Use dashes

Key Notes:

1. Definition of Dashes

  • Dashes are punctuation marks that indicate a pause or break in a sentence. They can add emphasis, indicate a change in thought, or set off additional information.

2. Types of Dashes

  • Em Dash (—):
    • Used to create a strong break in the structure of a sentence.
    • Often replaces commas, parentheses, or colons.
    • Example: “She was the best player on the team—everyone agreed.”
  • En Dash (–):
    • Used to indicate a range of values, such as numbers, dates, or time.
    • Example: “Read pages 10–20 for homework.”
  • Hyphen (-):
    • Not a dash, but often confused with it. Used to connect words or parts of words (e.g., in compound adjectives).
    • Example: “Well-known author.”

3. Uses of Em Dashes

  • To Indicate Interruptions:
    • Example: “I was thinking—no, I wasn’t thinking—about the consequences.”
  • To Add Emphasis:
    • Example: “There is one thing I can’t stand—lies.”
  • To Set Off Parenthetical Information:
    • Example: “The conference—originally scheduled for May—has been postponed.”

4. Uses of En Dashes

  • To Indicate a Range:
    • Example: “The years 2000–2020 saw significant changes in technology.”
  • To Connect Related Concepts:
    • Example: “The Boston–New York train is on time.”

5. Formatting Dashes

  • Em Dash: Typically typed without spaces before or after (e.g., “word—word”).
  • En Dash: Also typed without spaces (e.g., “10–20”).

6. Avoid Overuse

  • While dashes can be effective for emphasis, overusing them can make writing appear chaotic. Use them judiciously for clarity.

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