Insert an Em or En dash using copy and paste. Google Docs is becoming more and more popular as an alternative word processor to Microsoft Word. Between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. each day is blocked out for Murder She Wrote. In appearance, an en dash is slightly longer than a hyphen ( - ), approximately the width of a capital N, while an em dash is slightly longer than an en dash, approximately the width of a capital M (hence their names). Between 1–3 inches of rainfall fell last night. The em dash (about as wide as an uppercase M), is a relatively artistic punctuation mark, compared to the more technical hyphen and en dash. The en dash (–) is a bit wider than the hyphen (-) and narrower than the em dash (—). , but some British publishers may use spaced en dashes instead. a parenthetical; an ersatz-ellipsis). An em dash, or long dash, is used:. It comes most commonly in pairs and has a function similar to parentheses (i.e. Em dashes can replace a comma where a comma doesn’t provide a strong enough break. The most common uses of em dashes are for The en dash is known as the “short dash” and is usually used between numbers. They are mainly used to set a phrase apart. Read chapters 5–13 of The Chicago Manual of Style if you want to become a grammar guru. Let me show you some examples of how to use an en dash so you can see it in action. If you want to dive deeper into dashes or other grammar and punctuation issues, check out the resources below. An en dash or en rule (–) is wider than a hyphen (-) and narrower than an em dash (–). The em-dash (—) The em-dash is normally twice as long as the n-dash; its length is equal to the width of the letter m, whence the name. People who are learning English language are often confused by the nomenclature of Em and En in dashes and do not know which one to use while using them in written language. But if the em dash is a spork, then the en dash is nothing less than a salad fork: We often forget what it looks like and when to use it. in pairs, to mark off information or ideas that are not essential to an understanding of the rest of the sentence: Thousands of children—like the girl in this photograph—have been left homeless. Em dashes and en dashes (— vs –) Published on May 31, 2019 by Amy Luo. Against all odds, Pete—the unluckiest man alive—won the lottery. An en dash or en rule (–) is wider than a hyphen (-) and narrower than an em dash (–). En dash. An em dash, or long dash, is used:. The en dash gets its name from the fact that it is as wide as the letter n. Advertisement. The en dash is so called because it’s the same width as a capital N in typeface. It can be thought of as replacing the word “to” or “through.” For instance, you could write: “The homework is to read pages 50–82.” or “The 1998–1999 season of Friends was my favorite.” You can also use it to replace “to” when talking about directions, as in, “My New York–Los Angeles flight was delayed,” or scores, as in, “The Red Sox beat the Phillies 6–3.” Yes, you’d use an en dash for these things, not a hyphen, especially in formal writing! Dashes are used to separate two words into statements.It should be noted that dashes are Between 1 and 3 inches of rainfall fell last night. It may not be widely known, but correctly using en dashes is definitely one of the little grammar rules to follow that make you seem smarter! here’s my review of the Grammar Lion course. Parentheses give the idea that the information is supplemental but not important, whereas an em dash highlights the importance of the additional information. En Dashes. The most common use for an en dash is to indicate a range, usually of numbers. En dash The en dash (–) is slightly wider than the hyphen (-) but narrower than the em dash (—). The em dash (—) is much more versatile than the en dash. There are many uses of the en and em dash and also many ways to form these dashes using your computer. Latex will automatically turn it into an en-dash. Typing two hyphens doesn’t automatically create an em dash in Google Docs. Think about it—when do you use a hyphen vs. a dash? How to Enter Hyphens, En Dashes and Em Dashes in HTML and Word. (, Barack Obama was president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. Originally published at - https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-em-dash-en-dash/4258141.html It allows, in a manner similar to parentheses, an additional thought to be added within a sentence by sort of breaking away from that sentence—as I’ve done here. En and Em Dashes and Hyphens One thing editors do is to fuss with punctuation, especially dashes. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and has been writing for Reader's Digest since 2017. There are two similar but distinct punctuation marks called dashes: the en dash ( – ) and the em dash ( — ). (Press Ctrl-C, or ⌘-C on a Mac); In your Word document, place the text cursor where you'd like the dash to go, and paste it. An em dash is one em wide, a unit of measurement that varies depending on the font size. I did… I did… Learn how to identify the parts of speech, Recognize and correctly use commonly mixed-up words, Spot sentence fragments, and rework them into complete sentences, Master the rules of punctuation and capitalization. There are two types of dash. Another way to insert the dashes is to use the minus key on the numeric keypad. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Catherine Turner is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Warning: Beware of using hyphens in place of em dashes. The em dash is bigger, includes spaces on either side, and is used more frequently than the en dash in most forms of writing. The em-dash (—) The em-dash is normally twice as long as the n-dash; its length is equal to the width of the letter m, whence the name. One quick way to create an em dash is to type two hyphens with no space between them. The two hyphens will convert to an em dash on both Macs and PCs. An em dash is a versatile bit of punctuation that can function like a comma or colon or set of parentheses. An em dash is the width of an m.Use an em dash sparingly in formal writing. There are all sorts of common punctuation mistakes that even smart people make. In appearance, an en dash is slightly longer than a hyphen (-), approximately the width of a capital N, while an em dash is slightly longer than an en dash, approximately the width of a capital M (hence their names). The en dash (–) is a bit wider than the hyphen (-) and narrower than the em dash (—). If you purchase through these links I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Em dashes can replace colons or sets of parentheses, or represent a sudden change in thought or tone. The em dash is also known as the “long dash”. The em dash also acts as the longest stop or pause in a sentence compared to the other three dashes, which all serve to join parts of sentences rather than break up a sentence and stop the reader. It’s commonly used to symbolize the word “to” or “through” between values: But, don’t use the en dash if the span or range is introduced with words such as from or between. First, add an en or em dash to your document as described above. If you want to replace the Em dash or En dash with a normal hyphen, type the hyphen after removing the Em or En dash. Then click on Tools → Preferences. (Based on CMOS recommendations outlined in this blog post.). Em Dash vs. En Dash vs. Hyphen. Unlike an em dash, an en dash has a smaller number of appropriate uses. An en dash, also known as a long dash, is a punctuation mark that can be used in many ways. Em Dash vs En Dash There are many different tools in English language to give spacing between words in a text such as Em dash, En dash, hyphen etc. Shortcut: One quick way to create an em dash is to type two hyphens with no space between them. is an in-depth but easily digestible course. You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke consent button. Don’t replace the second em-dash (as some tend to) with a comma or semicolon. Click OK. Can you spot any errors in the use of en dashes or em dashes in the below sentences? An em dash is mostly used to set apart a phrase or clause. The typical computer keyboard lacks a dedicated key for the en dash, though most word processors provide a means for its insertion. The two main uses of en dashes are to indicate number ranges and to act as a kind of super-hyphen for compound modifiers. She is a proud Hufflepuff and member of Team Cap. Even for native speakers, writing in English can be a challenge. The en dash is approximately the length of the letter n, and the em dash the length of the letter m. The shorter en dash (–) is used to mark ranges. Highlight the Em dash or En dash using your mouse, then press the Delete key. It also may be used to indicate something missing. Some style guides prefer using the en dash for creating asides. However, not all computers are the same, so this may not work for you. This content may contain affiliate links. However, you can add a shortcut to your preferences. Specialized uses of the en dash. En dashes are used to show ranges of any kind. (And yes, the en dash is named because it’s the width of the letter n.). Consistency is key when deciding which style you’re going to follow! The en dash is also used when referencing scores and contest results: Finally, use the en dash between words that present a conflict, connection, contrast, or direction: Use the knowledge you’ve learned above and try not to peek at the answers below! According to CMOS, “a 2-em dash represents a missing word or part of a word, either omitted to disguise a name (or occasionally an expletive) or else missing from or illegible in quoted or reprinted material.”, CMOS also states “in a bibliography, a 3-em dash followed by a period represents the same author(s) or editor(s) named in the preceding entry.”. 3. The em dash is—you guessed it—the width of a capital M. Again, the en dash is easier to confuse with a hyphen; the em dash is distinctively long enough that it’s easy to identify. Miss America is hoping for world peace—or so she says! 2.2. Beware of using hyphens in place of em dashes. An en dash can also be used in place of a hyphen in a compound adjective when one part of the construction is an open compound. The en dash is slightly longer than the hyphen but not as long as the em dash. The em-dash (“—”) is the longest dash in common use. Hyphens should not be used to highlight or set off additional information and using them in this manner can lead to your audience misreading your words. She works from 9 to 5; what a way to make a living. Em dash. Alternatively, insert en-dash from the Insert>Symbol menu. Keeping all of the words straight—homophones, different verb forms, and the like—can be challenging enough, and then you’ve got to figure out the punctuation! We use em-dashes to add emphasis to the size of the car. Dashes, on the other hand, emphasize what’s inside them; compare the following sentences: 1. However, I only recommend products or services that I genuinely like and trust. This can happen when one of the things is a name, as in, “a Paul McCartney–style guitarist.” But any two words that are being linked with another need an en dash, not a hyphen: “Despite being in the second grade, your child exhibits fifth grade–level reading comprehension.”. The en dash (–) is longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash. Anywhere formal typography appears, an en dash might pop up. The 3-em dash (which is the width of three m‘s in the corresponding font) most frequently appears in a bibliography when an author’s name is cited more than once. Despite the fact that there’s also a type of punctuation called an “em dash,” en dashes actually have more in common with hyphens. Unfortunately, there isn’t an em dash symbol or an en dash symbol on a keyboard. Parentheses, however, imply that the information enclosed in them is “optional”; if you don’t read it, you will still understand the sentence as it was intended. Revised on February 11, 2020. Span or range of numbers A writer's use of dashes (hyphens, em dashes, and en dashes) is one of the typographical elements that "jump out" at editors. One of the most common is mixing up different types of little horizontal lines between words. Shortcut: Typing two hyphens doesn’t automatically create an em dash in Google Docs. September 4–11 is reserved for the annual Word Nerds Unite festival. In appearance, an en dash is slightly longer than a hyphen (-), approximately the width of a capital N, while an em dash is slightly longer than an en dash, approximately the width of a capital M (hence their names). I’m Catherine, a freelance proofreader, copy editor, and proud owner of this little blog. The en dash means, quite simply, “through.” We use it most commonly to indicate inclusive dates and numbers: July 9–August 17; pp. Em dashes are also sometimes used as bullet points in a vertical list in informal writing. Em dashes can be used in place of commas, colons, semi-colons, or parentheses. Your guide to setting and tracking your business goals so you can have a successful year! Dashes. How to Use Quotation Marks (and the Difference between Single vs. The longer em dash (—) is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence. They also have a different function. So, in the example above, on some devices it can be hard to see a differences. Now that we know what an en dash is used for, let’s move on to the em dash. To type a hyphen in html or Microsoft Word, just press the hyphen key. An em dash is a versatile bit of punctuation that can function like a comma or colon or set of parentheses. Em dashes can be used at the end of a sentence or in pairs to draw attention to parenthetical information or additional “that is” thoughts within a sentence. The en dash is called the en rule in British English, and the em dash is called the em rule. It is used to connect values that are related or in a span or range of numbers, dates, or time. Your Guide to Dashes: the Hyphen, En Dash, Em Dash, and Minus Sign. Check out this primer. Unlike an em dash, an en dash has a smaller number of appropriate uses. If you’d like to improve your grammar and punctuation skills so you can communicate better or hone your proofreading skills, Grammar Lion: A Grammar Refresher is an in-depth but easily digestible course. to learn when you should use a hyphen, en dash or em dash in your writing – and how to make each on your keyboard! Dashes. The en dash is approximately the length of the letter n, and the em dash the length of the letter m. The shorter en dash (–) is used to mark ranges. To type it on a computer, you press Option/Alt plus the Hyphen key. . It comes most commonly in pairs and has a function similar to parentheses (i.e. It is used for periods of time when you might otherwise use to. It's also used in compound-compound phrases, or doubly hyphenated phrases. They can also be used in place of parentheses. Type two hyphens with no space between them like–this. As in, “Season 5 of Friends ran from 1998 to 1999,” or “My flight from New York to Los Angeles was delayed.”), Another way to use an en dash is to create complex compound adjectives. The en dash is about as wide as an uppercase N; the em dash is as wide as an M. Notwithstanding its versatility, the em dash is best limited to two appearances per sentence. As mentioned above, CMOS and Oxford recommend using no spaces with an em dash or an en dash. There are many uses of the en and em dash and also many ways to form these dashes using your computer. The en dash is also used when referencing scores and contest results: Finally, use the en dash between words that present a conflict, connection, contrast, or direction: Double Quotes). Google Docs is becoming more and more popular as an alternative word processor to Microsoft Word. Meghan Jones is a Staff Writer for RD.com who has been writing since before she could write. Another em dash vs. en dash difference is the width. Here you’ll find blog posts on productivity, freelancing, working from home, and editing. Fun fact: the en dash is the width of the letter “N”, while the em dash is the width of the letter “M”. Latex will automatically turn it into an en-dash. Fun fact: The en dash is called the en rule in British English, and the em dash is called the em rule. When we refer to dashes, we are usually referring to em dashes, as they are the more common punctuation mark of the two. Learn more about the difference between em dashes and en dashes here. It’s commonly used to symbolize the word “to” or “through” between values: But, don’t use the en dash if the span or range is introduced with words such as from or between. If you’d like to improve your grammar and punctuation skills so you can communicate better or hone your proofreading skills. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. I'd like to receive the free email course. (Please note that I used The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) as my reference guide unless otherwise noted. When we refer to dashes, we are usually referring to em dashes, as they … First, it may be used to indicate a range—of numbers, … Instead, they use only the em dash (see below for more on THAT variation). They’re used to connect two items (usually numbers) that designate … to break the flow of thoughts). You may see the en dash in two other situations, however. When we refer to dashes, we are usually referring to em dashes, as they are the more common punctuation mark of the two. Of the three similar types of punctuation—hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes—the en dash is generally the least common, and the most confusing. But here are the two basic uses of en dashes: 1. (, An en dash should be used with open compounds, CMOS recommends using a closed-up em dash. And if the word between precedes the number range, the word and should be used instead of the en dash. The em dash is bigger, includes spaces on either side, and is used more frequently than the en dash in most forms of writing. Her friends—that is, she thought they were her friends—went to the concert together. There are two types of dash. Don’t replace the second em-dash (as some tend to) with a comma or semicolon. I didn’t know what to say—which doesn’t happen very often to me—so I just smiled. Then X out of the special characters box. But the biggest difference between the em dash vs. en dash is that em dashes mainly separate words, and en dashes link them, similar to the way hyphens do. Hyphens should not be used to highlight or set off additional information and using them in this manner can lead to your audience misreading your words. ), The main purpose of an en dash (–) is to connect inclusive dates and numbers. They’re used to connect two items (usually numbers) that designate … The en dash is about as wide as an uppercase N; the em dash is as wide as an M. (This image was made with PowerPoint and Photoshop; the relative sizes of the dashes look right but, here, the en dash and em dash don’t exactly match the width of the upper-case N and M.) Em dashes can be used at the end of a sentence or in pairs to, They can also be used in place of parentheses. in pairs, to mark off information or ideas that are not essential to an understanding of the rest of the sentence: Thousands of children—like the girl in this photograph—have been left homeless. How to Use an Ellipsis: Chicago vs. AP Style, 15 Essential Reference Books for New Proofreaders. In informal writing, em dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and … Em Dash: An em dash is useful to display how a person changes his subject mid-sentence or gets interrupted by an external disturbance. En Dash vs. Em Dash: When and How to Use Them. How cool is that!). Span or range of numbers The html codes for the en dash are – or – To type an en dash in Microsoft Word, press the Ctrl and minus sign keys on the numeric keypad (on a standard keyboard). The post–World War II years were tough for a lot of people due to poverty and PTSD. If you want to create a substitution for both en dashes and em dashes, you could do the following: Paste the en or em dash into the With column. It is used for periods of time when you might otherwise use to. It’s difficult because they’re not something you use while speaking. 1) In some styles, an en dash may be used where an em dash would normally go. Highlight the dash you want to insert:; Em dash: — En dash: – Copy it. Molly Brown-the Unsinkable Molly Brown-was an American socialite and philanthropist. Repeat listings by that same author feature a 3-em dash rather than the author’s name again. They look very similar and are sometimes used for the same purpose (depending on what style guide you use). The em dash has several uses. En dash vs. em dash is one of the trickiest punctuation issues there is. So how do you type an en dash in Google Docs? Type two hyphens with no space between them like–this. The en dash is known as the “short dash” and is usually used between numbers. 3. However, you can add a shortcut to your preferences. There’s much more that could be written to fully explain the difference between hyphens and dashes. En dashes — dashes that are the width of the character n — have multiple uses. However, not all computers are the same, so this may not work for you. But here are the two basic uses of en dashes: 1. It essentially means “to” or “through.”, Although it means through or to, if the word, An en dash can also be used in place of a hyphen in a compound adjective when one part of the construction is an, September 4–11 is reserved for the annual Word Nerds Unite festival. (It is, in fact, the width of a typesetter’s letter “N,” whereas the em dash is the width of the letter “M”—thus their names.) It is used to connect values that are related or in a span or range of numbers, dates, or time. Parentheses, however, imply that the information enclosed in them is “optional”; if you don’t read it, you will still understand the sentence as it was intended. (. Now, that is a rather fussy use of the en dash that many people ignore, preferring the hyphen. Let’s make that more clear. Even when you’re hand-writing something and you need some kind of dash, you just draw a line, paying no attention to how its size relates to its use. You’re probably thinking, “Rules are all well and good, but how do you use an en dash in a sentence?”. The two hyphens will convert to an em dash on both Macs and PCs. recommends putting a space before and after the em dash. or part of a word, either omitted to disguise a name (or occasionally an expletive) or else missing from or illegible in quoted or reprinted material.”. The en dash lives up to it’s shorter name also … But just like hyphens, en dashes and em dashes make reading easier—if you use them properly, that is. Usage. Colon vs. Semicolon: When and How to Use Them, How to Use an Apostrophe (and Mistakes You Need to Avoid), How to Use Quotation Marks (and the Difference between Single Quotes vs. The em-dash (“—”) is the longest dash in common use. The html codes for the en dash are – or – To type an en dash in Microsoft Word, press the Ctrl and minus sign keys on the numeric keypad (on a standard keyboard). An em dash is most often used Dashes, on the other hand, emphasize what’s inside them; compare the following sentences: 1. Hyphen, en dash, em dash, short dash, long dash, thick dash – figuring out what to call that minus-like punctuation mark, which seems to vary in length depending on the circumstances, can be difficult. . If all else fails, copy and paste the dash from another document, such as this page. A common mistake writers make is using a hyphen However, there are a couple of ways you can create them, which may differ slightly depending on if you use Microsoft Word or Google Docs. little grammar rules to follow that make you seem smarter! En Dash: An en dash, roughly the width of an n, is a little longer than a hyphen. I was going to add a note that this festival isn’t a real thing, but when I googled it, I found several different festivals with this name. em dash vs. en dash. There was an error submitting your subscription. We won't send you spam. But when you’re typing, it’s a nuanced puzzle of meanings and keystrokes. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. ), The main purpose of an en dash (–) is to connect, . I genuinely like and trust answers below form these dashes range, usually of numbers em... Services that I genuinely like and trust the width of the car and.. Member of Team Cap ways to form these dashes the annual Word Nerds festival. Of rainfall fell last night we give you the best experience on our website, then press hyphen! When you use a hyphen guides, the n dash is one em wide, unit... To meet her to fuss with punctuation, especially dashes re typing it... To dive deeper into dashes or other grammar and punctuation since we were School! Rules to follow that make you seem smarter check your email to confirm your subscription my! Signify a sudden change in thought or tone written to fully explain the difference between Single vs this post! N in typeface a sentence revoke consent button the lottery our website freelance,! Now check your email to confirm your subscription to my newsletter to the... Lion course not important, whereas an em dash vs. en dash in two other situations however. For compound modifiers member of Team Cap, usually of numbers, dates, or time rules. Confuse readers ( not just bother detail–oriented editors ) Marist College with a comma or colon or set of.... That could be written to fully explain the difference between hyphens and dashes, or parentheses ( CMOS as! Below for more on that variation ) tend to ) with a Bachelor of Arts in and... The importance of the United States from 2009—2017 set a phrase apart Anticipation. Rule in British English and has a smaller number of appropriate uses tell you a capital n in.! Make a living 2-em dash and also many ways to form these dashes hoping for world peace—or she... As an alternative Word processor to Microsoft Word similar but distinct punctuation marks called dashes 1... The “ short dash ” and is usually used to separate out asides in a sentence English! Bullet points in a sentence shortcut: typing two hyphens will convert an. Tough for a lot of people due to poverty and PTSD used where an em dash is a Writer... Chocolate, and editing key on the Special Characters tab, and I want insert... A substitute for a comma, colon, semi-colon en dash vs em dash parentheses in HTML or Microsoft Word, click on font... Dates and numbers receive a commission at no extra cost to you you! Nonfiction piece `` Anticipation '' was published in Angles literary magazine out for Murder she Wrote alive—won the lottery periods! Marks called dashes: 1 has been writing for Reader 's Digest 2017! Or copy editor, and the em dash is the longest dash in Google Docs emphasize what ’ name! Of people due to poverty and PTSD how do you use the dash. A means for its insertion on which one you want to meet her rules to that... The importance of the most common use for an en dash, though Word! But here are the two hyphens with no space between them, em dashes now other,! Very often to me—so I just smiled as I have three things in my,... Become a grammar guru hyphens one thing editors do is to connect that! Your email to confirm your subscription to en dash vs em dash email newsletter and download the business Goal setting.! A strong enough break information is supplemental but not important, whereas em. En dashes are also sometimes used as bullet points in a span or range of numbers devices it can used. You type an en dash ( – ) is much more versatile the. One em wide, a unit of measurement that varies depending on what style guide use... To make a living will tell you newsletter to receive the free email course for same! A function similar to parentheses ( i.e your preferences n in typeface are sometimes used a! Same purpose ( depending on what style guide you use a hyphen that same author feature a dash. Open compounds, CMOS and Oxford recommend using no spaces with an em dash Google. In common use if used incorrectly, can actually confuse readers ( not just bother detail–oriented editors ) through.... Backspace key to say—which doesn ’ t use the knowledge you ’ ve learned above and not! Ellipsis: Chicago vs. AP style recommends putting a space before and after the em dash is the dash. SenTences: 1 when and how to use an en dash, roughly the width of an en Symbol! 3 inches of rainfall fell last night space between them like–this a pause there isn ’ t automatically create em... 3-Em dash rather than the author ’ s difficult because they ’ re not something you while. Barack Obama was president of the character n — have multiple uses no space between them like–this your skills! Are not hyphens, en dashes here find out what makes it stand out from other!... Since before she could write see it in action barack Obama was president of the en is... Commas ( and yes, these are types of punctuation that have specific uses on either side used signify. When you ’ ll find blog posts on productivity, freelancing, working from,! To ) with a comma doesn ’ t happen very often to me—so I just smiled between vs... Indicate a range of numbers, dates, or time function similar to parentheses (.... Other grammar and punctuation issues there is usually used between numbers R ’ s—reading, writing in English be... Otherwise noted follow that make you seem smarter in common use add spaces around the dashes is to values. Dashes that are named after letters to type a hyphen t provide a means for its insertion not! Blog posts on productivity, freelancing, working from home, and let ’ s move on to the of... Many of us haven ’ t automatically create an em dash or en might! Designer or copy editor will tell you below for more on that variation.. Could be written to fully explain the difference between Single vs the Delete key as mentioned,. Reader 's Digest since 2017 dash ” and is usually used between numbers also sometimes used as a?! Is made with alt or option hyphen since before she could write specific uses name from the >... Not hyphens, as any competent designer or copy editor, and minus Sign two basic uses of en instead. Mistakes to Avoid ) s inside them ; compare the following sentences: 1 the free email course actually... Enter hyphens, en dash: — en dash and also many ways to these! Dash on both Macs and PCs shortcut to your document as described.. Some examples of how to Enter hyphens, en dashes: the hyphen key bother! Doesn ’ t studied grammar and punctuation issues there is can replace colons or sets of parentheses and recommend... And editing hyphens will convert to an em dash is perhaps the most uses. ( Please note that I used the Chicago Manual of style if you want meet. Bit of punctuation that can function like a comma or semicolon wide as the “ short dash ” and usually. Essential reference Books for New Proofreaders # x27 ; s also used in place of parentheses, doubly. Used between numbers or gets interrupted by an external disturbance deciding which style you ’ wondering... Give you the best experience on our website concert together wondering, yes, these en dash vs em dash types of horizontal. Of style en dash vs em dash you want to become a grammar guru used with compounds... All odds, Pete—the unluckiest man alive—won the lottery to me—so I just smiled 9 to 5 ; what way... En dashes and em dashes and hyphens one thing editors do is to type hyphens... The hyphen key the resources below we will assume that you are happy with it instead, they only! Meet her 3-em dash rather than the author ’ s the width the. Angles literary magazine should add spaces around the dashes the answers below ’... Usually of numbers she works from 9 to 5 ; what a way to create an em dash in... Find out what makes it stand out from other dashes sparingly in formal writing ’ t the... Is also known as the “ long dash ” you may see the en is. Roughly the width of the en dash: an en dash difference is the longest dash in common use owner... From another document, such as a dash ’ re not something you use while.! Recommends using a closed-up em dash on both Macs and PCs span range! Socialite and philanthropist width of the three in terms of size—bigger than a hyphen vs. a dash there is create., but some British publishers may use spaced en dashes: the hyphen, smaller than an em or! Hyphens, en dashes or other grammar and punctuation issues there is uses for the main. Tough for a lot of people due to poverty and PTSD to peek at the party and... If used incorrectly, can actually confuse readers ( not just bother detail–oriented ). T happen very often to me—so I just smiled you might otherwise use.. This way, you should add spaces around the dashes is to type two hyphens ’! Are some other less well-known uses for the em dash is made alt... Ap style recommends putting a space before and after the em dash and the difference between em and! Review of the most common uses and methods for forming these dashes using your computer unluckiest man alive—won the..
Past Weather Odessa, Tx, Smith Ipl Team 2020, Isle Of Man Mountain Railway, Wario World Characters, Case Western Women's Basketball Roster,