Questions tagged [em-dash]
The em-dash tag has no usage guidance.
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20 views
Use em dash to emphasise the following phrase
Is it grammatically correct to use an em dash to add emphasize to the next phrase/word?
Here's how I would usually use it
Some are carpenters — some are dentists.
I want to emphasize "some are ...
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0answers
19 views
Interpunct, hyphen, en dash, em dash, which one for address separation?
I've read about hyphen, en dash, em dash. (nice guide here https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/index.html)
And also interpunct https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpunct
I don't know what to use in ...
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1answer
16 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
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1answer
45 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
76 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
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1answer
55 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 ...
1
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3answers
231 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
65 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
67 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
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1answer
25 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
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1answer
239 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
309 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
98 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
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0answers
147 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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0answers
38 views
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
353 views
Comma/period/em dash before the term “that way”?
Like, should you put a comma/period/em dash before the term "that way"?
Like this, for example, with a comma:
"Let's go to bed, that way we can be well-rested in the morning."
Or this with a period:...
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0answers
30 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, ...
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2answers
246 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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0answers
89 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 ...
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1answer
155 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
106 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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0answers
32 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 ...
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0answers
35 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
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1answer
659 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
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 ...
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2answers
175 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
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1answer
585 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
540 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
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1answer
72 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
276 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
361 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
207 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
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1answer
77 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
601 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
133 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
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4answers
4k 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, ...
