When and how to use dashes, ellipses, and hyphens
When I’m editing, I often come across manuscripts in which writers used an ellipsis when they should use a dash or the other way around. Sometimes, I also see hyphens used instead of dashes. So here are some simple rules of thumb for when and how to use dashes, ellipses, and hyphens. Ellipses An ellipsis consists of three dots. Style guides differ on whether there should be spaces between the dots of an ellipsis and before/after an ellipsis. The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) prefers spaced ellipses, with a space before and after the ellipsis. Use nonbreaking spaces …