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. The longer em dash (—) is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence.
What is an EM hyphen?
The Em Dash: An Introduction
Like commas and parentheses, em dashes
set off extra information
, such as examples, explanatory or descriptive phrases, or supplemental facts. Like a colon, an em dash introduces a clause that explains or expands upon something that precedes it.
Is hyphen same as en dash?
An en dash is a mid-sized dash (longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash) that is mostly used to show ranges in numbers and dates. It can also be used for clarity in forming complex compound adjectives. The en dash derives its name from the fact that it
is meant to be the same width as the letter N
.
Why is it called en dash and em dash?
To begin with, an en dash is so named
because it is (or used to be in the days of typesetting) the width of an N. En
dashes are mostly used to connect number ranges. An em dash, logically, is the width of an M. Em dashes are typically used to set off information or add emphasis.
How do you use an em dash in a sentence?
Em Dashes. Em dashes
save the day when other punctuation would be awkward
. For instance, em dashes can replace parentheses at the end of a sentence or when multiple commas appear in a parenthetical phrase. After a split second of hesitation, the second baseman leaped for the ball (or, rather, limped for it).
How do I type an en dash?
If you have a numeric keyboard, hold down the Alt key and type 0151 for an em dash or
0150
for an en dash.
What are () called in English?
two dots over the word, and what it is called when a word is “within” ? – I don't really know what people call this. They are called
quotation marks
. And in the U.S, the () are called parenthesis, and the [] are called brackets.
What is em dash example?
Use em dashes in place of commas or parentheses to create a break in a sentence. Examples:
Please call my lawyer—Richard Smith
—on Tuesday. This sentence could also be written with commas or parentheses.
How do you use an en and em dash?
- The shorter en dash (–) is used to mark ranges.
- The longer em dash (—) is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence.
How do you use two dashes in a sentence?
Two
dashes can emphasize a modifier
. Words or phrases that describe a noun can be set off with dashes if you wish to emphasize them. Example: The fairgrounds—cold and wet in the October rain—were deserted. Example: Nettie—her chin held high—walked out into the storm.
How long is an em dash?
The character is called an em dash because it is one em wide, a length that varies depending on the font size.
One em is the same length as the font's height
(which is typically measured in points). So in 9-point type, an em dash is nine points wide, while in 24-point type the em dash is 24 points wide.
Where do you use an em dash?
The em dash can be
used in place of a colon
when you want to emphasize the conclusion of your sentence. The dash is less formal than the colon. After months of deliberation, the jurors reached a unanimous verdict—guilty. The white sand, the warm water, the sparkling sun—this is what brought them to Fiji.
Why is it called em?
An em is a unit in the field of typography, equal to the currently specified point size. … The name em was
originally a reference to the width of the capital M in the typeface and size being used
, which was often the same as the point size.
What are dashes used for in writing?
Use dashes
to set off an idea or an appositive within a sentence
. A dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to set off an idea within a sentence and may be used alone or in pairs. Dashes interrupt a thought in a more dramatic way than a phrase enclosed in commas, but less theatrically than parentheses.
How do you type an em dash without a numpad?
On a keyboard with no numeric keypad,
use a Fn (Function) key combination to type the numbers
. (The Fn key is usually to the right of the left-hand Ctrl key on the keyboard.) For example, on a US keyboard layout, the combination for an en dash should be Alt+Fn+mjim and for an em dash it should be Alt+Fn+mjij.
Is an em dash formal?
Em Dash: An em dash is the width of an m.
Use an em dash sparingly in formal writing
. In informal writing, em dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought.
