A dash is similar in appearance to a hyphen but is longer and used differently. The most common version of the dash is the en dash. Use it with spaces to make a parenthetical reference.
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This morning’s lecture – rescheduled from last week – was given by Professor Mulligan. |
Use it without spaces to express a connection or to indicate a date, time or number range.
 |
Girona–Barcelona bus |
|
 |
staff–student relationship |
|
 |
2019–2022 |
|
 |
3.15–7.30 p.m. |
|
 |
40–50 students |
|
Remember that ranges can be expressed by an en dash or by the words
from and
to (or
between and
and) but never by a combination of
from (or
between) and an en dash. Therefore, not
 |
The Arabic discussion group will meet from 3 p.m.–6.30 p.m. on Thursdays. |
but
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The Arabic discussion group will meet from 3 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. on Thursdays. |