Did you know that dashes are informal punctuation? When writing a formal letter or another kind of document,
you should always try to avoid informal punctuation symbols
. Dashes are one example; exclamation marks are another. … Dashes can be replaced by several other punctuations including commas, colons and brackets.
Why should you avoid a dash in formal style?
In formal writing,
avoid using dashes unless they are really necessary
. … Remember not to overuse dashes: doing so can cause confusion or make your writing sound choppy. Note: In American style it is not necessary to put a space on either side of the em dash, but British style does require a space on either side.
Can you use dashes in academic writing?
Although
en or em dashes are acceptable in scholarly
prose, they are less formal than colons and often suggest an aside or afterthought, so excessive use of this construction (in every sentence, for instance) is poor style, and as a general rule no more than one parenthetical or explanatory clause marked by dashes …
Are dashes unprofessional?
Whether or not you use spaces around your em dashes (word—word or word — word) is a matter of style. … Using a single
hyphen
instead of an em dash can confuse readers and make your writing look unprofessional.
Are dashes more formal than brackets?
A pair of em dashes can replace a pair of parentheses.
Dashes are considered less formal than parentheses
; they are also more intrusive.
When should you use dashes in writing?
- To set off material for emphasis. Think of dashes as the opposite of parentheses. …
- To indicate sentence introductions or conclusions. …
- To mark “bonus phrases.” Phrases that add information or clarify but are not necessary to the meaning of a sentence are ordinarily set off with commas. …
- To break up dialogue.
What are dashes used for in writing?
A dash is a little horizontal line that floats in the middle of a line of text (not at the bottom: that's an underscore). It's longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. Dashes are used
to separate groups of words
, not to separate parts of words like a hyphen does.
Is it bad to use dashes in writing?
The problem with the dash—as you may have noticed! —is that
it discourages truly efficient writing
. It also—and this might be its worst sin—disrupts the flow of a sentence.
Can you overuse the em dash?
Em dashes are extremely versatile, but
they should not be overused
. If you have an em dash in every other paragraph, for instance, take a moment to come up with a different sentence construction or punctuation mark instead. Overuse dilutes their emphasis and can make your writing choppy.
Why do writers use long dashes?
Em dashes can also
signal an interruption
or a sudden change in the direction a writer was heading with a particular sentence.
What is the difference between dashes and brackets?
Dashes and parentheses indicate
an “aside”
to the point you are making in your sentence. Although sometimes considered interchangeable, each serves a specific purpose in your writing. Dashes interrupt your writing to insert an interjection or pause, while parentheses gently add information to your point.
Is the dash informal?
Note that
dashes are rather informal
and should be used carefully in writing. Dashes are often used informally instead of commas, colons and brackets. A dash may or may not have a space on either side of it.
How do you use dashes in writing?
- To set off material for emphasis. Think of dashes as the opposite of parentheses. …
- To indicate sentence introductions or conclusions. …
- To mark “bonus phrases.” Phrases that add information or clarify but are not necessary to the meaning of a sentence are ordinarily set off with commas. …
- To break up dialogue.
When should you use dashes in a sentence quizlet?
In informal writing, em
dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought
. Examples: You are the friend—the only friend—who offered to help me.
What are some examples of semicolons?
Examples of Semicolons: Joan likes eggs; Jennifer does not.
The cat slept through the storm
; the dog cowered under the bed. Semicolons are also used in a sentence when something stronger than a comma is needed.
How do you use em dash in dialogue?
Use an em dash
if the speaker stops mid-word
, in the same way as you'd use a hyphen. Put it inside the closing quotation marks. Use an em dash if the speaker's able to complete a word, but someone or something stops them before they finish their thought. Put it inside the closing quotation marks.
