You can study the nuances of the Russian language all your life, until the end without mastering this difficult science. In this article, we’ll talk about special punctuation characters called hyphens and dashes. What is their difference and how to write (or print) them correctly - we will understand this.
What it is?
Nevertheless, first of all, you need to deal with the concepts themselves. So, a hyphen and a dash are two completely different not only in spelling, but also in the purpose of the punctuation mark. It is worth saying that the rules for writing them are not so simple - there are a huge number of different nuances when and how to correctly apply one or another punctuation mark. Understanding this is the main goal of this article. The basic rule that you need to follow will be important in order to avoid errors:
- a hyphen is intended to connect parts of one word;
- The dash is intended to separate two words (if the word is spoken, then a small pause should follow in place of the dash).
Major issues
So, we figured out that the hyphen and dash signs are completely different in their purpose (the difference lies in the rules for writing them). Now it’s worth considering the most difficult situations when a person may have doubts about whether to put a hyphen or a dash.
- A hyphen is used when writing double surnames (Petrov-Vodkin, Gay-Lussac).
- A dash is put in the name of those laws that are named after the names of several scientists (the Boyle – Marriott law).
- The dash is set in numerical and spatial ranges (20th – 21st century, on pages 1-2, Kiev – Moscow). However, if this is an electoral turn "either one or the other", in this case you need to put a hyphen (three to four days).
- In various numbers, numerical designations a hyphen is written (tel. 5-36-42).
It is important to say that if words that are written through a hyphen turn into phrases, then you need to put a dash or a blank at all. Example: “half a spoon” turns into a “half tablespoon”.
Is there a third?
In Russian, there are two punctuation marks that look approximately the same - a hyphen and a dash (when writing, they differ in the length of the stick). However, in the topography there is another one of their relatives, which looks approximately the same - this is a minus. How to determine what is printed on the page? So, the main rule: look at the length of the stick, which is printed on the sheet. Everything should look something like this:
- Hyphen: -.
- Minus: -.
- Dash: -.
At first glance, maybe the differences are not too visible, but they definitely are. A hyphen is the shortest of characters, followed by a minus, and only then a dash is the longest punctuation mark.
About typing on a computer
Having dealt with punctuation marks, you should also learn and remember how to type hyphens and dashes in Word. So, for this there is a certain key combination.
- To type a hyphen (hyphen, dash), for this it is simple to find the corresponding character on the keyboard (there are two keys for this).
- Minus (En dash). To type this character, you need to click the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + hyphen on the right numeric keypad (calculator).
- Dash (Em dash). To put this punctuation mark, you need to click the following key combination: Alt + Ctrl + hyphen on the right numeric keypad (calculator).
You can also use special codes for typing hyphens and dashes on the keyboard. Dash - 0151; the hyphen is 0150. To enter, you just need to press Alt + the code corresponding to the desired character.
About writing characters
So, we know what a hyphen and dash are. What is the difference when typing - figured out. Now it’s worth considering a few rules for writing them. So, if you need to decide what is written - a hyphen or minus (these signs are very similar to each other), you should remember that the hyphen is small. The minus should be equal to the width of the plus sign. Another very important rule: a dash on the computer on both sides beats spaces, a hyphen - no. A very entertaining fact: the dash on the computer beats the width of the letter m, therefore in the English version it is called Em dash. The same applies to the remaining signs: minus - to the width of n (En dash), a hyphen - just a short wand (dash).
Rules: when hyphenated
So, when should you use a hyphen, according to the rules of the Russian language?
- For attaching particles (once, by someone).
- To attach prefixes (in Russian, firstly).
- If necessary, the separation of complex words (chemical-biological).
- If a reduction sign is required (qty, physical).
- In phrases (Internet cafe, business lunch).
- As a sign of transfer (which, however, is practically not found on the Internet today).
Simple rules: when a dash is set
Considering punctuation marks such as hyphens and dashes, differences in their application, you should remember the rules. So, when do you need to use a dash?
- To indicate direct speech.
- This sign is placed between the members of the proposal.
- For connecting dates, distances (11–12th century, Kiev – Moscow).
- To replace repeating words that go in a row in one section.
- Other rules of the Russian language.
Russian language rules
It is worth mentioning that there are a huge number of different nuances when writing such a punctuation mark as a dash. So, when should it be applied correctly?
- Between the predicate and the subject, when the string remains zero, and the main terms are expressed either by a noun or a numeral (Love is the charm of nature).
- Before the following words: this, here, means, which are between the predicate and the subject (dreams - this is a serious mental illness).
- If there is a pause in incomplete sentences.
- Intonation dash between any members of a sentence.
- In the notes, when the explainable word must be separated from the explanation itself.
- If the sentence is explanatory, a dash can be used to isolate.
- For logical allocation of the application, if it is at the end of the sentence.
- To highlight plug-in designs.
- Also, a dash is placed in complex sentences if there is a contrast or a quick change of events.
- In non-union sentences (if the second part is opposed to the first; if the second part is a comparison with the first; in the second part there is a conclusion regarding the first part; if the sentence expresses a quick change of events; the second part of the sentence is the connecting part of the first).
However, it is worth saying that this is not a complete list of when the dash should be put. In total, you can count up to 50 rules and nuances. Above are the most common cases of using this punctuation mark.
When a dash is not set
When studying punctuation marks such as hyphens and dashes, you should also consider situations where dashes are not used in sentences.
- If the predicate has an introductory word, denial, particle, union, adverb (I am very sorry that my husband is not a doctor).
- If the predicate is faced by a minor member of the sentence related to it (All of Russia is our garden).
- Subject is preceded by a nominal predicate (Glorious place is this valley).
- A dash is not set if the subject and the predicate form a phraseological phrase (someone else's soul of darkness).
- If the subject is expressed by a personal pronoun, the predicate is expressed by a noun necessarily in the nominative case.
- In various conversational style sentences.
Simple conclusions
Having figured out how and when to correctly apply punctuation marks such as hyphens and dashes, you also need to know how to distinguish them in the already written text. After reading this article, you can easily understand all the nuances and never get into unpleasant situations that relate to the illiterate spelling of punctuation marks similar in appearance.