Endash definitions
| Word backwards | hsadne |
|---|---|
| Part of speech | Noun |
| Syllabic division | en-dash |
| Plural | The plural of the word "endash" is "endashes." |
| Total letters | 6 |
| Vogais (2) | e,a |
| Consonants (4) | n,d,s,h |
The Importance of the Endash in Punctuation
Many people are familiar with the hyphen and the em dash, but the endash is often overlooked in the world of punctuation. The endash is a versatile and useful punctuation mark that has specific purposes in writing that can enhance clarity and readability.
What is an Endash?
An endash is a dash that is slightly longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash. It is typically used to indicate a range of values or to connect things that are related in some way. For example, it is commonly used to show a range of numbers, such as "pages 10–20" or "Monday–Friday."
When to Use an Endash
One of the primary uses of an endash is to signify a range of values, whether they are numerical, such as dates or numbers, or descriptive, such as pages or time periods. The endash is also used to connect words or phrases that are part of a single entity, such as "New York–based company" or "pre–World War II era."
How to Type an Endash
Typing an endash is simple on most modern keyboards. On a Windows computer, you can typically type an endash by holding down the Alt key and typing 0150 on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, you can type an endash by pressing Option and the hyphen key.
In Conclusion
The endash may seem like a small and insignificant punctuation mark, but its uses are significant in enhancing the clarity and coherence of written text. By understanding when and how to use an endash, writers can improve the readability and professionalism of their writing.
Endash Examples
- The document used an en-dash to denote a range of dates, such as January–March.
- She connected New York and Los Angeles with an en-dash in her writing.
- The style guide recommended using an en-dash in compound adjectives like pre–World War II.
- His email address was separated by an en-dash: john.doe@example.com.
- The en-dash was used to represent missing letters in a word, like c–o for "company."
- In her article, the author highlighted a quote with an en-dash after a colon : —.
- The designer chose to use an en-dash to separate two contrasting elements in the layout.
- The en-dash was used to link two elements that were closely related, like sister–brother.
- His presentation included an en-dash to indicate a pause in the dialogue: –
- The book title was written with an en-dash between the author's name and the subtitle.