What is the difference between an en dash and an em dash?

The shorter en dash (–) is used to mark ranges and with the meaning “to” in phrases like “Dover–Calais crossing.” The longer em dash (—) is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence.

How do you use an em dash?

The em dash can be used in place of a colon when you want to emphasize the conclusion of your sentence. The dash is less formal than the colon. After months of deliberation, the jurors reached a unanimous verdict⁠—guilty. The white sand, the warm water, the sparkling sun⁠—this is what brought them to Fiji.

What is an en dash example?

Use an en dash when you want to: Express date and number ranges: The en dash implies that there is distance between a range of numbers or dates. For example, “plant in August–October,” or “read pages 10–25.” En dashes are also used to report scores, such as, “Our team won 3–0.”

Where is em dash keyboard?

How do you make an em dash and en dash in word?

Inserting an em or en dash using Ctrl and keyboard shortcuts. To insert an em dash, click where you want to insert the em dash and then press Ctrl + Alt + – (minus sign on the numeric keypad). To insert an en dash, click where you want to insert the en dash and then press Ctrl + – (minus sign on the numeric keypad).

En Dash vs. Em Dash | Grammar Lessons

Why do writers use em dashes?

An em dash is a punctuation mark that can be used to replace commas, parentheses, colons, and semicolons. 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.

How do you write an em dash in writing?

Does em dash have spaces?

Every style guide I checked, except the AP Stylebook, stated there should be no spaces between an em-dash and the adjacent words. That means it is a style choice. If you're writing for a newspaper, magazine, or website that uses Associated Press style, put in the spaces. Otherwise, leave them out.

Should an em dash start a line?

Em dashes can end or start a line. In most text typefaces, em dashes have no side bearings, which make them appear very close to the words they separate. If this bugs you, feel free to add some kerning space around them, but don't add too much.

Is an em dash two hyphens?

On both PCs and Macs, two hyphens (typed with no space before or after either of them) will convert to an em dash—the full-length one that most of us think of when we hear the word “dash.”

Can you use em dash in formal writing?

Em Dash: An em dash is the width of an m. Use an em dash sparingly in formal writing. In informal writing, em dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought.

Why is it called an em dash?

In fact, the em dash is named after its length—it's about the same width as the capital letter M. Its alphabetical cousin, the en dash, is about the same width as the letter N. Figuratively speaking, the hyphen pulled the short end of the stick.

Are em dashes necessary?

We use em-dashes to add emphasis to the size of the car. It's also important that when you set off a phrase using em-dashes that you used one em-dash immediately after the noun the phrase is describing and one immediately after the phrase. Don't replace the second em-dash (as some tend to) with a comma or semicolon.

How do you use em dash in dialogue?

To show an interruption of the spoken words, include an em dash inside the quotation marks, at the point where the dialogue is interrupted. “I knew you'd drop it.”

Do you capitalize after an em dash?

Don't capitalize the first word after an em dash unless the word is a proper noun.

Can you overuse an em dash?

Em dashes are extremely versatile, but they should not be overused. If you have an em dash in every other paragraph, for instance, take a moment to come up with a different sentence construction or punctuation mark instead. Overuse dilutes their emphasis and can make your writing choppy.

What is the longest dash?

The em-dash (“—”) is the longest dash in common use. It comes most commonly in pairs and has a function similar to parentheses (i.e. to break the flow of thoughts).

How do you end a sentence with an em dash?

Use a Pair of Em-dashes to Mark Off an Abrupt Break in a Sentence or One to Emphasize the Text at the End. Depending on the context, an em-dash—so named because its width matches a typesetter's capital M—can take the place of a comma, parenthesis, or a colon in a sentence.

Is using em dash informal?

The em dash is not informal. You can find plenty of examples in formal writing. Where you won't find it is in informal writing! The teacher is just criticizing your using it in a place where you could either split your sentence into two or use a different type of subordinating construction.

What symbol will you use when you want to emphasize a certain topic in your search?

A colon is used to give emphasis, present dialogue, introduce lists or text, and clarify composition titles.

What is to be used when looking for pages having the exact term?

Quotation marks should be used around a phrase or search terms. Surrounding terms with quotation marks limit the search results to only those Web pages that contain the exact phrase we have specified.

Why do writers use ellipses?

They are used to indicate that material has been omitted from an exact quote. Ellipses can also indicate a pause or hesitation in thinking in creative writing.

What is the floating comma called?

This final comma, known as an Oxford or serial comma, is useful in a complex series of elements or phrases but is often considered unnecessary in a simple series such as in the example above. It usually comes down to a style choice by the writer.

What are the 3 uses of the dash?

Can you have a full sentence after a dash?

Capitalize the first word after a dash only when the word always has to be capped. (Do not cap for a complete sentence.)