Questions tagged [em-dash]
The em-dash tag has no usage guidance.
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Semicolon and Em-dash Usage in Technical Articles
First off, I am looking more for readability takes, not necessarily hard fast grammar policing. However, utter grammar mistakes must be avoided.
The last couple works I have made for publishing (in ...
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1answer
86 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?
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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?
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1answer
21 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....
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1answer
53 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 ...
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2answers
116 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 ...
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1answer
85 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 ...
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3answers
390 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 ...
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2answers
75 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 ...
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3answers
74 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 ...
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1answer
32 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) ...
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1answer
400 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 (...
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2answers
542 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 ...
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2answers
121 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 ...
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0answers
211 views
Comma and em dash in one sentence [closed]
I have this sentence: "If global levels of hydroxyl decrease, global methane concentrations will increase-even if methane emissions remain constant."
Should I use a comma after "increase" or keep it ...
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In a sentence that is not a part of interrupted dialogue, can a period come after a terminal em dash?
I've looked up The Chicago Manual of Style and the terminal Em dash in interrupted dialogue is never followed by a comma or period--this is meant to indicate a sudden interruption like this:
"I ...
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0answers
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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, ...
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2answers
401 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."
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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 ...
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1answer
204 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 ...
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0answers
114 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 ...
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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 ...
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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
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1answer
779 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:
...
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2answers
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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 ...
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2answers
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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.
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2answers
676 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 ...
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1answer
631 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 ...
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1answer
79 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-...
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2answers
306 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 ...
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2answers
414 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 —...
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1answer
237 views
Colon use, em dash, or comma [duplicate]
What is the proper way to punctuate this sentence? Colon, em dash, or comma?
Eating at a homeless shelter since March has provided me with a look into the thoughts of other people: both the ...
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1answer
83 views
The use of Em Dash within quoted speech
I am wondering if I can use the em dash with a quote. If I can use them, I am curious of whether it would mean that the writer is telling the audience that information, or if it means that the person ...
3
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1answer
717 views
Does the em-dash replace a subordinating comma?
If it were not for em-dash, we would no doubt keep the subordinating comma:
"It was only to be expected that Troy should fall — and fall emphatically, its very location effaced and, for millennia, ...
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0answers
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Punctuation in a Figure Caption (Abbreviation List)
I have question regarding punctuation in a caption of a figure.
Lets say, for example, I have a figure that depicts a certain schematic.
In the caption of the figure I want to list all the ...
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4answers
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Em dash and quotes
While I toss up between the em dash and the en dash, I am consistent throughout one document. However, one thing I have noticed when using the em dash is that when I write something like:
Firstly, ...
