You can study the nuances of the Russian language all your life, without fully mastering this difficult science. In this article, we will talk about special punctuation marks, which are called "hyphen" and "dash". What is their difference and how to write (or print) them correctly - we will understand this.
What is this?
Still, first of all, you need to deal with the concepts themselves. So, a hyphen and a dash are two completely different punctuation marks not only in spelling, but also in purpose. 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 this or that punctuation mark. Understanding this is the main goal of this article. The main rule to follow in order to avoid mistakes will be important:
- hyphen is used to connect parts of one word;
- dash is designed to separate two words (if the word is pronounced, then a small pause should follow in place of the dash).
Main problems
So, we figured out that the signs are completely different in their purposehyphen and dash (the difference lies in the rules for writing them). Now it is worth considering the most difficult situations when a person may have doubts about what to put - a hyphen or a dash.
- The hyphen is used when writing double surnames (Petrov-Vodkin, Gay-Lussac).
- The dash is placed in the title of those laws that are named after the names of several scientists (Boyle-Mariotte law).
- The dash is placed in numerical and spatial ranges (20-21st century, on pages 1-2, Kyiv-Moscow). However, if this is an elective turnover “either one or the other”, then 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 also important to say that if words that are written with a hyphen turn into phrases, then you need to put a dash or even a gap. Example: "half a spoon" becomes "half a tablespoon".
Is there a third one?
In Russian, there are two punctuation marks that look about the same - a hyphen and a dash (they differ in the length of the stick when written). However, in the topography there is one more relative of them, which looks about 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 that is printed on the sheet. Everything should look something like this:
- Hyphen: -.
- Minus: –.
- Dash: -.
At first glance, the differences may not be very visible, but they are definitely there. The hyphen is the shortest of the characters, followed by the minus, andonly then a dash - the longest punctuation mark.
About computer typing
Having de alt with punctuation marks, you should also learn and remember how to correctly type a hyphen and a dash in Word. So, there is a certain keyboard shortcut for this.
- To type a hyphen (hyphen, dash), you just need 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 key combination Ctrl + hyphen on the right numeric keypad (calculator).
- Dash (Em dash). To put this punctuation mark, you need to click the following key combination: "Image" + Ctrl + hyphen on the right numeric keypad (calculator).
You can also use special codes for typing hyphens and dashes on the keyboard. Dash - 0151; hyphen - 0150. To enter, you just need to press "Image" + the code corresponding to the desired character.
About writing signs
So we know what a hyphen and a dash are. What is the difference when typing - figured it out. Now it’s worth considering a few rules for writing them. So, if you need to decide what is written - a hyphen or a minus (these signs are very similar to each other), you should remember that the hyphen is small. The minus must be aligned to the width of the plus sign. Another very important rule: a dash on a computer is beaten off with spaces on both sides, a hyphen is not. A very interesting fact: the dash on the computer beats off the width of the letter m,therefore, in the English version, it is called Em dash. The same applies to other signs: minus - the width of n (En dash), hyphen - just a short stick (dash).
Rules: when to put a hyphen
So, when should you use a hyphen, according to the rules of the Russian language?
- To attach particles (once, by someone).
- To attach prefixes (in Russian, firstly).
- If necessary, separation of complex words (chemical-biological).
- If an abbreviation sign is required (quantity, physical).
- In phrases (Internet cafe, business lunch).
- As a sign of transfer (which, however, is almost never found on the Internet today).
Simple rules: when to put a dash
When considering such punctuation marks as hyphen and dash, the differences in their use, you should remember the rules. So when should you use the dash?
- To indicate direct speech.
- This sign is placed between the members of the sentence.
- To connect dates, distances (11-12th century, Kyiv-Moscow).
- To replace repeated words that go in a row in one rubric.
- Other rules of the Russian language.
Russian language rules
It is also 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 plot remains zero, and the mainmembers are expressed either as a noun or as a numeral (Love is the charm of nature).
- Before the following words: this, here, means that are between the predicate and the subject (dreams are a serious mental illness).
- When there is a pause in incomplete sentences.
- Intonational dash between any members of the sentence.
- In notes, when the word to be explained must be separated from the explanation itself.
- If the sentence is explanatory, a dash may be used to separate it.
- To logically highlight an application if it is at the end of a sentence.
- To highlight insert structures.
- Also, a dash is placed in compound sentences if they contain opposition or a quick change of events.
- In non-union sentences (if the second part is opposed to the first; if there is a comparison with the first in the second part; 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 a dash should be placed. In total, you can count up to 50 rules and nuances. Above are the most common uses of this punctuation mark.
When a dash is not put
As you study punctuation marks such as hyphens and dashes, you should also consider situations where dashes are not used in sentences.
- If beforethe predicate is an introductory word, negation, particle, union, adverb (I am very sorry that my husband is not a doctor).
- If the predicate is preceded by a minor member of the sentence related to it (All Russia is our garden).
- The subject is preceded by a nominal predicate (This valley is a glorious place).
- The dash is not put if the subject together with the predicate form a phraseological phrase (alien soul of darkness).
- If the subject is expressed by a personal pronoun, the predicate is expressed by the noun in the nominative case.
- In various conversational style sentences.
Simple conclusions
Having figured out how and when to correctly use punctuation marks such as hyphens and dashes, you should also know how to distinguish them in 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 writing of similar punctuation marks.
