When to Use an Em Dash (or Dashes)(—) The dash (or, more specifically, the “em dash”) is perhaps the most versatile of the punctuation marks. However, like the semicolon, it is underutilized in most kinds of writing. It can function as a comma, parentheses, or colon, but create...
a colon can be used to link the clause and the list. However, when the list is placed at the beginning, it is more effective to use a dash to connect it with the clause. Thus, this technique helps consolidate potentially disparate elements into a unified idea, enhancing readability and co...
Identifying how an em-dash is used and actually using one in your own writing are two different things, the latter being trickier. Here’s a good strategy to use when trying to decide whether to use em-dashes or parentheses in your writing: If you find yourself wanting to throw in a li...
When to use an en dash What is an em dash? When to use an em dash Common mistakes to avoid when using dashes How to use a dash correctly FAQs What is a dash? A dash is a line within text, positioned between words or characters, unlike an underscore, which sits at the bottom. ...
An em dash or long dash (—) is what comes to mind of most people when they hear the word “dash”. If you don’t want to use parentheses or colons, you can substitute them with a long dash. They are also great if you want to emphasize or clarify something. If you’re wondering...
The em dash is bigger than an en dash, which is the width of the letter N. It is important to be consistent when using dashes. ProWritingAid’s Consistency Report can help you make sure you aren’t using an en dash or double hyphen when you mean to use an em dash. Remember, em...
He was going to call off the project—or was he?—when the client increased the payment. Traveling—that is, traveling by public transit—can be a relaxing activity if you bring music and reading material along with you. Use an em dash to set off appositives that contain commas An apposi...
Theem-dashis the most common dash seen in fiction writing. It’s called an em-dash because it’s about the same width as a printed capital letter M. When you use an em-dash, you should only use one at a time. The em-dash is excellent at setting off parenthetical thoughts. Use one...
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Em dash vs. en dash: when to use each symbol My editor made me add this, so really quickly, here's the difference between an em and en dash: The em dash (—) is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence. For example: A notebook, pen, and laptop—these...