![]() ![]() You could also use it to link concepts in compound modifiers. If you’re not following AP style basics, you could use an en dash to link independent hyphenated terms. The Palmyrene Empire, AD 270–273, was great while it lasted.(You might pronounce this as, “Please read pages one-ten to sixty-thirty by Monday.”) Please read pages 110–6,030 by Monday.(Note that you don’t include spaces on either side of the en dash.) It would typically be spoken as a preposition. The en dash can replace conjunctions in ranges of numbers. It also can be used to show connections between two terms. The en dash’s proper uses are more limited than the em dash - when it’s even allowed. en dash, old shorty has the short end of the stick in terms of both physical length and usage. On the bathroom door remained a single mysterious glyph, scratched and weathered beyond legibility: “WOM-N.”.Charlie said, “It’s been ages since I’ve eaten this many french-fried po-s.”.B-, the scrivener, preferred not to leave work. Replace your censored, unintelligible or otherwise unspeakable content with two or three em dashes. Some people use dashes to replace omitted words, especially when attempting to preserve the integrity of quotes or transcribed language. She took the locket - her father’s gift, which she treasured - and inspected it. The third example is clearer now that the description of the watch is set off with a different type of punctuation:ģ. Sales are up 40% from last month, but here’s the really good news - profits are up 200%. The second tweak adds a dramatic delay and a casual feel at the end of the sentence:Ģ. As an experienced marriage counselor, I can attest to a single fact: Han - not Luke - was a good match for Leia.The first edit highlights the contrasting thought and slightly changes the timing of the joke: She took the locket, her father’s gift, which she treasured, and inspected it.īelow are the edits with dashes.Sales are up 40% from last month, but here’s the really good news: Profits are up 200%.As an experienced marriage counselor, I can attest to a single fact: Han (not Luke) was a good match for Leia. ![]() There are some minor issues with tone in the first two, and with clarity in the second. Here are some sentences that show various opportunities for dash usage. Colons can be stuffy and boring unless they’re in a Star Wars movie title, so let the em dash stand in if you need some flair. It can also replace commas in appositives to clarify a sentence. Using the em dash could be an alternative if your style guide doesn’t allow parentheses. As for the second usage, replacing missing or omitted words, that would definitely be something you should approach your editor about before attempting in professional writing. However, it’s best to use them when formal rigor isn’t necessary. Replacing commas, parentheses and colons is a common use for em dashes. It can also indicate missing words or parts of words. Use the em dash to replace other punctuation, especially commas, parentheses and colons. Instead of resorting to guessing and stupid luck, let’s talk about how to properly use em dash and en dash.įirst, we’ll talk about exactly when to use em dash in writing. They look so similar (and even sound similar!) so it’s easy to get confused. The en dash and em dash are often misused. en dash, the real differences come in how they are both used. Past the visual distinctions of em dash vs. The en dash lives up to it’s shorter name also in the fact that it has no spaces on either side of it. The en dash is known as the “short dash” and is usually used between numbers. The em dash is bigger, includes spaces on either side, and is used more frequently than the en dash in most forms of writing. The em dash is also known as the “long dash”. The biggest difference right off the bat is actually visually. What is the Difference Between Em Dash vs. Ell, em, en - oh, my! Since that’s probably not what you came here to discover, let’s get down to business and delve into em dash vs. That means you can recite over one-tenth of the English alphabet in order by pronouncing the names of units of length. An “ell” is an antiquated tailor’s and clothmonger’s measurement. In a contest of length featuring en dash vs. (Have I lost you?) In other words, if you have a 14-point typeface, one “em” equals 14 points. The em is a typography unit equal to the current point size of the type. I was thrilled beyond measure when I discovered the meaning behind the terms “em” and “en” while researching this article. ![]()
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