each of these terms. Differences between dash, hyphen, and minusĪlthough the same keyboard key is used for a dash, hyphen, and minus, there are differences between these terms. To create a hyphen on a smartphone or tablet, open the keyboard and go into the numbers (123) or symbols (sym) section and tap the "-" symbol. Creating the "-" symbol on a smartphone or tablet You can also learn more about when to use other dashes, as well as hyphens.Doing the Alt code Alt+45 can also create a hyphen. Use the en dash when expressing number ranges, spans of time, or connected phrases to add more clarity and grammatical accuracy to your writing. The html codes that can be used to form an en dash are: To form an en dash using your Mac, hold down the OPTION key and press the MINUS key. While holding down the ALTERNATE key, use the numerical keypad on the right side of your keyboard to enter 0150. There are several different ways to form an en dash with your keyboard. The pro-life–pro-choice debate is always a hot issue for voters. The Academy Award–winning director is set to debut his new film in Cannes this May. The en dash should be used when connecting terms that contain hyphens themselves, or when using a two-word phrase as a modifier. The Rome–Los Angeles flight takes approximately 12 hours. The Republican–Democrat feud in Congress never ends. The en dash can also be used to indicate a connection or relationship between two words, as well as a direction. Incorrect: America’s total wealth more than double between 1920–1929.Ĭorrect: America’s total wealth more than doubled between 19. Here’s another example that highlights the difference: Incorrect: Barack Obama was President of the United States from 2009–2017.Ĭorrect: Barack Obama was President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. ![]() However, note that when you introduce a range or span with the words “from” or “between,” you should use “to” or “and” instead of an en dash. The 2017–2018 school year was one of the most difficult for Katie. Tonight I need to read pages 52–79 as part of my history homework. You should prepare 4–5 questions for tomorrow’s meeting. The scheduled window for the installation is 4:00–6:00 p.m. In this context, the dash is usually read aloud as “to.” When indicating spans of time or a range of numbers, use an en dash to separate numbers. This handy little dash is mostly reserved for expressing number ranges or connected words. Learn to recognize the difference and use them appropriately to improve your writing. (Its sister, the em dash, is about the width of the capital letter M.)Īlthough they look pretty similar, the em dash and the en dash have quite distinct functions. Named for its size, it’s roughly the same width of the capital letter N. The en dash (–) is the oft-overlooked punctuation that you probably didn’t know you should be using. ![]()
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