What is an M dash sentence?
We use the em dash in sentences to create a strong break to show an interruption, a change of thought, or to show emphasis. The em dash can be used in place of some commas, parentheses, colons, and semicolons. Notes: The em dash is mostly used in informal writing such as friendly letters, emails, and journals.
How do you use dashes correctly in a sentence?
Use dashes to mark the beginning and end of a series, which might otherwise get confused, with the rest of the sentence: Example: The three female characters—the wife, the nun, and the jockey—are the incarnation of excellence. Dashes are also used to mark the interruption of a sentence in dialogue: Example: “Help!
What do dashes in a sentence indicate?
The dash (—) is a mark of punctuation used to set off a word or phrase after an independent clause or a parenthetical remark (words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence). “A dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses.”
Where do you use an M dash?
An em dash is often used in place of a colon or semicolon to link clauses, especially when the clause that follows the dash explains, summarizes, or expands upon the preceding clause in a somewhat dramatic way.
How do you use an N dash?
An en dash should be used for clarity when one of the elements in a compound adjective is an open compound (made up of two words with a space between them) or when both elements contain hyphenated terms. In terms of clarity, this is especially helpful when one of the terms is a capitalized proper noun.
Why use a dash in a sentence?
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.
What is the difference between an M dash and a hyphen?
A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark that’s used to join words or parts of words. A dash is longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. The most common types of dashes are the en dash (–) and the em dash (—).
What is the meaning of ndash?
a. The width of a square or nearly square piece of type, used as a unit of measure for matter set in that size of type.
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.
What are the different types of dashes in a sentence?
The most common types of dashes are the en dash (–) and the em dash (—). A good way to remember the difference between these two dashes is to visualize the en dash as the length of the letter N and the em dash as the length of the letter M. These dashes not only differ in length; they also serve different functions within a sentence.
When to use an em dash in a sentence?
However, em dashes are more emphatic than colons. When you want to generate strong emotion in your writing or create a more casual tone, use em dashes. Compare these sentences: He is afraid of two things: spiders and senior prom. He is afraid of two things—spiders and senior prom.
When to use an en dash ( N Dash )?
1) In some styles, an en dash may be used where an em dash would normally go. In this case, the en-dash should have a space on either side. Five of us – Susan, Jeremy, Ian, Carlene, and Courtney – will be working on the project.
When to use a hyphen instead of a dash?
Exception: If one of the terms contains a hyphen, hyphens are generally used in the compound—not en dashes. The bridge is safe. It was a non-load-bearing column that was damaged. In most style guides, the n dash is recommended only for the two uses above. You may see the en dash in two other situations, however.