Dash in English Grammar: Definition, Usage and Examples

One of the most misused punctuation marks is the dash. Many English language learners seem to always confuse between a hyphen and a dash. To give you a clear idea of what a dash is, this article will provide you with the meaning, definition and rules of usage along with examples. Check it out.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Dash? – Meaning and Definition
• When and How to Use a Dash in a Sentence?
• What Makes a Dash Different from a Hyphen?
• Examples of Sentences Using Dashes
• Frequently Asked Questions on the Use of Dash

What Is a Dash? – Meaning and Definition

A dash is a punctuation mark that resembles a hyphen, but longer. A dash is used to separate part of a sentence and indicate a break. It indicates a longer pause than a comma and a semicolon. It is also called a long dash or an em dash.

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines a dash as “the mark (—) used to separate parts of a sentence, often instead of a colon or in pairs instead of brackets”. According to the Collins Dictionary, a dash is defined as “a straight, horizontal line used in writing, for example to separate two main clauses whose meanings are closely connected.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a dash as “a punctuation mark — that is used especially to indicate a break in the thought or structure of a sentence”.

When and How to Use a Dash in a Sentence?

Using punctuation marks accurately is the key to writing error-free and meaningful sentences. A dash is commonly used to do the following:

• It can sometimes be used in place of a comma, a colon and a semicolon.
• It is used after an independent clause, most often, to conclude the thought.
• It is used in pairs instead of brackets to distinguish extra or unessential information from the rest of the sentence.
• It is used in dialogue writing to separate a comment from the rest of the dialogue.
• It is used before a series within a phrase.
• It is also used to indicate a range or a transport route.
• It is used between two country names or adjectives.

What Makes a Dash Different from a Hyphen?

To help you comprehend this never-ending uncertainty, here is a table with the factors that make these two punctuation marks different from each other.

Examples of Sentences Using Dashes

Here are some sentence examples to show you how a dash can be used in a sentence.

• My work timings are from 8–5.
• The trek will be organised from May 12–15.
• We know one thing for sure — something unexpected is coming our way.
• Many children — living in orphanages — do not know what love feels like.
• People — both young and old — were advised to take vaccinations at the earliest.
• The mathematician—philosopher has won the Nobel Prize this year.
• Molotov—Ribbentrop Pact was officially declared null in 1941.
• A lot has changed since last year — probably for the better.
• The Chennai—Mumbai flight will leave at 10:00 a.m.
• Dinesh — the boy from Thanjavur — has arrived.