Do you know how to use an em dash in your written work? In this post, we will look at what em dashes is and what they are used for. Show
An em dash (—) is a punctuation mark. It is longer than a hyphen (-) or an en dash (–). It also has several uses, which we will look at below. The same goes for non-fiction examples: Semi-colon: One downside to space travel is the extortionate cost; one astronaut’s space suit can cost $12 billion. If you want to make a statistic or fact stand out, an em dash can help. In this example, the em dash helps link the two clauses, but the pause creates a greater sense of cause and effect. Using Em Dashes to Filter WordsSome writers use two em dashes to show filtered or censored words in their text. This might be redacted information or unsavory language: The secret meeting will take place at —— on ———. What the ——, man? You can use more than two dashes, as above, but you shouldn't use more than three em dashes in a row. If you’d like to learn more about how to replace punctuation with em dashes, check out our complete guide to the em dash. When to Avoid the Em DashSome editors love the em dash, others might be tempted to annotate your work with this: Using the em dash in place of standard punctuation is widely considered to be less formal. If you’re writing an academic paper, an article, or anything else that has a traditional style guide, it’s probably best to double check before you get too heavy-handed with your em dashes. However, if you’re writing something informal—like a blog post—using em dashes can create a more conversational tone. How to Use Em Dashes with the AP Style GuideRemember when we said not to put spaces around your em dashes? If you're writing in the AP style, you need to turn that on its head. Journalists writing in newspapers and magazines should add a space either side of the dash, like this: Mr. Jones — leader of the opposition — is thought by many to have won the debate. When Do I Use an En Dash?The en dash has a few more uses. It is used to show date and number ranges, as well as to form complex compound adjectives. Forming Complex Compound AdjectivesYour first question is probably "What on earth is a complex compound adjective?" Let’s break it down. A compound adjective combines two or more adjectives into one. For example:
As you can see, regular compound adjectives use a hyphen to combine words. However, if one of the adjectives already has a space or a hyphen in it, some writers like to use an en dash for extra clarity. For example:
Indicating Number and Date RangesWhen you see an en dash between two numbers or dates, it means to or through. Here are some examples:
A grammar guru, style editor, and writing mentor in one package.Try it for free!En Dashes in Scores, Directions, and OppositionsWondering how to format a sports score? Use an en dash:
You’ll also use en dashes between directions and destinations:
Finally, you’ll see en dashes used to indicate an opposition or an equal partnership:
En and Em Dashes in UK English vs. US EnglishIf you're writing for a British audience, the rules are a little different. The convention in UK English is to use an en dash with a space either side instead of an em dash in most cases. That means that the em dash examples above: One downside to space travel is the extortionate cost—one astronaut's space suit can cost $12 billion. and Janet really didn’t want the boys to come to her party—especially not Ryan. Would be written like this in UK English: One downside to space travel is the extortionate cost - one astronaut's space suit can cost $12 billion. and Janet really didn’t want the boys to come to her party - especially not Ryan. Using Em Dashes to Punctuate DialogueOne place where British writers do use the em dash is in dialogue. As before, the em dash can signal an interruption in dialogue: "But I want it n—" "I want doesn't get." In some instances, authors use one em dash at the beginning of each new line of dialogue instead of quotation marks: — What's the ETA on the extraction team? — Five minutes. — Can't they go any faster? This method is a stylistic choice. You might use it to increase the pace and emphasize the back and forth in a conversation, or to report speech in a fictional log In the example above, you can work out that there are two speakers from context. However, if you introduce more speakers, this could get confusing. Take the time to work out what the best style is for your readers. Summary: En Dashes vs Em DashesSo, now you know how to use en and em dashes, let’s recap the main differences (with a few more examples). Em dashes are used in place of standard punctuation such as the comma, parenthesis, colon, and semi-colon:
They can also show an abrupt change in direction or an interruption:
En dashes are used to indicate ranges, oppositions, directions, and scores:
How to Type En and Em DashesYou may have noticed that em and en dashes aren’t represented on a standard QWERTY keyboard. One way to insert em and en dashes is through your symbols menu. On Mac, you can hit Ctrl + Shift + Space to bring up the symbols menu. On Windows, you can use the Windows key + ; Scrolling through a symbols menu can take a while, though, so it’s also useful to know some handy keyboard shortcuts for em and en dashes. Typing Dashes on WindowsUse the numerical pad to type these en and em dash shortcuts for Windows:
Dash Shortcuts on MacIt's a little simpler for Mac users. Use these keys to type en and em dashes on Mac:
How to Type Dashes in Microsoft WordIn most word processors, you can type two hyphens and then a space. Word (and other programs) will automatically convert this to an em dash. For an en dash, type a space, a hyphen, and then another space. Type En and Em Dashes Faster with ProWritingAidProWritingAid’s browser extensions can help you format em dashes automatically wherever you write. Just type two hyphens and hit the space bar to insert an em dash. Download the ProWritingAid extension for your browser to start writing well wherever you write. Download ProWritingAid's browser extensions Now you know the difference between en and em dashes, you’re ready to start using them correctly in your writing. Whether you’re looking to improve readability or make sure you’re using the right formatting for dates and compound adjectives, dashes are there to help you out. Looking for more on dashes? Wondering where hyphens fit in? Our complete guide to em dashes, en dashes, and hyphens has you covered. Take your writing to the next level:20 Editing Tips From Professional WritersWhether you are writing a novel, essay, article, or email, good writing is an essential part of communicating your ideas.This guide contains the 20 most important writing tips and techniques from a wide range of professional writers.Subscribe for writing hacks, special offers and free stuff We will not share your details Go Have you tried ProWritingAid yet? What are you waiting for? It's the best tool for making sure your copy is strong, clear, and error-free!Libby BushillProWritingAid's Lifecycle Marketer About LibbyLibby is ProWritingAid’s Lifecycle Marketer. When she’s not dreaming up our writing tips newsletters, she loves yoga, spending time outdoors, and trying new recipes. Writing ExperienceYou’ll find Libby’s work on all things writing and grammar across the internet on writing blogs. EducationAfter studying English Literature at University, she is living her dream working with words every day. How should an em dash look?Create an em dash by typing two hyphens without spaces between the hyphens and no spaces before or after the hyphens. Em-dashes are not generally used in formal documents. The en-dash is used between dates and times, and the 3-em dash is used to signal omitted information in certain (often legal) situations.
What does an em dash symbol look like?In general, the em dash is seen as being more interruptive or striking than other punctuation, so it is often used stylistically to draw a reader's attention to a particular bit of information. The em dash resembles a horizontal line (—) that is longer than both a hyphen (-) and an en dash (–).
How do you type an em dash?Make an em dash or en dash with a keyboard shortcut
less simple: you need to use an alt code to get an em dash. If you have a numeric keyboard, hold down the Alt key and type 0151 for an em dash or 0150 for an en dash.
What does a dash look like in text?A dash is expressed as an "em dash" ( — ) in printing, is expressed in plain text as two hyphens ( -- ) and is used in place of a comma, colon or semicolon for greater emphasis. It denotes a major break or pause and should not be overused.
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