The em dash (—) is a punctuation mark that is twice as long as a hyphen and which is typically used as a substitute for commas, parentheses, or colons in writing. This is because it sets off phrases or structures in a sentence that emphasize or explain a certain element, especially when an abrupt break is involved. An em dash can be used:
To show a sudden change in thought: "I was just about to leave the house—oh, I forgot my keys."
To set off a parenthetical phrase or additional information within a sentence: "The professor—who was a famous scholar—attracted many people to see his lectures."
To emphasize a particular word or phrase within a sentence: "The movie starred Angelina Jolie—my favorite actress."
To indicate an appositive, which is a word or phrase that renames or provides additional information about a noun: "My friend—Lorraine—just won a literary award."
To indicate dialogue in creative writing or direct quotations: "She said, 'I can't believe the spring break is over—where did the time go?'"
In this article, we are going to look at how and when an em dash should be used in place of commas, parentheses, and colons. In addition, we also learn how to tell the difference between using an en dash and an em dash.
Various uses of an em dash
The em dash has versatile usage, which we will discuss here in turn.
Using an en dash in place of parentheses
En dashes should be used to set off parenthetical insertions. Parenthetical insertions are more or less phrases or bits of information that interrupt the flow of a sentence and that can also be set apart by parentheses.
When you get the job (and I know you will) put in a good word for me.
When you get the job—and I know you will—put in a good word for me.
Use an em dash to insert additional information
You can also use an em dash to include the type of information you would normally include when using "that is" or "i.e.". For example:
The various people participating in the research project—professors, PhD students, and interviewed participants—brought their unique talents and contribution to the program.
He wanted only one thing from that job—namely, money.
Use an en dash to indicate a radical change in sentence structure or thought
Dashes can sometimes be used to show changes in sentence structure or thought. For example:
Do you really mean—No, say it ain't so.
Dashes, parentheses, and commas
As mentioned earlier, em dashes are often used as a substitute for parentheses and commas. Let us look at the previous example:
When you get the job—and I know you will—put in a good word for me.
When you get the job, and I know you will, put in a good word for me.
When you get the job (and I know you will) put in a good word for me.
So, what are the differences between these three punctuation marks? When is it appropriate to use commas versus parentheses versus em dashes? Try to follow these tips:
Use commas when you feel the information highlighted is essential and should be well-integrated into the sentence.
Use parentheses when the information is not that important to the point being made in the sentence.
Use dashes to clearly set off the text from the main sentence without suggesting that it’s not important.
So, the em dash falls in between commas and parentheses. It can serve to clearly set information apart while emphasizing its importance. Here are two other tips to follow when choosing which of the three punctuation marks to implement:
Parentheses are best used to interrupt the flow of a sentence and should be used rarely and with caution
For Information that does not fit in neatly with a sentence's structure or grammar, it's better to use parentheses or dashes, not commas.
Knowing the difference between em and en dashes and hyphens
Now, a common mistake made by students is confusing the em dash with its cousins, namely, the en dash (–) and the hyphen (-). All three are different types of horizontal lines used in writing, but they have distinct purposes and should not be mistaken for the other
The em dash is called so because it is the width of the letter "M." It is the longest of the three and, as we have explained, is used to indicate a pause, a break in thought, or to set off parenthetical information within a sentence.
The en dash (–) is shorter than an em dash and is typically used to indicate ranges, such as dates, times, or numbers, and to connect two elements that are related.
Example: a) The concert will be held from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 b) The New York–Taipei flight was cancelled.
The Hyphen (-) is the shortest of the three and is often used to join words or parts of words, such as compound words, prefixes, and suffixes.
Example: "Well-known," "self-reliant," "twenty-two," and "pre- and post-test."
Should you put a space around the em dash?
Whether or not you include a space around the em dash depends on what style guide you are using. This is somewhat related to my previous article on the difference between professional and academic writing.
For academic Professional writing includes writing mostly according to style guides like the Associated Press (AP) style guide. By contrast, academic writing goes by style guides such as the APA. Remember, although AP and APA have a one-word difference between them, they are not remotely similar.
The APA Manual covers the behavioral sciences, health sciences, and psychology. It can also be applied throughout a wide range of other scientific disciplines. The AP, on the other hand, mostly governs journalism and other forms of professional writing meant for the popular media.
For academic writing and according to academic style guides such as the APA manual, you should close the space on either side of the em dash. For example:
The various people participating in the research project—professors, PhD students, and interviewed participants—brought their unique talents and contribution to the program.
However, for those writing in the news industry, there should always be a space on either side of the em dash. For example:
The various people participating in the research project — professors, PhD students, and interviewed participants — brought their unique talents and contribution to the program.
Typing in the em dash
Typing in the em dash often involves a bit of technical difficulty. Why? Because most keyboards lack the em dash symbol. To type an em dash, use one of the following methods:
On a Windows PC. While holding the "Alt" key, type "0151" using the numeric keypad. After you release the "Alt" key, and an em dash (—) will appear.
On a Mac. Press and hold the "Option" key (also known as the "Alt" key) on your keyboard.
While still holding the "Option" key, press "Shift" and the hyphen/minus (-) key at the same time. After the release of both keys, an em dash (—) appears.
Using the Word insert function. Place your cursor where you want to insert the em dash. Then follow these steps:
Go to the "Insert" tab in the ribbon at the top of the Word window.
Click on the "Symbol" button found in the "Symbols" group.
Select "More Symbols" from the drop-down menu
Scroll until you find the em dash
Then select
The em dash is a punctuation mark that often serves a similar purpose as commas and parentheses. It is used to set apart elements of a sentence to indicate a break or pause in thought. When using an em dash, please ensure that it is used consistently and that it is not mistaken for en dashes or hyphens.
References
Casagrande, J. (2014). The Best Punctuation Book, Period. Ten Speed Press.
Cite this EminentEdit article |
Antoine, M. (2024, August 26). Tips on Using the Em Dash. https://www.eminentediting.com/post/tips-on-using-the-em-dash |
Comments