En dashes (-) are mid-length horizontal bars longer than hyphens (-) but shorter than em dashes (-). They connect compound phrases indicating ranges, conflicts, or relationships.
En dashes serve as flexible connectors. Unlike hyphens, which join words or parts of words, en dashes link existing words or numbers. For example:
The name "en dash" comes from its traditional width, matching that of the letter "n" in many fonts.
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Range | 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. |
| Conflict/Relationship | Apple-Microsoft rivalry |
| Compound Adjectives | pre-World War II |
Note that en dashes replace hyphens in ranges but never appear in compound words (e.g., "well-being" remains hyphenated).
A common mistake is confusing en dashes with em dashes (-), which set off clauses or add emphasis. For example:
Many writers assume en dashes are optional or interchangeable with hyphens. However, omitting them creates ambiguity. For instance, "post-war" could imply "after the war" or "war-related," while "post-war" means "after the war."
Another error is using spaces around en dashes (e.g., "10 - 15"). This French-style spacing is incorrect in US English.
On Windows, press Alt+0150 on the numeric keypad. On Macs, use Option+Hyphen. In Microsoft Word, type a space after two hyphens, then backspace to replace them with an en dash.
I once spent hours manually replacing hyphens with en dashes in a 50-page report. The difference was subtle but noticeable-professional and precise.