En-Dash vs. Hyphen in Professional Writing (B2)

A journalist writes: "The Trump-era policies were reversed." Which dash is being used here and is it correct?

En-dash — correct because "Trump" and "era" are two equal items.Hyphen — correct because "Trump-era" is a compound modifier before a noun.Em-dash — correct because it adds emphasis to the phrase.No dash is needed — "Trump era" should be two separate words.

Correct answer: Hyphen — correct because "Trump-era" is a compound modifier before a noun.

In an academic paper, a citation reads: "Smith, J. (2021), pp. 45-67." Is the punctuation correct?

Yes, the hyphen is correct for page ranges in citations.No, a hyphen should not be used for page ranges — an en-dash (pp. 45–67) is required.No, an em-dash should be used instead.It depends on the style guide — both are acceptable.

Correct answer: No, a hyphen should not be used for page ranges — an en-dash (pp. 45–67) is required.

Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen vs. an en-dash in a news headline?

Post–Brexit trade talks and EU-UK relationsPost-Brexit trade talks and EU–UK relationsPost—Brexit trade talks and EU-UK relationsPost Brexit trade talks and EU–UK relations

Correct answer: Post-Brexit trade talks and EU–UK relations

In a newspaper, what is the correct mark in "The Democrat-Republican divide"?

Hyphen (-): "Democrat-Republican divide"En-dash (–): "Democrat–Republican divide"Em-dash (—): "Democrat—Republican divide"No dash: "Democratic Republican divide"

Correct answer: En-dash (–): "Democrat–Republican divide"

A professor marks a student's paper: "The Cold War-era arms race." Is the hyphen correct?

Yes, "Cold War-era" is correctly hyphenated.No, "Cold War" is a multi-word modifier, so an en-dash should link it to "era": "Cold War–era".No, an em-dash should be used: "Cold War—era".No, no dash is needed: "Cold War era arms race".

Correct answer: No, "Cold War" is a multi-word modifier, so an en-dash should link it to "era": "Cold War–era".

Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen in a journalistic context?

A well-researched article was published last week.A well–researched article was published last week.A well—researched article was published last week.The article is well-researched.

Correct answer: A well-researched article was published last week.

In a history book index, which is the correct entry for a range?

World War I, 34-56 (hyphen)World War I, 34–56 (en-dash)World War I, 34—56 (em-dash)World War I, 34 to 56 (words)

Correct answer: World War I, 34–56 (en-dash)

When does Chicago style require an en-dash (rather than a hyphen) in a compound modifier?

When the compound modifier contains a past participle.When one element of the compound modifier is a multi-word expression.When the compound modifier follows the noun.When the compound modifier appears in a title.

Correct answer: When one element of the compound modifier is a multi-word expression.

Which version of the journal article title is CORRECTLY punctuated?

"A pre-World War I analysis of European alliances""A pre–World War I analysis of European alliances""A pre—World War I analysis of European alliances""A preWorld War I analysis of European alliances"

Correct answer: "A pre–World War I analysis of European alliances"

A student editor asks: when does a score or vote use an en-dash rather than a hyphen? The correct answer is:

Scores always use a hyphen because the numbers are adjacent.Scores use an en-dash because they express a numerical relationship between two equal values.Scores use an em-dash for emphasis.The choice of dash in scores is purely a matter of personal style.

Correct answer: Scores use an en-dash because they express a numerical relationship between two equal values.

Which headline correctly uses the en-dash?

France-Germany Summit Produces No AgreementFrance–Germany Summit Produces No AgreementFrance—Germany Summit Produces No AgreementFrance / Germany Summit Produces No Agreement

Correct answer: France–Germany Summit Produces No Agreement

A sub-editor corrects "Nobel Prize-winning author" to "Nobel Prize–winning author". Why?

Because "Nobel" is a proper noun and always takes an en-dash.Because "Nobel Prize" is an open compound, so an en-dash links it to "winning".Because the compound adjective follows a proper noun.Because prize-winning is always written with an en-dash.

Correct answer: Because "Nobel Prize" is an open compound, so an en-dash links it to "winning".

Which sentence is CORRECTLY punctuated according to professional style?

The post-Cold War era saw rapid democratisation.The post–Cold War era saw rapid democratisation.The post—Cold War era saw rapid democratisation.The post Cold War era saw rapid democratisation.

Correct answer: The post–Cold War era saw rapid democratisation.

Which sentence has an error in dash usage?

The results covered pages 12–34.The UK–EU trade deal was finalised.The New York-based company expanded overseas.The survey ran from 1–5 on a Likert scale.

Correct answer: The New York-based company expanded overseas.

Which summary of en-dash usage is CORRECT?

En-dashes replace commas in complex lists.En-dashes join compound words like "well-known".En-dashes express ranges, routes, and connect multi-word compounds to other modifiers.En-dashes are used only in academic writing, not journalism.

Correct answer: En-dashes express ranges, routes, and connect multi-word compounds to other modifiers.