a slightly longer dash is used

[kadioguy]

Hyphen

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]The hyphen is used between numbers and dates, [/FONT]with the meaning "to" or "up to and including." (In printed material, a slightly longer dash is used.)

pages 112—18
served as secretary-general 1995—99
Vacation dates are Dec. 20—Jan. 12.
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Does 'a slightly longer dash' mean 'a dash that is slightly longer than a hyphen' ,or 'a dash that is slightly longer than a standard dash'?

 

[J&K Tutoring]

"A slightly longer dash" means a dash that is slightly longer than a hyphen.​

 

[teechar]

Does 'a slightly longer dash' mean 'a dash that is slightly longer than a hyphen' ,or 'a dash that is slightly longer than a standard dash'?

I take it to mean "a dash that is slightly longer than a hyphen".

 

[Matthew Wai]

An em dash is also known as a long dash according to Oxford.

A long dash —
An en dash. –
A hyphen.... -

An en dash is slightly longer than a hyphen.

 

[kadioguy]

An em dash is also known as a long dash according to Oxford.

A long dash —
An en dash. –
A hyphen.... -

An en dash is slightly longer than a hyphen.

I just found something useful:

Em dash

Similar to an extended hyphen (-), an em dash is used to show a break in thought or a shift of tone. Most keyboards and software programs lack the em dash, therefore it must be created by using a special function key supported by the software program or by entering two hyphens (--).

https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/e/emdash.htm
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En dash

A dash smaller than an em dash, but usually longer than a regular hyphen, the en dash is often used in place of the word "to" such as 10–5 p.m.

https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/e/endash.htm
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How do I insert an En dash or Em dash in Microsoft Word?

https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001084.htm

 

[Tdol]

I honestly cannot find it within me to care about the length of a dash. I know people do, but I see no advantage in lengthening a standard piece of punctuation.

 

[kadioguy]

I honestly cannot find it within me to care about the length of a dash. I know people do, but I see no advantage in lengthening a standard piece of punctuation.

So what do you think is a standard piece of punctuation? An em dash, an en dash or a hyphen?

 

[GoesStation]

Microsoft Word automatically changes a typed hyphen into a dash when it thinks that's the appropriate punctuation. It doesn't always get this right. When it's wrong, I go back and change it.

Only hyphens and em dashes are used in everyday writing. The hyphen is used where a typesetter would use an en dash. (Actually I'd have to check. It's possible that Word inserts en dashes between numbers. If it does, I've never noticed.)

 

[teechar]

I think they should considering merging these two and calling the result a dyphen; the other potential name might be a bit controversial. :lol:

 

[kadioguy]

I think they should considering merging these two and calling the result a dyphen

Sorry, but why not I think they should consider merging ...?

the other potential name might be a bit controversial. :lol:

For example? :shock:

 

[GoesStation]

I just discovered that my phone's SwiftKey keyboard can do all three — the em-dash on the left, the hyphen in em- or en-dash, and the en-dash in 2017–2018.

 

[kadioguy]

I just discovered that my phone's SwiftKey keyboard can do all three — the em-dash on the left, the hyphen in em- or en-dash, and the en-dash in 2017–2018.

This is why it is so-called 'smart phone'. :-D

 

[Tdol]

So what do you think is a standard piece of punctuation? An em dash, an en dash or a hyphen?

Like Piscean, I use - for everything.

 

[emsr2d2]

Like Piscean, I use - for everything.

As do I. It's the same mark but there is a difference in spacing around it. No spaces for a hyphen; a space either end for a dash (em or en dash).

 

[Matthew Wai]

This is why it is so-called 'smart phone'. :-D

My smartphone does not have the SwiftKey keyboard mentioned in post #13.

 

[GoesStation]

My smartphone does not have the SwiftKey keyboard mentioned in post #13.

At least in the US market, SwiftKey for Android is a free app on the Google Play Market and, if I remember right, on iTunes.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Do you mean this one?

 

[GoesStation]

Do you mean this one?

That's it, yes.

 

[Tdol]

That was a typo. It should be 'consider'.

A typo in a post about a typo. :-D

 

[kadioguy]

Well, it was one of my posts.

Last edited by Piscean; Today at 15:53. Reason: Tyop corrected

A typo in a post about correcting a typo. :-D