Category: Grammar

Have you ever noticed that there are varying lengths of dashes? The well-known short one (the hyphen -) and the two other, less well-known, versions (the en dash (–) and the em dash (—))? If you have, but aren’t sure when to use those longer ones, you’re not alone. We will cut through the confusion on this topic and highlight the differences with examples and simple tips.

Getting to Know the Dashes

It is a common misconception that these dashes are interchangeable. Likewise, many people can rely too much on the standard hyphen for everything. However, while often overlooked, correct dash usage is essential for clarity and professionalism.

The Hyphen (-)

The hyphen is the shortest of the three dashes. The hyphen is used to connect words or numbers, such as phone numbers (123-456-7890), compound descriptors (“part-time”), or newly coined terms (“blue-greyish”). It also joins elements, such as “well-known,” “cost-effective,” and creates more complex constructions, such as “award-winning-sounding.”

Yet, it is important to note that not all compound words need a hyphen. For example, some are always single words (“bookstore”), some are always separated (“high school”), and others depend on convention and context. Importantly, compound words often have exceptions, so double-check when unsure. The hyphen is the most commonly used and familiar of the dashes and helps writers provide context and clarity when used correctly.

The En Dash (–)

The en dash, slightly longer than the hyphen but shorter than the em dash, is often misunderstood. Its primary function is to represent a range of values, such as dates, numbers, or locations. Examples include “June–August” or “pages 22–40.” The en dash is typically a substitute for the word “through.”

Unlike the hyphen, the en dash is not a standard keyboard button. The use of the en dash may require the use of a word processor’s special character menu or a specific keyboard shortcut.

The Em Dash (—)

Interestingly, the original reason for the names ‘en dash’ and ‘em dash’ was because the first should be the length of an ‘n’ and the second the length of an ‘m.’   

The em dash brings emphasis and clarity to a sentence when used appropriately. The em dash can serve in place of parentheses, providing a less formal and more visually engaging separation of thoughts. It may also stand in for a colon, introducing a conclusion, explanation, or extra detail at the end of a sentence. In situations where too many commas may clutter a sentence, the em dash offers a clean alternative, helping to maintain clarity and flow.

Consider the following examples:

• Harry sampled the bakery’s new pastry—and the results were less than favorable.

• Our board includes three officers—Sarah May, President; Frank Stewart, Treasurer; and Alexandra Gill, Secretary—and two directors at large.

• The budget meeting—scheduled for next Monday—is expected to be contentious.

The em dash is highly adaptable. It can neatly set off supplementary information, make a pause, help organize lists with internal commas, and inject nuance into written communication.

Things That Get Weird (Because of Dashes)

• If you’re using em dashes to surround a phrase—like this one—drop the commas. Let the dash do its thing.

• Have a question or exclamation inside those dashes? The punctuation stays inside, like this—can you believe it? —and not outside.

• Parentheses inside dashes and dashes inside parentheses introduce a level of complexity we don’t need to explore right now, but this does indeed occur.

One Last Thing

If this all still feels confusing, don’t worry. The differences between the three dashes are nuanced and not well known on the whole. However, if you want that professional touch, need to put together a formal report, a published article, or expect a red pen, it helps to know your dashes.

And if all else fails and you don’t have a professional editor at hand? Choose one type of dash and use it consistently.

If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence and wondered whether that last comma before “and” really matters, you’re not alone. That punctuation mark, called the Oxford comma, has sparked debates in courtrooms, classrooms, and newsrooms alike.

At Minutes Solutions, however, we use the Oxford comma. Always. Here’s why.

First, What Is the Oxford Comma?

The Oxford comma (also called the serial comma, series comma, or Harvard comma) is the comma that is placed immediately before the final conjunction—usually “and”, “or”, or “nor”—in a list of three or more items. For an example, look at the next sentence:

“We brought notebooks, pens, and highlighters.”

The comma after “pens” is the Oxford comma. Some people skip it. We don’t.

Clarity Is King

Without the Oxford comma, meaning can get muddy fast. Take this example:

• Without Oxford comma: “She dedicated the book to her parents, Oprah and Einstein.”
  
• With Oxford comma: “She dedicated the book to her parents, Oprah, and Einstein.”

The first version makes it sound as though the author’s parents are Oprah and Einstein. The second version? Clear as day.

When you’re writing for meeting minutes, contracts, or public records, ambiguity isn’t just inconvenient. It’s risky. The Oxford comma adds a small, but powerful layer of clarity that helps your words do exactly what they’re meant to do: communicate.

It’s Not Just About Grammar, But About Trust

When we write something down, especially on behalf of others, we’re creating a record. Readers assume that record reflects what was intended, not just what was typed. That’s why consistency and precision matter.

Using the Oxford comma signals that we’ve thought carefully about how we write each sentence. The Oxford comma is a mark of diligence: a mark that quietly supports credibility, professionalism, and trust.

A Comma That’s Been to Court

In 2018, a group of Maine truck drivers won a $5-million lawsuit because of one missing comma in a labour law. The absence of an Oxford comma changed how the law was interpreted. The courts ruled in favor of the drivers.

This was the portion of the law in question:

“The canning, processing, preserving, freezing, drying, marketing, storing, packing for shipment or distribution of:

(1) Agricultural produce;

(2) Meat and fish products; and

(3) Perishable foods.” 

Because there was no comma between “shipment” and “or distribution,” the court interpreted the phrase as referring only to the act of packing, not distributing. Even though the drivers distributed the goods and didn’t pack them as well, the drivers were eligible for overtime.

That single punctuation mark meant the difference between denied and approved overtime pay.

Even the Digital World Is on Board

Grammar checkers, from Microsoft Word’s tool to Grammar.ly to browser based AI tools, usually default to Oxford comma recommendations. The Oxford comma is now widely recognized as a best practice, and not a personal preference.

Final Thought: The Smallest Mark With the Biggest Impact

Minutes Solutions uses the Oxford comma because it makes writing clearer, cleaner, and more reliable. When you’re responsible for documenting decisions, capturing outcomes, or creating permanent records, clear and reliable is exactly what you want.

While it may be tiny, the Oxford comma does a lot of heavy lifting. We’re happy to keep it on the job.