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What is the purpose of using dashes in a sentence?
The Dash. An em dash—inserted by typing Control+Alt+Minus between the words it separates—signals an abrupt break in thought. It can be seen as “surprising” the reader with information. If used judiciously it can mark a longer, more dramatic pause and provide more emphasis than a comma can.
What effect does the use of em dashes have on the reading of a text?
The em dash can function like a comma, a colon, or parenthesis. Like commas and parentheses, em dashes set off extra information, such as examples, explanatory or descriptive phrases, or supplemental facts. Like a colon, an em dash introduces a clause that explains or expands upon something that precedes it.
What is the purpose of an em dash?
The em dash (—) sets off a word or clause and adds emphasis. Or, it can signal an interruption (see our article on interrupting sentences for more on that!) or amplification (“expanding”) of an idea. It’s also the longest of the dashes (e.g., hyphen, en dash).
Is it bad to use dashes in writing?
The problem with the dash—as you may have noticed! —is that it discourages truly efficient writing. It also—and this might be its worst sin—disrupts the flow of a sentence.
Can you overuse the 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.
Can you use one em dash in a sentence?
Depending on the context, the em dash can take the place of commas, parentheses, or colons—in each case to slightly different effect. Notwithstanding its versatility, the em dash is best limited to two appearances per sentence.
When do you use em dash instead of parentheses?
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. 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.
When to use spaced em dashes in Australian English?
The Style Manual is proposing that the unspaced em dash no longer be used in Australian English for parenthetic purposes or to amplify, explain or signify an abrupt change. Instead of spaced em dashes, the Style Manual stipulates—I can barely bring myself to type these words—the use of spaced en dashes.
Can a word be mashed up with an em dash?
E-books will join the words either side of an unspaced dash, to make one mashed-up word. Most word processors will treat words separated by unspaced dashes as one word causing messy line breaks.’ Essentially, em dashes do not play nice with technology.
When to use hard comma or hard em dash?
While parenthetical em dashes often operate in pairs (see the examples under the first point above), hard-comma em dashes often function alone at ends of sentences, for example: The all-renewable energy sector is 30 years away — and always will be.