How To Use The Dashes In Writing

You might want to replace the use of a dash with a set of parentheses or even commas.

How to use the dashes in writing. Em dashes so called because they are at least historically the width of the character m are used for emphasis or interruption. Place em dashes around non essential information or a list in the middle of a sentence like you would with commas. The em dash is the longest of the dashes and is used to indicate a pause for added effect emphasis an added thought or a change in thought. Dashes are used to separate groups of words not to separate parts of words like a hyphen does. Although many people call the hyphen a dash dash refers to another group of horizontal lines in text.

Some style and grammar guides even permit you to write a complete sentence within the dashes. The information inside the dashes is off topic. Typically used for offensive words i will look the children. The reason for using an en dash with such compounds is to send a subtle signal to the reader that the prefix belongs to the entire compound not just the first word of it. It s longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause.

To create an em dash this way use 2014 alt x type 2014 then hit the alt key and keep it pressed down while hitting the x key then release both keys at the same time. A dash is a little horizontal line that floats in the middle of a line of text not at the bottom. The great barrier reef the most extensive coral reef system on earth is estimated to be wiped out by 2050. Similarly limit the frequency of dash use in your writing. En dashes are also used to connect a prefix with an open compound.

To properly use a dash in an english sentence start by identifying which dash you should use. They can be used on their own or in pairs to offset a word or phrase. The material inside the dashes relates to the information in the rest of the sentence but it acts as an interruption to the main point that you re making. It should be reserved to emphasize a limited number of important points. Typically used in missing word questions in fact there are two kinds of dash.

Use a dash to show that letters or words are missing. Em dashes are the width of you guessed it a capital m. The two most common dashes are the em dash and the en dash. Take it out and the sentence makes sense. This works in microsoft word but not google docs.