An em dash is a punctuation mark that signals a sharp break in a sentence. You can easily replace a dash with another punctuation mark—along with a subordinating conjunction or a conjunctive adverb—and achieve the same results.
However, an em dash adds flair to your writing. The en dash on the other hand represents ranges. In this article, you will learn how to use these dashes in your writing.
1. Emphasize a Word or Phrase
You can use a dash to emphasize a word or a phrase. In this instance, the dash produces a dramatic effect.
Example: Every time you embark on a new adventure without conducting proper research you end up with the same results—failure, disappointment, and often regret.
2. Signal Change
You can use a dash to indicate an abrupt change in thought within a sentence.
Example: “The best approach to this problem is to—sorry, I’ve forgotten what I was about to say.”
3. Interrupt a Complete Sentence
You can use a dash to interrupt one complete sentence with another.
Example: The smiths—their son was last seen over a year ago—live over there.
4. After an Introductory List
You can place a dash after an introductory list to present a summary of the preceding list.
Example: Acting, dancing, expressive writing—these are all the talents we help to foster at this institution.
5. When a List Interrupts a Clause
You should use dashes when a list interrupts rather than follows a clause.
Examples: The label represents artists—dancehall, reggae, rap, R&B, souls—from all over the world.
6. When Modifiers Already Contains Commas
A modifier develops or narrows the meaning of a noun in a sentence. Modifiers can be a single word or a group of closely related words—a phrase. They can also appear before or after the noun that they modify. When you use a group of modifiers that would normally need commas to separate it from the main clause, but the modifiers already contain internal commas, then you can use a pair of dashes.
Example: Polar bears—large, white, marine mammals—are an endangered species.
7. Represent Ranges
You can use a dash when writing about a range of values, such as numbers, percentage, times, or dates. In these instances, we generally read the dash as “to”.
Example: Tom is expecting a 20–30% increase in his salary.
Note that the dash in the example above is slightly shorter than the dashes used earlier. This is because the dashes that you use to represent ranges are known as en dashes and are a little shorter than the em dashes that you use to represent a break in a sentence.
Em Dashes vs. En Dashes
The best way to distinguish between an em dash and an en dash is the examine the length of the dash. An em dash has the length of a m (—), while an en dash has the length of a n (–).
Additionally, you can also use the purpose of the dash to identify its type. The em dash is used as a punctuation mark to signal a break in a sentence, while the en dash is used to represent ranges.
Avoid Overusing Em Dashes in Your Writing
It is good to limit the number of em dashes you use in your writing, as the overuse of this punctuation mark can limit its effectiveness. As a rule, you should never place any other punctuation before or after an em dash. Dashes are always flanked by words or letters.
Leave a Reply