Like any tool, it’s best not to overuse em-dashes in our writing. If we do, our prose can become clunky and unsurprising. The old aphorism rings true here: less is more.
Remember though, that as with anything in writing you should always use it sparingly. The other punctuation on the list is the more standard way to write the sentences but you can certainly use em dashes’ to replace them at different points in your writing for a change and for added ...
Understanding the use of em dashes (—) and en dashes (–) is crucial for mastering English punctuation. In this reference, you will learn when to use dashes, the difference between em and en dashes, and see examples to clarify their usage. Included are explanations on using em dashes, en...
Use an em dash to mark sharp turns in thought 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 ...
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 little extra information about a noun in a particular sentence and are not sure whether the parentheses or the em-dash is the way to go,...
In writing, you may find yourself using a variety of punctuation to show different meanings and functions of a sentence. For example, you might use an exclamation mark to show when someone is yelling or excited. You might use quotation marks to show when you are repeating what someone said ...
Read on to learn more about when to use a hyphen and how to use a hyphen correctly. Work smarter with Grammarly The AI writing assistant for anyone with work to do Get Grammarly Table of contents What is a hyphen? Hyphen vs. dashes How to use a hyphen correctly Hyphens in compound ...
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...
Depending on the sentence, a hyphen “-” is apunctuation markused directly between words to join or link them together. In addition to their true name, a hyphen, they can also be described as “dashes.” How Can You Use Hyphens?
Normally, you use parentheses to offset something parenthetical (extra information that is optional to understanding the main idea). Want to add some flair and style to your text? Use em dashes instead, like in this example: Good punctuation—periods, commas and dashes—make your writing easier...