The rules of when and where to use which kind of dash may seem complex and hard to understand, but they don't have to. Here's your guide to how to use em dashes, en dashes, and hyphens correctly.

The em dash is perhaps the most versatile punctuation mark. Depending on the context, the em dash can take the place of commas, parentheses, or colons ⁠—in each case to slightly different effect.

An em dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to create a strong break in a sentence, add emphasis, or indicate an interruption. It is longer than a hyphen (-) and en dash (–).

Dec 9, 2024 · There are three kinds of dashes: en dash, em dash, and double hyphen. The en dash and em dash appear frequently. While the double hyphen is found within some texts, its use is not as …

May 31, 2019 · The em dash is used to mark a break in a sentence, while the en dash is used to mark ranges. Don't confuse dashes with hyphens.

One of the most powerful, yet often overlooked punctuation marks is the em dash. This guide will walk you through its purpose, history, rules, and practical usage so you can master it in your own prose. 2. …

Mar 8, 2022 · An em dash is a punctuation mark that can be used to replace commas, parentheses, colons, and semicolons. In general, the em dash is seen as being more interruptive or striking than …

Em dashes [—] set apart parenthetical phrases or clauses in a sentence. It is longer than an en dash and three times as long as a hyphen and works similar to commas and parentheses. The em dash …

Jun 12, 2025 · What is an Em Dash? An em dash (—) is a type of punctuation similar to a hyphen, but about the width of a capital letter M. Em dashes gained popularity in the late 19th century and are …

May 13, 2025 · An em dash here, an em dash there—em dashes everywhere! While this little punctuation mark is many writers’ favorite, it has specific uses and should be utilized artfully for full …