The purpose of punctuation in your fiction is to provide clarity; seamlessly guiding readers through your narrative without them even noticing the punctuation is there at all. And the most effective, unseen punctuation is, above anything else, familiar and consistent.
Like all punctuation, dashes (en dash and em dash) and hyphens, used well, create rhythm, emphasize key points, and control pace. However, it can be difficult to know which type to use when. Here we'll take a look at each of them in turn, with examples of their most-often applied uses.
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Hyphens (-)
The hyphen is the shortest of the three marks and serves very specific functions.
1. Hyphenating compound words
Hyphens join words to form compound terms that work together as a single unit:
mother-in-law
check-in
self-esteem
state-of-the-art
one-way
T-shirt
runner-up
Hyphenated compound expressions placed before a noun clarify meaning:
high-risk venture
twenty-year-old man
first-class tickets
small-business owner
up-to-date information
stress-free service
However, note that the same expression following a noun often does not require the same clarification:
a venture that is high risk
a man of twenty years old
the tickets are for first class
owner of a small business
the information is up to date
the service is stress free
Compound adjectives that consist of an adjective and verb participle are generally hyphenated whether they come before the noun or after:
a yellow-bellied bird; the bird is yellow-bellied
good-looking boy; the boy was good-looking
sharp-tongued woman; the woman is sharp-tongued
Compound adjectives that begin with an -ly adverb are the exception; they are NOT hyphenated before the noun nor after:
readily available product
newly married couple
cleverly disguised plot
To confuse matters, common usage of hyphenation changes over time and isn't universal. The key is just to understand that the hyphen is the smallest of the marks, and it is used to join words together to avoid ambiguity - and then use this understanding as your guide.
If there's any chance your meaning could be misinterpreted - i.e. the small business owner was very tall vs. the small-business owner was very tall - consider using a hyphen.
2. Prefixes and suffixes
Use hyphens with some prefixes and suffixes, such as:
ex-president
non-negotiable
self-made
re-entry
pre-revolutionary
cat-like
risk-averse
However, many modern usages now drop the hyphen. E.g., "email" instead of "e-mail"; "waterproof" instead of "water-proof". Consult a style guide if you're not sure, but most importantly, remain consistent with your choices.
3. Other uses
Numbers from 21 to 99: twenty-seven; seventy-four
Stammering: "P-please say yes."
Double-barrel surnames: Smith-Jackson
En Dashes (–)
An en dash is longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash. It primarily serves to indicate ranges and connections.
1. Ranges of numbers or dates
The war lasted from 1939–45.
Open 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
2. Expressing relationships
An en dash can also show relationships between words, often replacing the word "to" or "and":
The London–Paris train route
A love–hate relationship
The Djokovic–Alcaraz final
Em Dashes (—)
The em dash is the longest of the three and has several useful functions in fiction.
1. Indicating interruption
In dialogue, em dashes show when a character is cut off:
“I was going to tell you—”
“Forget it. It doesn’t matter now!”
2. Setting off parenthetical information
Em dashes can replace parentheses for a stronger visual break:
He looked at the old house—a sagging, haunted wreck—and shivered.
Note, sometimes in UK usage a spaced en dash is used for this same purpose, but the em dash is usually closed (unspaced), as in the example above.
3. Adding emphasis or dramatic pauses
Em dashes draw attention to a sudden change or important thought:
She had one chance—and she wasn’t going to waste it.
Common mistakes to avoid
Overusing dashes and hyphens: Remember, you want your punctuation to guide readers without being noticeable, so avoid cluttering the narrative with more dashes or hyphens than you need. Too many could become a distraction.
Confusing or switching hyphens and dashes: Consistency is everything. Produce your own style guide of which mark to use where, and stick to it throughout your story. Your reader will quickly adapt to your style, and will notice if something is inconsistent.
Finally...
Dashes and hyphens may seem like minor marks, but mastering their use adds clarity, purpose and consistency to your fiction writing, helping your readers navigate your narrative in the way you want them to.
Try to remember that each serves a unique purpose: hyphens create clarity within compound words; en dashes show ranges and relationships; and em dashes add emphasis and rhythm.
As always, these are not things to worry about during your first draft. But having a good understanding of them when it comes to the editing stages can help you deliver the rhythm, pace and impact you want your story to have. Rather than thinking of punctuation as a chore, think of it instead as an extra tool of your craft.
Further reading
New Hart's Rules: The Oxford Style Guide, 2nd Ed. (2014), Oxford University Press, Oxford
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Tina Williams of Fiction Yogi is a copyeditor and proofreader who works with writers at all stages, giving them the tools to improve their manuscript and level up their writing so they can meet their publishing goals.
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