Questions tagged [em-dash]
The em-dash tag has no usage guidance.
41
questions
0
votes
1answer
68 views
Can I use an en dash with spaces instead of an em dash? [closed]
Most typography has em dashes extremely long, and people use it without spaces most of the time. It's not a comfy layout. Can I use an en dash with spaces surrounding it?
For instance, foo – bar ...
0
votes
1answer
58 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
52 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), ...
-1
votes
1answer
36 views
Do parentheses between parenthetical commas refer only to the phrase between commas? [closed]
Do parentheses between parenthetical commas always sometimes or never refer only to the phrase between commas?
E.g.
I did not mean to be stupid, nor does it matter (despite your advice).
Was "...
3
votes
1answer
122 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
54 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
47 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
38 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
814 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?
0
votes
1answer
42 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
29 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
66 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
182 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
154 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
589 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
93 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
79 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
46 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
623 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
987 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
161 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
2answers
871 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
97 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
266 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
121 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
40 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
1k 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
1k 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
252 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
818 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
836 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
89 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
344 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
498 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 —...
0
votes
1answer
263 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
94 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
votes
1answer
912 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, ...
0
votes
0answers
228 views
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 ...
3
votes
4answers
6k views
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, ...
