What is the en dash in legal writing?
Asked by: Dr. Holden Will DDS | Last update: November 14, 2023Score: 4.3/5 (58 votes)
The en-dash (–) is shorter than an em-dash (—) and longer than a hyphen (-). It never takes a space before or after the mark. Its principal use is as an equivalent of to when marking a span or range of dates, page numbers, scores, and the like: Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) Oxford American Dictionary 217–19 (1st ed.
How do you use an em dash in legal writing?
The em dash is used for a pause or a break in a sentence. The em dash can be used in a manner sim- ilar to parentheses, or for an additional thought to be added within a sentence by sort of breaking away from that sentence. A diligent legal writer should not insert a space before or after dashes.
What is the rule for the en dash?
The en dash is used to represent a span or range of numbers, dates, or time. There should be no space between the en dash and the adjacent material. Depending on the context, the en dash is read as “to” or “through.” The 2010–2011 season was our best yet.
What does en dash mean in writing?
The shorter en dash (–) is used to mark ranges and with the meaning “to” in phrases like “Dover–Calais crossing.” The longer em dash (—) is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence.
Does Bluebook use en dash or hyphen?
Although The Bluebook allows for ranges to be indicated using either a hyphen or en dash, TLR uses en dashes for all ranges as suggested by CMOS 6.78. Always conform to CMOS, specifically Rules 6.78–6.84.
EN DASH & EM DASH | English grammar | How to use punctuation correctly
What is the en dash rule Bluebook?
Punctuation: Correct all punctuation errors. Add or delete punctuation as required by the Bluebook. Please note: When citing material that spans more than one page, give the inclusive numbers, separated by an en dash (–), not a hyphen (-).
Should I use an en dash or hyphen?
Lastly, the en-dash is used in certain types of compound adjectives. Typically, a hyphen is used to connect the words in a compound adjective (see below). However, when the compound adjective contains an entity that is made up of multiple words, it's correct to use an en-dash.
What is an example of an en dash?
Use an en dash when you want to: Express date and number ranges: The en dash implies that there is distance between a range of numbers or dates. For example, “plant in August–October,” or “read pages 10–25.” En dashes are also used to report scores, such as, “Our team won 3–0.”
What is the difference between a hyphen and an en dash word?
More Information. The en dash usually emphasizes the materials that follow it. Dashes also emphasize parenthetical thoughts and convey sudden interruptions in thought. Hyphens join many compound nouns, all compound adjectives, and, when they are spelled out, the elements of two-digit numbers and fractions.
What is the difference between en dash and ellipsis?
The ellipsis, three dots seen in text, signifies a pause within a character's dialogue or missing text within quoted material. The em-dash indicates an interruption in speech or to emphasize a phrase.
Is en dash the same as non breaking hyphen?
But there's no such thing as a non-breaking em-dash (—) or en-dash (–). An en-dash (option-hyphen) is the proper punctuation for specifying a range, and is a little wider than a regular hyphen. (I cheated up above and just used a non-breaking hyphen for the time span.)
Can an en dash replace a comma?
We can use an em dash, or multiple em dashes, in place of commas that set off additional information or asides. Em dashes are typically seen as more attention-grabbing than commas, so they are especially useful to focus a reader's attention on surprising or unexpected information.
Do you space out an en dash?
For both en dashes and em dashes, do not put any spaces before or after the dashes.
How do you signal an interruption in legal writing?
The use of parentheses is the most widely accepted form of punctuation for signaling an interruption in formal legal writing. This is because parentheses are less intrusive and emphasize the interruption without taking away from the overall flow of the sentence.
Is it okay to use em dash in formal writing?
The em dash is sometimes considered a less formal equivalent of the colon and parenthesis, but in truth it's used in all kinds of writing, including the most formal—the choice of which mark to use is really a matter of personal preference.
Can you use a dash in professional writing?
As a baseline rule, never use more than two in one sentence. Second, some old-school grammarians view dashes as too informal for important business documents, though not many people see it that way anymore. Nevertheless, when writing formal business documents, use dashes sparingly and always with your reader in mind.
Do you capitalize after an en dash?
A dash doesn't require any extra thought regarding capitalization. You treat the first word after a dash the same way you'd treat it if it followed a comma. On the other hand, you sometimes have to make a decision about capitalization when you use a colon.
What is the difference between minus and en dash?
Use an en dash (–): To indicate a range of numbers, such as inclusive values, dates, or pages. For a minus sign. To indicate negative numbers.
What are the two types of dash?
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" (–).
What is the difference between M dash en dash and hyphen?
Quick Usage Guideline
Em dashes are longer (—), so they are used between phrases or clauses (groups of words). Hyphens are shorter (-), so they are only used between prefixes and words to make compound words such as self- esteem. Of these three marks of punctuation, the en dash is used the least frequently.
Does en dash go at end or start of line?
En dashes, like hyphens, are always set closed up. And while an en dash can end a line, it shouldn't start one.
Does the en dash go inside quotation marks?
The dash, semicolon, question mark and exclamation point go within the quotation marks when they apply to the quoted matter only. They go outside when they apply to the whole sentence.
Does a hyphen have a space before and after it?
No spaces are used between the hyphen and the words unless the hyphen is a hanging hyphen, e.g., “nineteenth- and twentieth-century literature.” A hanging hyphen will have a space after it, but not before.
Which dash to use in a title?
Yes, you can use an em dash in titles. But the more customary practice is to use a colon.