Dashes are longer than hyphens and are used differently. There are two kinds: en dashes (–), which are the width of the letter n, and em dashes (—), which are the width of the letter m.
Use the en dash without spaces to express a connection or to indicate a date, time or number range.
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
but
Use the em dash (—) with spaces to make a parenthetical reference.
Use the en dash without spaces to express a connection or to indicate a date, time or number range.
|
|
|
|
|
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
 | The Arabic discussion group will meet from 3 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. on Thursdays. |
Use the em dash (—) with spaces to make a parenthetical reference.
| This morning’s lecture — rescheduled from last week — was given by Professor Mulligan. |
Actualització: 24-10-2023
Impressió de la pàginaRecommended citation:
«Dashes» [en línia]. A: Llibre d’estil de la Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics. <https://www.ub.edu/llibre-estil/criteri.php?id=2307> [consulta: 1 octubre 2026].