- 1). Use the hyphen key alone to make a word punctuation symbol. This is used as a symbol in compound words, such as "seventy-seven," or compound modifiers, such as "high-risk."
- 2). Use a hyphen to make a subtraction symbol in a mathematical problem, such as 10 - 5 = 5.
- 3). Use a hyphen to make face symbols that denote emotions. For example, the hyphen functions as a nose in a smile or frowning face: : - ) or : - ( .
- 4). Make longer dash symbols using the hyphen key in combination with other keys on a computer keyboard. Make an "en-dash" by holding the "option" key while pressing the hyphen key. An en-dash is longer than a hyphen, and it's a symbol commonly used to replace the word "to," such as connecting a period of time: 6--7 p.m., for example. An even longer symbol, known as an "em-dash," is used to show a change in thought or tone. Make this symbol, ---, by holding down the "shift" and "option" keys while pressing the hyphen key. Hold down the "shift" key while pressing the hyphen key to make an underscore line: _.
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