Em Dash Definition: WhatIsan Em Dash? An em dash is a versatile punctuation mark that looks like an extended dash. It is used to break up a longer sentence, usually to insert a phrase into the middle or end of a sentence, to add modification phrases to a list, and sometimes to show ...
This sentence would be written with a semicolon in formal writing. Tim got an "A" on his spelling test; therefore, he gets a longer recess.3. Use an em dash to show a sudden change of thoughtExamples:I was going to buy a—what did you say she wanted for her birthday? Mom needs ...
How to Use an Em Dash When to Use an Em Dash Examples of Using an Em Dash in a Sentence What Is an Em Dash? The em dash can be used in place of commas, colons, semicolons, and parentheses to increase sentence variety and readability. The em dash triggers readers’ brains to inser...
An em dash or pair of dashes often sets off illustrative or amplifying material introduced by such phrases as for example, namely, and that is, when the break in continuity is greater than that shown by a comma, or when the dash would clarify the sentence structure better than a comma. ...
Em dashes can also signal an interruption or a sudden change in the direction a writer was heading with a particular sentence. This technique is best suited for creative or informal writing. If you use it in academic writing, you might look unsure of yourself. Consider the examples below: Ma...
To make that sentence clearer, we’d simply stick a hyphen in so it looks like: “The bacon-wrapped corndogs were especially delicious.” Now then, if you need to connected multiple hyphenated words together, we don’t use another hyphen. We use the en-dash. Doing so, we could end up...
If the phrase is at the end of the sentence, you only need one em dash: The secret weapon of a good writer is the thesaurus—hundreds of synonyms for each word. 2. To replace commas—in style Commas often serve the same role as parentheses, they add extra info to a sentence. This ...
When used in place of parentheses at the end of a sentence, only a single dash is used. Examples After three weeks on set, the cast was fed up with his direction (or, rather, lack of direction). After three weeks on set, the cast was fed up with his direction—or, rather, la...
Em Dash Rules and Examples The em dash emphasizes and brings attention to offset words within a sentence. Specific rules concerning their use are in place to help you use it for writing clarification and for highlighting information for your reader. If you are confused as to why you should co...
2. Which punctuation mark should go in this sentence? The Braves lost 7 __ 0 against the Saracens on Saturday. a. hyphen b. en dash c. em dash 3. Which punctuation mark can appear between compound adjectives? a. hyphen b. en dash c. em dash ...