How To Use Em Dashes Correctly
The en dash is sometimes also used in the same way as an em dash.
How to use em dashes correctly. They don t add much if you use them carelessly as i m doing in this sentence. If you want to draw attention to the parenthetical content use dashes. A pair of em dashes can replace a pair of parentheses. Em dashes set apart parenthetical phrases or clauses in a sentence in this use em dashes are similar to commas and parentheses but there are subtle differences for example em dashes are used when a parenthetical remark contains an internal comma or would otherwise sound awkward if enclosed by commas. Em dashes are great.
They are also more intrusive. Dashes are considered less formal than parentheses. The en dash is longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash and almost exclusively used to indicate ranges of things. Use an em dash but use it wisely. Using em dashes instead of parentheses puts the focus on the information between the em dashes.
En dashes also known as a short dash are used for ranges of values e g. Em dashes so called because they are at least historically the width of the character m are used for emphasis or interruption. Use one before the parenthetical information and one after it. Place em dashes around non essential information or a list in the middle of a sentence like you would with commas. The two most common dashes are the em dash and the en dash.
Em dashes also known as a long dash are used to make a pause in a sentence followed by a strong point in a situation where using a comma is too weak. For this usage make sure you use two em dashes. Em dashes are often used to set off parenthetical information. They provide variety to your sentence structure plus add style to your writing. They can be used on their own or in pairs to offset a word or phrase.
Uses of the em dash. The longer em dash is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence. However they can add a punch or stress a point when used in just the. Use a longer em dash to join independent clauses with words like and but as or and for. But above all be careful to use them thoughtfully.