How do you use an em dash correctly?
Em dashes are often used to set off parenthetical information. Using em dashes instead of parentheses puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. For this usage, make sure you use two em dashes. Use one before the parenthetical information and one after it.
When should I use em dash?
An em dash is often used in place of a colon or semicolon to link clauses, especially when the clause that follows the dash explains, summarizes, or expands upon the preceding clause in a somewhat dramatic way.
Is an en dash longer than a hyphen?
The en-dash is a bit longer than the hyphen; its length is equal to the width of the letter n, whence the name. The n-dash simply means through. It is used for any kind of ranges, typically.
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.
How do I create an em dash in word?
Fortunately, there are three easy methods:
- Press [Ctrl]+[Alt]+-.
- Hold down the [Alt] key and type 0151 on the numeric keypad.
- Choose Symbol from the Insert menu, click the Special Characters tab, highlight the em dash, and click Insert.
Can em dash replace Colon?
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.
Is em dash formal or informal?
Yes, the em dash is used in formal writing. This is more of a life lesson rather than a question of if an em dash is formal or informal.
Are em dashes 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 is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?
The difference between a dash and a hyphen is that a hyphen is used to form compound words, and there is no space between the hyphen and the words either side, but a dash usually has a space both before it and after it. E.g: Hyphen.
What are the rules of em dash?
The em dash is mostly used in informal writing such as friendly letters, emails, and journals. Do not overuse the em dash in formal writing, such as business letters, research papers, and articles. A good rule is to use parentheses, commas, semicolons, and colons instead of em dashes in formal writing. There should be no spaces…
How do you make en dash in word?
Microsoft Word Open your Word document. Place your cursor where you want the dash to appear. Write an en dash. Hold down Ctrl and press – on the numeric pad. Write an em dash. Hold down Ctrl+Alt and press – on the numeric pad.
What is m and N Dash?
The n-dash is named for its width in print typesetting (when people lined up little metal blocks for each letter, which would press ink onto paper). The n-dash was about as wide as an upper-case N; the m-dash was as wide as an M. That’s how they got their names.