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Using hyphens, en dashes, em dashes, brackets and parentheses.
Practice: build the sentences →Hyphens, en dashes, em dashes, and parentheses perform different grammatical and typographic functions.
Hyphens commonly join words into compounds, en dashes commonly express ranges or connections, em dashes mark breaks or interruptions, and parentheses enclose supplementary information.
a well-known author
известный автор
A hyphen joins words into a compound expression.
pages 10–20
страницы 10–20
An en dash expresses a range.
I was going to call—but then I forgot.
Я собирался позвонить — но потом забыл.
An em dash marks a break in thought.
The meeting (which was postponed) is tomorrow.
Встреча (которая была отложена) завтра.
Parentheses enclose supplementary information.
a two-year-old child
двухлетний ребёнок
A hyphen joins the parts of a compound modifier.
Hyphens can join words that function together as a compound expression.
For example, well-known, part-time, and user-friendly.
a well-known author
известный автор
The hyphen joins the compound "well-known".
a part-time job
работа с частичной занятостью
The hyphen joins "part-time".
a user-friendly interface
удобный интерфейс
The hyphen joins "user-friendly".
a high-speed train
высокоскоростной поезд
The hyphen joins "high-speed".
a long-term plan
долгосрочный план
The hyphen joins "long-term".
Multiword expressions functioning as a single adjective before a noun are often hyphenated when needed to clarify their structure.
For example, a well-known author, a high-speed train, and a ten-year-old child.
a well-known author
известный автор
Compound adjective before a noun is hyphenated.
a high-speed train
высокоскоростной поезд
Hyphen clarifies the compound adjective.
a ten-year-old child
десятилетний ребёнок
Hyphen joins the age compound before a noun.
a user-friendly interface
удобный интерфейс
Hyphen joins the compound adjective.
a part-time job
работа с частичной занятостью
Hyphenated compound adjective before a noun.
Compound expressions used after a noun do not always retain the same hyphenation as before the noun.
For example, The author is well known, but a well-known author.
The author is well known.
Автор хорошо известен.
No hyphen after the noun.
a well-known author
известный автор
Hyphenated before the noun.
The train is high speed.
Поезд высокоскоростной.
No hyphen in the predicate.
a high-speed train
высокоскоростной поезд
Hyphenated before the noun.
The child is ten years old.
Ребёнку десять лет.
No hyphen in the predicate.
Number-unit combinations functioning as compound modifiers before nouns are normally hyphenated, with the unit in singular form.
For example, a five-kilometre walk and a two-year-old child.
a five-kilometre walk
пятикилометровая прогулка
Number-unit compound is hyphenated and singular.
a two-year-old child
двухлетний ребёнок
Hyphenated age compound with singular "year".
a ten-metre rope
десятиметровая верёвка
Hyphenated number-unit compound.
a three-hour meeting
трёхчасовая встреча
Hyphenated before a noun, singular unit.
a twenty-kilogram suitcase
двадцатикилограммовый чемодан
Hyphenated number-unit compound modifier.
Age expressions used as compound modifiers before nouns are normally hyphenated.
For example, a six-year-old boy and a twenty-year-old building.
a six-year-old boy
шестилетний мальчик
Age compound modifier is hyphenated.
a twenty-year-old building
двадцатилетнее здание
Hyphenated age compound before a noun.
a five-year-old child
пятилетний ребёнок
Hyphenated age modifier.
a thirty-year-old car
тридцатилетняя машина
Hyphenated age compound.
a two-year-old project
двухлетний проект
Hyphenated age modifier before a noun.
Fractions used as compound modifiers can be hyphenated to show that the words function as one unit.
For example, a two-thirds majority and a three-quarter-mile road.
a two-thirds majority
большинство в две трети
Fraction as a compound modifier is hyphenated.
a three-quarter-mile road
дорога длиной в три четверти мили
Hyphenated fraction modifier.
a one-half-hour delay
задержка в полчаса
Hyphenated fraction compound.
a two-thirds vote
голосование в две трети
Hyphenated fraction before a noun.
a three-quarters share
доля в три четверти
Hyphenated fraction modifier.
Some prefixes may be hyphenated for clarity, pronunciation, or established lexical convention.
Examples include ex-president, self-employed, and anti-inflammatory.
ex-president
экс-президент
Prefix "ex-" is hyphenated.
self-employed
самозанятый
Prefix "self-" is hyphenated.
anti-inflammatory
противовоспалительный
Prefix "anti-" can be hyphenated for clarity.
post-war
послевоенный
Prefix "post-" can be hyphenated.
co-founder
соучредитель
Prefix "co-" is hyphenated for clarity.
Ex- is commonly hyphenated when it means former.
For example, ex-president and ex-wife.
ex-president
экс-президент
"Ex-" meaning former is hyphenated.
ex-wife
бывшая жена
"Ex-" is hyphenated when meaning former.
ex-husband
бывший муж
"Ex-" is hyphenated.
ex-colleague
бывший коллега
"Ex-" meaning former is hyphenated.
ex-manager
бывший менеджер
"Ex-" is hyphenated when meaning former.
Self- compounds are commonly hyphenated when self forms part of a compound word.
For example, self-employed, self-control, and self-service.
self-employed
самозанятый
"Self-" compounds are hyphenated.
self-control
самоконтроль
"Self-" compound is hyphenated.
self-service
самообслуживание
"Self-" compound is hyphenated.
self-confidence
уверенность в себе
"Self-" compound is hyphenated.
self-study
самообучение
"Self-" compound is hyphenated.
Some compounds change from hyphenated expressions to closed or open compounds as usage becomes established.
For example, email, online, and healthcare demonstrate that spelling conventions can change over time and by style.
электронная почта
Formerly "e-mail", now commonly "email".
online
онлайн
Formerly "on-line", now commonly "online".
healthcare
здравоохранение
Formerly "health care", now often "healthcare".
website
веб-сайт
Formerly "web site", now commonly "website".
database
база данных
Formerly "data base", now commonly "database".
A hyphen can make the intended grouping of words clearer and prevent ambiguity.
For example, re-cover can distinguish the verb from recover in contexts where the distinction matters.
re-cover the sofa
перетянуть диван
Hyphen distinguishes from "recover".
recover from illness
выздороветь после болезни
No hyphen when "recover" means recuperate.
re-sign the contract
подписать контракт снова
Hyphen distinguishes from "resign".
resign from the job
уволиться с работы
No hyphen when "resign" means quit.
a man-eating tiger
тигр-людоед
Hyphen clarifies the compound meaning.
Compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine are normally hyphenated when written in words.
For example, twenty-one, forty-five, and ninety-nine.
twenty-one
двадцать один
Compound number is hyphenated.
forty-five
сорок пять
Compound number is hyphenated.
ninety-nine
девяносто девять
Compound number is hyphenated.
thirty-two
тридцать два
Compound number is hyphenated.
sixty-seven
шестьдесят семь
Compound number is hyphenated.
Compound ordinal numbers are normally hyphenated when the ordinal forms part of a compound expression.
For example, twenty-first, thirty-second, and one-hundred-and-first depending on the selected number style.
twenty-first
двадцать первый
Compound ordinal is hyphenated.
thirty-second
тридцать второй
Compound ordinal is hyphenated.
one-hundred-and-first
сто первый
Compound ordinal can be hyphenated.
forty-fifth
сорок пятый
Compound ordinal is hyphenated.
ninety-ninth
девяносто девятый
Compound ordinal is hyphenated.
Some multiword nouns are conventionally hyphenated, although spelling varies according to established usage.
For example, mother-in-law, editor-in-chief, and passer-by.
mother-in-law
тёща / свекровь
Multiword noun compound is hyphenated.
editor-in-chief
главный редактор
Multiword noun compound is hyphenated.
passer-by
прохожий
Multiword noun compound is hyphenated.
brother-in-law
зять / шурин
Multiword noun compound is hyphenated.
commander-in-chief
главнокомандующий
Multiword noun compound is hyphenated.
In many hyphenated compounds, the main noun element takes the plural marker.
For example, mothers-in-law, editors-in-chief, and runners-up.
mothers-in-law
тёщи / свекрови
The main noun takes the plural marker.
editors-in-chief
главные редакторы
The main noun takes the plural.
runners-up
занявшие второе место
The main noun takes the plural marker.
passers-by
прохожие
The main noun takes the plural.
brothers-in-law
зятья / шурины
The main noun takes the plural.
An en dash can connect two endpoints in numerical ranges.
For example, pages 10–20, 2010–2020, and 5–7 p.m.
pages 10–20
страницы 10–20
En dash connects the range.
2010–2020
2010–2020
En dash for year ranges.
5–7 p.m.
с 5 до 7 вечера
En dash for time ranges.
chapters 3–8
главы 3–8
En dash for chapter ranges.
the years 1900–1950
годы 1900–1950
En dash for historical ranges.
An en dash can connect names or terms that form a relationship, route, comparison, or span.
For example, the London–Paris train and the teacher–student relationship.
the London–Paris train
поезд Лондон–Париж
En dash connects two endpoints.
the teacher–student relationship
отношения учитель–ученик
En dash shows relationship.
the New York–Boston route
маршрут Нью-Йорк–Бостон
En dash connects a route.
a 50–50 split
разделение 50–50
En dash shows a comparison or split.
the parent–child bond
связь родитель–ребёнок
En dash indicates relationship.
A hyphen joins elements within a word or compound, while an en dash commonly connects separate endpoints or concepts.
For example, a five-year-old child uses hyphens, while 2010–2020 uses an en dash.
a five-year-old child
пятилетний ребёнок
Hyphens join the compound modifier.
2010–2020
2010–2020
En dash connects the range.
a well-known author
известный автор
Hyphen joins the compound adjective.
the London–Paris train
поезд Лондон–Париж
En dash connects the endpoints.
pages 10–20
страницы 10–20
En dash for a page range.
An em dash can mark an abrupt break, interruption, or change in thought.
For example, I was going to call—but then I forgot.
I was going to call—but then I forgot.
Я собирался позвонить — но потом забыл.
Em dash marks an abrupt break.
She started to speak—then stopped.
Она начала говорить — потом остановилась.
Em dash shows interruption.
I thought—well, never mind.
Я думал — ну, неважно.
Em dash marks a change in thought.
We could go—no, let's stay.
Мы могли бы пойти — нет, давай останемся.
Em dash shows a sudden change.
He was about to reply—the phone rang.
Он собирался ответить — зазвонил телефон.
Em dash marks an interruption.
Em dashes can set off supplementary information more strongly than commas or parentheses.
For example, The solution—although expensive—worked.
The solution—although expensive—worked.
Решение — хотя и дорогое — сработало.
Em dashes set off supplementary information.
My brother—who lives in London—is visiting.
Мой брат — который живёт в Лондоне — навещает.
Em dashes replace commas for stronger emphasis.
The plan—if you can call it that—failed.
План — если это можно так назвать — провалился.
Em dashes set off a parenthetical comment.
She—despite the odds—succeeded.
Она — вопреки всему — добилась успеха.
Em dashes give emphasis to the aside.
The book—a thick volume—was heavy.
Книга — толстый том — была тяжёлой.
Em dashes set off a parenthetical description.
An em dash can highlight a final word, phrase, or explanation with stronger emphasis than a comma.
For example, There was only one option—leave.
There was only one option—leave.
Был только один вариант — уйти.
Em dash highlights the final word.
The reason is simple—money.
Причина проста — деньги.
Em dash emphasizes the explanation.
She had one goal—to win.
У неё была одна цель — победить.
Em dash emphasizes the goal.
The message was clear—stop.
Сообщение было ясным — стой.
Em dash emphasizes the command.
There was only one thing left to do—run.
Оставалось сделать только одно — бежать.
Em dash highlights the final action.
Em dashes can represent interruptions or abrupt breaks in dialogue and are also used in some styles instead of quotation marks for dialogue.
For example, "I thought you were—" "Stop!" depending on the narrative convention.
"I thought you were—" "Stop!"
«Я думал, ты...» — «Стой!»
Em dash marks an interruption in dialogue.
"I was going to say—" she began.
«Я собиралась сказать...» — начала она.
Em dash shows an abrupt break.
"Well, I—" he stammered.
«Ну, я...» — запинаясь, сказал он.
Em dash represents hesitation or interruption.
"If you think—" "Enough!"
«Если ты думаешь...» — «Хватит!»
Em dash marks interruption in dialogue.
"I never meant to—" she stopped.
«Я никогда не хотела...» — она остановилась.
Em dash shows an unfinished sentence.
Em dashes can replace paired commas when stronger interruption or emphasis is intended.
For example, The report—which was incomplete—was rejected versus The report—which was incomplete—was rejected with dashes providing stronger emphasis.
The report, which was incomplete, was rejected.
Отчёт, который был неполным, был отклонён.
Commas set off the clause.
The report—which was incomplete—was rejected.
Отчёт — который был неполным — был отклонён.
Em dashes provide stronger emphasis.
My brother, who lives in London, is visiting.
Мой брат, который живёт в Лондоне, навещает.
Commas for non-essential information.
My brother—who lives in London—is visiting.
Мой брат — который живёт в Лондоне — навещает.
Em dashes give greater emphasis.
The plan—although expensive—worked.
План — хотя и дорогой — сработал.
Em dashes emphasize the aside.
Parentheses enclose information that is supplementary and not essential to the main sentence.
For example, The meeting (which was originally scheduled for Monday) was postponed.
The meeting (which was originally scheduled for Monday) was postponed.
Встреча (которая изначально была назначена на понедельник) была отложена.
Parentheses enclose supplementary information.
The project (despite several delays) was completed.
Проект (несмотря на несколько задержек) был завершён.
Parentheses set off non-essential information.
She finally arrived (much later than expected).
Она наконец приехала (намного позже, чем ожидалось).
Parentheses provide additional detail.
The plan (which was expensive) was approved.
План (который был дорогим) был одобрен.
Parentheses enclose supplementary information.
The book (a thick volume) was heavy.
Книга (толстый том) была тяжёлой.
Parentheses add extra description.
Parentheses can provide short definitions, explanations, or clarifications without interrupting the main structure excessively.
For example, The CPU (central processing unit) controls the process.
The CPU (central processing unit) controls the process.
ЦП (центральный процессор) управляет процессом.
Parentheses provide a definition.
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report.
Всемирная организация здравоохранения (ВОЗ) выпустила отчёт.
Parentheses give an abbreviation.
The process (known as photosynthesis) is essential.
Процесс (известный как фотосинтез) важен.
Parentheses clarify a term.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is used for web pages.
Язык гипертекстовой разметки (HTML) используется для веб-страниц.
Parentheses provide a definition.
The doctor (a specialist in cardiology) examined the patient.
Врач (специалист по кардиологии) осмотрел пациента.
Parentheses clarify the person's role.
Parentheses can enclose dates, references, abbreviations, or other supplementary details.
For example, William Shakespeare (1564–1616) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) wrote many plays.
Уильям Шекспир (1564–1616) написал много пьес.
Parentheses enclose dates.
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report.
Всемирная организация здравоохранения (ВОЗ) выпустила отчёт.
Parentheses enclose an abbreviation.
The theory (see Smith 2020) is widely accepted.
Теория (см. Смит 2020) широко принята.
Parentheses enclose a reference.
The novel (published in 1925) is a classic.
Роман (опубликованный в 1925 году) — классика.
Parentheses give the date of publication.
Albert Einstein (1879–1955) changed physics.
Альберт Эйнштейн (1879–1955) изменил физику.
Parentheses enclose birth and death dates.
Parenthetical material embedded within a sentence should normally not disrupt the grammatical relationship between the surrounding words.
For example, The project (despite several delays) was completed.
The project (despite several delays) was completed.
Проект (несмотря на несколько задержек) был завершён.
Parenthetical material does not disrupt grammar.
The meeting (which was postponed) is tomorrow.
Встреча (которая была отложена) завтра.
Parentheses are embedded in the sentence.
The book (a thick volume) was heavy.
Книга (толстый том) была тяжёлой.
The sentence remains grammatical without the parentheses.
The plan (which was expensive) was approved.
План (который был дорогим) был одобрен.
Parentheses do not break the grammar.
She finally arrived (much later than expected).
Она наконец приехала (намного позже, чем ожидалось).
Parentheses add information without disrupting the sentence.
Punctuation placement depends on whether punctuation belongs to the parenthetical material or the surrounding sentence.
For example, He finally arrived (much later than expected). versus He finally arrived. (It was nearly midnight.)
He finally arrived (much later than expected).
Он наконец приехал (намного позже, чем ожидалось).
The full stop belongs to the surrounding sentence.
He finally arrived. (It was nearly midnight.)
Он наконец приехал. (Было почти полночь.)
The parenthetical is a complete sentence with its own full stop.
She was late (as usual).
Она опоздала (как обычно).
The full stop follows the closing parenthesis.
The plan worked. (I was surprised.)
План сработал. (Я был удивлён.)
The parenthetical sentence has its own punctuation.
The meeting (which was postponed) is tomorrow.
Встреча (которая была отложена) завтра.
No additional punctuation inside the parentheses.
Square brackets can mark inserted material, editorial changes, or clarifications inside quotations.
For example, "She [the manager] approved the request."
"She [the manager] approved the request."
«Она [менеджер] одобрила запрос».
Square brackets mark inserted material.
The author states, "The results [of the study] were inconclusive."
Автор утверждает: «Результаты [исследования] были неубедительными».
Brackets clarify the quotation.
He said, "I [have] always supported the plan."
Он сказал: «Я [всегда] поддерживал план».
Brackets show editorial modification.
The report notes, "The system [was] unavailable for hours."
В отчёте отмечается: «Система [была] недоступна часами».
Brackets for grammatical clarity.
She wrote, "The data [does] not support the conclusion."
Она написала: «Данные [не] подтверждают вывод».
Brackets for inserted correction.
Parentheses usually make supplementary information less prominent, while dashes give parenthetical information greater emphasis.
For example, The project (despite its cost) succeeded versus The project—despite its cost—succeeded.
The project (despite its cost) succeeded.
Проект (несмотря на стоимость) удался.
Parentheses make the aside less prominent.
The project—despite its cost—succeeded.
Проект — несмотря на стоимость — удался.
Dashes give the aside greater emphasis.
The meeting (which was postponed) is tomorrow.
Встреча (которая была отложена) завтра.
Parentheses are less emphatic.
The meeting—which was postponed—is tomorrow.
Встреча — которая была отложена — завтра.
Dashes give stronger emphasis.
She was late (as usual).
Она опоздала (как обычно).
Parentheses downplay the aside.
Hyphenation with prefixes and proper names depends on established spelling, readability, and style conventions.
For example, anti-American, non-English, and post-war may be hyphenated where the resulting compound benefits from clear boundaries.
anti-American sentiment
антиамериканские настроения
Hyphen joins the prefix with a proper name.
non-English speakers
неанглоязычные
Hyphen joins "non-" with a proper adjective.
post-war Europe
послевоенная Европа
Hyphen can join "post-" for clarity.
pro-European policies
пропроевропейская политика
Hyphen joins the prefix with a proper adjective.
pre-Roman Britain
Британия до римского завоевания
Hyphen joins the prefix with a proper name.
A hyphen may be used at the end of a line in some traditional typography to indicate that a word continues on the next line.
Modern digital typesetting often handles line breaks automatically, so manual line-break hyphenation should be used cautiously.
The word "hyphen-ation" is hyphenated at the line break.
Слово «hyphen-ation» переносится с дефисом.
A hyphen can indicate a word continues on the next line.
The docu-ment was long.
Документ был длинным.
A hyphen marks a line-break continuation.
Manual line-break hyphenation is rare in digital typesetting.
Ручной перенос с дефисом редок в цифровой вёрстке.
Modern typesetting handles line breaks automatically.
Use line-break hyphens cautiously.
Используйте переносы с дефисом осторожно.
Manual hyphenation should be avoided when possible.
The text was justi-fied across the page.
Текст был выровнен по ширине страницы.
Hyphen indicates the break.
Spacing around en and em dashes varies by regional and publication style.
For example, some styles use an em dash without spaces, while others use spaces around it.
I was going to call—but then I forgot.
Я собирался позвонить — но потом забыл.
Em dash without spaces in some styles.
I was going to call — but then I forgot.
Я собирался позвонить — но потом забыл.
Em dash with spaces in other styles.
pages 10–20
страницы 10–20
En dash without spaces for ranges.
the London–Paris train
поезд Лондон–Париж
En dash without spaces for relationships.
The project — despite its cost — succeeded.
Проект — несмотря на стоимость — удался.
Em dashes with spaces in some styles.
Use hyphens for compounds, en dashes for ranges and relationships, em dashes for strong breaks or emphasis, and parentheses for supplementary information.
Common mistakes include using hyphens for numerical ranges, confusing hyphens with dashes, omitting necessary hyphens from compound modifiers, overusing parentheses, and applying inconsistent dash spacing.
a five-year-old child
пятилетний ребёнок
Correct: hyphenated compound modifier.
pages 10–20
страницы 10–20
Correct: en dash for a range.
The project—despite its cost—succeeded.
Проект — несмотря на стоимость — удался.
Correct: em dashes for emphasis.
The meeting (which was postponed) is tomorrow.
Встреча (которая была отложена) завтра.
Correct: parentheses for supplementary information.
The author is well known.
Автор хорошо известен.
Correct: no hyphen after the noun.