Questions tagged [em-dash]
The em-dash tag has no usage guidance.
57
questions
2
votes
1answer
49 views
Are such sentence constructions acceptable?
The structure of the following sentence struck me as odd.
So large was his mouth that he could fit his entire fist inside—an antic that drew hysterical laughter at drinking bouts during the bloody ...
0
votes
0answers
47 views
Can you replace an em-dash with a comma?
If I were to say something like
This is something that is revolutionary—that will redefine our society.
Can you use a comma instead of an em dash? In all cases? What are the rules?
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Can em dashes be used to introduce a dependent clause?
Consider the following sentence from WSJ:
And so, like the dutiful and efficient worker I was, I’d put my energy
into clearing the decks, cranking through the smaller stuff to get it
out of the way—...
1
vote
1answer
23 views
Is the em dash appropriate in place of a comma? [duplicate]
I am trying to learn the rules for the em dash. My colleagues and I were having an argument about this. One wrote this sentence for his students
We have just derived a fundamental trigonometric ...
-1
votes
1answer
75 views
Em dash next to displayed equation
I want to use an em dash to set off a parenthetical text for emphasis. However, the text in question is adjacent to a displayed mathematical formula.
What is the proper way to do so?
I am aware that ...
1
vote
0answers
115 views
Can I use a dash to replace a repeating verb?
In my language (Bulgarian) you can use a dash to replace a verb that you have already used in the same sentence. For example:
The distance from London to Paris is 500km, from Paris to Munich —
850km, ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
Comma needed using and em-dash paranthetical within a list?
What's the correct use of an em-dash within a comma-separated list?
E.g. is, "Tom only likes four colours: red, blue—although he's on the fence—, green, and yellow" correct or is, "Tom ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
What does the use of a double em dash signifiy?
When watching The Man who Laughs (1928), at 40:14 the line, also pictured below, "Hey — — we saw her first!" appears.
What does the use of a double em-dash signify here?
0
votes
0answers
29 views
colon followed by a question
I did some search on the Internet but am unable to get clarity on this.
SET 1
Which of the following is correct?
A) Have you: Ever purchased a blue car? Ever visited Hong Kong? Ever gone on a long ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
Capitals after mdash
I would like to know if, in British English, if there is a question after emdash, do I need to start the question with a capital? for example
—Do you know what this means?
Also, what about a general ...
0
votes
0answers
146 views
Em dash in British English
I am using em dashes and writing in British English. I would like to know if I should put spaces both before and after the em dash.
0
votes
1answer
67 views
Which Punctuation Mark Should Be Used To Show Repetition?
Is it okay to use an em-dash if I want to show repetition of word/words or phrase in a sentence?
I told you ― I told you to put on a different voice.
3
votes
2answers
210 views
What is the best way to punctuate titles that have subtitles with subtitles?
I am going through a few movies and I see Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions. Are that many colons appropriate? I am inclined to use em-dashes for the next subtitle, leading to Pokémon: Zoroark — ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
em-dash or semicolon for this case? [closed]
I am trying to decide whether the semicolon or em-dash is the more appropriate punctuation mark in this case:
It's not that I don't care -- it's just that I'm busy with other things.
It's not that I ...
1
vote
0answers
22 views
Colon, Semicolon, or Em-dash
Which of the following three are correct?
I would recommend reading the footnotes wherever indicated: they're quite informative.
I would recommend reading the footnotes wherever indicated; they're ...
0
votes
1answer
138 views
Can an em dash be inserted in the middle of a quotation for interjection?
I've found questions asking about an em dash in quoted speech, and punctuation rules for em dashes in quotes, but this question is quite different.
The example I saw comes from a tweet, reproduced ...
0
votes
3answers
691 views
Punctuating dialogue interrupted by speaker?
When a speaker briefly interrupts their own dialogue, then resumes in the same paragraph, how do you punctuate the interruption?
I know that, when it doesn't halt speech (i.e. dashes outside quotes), ...
3
votes
1answer
255 views
Use of em dash to separate different speakers in a quotation(s)
Suppose there are three characters, each saying something different outside of a room and you are listening to them from inside of the room. What is the correct way to punctuate the following using em ...
-1
votes
1answer
386 views
Can I use "such as" after em-dash?
Example:
So you might need help from various resources—such as parents, classmates, school administrators, and so on.
Or should I write:
So you might need help from various resources—parents, ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
Do the words "en dash" and "em dash" require a hyphen? [duplicate]
I have seen the compound words "en dash" and "em dash" sometimes appear with a hyphen ("en-dash") and sometimes without. Are both the hyphenated and the unhyphenated forms correct?
0
votes
0answers
47 views
A semicolon or an em dash? [duplicate]
"Hediger acquired a drone after losing half of her harvest in one year to weeds. She estimates that identifying problems faster with timely crop data and using less weed killer will save her tens of ...
5
votes
1answer
4k views
In British English, which is more common — the em dash or the en dash?
I'm reasonably certain the em dash is more common than the en dash in American English. But which of the two is more common in British English?
1
vote
1answer
50 views
The em dash, and correct usage in the sentence that follows [duplicate]
As I walked through the channel — I knew it was over.
Is this a correct usage of the em dash?
0
votes
1answer
68 views
Use of comma before the words "irregardless", "where" and after a period in time
I'm unsure as to whether or not to include a comma within the two sentences outlined below (I've bolded the specific sections). In the first sentence, I have a feeling a dash might be more appropriate....
1
vote
1answer
144 views
Using punctuation within a question to create a pause
Is it possible to create a long pause (confusion) in the following question.
'You're maybe wondering how could that be. That she is considering running away?'
Between 'be and that', I was ...
-1
votes
1answer
411 views
Where and how should I place the punctuation marks in this sentence?
[James] Iris did not have a job—unless panhandling could be considered one—in which case, he was wholly employed.
How would you place and/or rearrange the punctuation marks in this sentence? I've ...
3
votes
1answer
831 views
using comma within the appositive
If you have a list of items separated by commas, can it be used as an appositive if you separate it from the rest of the sentence by yet another by comma?
Here's an example:
The factory produces ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Should I use a hyphen, an en dash, or an em dash to define or introduce a word? [closed]
I have looked up online and studied usages for the hyphen, en dash, and em dash. I still haven't found an answer if I can define words with a dash in English.
The backstory on dashes defining ...
1
vote
2answers
118 views
Is it acceptable to place a comma after the em-dash in this sentence? [duplicate]
Due to financial struggles brought on by marital struggles—or perhaps it was the other way around—, the family had to forsake it as the bank foreclosed on it.
I normally wouldn't place a comma, but ...
1
vote
3answers
96 views
How would one correctly place punctuation marks in this sentence?
Moth-like, the people buzzed about: walking, driving, directing— each
to their own light.
I'm not sure whether each comma, colon, dash and hyphen are used correctly here. Please help!
Also, this ...
1
vote
1answer
126 views
Comma vs. Em Dash
Which of the following two versions is preferable, and why:
This document applies to all systems, people, and processes that constitute the organization’s information systems, including board members,...
0
votes
1answer
72 views
Colons vs Em dash ?
The designer envisions the game’s fundamental elements: the settings, characters, and plots that make each game unique, and is thus a primary creative force behind a video game.
A) NO CHANGE
B) ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Mixing em-dash and comma
My current understanding of the em-dash is that it can be used in place of parentheses or commas to provide emphasis, e.g.
"Tom, who was a very nice person, walked slowly across the grass."
"Tom (...
1
vote
2answers
4k views
What should I use when introducing dialogue, hyphens, en-dashes or em-dashes? [closed]
I have always use the hyphen when introducing dialogue.
-I love skating, but I'm not very good at it.
But I have recently been educated about the existence and use of en/em dashes. Now, I think I ...
1
vote
2answers
206 views
Should we use an em dash, en dash, or semi-colon
A sentence is causing some discussion in the office - it's about a Nylon product. We are not sure if we should use an en-dash, em-dash, semi-colon, or something else entirely. I thought an em-dash was ...
1
vote
0answers
44 views
Punctuation confusion, commas, semicolons, and em dashes
I'm having a hard time trying to punctuate the following sentence. I have it using just commas right now, but I do not think that is right.
On Earth they see the Sun every day, it’s always there, ...
3
votes
1answer
3k views
em dashes and question marks
Would it be correct to use the question mark as it is written in the following sentence? "If your cousin invites you to visit—and why would he not?—I will expect your return after only nine days."
0
votes
0answers
104 views
Em dash and list of things [duplicate]
I've searched everywhere before asking this question but I couldn't find an answer to my specific question:
"In spite of all the problems in life—lack of education, poverty, unemployment— John always ...
0
votes
1answer
376 views
Question marks and multiple clauses between em dashes? Capitalization?
Suppose a sentence like this:
The same museum guard I foiled last month was stomping over. Evidently, something about my disguise didn't pass muster — maybe it was the wig — but I managed to cut a ...
1
vote
0answers
123 views
Specific Semicolon vs. Dash Case
and thanks for taking the time to read my question.
I was writing an essay not too long ago, and I ended up writing a sentence that goes like this:
As people convert to higher-paid jobs the birth ...
0
votes
0answers
36 views
How to punctuate interrupted dialogue [duplicate]
What is the best way to punctuate interrupted dialogue? I have seen it done like this, but I am not sure if it is correct.
"In my opinion the best w--"
"Nobody is interested in your opinion," Fred ...
0
votes
0answers
85 views
Hyphenation Query (Compound words hyphenated alongside adjectival phrases?) [duplicate]
Not sure if I've correctly titled this query; my grammatical lexicon is severely wanting.
The phrase in question is from a short story, and is as follows:
"More likely a second—floor-apartment ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
The Em Dash: Afterthought or Added Emphasis?
Whenever I read a piece of writing that includes an em dash, I'm unsure wether to read it as an afterthought or added emphasis. Here's two examples I made:
The em dash being used as an afterthought:
...
0
votes
2answers
2k views
Combining m-dash and comma
I am editing something that has an appositive phrase surrounded by m-dashes. But the thing that gets the em-dash phrase in it is the first item in a list. I feel like I need a comma, so that it's ...
-1
votes
2answers
340 views
Use of two em dashes or em dash and comma in appositives embedded in lists [closed]
I like dogs, cats—which are hairy—and hippos.
or
I like dogs, cats—which are hairy, and hippos.
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Parentheses or colon inside em-dashes?
Should I use a colon, parentheses, or none of them to introduce the word "Arabic" in the following sentence?
I am passionate about languages —including my native one: Arabic— and a fan of accuracy ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
What dash should be used for attribution of authorship? [duplicate]
Say I want to mention an author and their work, i.e. The Beatles—Abbey Road or Herman Melville—Moby Dick, which dash should go betwixt the two?
This question has been marked as a possible duplicate ...
0
votes
1answer
99 views
Which punctuation would be used here? [closed]
I am wondering what punctuation would be used if you are telling the reader to look at a certain thing, and then telling them what they will see. Would it be "...transcript: You..." or "...transcript-...
-1
votes
2answers
379 views
Should I use em dash, comma, or a semicolon in this sentence?
"It was established the day my best friend introduced us to each other, much to my delight, and his chagrin."
or
"... each other—much to my delight, and his chagrin."
or
"... each other; much to ...
0
votes
2answers
622 views
What are the correct ways to use the long dash (em-dash)?
So I've seen these (—) used a lot in writing (mostly in fiction), but I'm still unsure of the correct way to use them.
I've seen them used to define something.
I have several things in my backpack —...
