Summary
En rules (or en dashes) play a crucial role in formal academic writing, yet their proper use—especially without surrounding spaces—frequently causes confusion. Although en rules may resemble hyphens, the two punctuation marks carry distinct grammatical and semantic functions. Choosing the wrong one can change meaning dramatically or introduce ambiguity.
This expanded guide explains when to use closed-up en rules in ranges, compound names, tests and theories, place relationships, ratios and tightly linked concepts. It also clarifies why hyphens are sometimes incorrect or misleading in these contexts and offers practical examples illustrating how punctuation affects clarity and interpretation.
By mastering the correct use of en rules, academic writers can ensure precision, avoid miscommunication and present polished, professional scholarly prose aligned with publisher expectations.
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How to Use En Rules Correctly: Ranges, Ratios and Linked Scholarly Terms
Academic writing relies heavily on precision. Every punctuation mark—from commas to full stops to specialised symbols—contributes to the clarity and accuracy of a scholar’s argument. Among these punctuation marks, the en rule (or en dash) stands out as one of the most misunderstood. Many writers use hyphens where en rules are required, and some use en rules inconsistently or incorrectly, especially when no surrounding spaces are involved. Yet mastering the en rule is essential for producing polished, professional academic prose that avoids ambiguity and conveys meaning efficiently.
An en rule is visually longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em rule. Its length alone, however, does not determine its function. The en rule represents specific grammatical relationships—range, connection, contrast or partnership. When used incorrectly, meaning can shift in subtle but significant ways, creating confusion for readers or misrepresenting relationships between concepts. This expanded guide examines how to use en rules without spaces correctly and explores common pitfalls, practical examples and the logic behind each usage.
1. En Rules in Numerical Ranges
One of the most common uses of an en rule is to indicate a range that conveys the meaning “to” or “and.” In these contexts, the en rule is written closed up, meaning no spaces appear on either side:
• “pp.22–54” (pages 22 to 54)
• “1995–2014” (the period from 1995 to 2014)
• “9.30–10.45” (a timespan between 9:30 and 10:45)
This usage is widely recognised across style guides and is generally consistent in both humanities and sciences. However, writers often combine an en rule with “from” or “between,” producing forms such as “from 1995–2014” or “between 1995–2014.” These are incorrect. Because “from” pairs with “to,” and “between” pairs with “and,” the en rule should never replace the necessary second term. Correct options include:
• “1995–2014”
• “from 1995 to 2014”
• “between 1995 and 2014”
This distinction is not merely stylistic; it prevents structural inconsistencies within sentences and supports clarity for readers who rely on standard formatting conventions.
2. En Rules for Word-Based Ranges
En rules without spaces also indicate ranges expressed through words rather than numbers. These include:
• “January–April” (a span of months)
• “Monday–Saturday” (a span of days)
• “the London–York railway line” (a route connecting two points)
In these examples, the en rule efficiently conveys the idea of movement, extension or continuity across two conceptual boundaries. Using a hyphen instead would create ambiguity. For example, “London-York railway line” may appear typographically acceptable, but it does not clearly signal the notion of route or range—functions specifically associated with the en rule.
En rules also help indicate relationships of contrast or connection between nouns. For instance:
• “the Canada–United States border”
• “the Celtic–Aberdeen match”
In both cases, the en rule signifies a relationship between two distinct entities, whether geopolitical or competitive. Hyphens, by contrast, tend to suggest closer syntactic bonding or a compound term rather than two equal opposing or paired elements.
3. En Rules for Scholarly Terms, Theories and Names
In academic writing, en rules are often used between names associated with tests, laws, theories or influential collaborations. They are also used in compound terms derived from surnames. Examples include:
• “the Mann–Whitney test”
• “the Taylor–Johnson theory”
• “Marxism–Leninism” (noun)
• “Marxist–Leninist” (adjective)
The en rule in these contexts signals partnership, co-authorship or conceptual linkage. Importantly, it distinguishes between two separate individuals. A hyphen would incorrectly suggest that the names belong to a single person or that the terms represent a single lexical unit.
Similar principles apply when referring to connections between nationalities or identities:
• “a Chinese–Japanese heritage”
However, if the first element cannot stand alone as a word—such as a prefix—the hyphen should be used instead:
• “Sino-Japanese heritage”
Here, “Sino” is a combining form, not a standalone noun, so an en rule is inappropriate. Using the hyphen preserves structural clarity and respects established morphological rules.
4. En Rules in Ratios and Tightly Linked Concepts
Another important use of the en rule without spaces is to indicate a ratio or relational comparison. In such cases, the en rule represents “to”:
• “the flour–water ratio”
• “the chemotherapy–nonchemotherapy ratio”
These expressions are common in scientific, medical and technical writing. The en rule clarifies that two measured components are being compared. If a hyphen were used instead (“flour-water ratio”), readers could mistakenly interpret the phrase as a compound descriptor rather than a formulaic comparison.
En rules can also represent “and” when two elements are closely linked in meaning:
• “the author–editor relationship”
• “red–green colour blind”
In these examples, the en rule indicates conceptual pairing. With a hyphen, meaning would shift subtly yet significantly:
• “author-editor” = one person who is both author and editor
• “red-green” = something that is reddish green
Hyphens suggest integration, whereas en rules denote adjacency or partnership. Distinguishing these functions is critical in scholarly prose, where nuance carries considerable interpretive weight.
5. Why Hyphens Cannot Always Replace En Rules
Many writers mistakenly assume that hyphens are acceptable substitutes for en rules. While some publishers allow hyphens in ranges for typographic simplicity, incorrect usage can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Consider:
• “Taylor-Jones” (hyphen) = one person named Taylor-Jones
• “Taylor–Jones” (en rule) = two people, Taylor and Jones
Now consider a more complex example:
• “Taylor–Jones-Jackson”
This construction refers to two individuals: one named Taylor and the other named Jones-Jackson. Changing the en rule to a hyphen radically alters the interpretation:
• “Taylor-Jones-Jackson” = one person with a triple-barrelled surname
Thus, in academic fields that involve collaborative research, historical figures, legal references or complex naming conventions, the en rule prevents ambiguity and maintains textual precision.
6. Developing Confidence with En Rules in Scholarly Prose
Mastering en rule usage requires practice and attentiveness. Writers should familiarise themselves with publisher guidelines, as some journals specify preferred punctuation conventions. However, the underlying principles remain consistent across disciplines.
When in doubt, ask:
• Does the punctuation indicate a range? → Use an en rule.
• Does it link two distinct entities? → Use an en rule.
• Is the first element a prefix? → Use a hyphen.
• Would a hyphen imply a compound rather than a relationship? → Use an en rule.
By applying these tests consistently, writers can avoid ambiguity and produce cleaner, more authoritative prose.
Final Thoughts
En rules without spaces serve a vital purpose in academic writing. They clarify relationships, mark ranges, distinguish compound names and present ratios with precision. Misusing hyphens in their place can lead to confusion, altered meaning or stylistic inconsistency. Attention to these details signals professionalism and strengthens the clarity of scholarly communication.
For authors preparing manuscripts for publication—or refining punctuation for improved accuracy—our journal article editing service and manuscript editing service can help ensure flawless, publication-ready academic writing.
