What is a dash called in word? (2023)

What are dashes and hyphens called?

By Marina Pantcheva. There are three lengths of what non-typesetters simply think of as a dash: the hyphen (-), the en-dash (–), and the em-dash (—). These punctuations marks belong to the elite of punctuation but are actually quite easy.

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.

What Is a Hyphenated Last Name? A hyphenated last name is when you and your spouse combine both of your last names with a hyphen. This is also called a double surname. In many states, when you fill out your application for your marriage license, you'll be writing your intended married name on that application.

An em dash—inserted by typing Control+Alt+Minus between the words it separates—signals an abrupt break in thought. It can be seen as “surprising” the reader with information. If used judiciously it can mark a longer, more dramatic pause and provide more emphasis than a comma can.

The dash is a punctuation mark that is similar in appearance to the hyphen and minus sign but differs from these symbols in length and, in some fonts, height above the baseline. A dash can be used to mark a break in a sentence, and a pair can be used to set off parenthetical statements.

The hyphen (-), the shortest of the three marks, is familiar (sometimes wretchedly so) to most writers. So is the em dash (—), more often called the long dash, or sometimes just the dash.

Em dash and en dash

To create an em-dash on a Windows computer, hold down the [Alt] key and type 0151 on the numeric keypad. To create an em-dash on a Mac computer, hold down the shift and option/alt and type -. An en dash is the width of the letter "n" and is expressed in plain text as a hyphen ( - ).

For Windows on a keyboard with a numeric keypad: Use Alt + 0 1 5 0 (en dash) or Alt + 0 1 5 1 (em dash) using the numeric keypad.

The dash (—), also called the em dash, is the long horizontal bar, much longer than a hyphen. Few keyboards have a dash, but a word processor can usually produce one in one way or another.

What do you call a dash in the middle of a sentence?

An em dash is a punctuation mark that can be used to replace commas, parentheses, colons, and semicolons. In general, the em dash is seen as being more interruptive or striking than other punctuation, so it is often used stylistically to draw a reader's attention to a particular bit of information.

There are three forms of dashes: em, en, and the double hyphen. The most common types of dashes are the en dash (–) and the em dash (—). A good way to remember the difference between these two dashes is to visualize the en dash as the length of the letter N and the em dash as the length of the letter M.

The dash, slash, ellipses, and brackets are marks that serve specific purposes as indicated below. THE DASH. The dash (–) is used to set off additional material within a sentence, often in order to emphasize it, to set off appositives that contain commas, or to indicate missing words.

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 compound modifier is made up of two or more words that work together to function like one adjective. When you connect words with the hyphen, you make it clear to readers that the words work together as a unit of meaning.

A dash is used to indicate an interruption in dialogue, to introduce a list of items, or to signal an explanation the writer wants to emphasize. Ellipses and dashes are not interchangeable, but the misuse of either and both is common. A dash is a highlighter. An ellipsis takes the place of missing words.

What Is an Underscore? Often referred to as a low dash, an underscore looks like an elongated hyphen. Underscores are typically found in domain names and in email addresses.

The acute accent (/əˈkjuːt/), ◌́, is a diacritic used in many modern written languages with alphabets based on the Latin, Cyrillic, and Greek scripts.

Insert an Em or En dash using shortcut keys

To create an Em dash, use the shortcut key combination Ctrl + Alt + - . To create an En dash, use the shortcut key combination Ctrl + - . Num Lock must be enabled and you need to use the minus key on the numeric keypad.

What is a dash and a slash?

The hyphen (-), en dash (–), and forward slash (/) are three punctuation marks used to indicate a relationship between words or phrases. Respectively, each mark indicates an increasing level of connection between words.

A caesura is a pause that occurs within a line of poetry, usually marked by some form of punctuation such as a period, comma, ellipsis, or dash. A caesura doesn't have to be placed in the exact middle of a line of poetry.

There are two types of dashes: em dashes and en dashes. Both get their names from their length. An em dash is about as long as the letter "m" (—), whereas an en dash is only about half that length, or the length of the letter "n" (–).

Dashes create urgency. Just like in narrative, dashes can be used in dialogue to set off clauses within sentences. But the most important use of dashes in dialogue is to show one speaker interrupting another.

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.

The Single Dash

The single dash is normally a feature of informal English and is used, especially in narrative, to create suspense or to indicate that what follows is. an afterthought or something to be emphasised –

There are actually three different types of dashes: the em-dash, the en-dash, and the 3-em dash. The em-dash can be used to replace parentheses, colons, and commas. Generally, using the em-dash makes the writing style more informal—as if you were writing to an old friend.

What is a compound adjective? A compound adjective is an adjective that is made up of multiple individual words. Usually, the words are connected by a hyphen or hyphens when used as an adjective. Words like absent-minded and happy-go-lucky are examples of compound adjectives.

There are two types of dashes: em dashes and en dashes. Both get their names from their length. An em dash is about as long as the letter "m" (—), whereas an en dash is only about half that length, or the length of the letter "n" (–).

An em dash is a punctuation mark that can be used to replace commas, parentheses, colons, and semicolons. In general, the em dash is seen as being more interruptive or striking than other punctuation, so it is often used stylistically to draw a reader's attention to a particular bit of information.

What are the 3 types of compound words?

Compound words can be written in three ways: as open compounds (spelled as two words, e.g., ice cream), closed compounds (joined to form a single word, e.g., doorknob), or hyphenated compounds (two words joined by a hyphen, e.g., long-term).

The term “double hyphen” is also sometimes used to refer to a symbol in written text that is actually called a dash. While a hyphen and a dash both appear quite similar, they are used to express different meanings and for different purposes.

Some examples include: Empty + handed = Empty-handed, which means to have nothing in your hands. Mother + in + law = Mother-in-law, who is the mother of your spouse. Merry + go + round = Merry-go-round, which is another word for a carousel.