Hyphens and Dashes A Mini-Lesson

1. Hyphens and DashesA Mini-Lesson UWF Writing Lab

2. The Differences • The hyphen (-) is used to separate parts of a word. • The dash (–) is used to separate parts of a sentence. • (Note: The dash can be • represented by two • hyphens.)

3. Dashes should be used in all of the following sentences. Notice the potential for confusion when the hyphen is used instead of the dash. • I have told you everything I know-nothing has been omitted from my account. • Whatever may be your pleasure-seek no further, friends-you have come to the right place! • Boy, I love being single-parents, I feel for you-because I don’t think I’ll ever get married and have kids. • Please find a place to sit-down on the left there-and we can get started.

4. Confused yet? Using a dash instead of a hyphen will correct all of these sentences: • I have told you everything I know— nothing has been omitted from my account. • Whatever may be your pleasure—seek no further, friends—you have come to the right place! • Boy, I love being single—parents, I feel for you—because I don’t think I’ll ever get married and have kids. • Please find a place to sit—down on the left there—and we can get started.

5. Use a Hyphen • To separate the parts of a compound adjective or noun • a well-written document • a thought-provoking story • out-of-state students • out-of-shape people • a five-year-old boy • (BUT: The boy is five • years old.) • secretary-treasurer • student-teacher ratio • work-study program • inner-city schools • jack-in-the-box • mother-in-law

6. Use a Hyphen • To set off certain prefixes well-being well-preserved self-conscious self-employed all-purpose ex-minister ex-husband anti-intellectual pro-American

7. Use a Dash(carefully and sparingly) • To add emphasis • Studies—published and unpublished—are included in the portfolio. • I promise I will make it to your birthday party—as long as you save me some cake!

8. Use a Dash • To digress from the main clause • All of my classes this semester—chemistry, English, calculus, psychology, and physics—are really pushing me to my limit. • The last contestant—two • hours late—finally made it to • the competition. (This sentence is an example of digression and emphasis.)

9. So how do I make sure to use the right one? • The dash can be represented by two hyphens (--). Microsoft Word will automatically turn two adjacent hyphens into a dash. Microsoft Word will also turn one hyphen into a dash if you enter the following keystrokes: SPACE, hyphen, SPACE. This dash (–) is a little shorter than the long dash, but it is still longer than the hyphen.

10. REVIEW • NOTE THE USE OF THE HYPHEN AND THE DASH IN THE SNTENCE BELOW: • "To white evangelical women, Sarah Palin is a modern-day prophet, preaching God, flag, and family--while remaking the religious right in her own image" (Lisa Miller, June 21, 2010 Newsweek).

11. Practice Using a Dash • Instructions: Use dashes where they are needed in the following sentences. • 1. We will invite Susan she is the new girl next door to our party. • 2. The dog slid on the vinyl his nails acting like skates and crashed into the trash can. • 3. When our stockpile was sold indeed, dumped for surplus all our sales were compromised. • 4. Today has been but I will not bore you with my troubles. • 5. Let me tell you about watch where you are going!

12. Practice Using a Dash (Answers) • 1. We will invite Susan--she is the new girl next door--to our party. • 2. The dog slid on the vinyl--his nails acting like skates--and crashed into the trash can. • 3. When our stockpile was sold--indeed, dumped for surplus--all our sales were compromised. • 4. Today has been--but I will not bore you with my troubles. • 5. Let me tell you about--watch where you are going!