The em dash can function like a comma, a colon, or parenthesis. Like commas and parentheses, em dashes set off extra information, such as examples, explanatory or descriptive phrases, or supplemental facts. Like a colon, an em dash introduces a clause that explains or expands upon something that precedes it.
What are the types of dashes? There are actually three different types of dashes: the em-dash, the en-dash, and the 3-em dash. The em-dash can be used to replace parentheses, colons, and commas. Generally, using the em-dash makes the writing style more informalu2014as if you were writing to an old friend.
Likewise What do you call the dash with the longest width?
The Em Dash
It is the longest of all dashes but will vary in length from font to font, depending on the width of that particular font. In modern fonts, the em dash is sometimes much longer than the width of an uppercase M, since modern fonts see the em as a guideline rather than a rule.
How do you type a long dash? For an em-dash, hold down the Alt key and type 0151, then release the Alt key. That’s it! For an en-dash, hold down the Alt key and type 0150, then release the Alt key. Pretty simple, right?
What is en dash and em dash?
There are two types of dash. … The shorter en dash (–) is used to mark ranges and with the meaning “to” in phrases like “Dover–Calais crossing.” The longer em dash (—) is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence.
How do you use a colon in a sentence? Colons are punctuation marks used to signal when what comes next is directly related to the previous sentence. They are used after complete sentences. It is especially important to remember that a colon is not used after a sentence fragment.
What is an em dash in Word?
You can insert an em dash or en dash in a Microsoft Word document using the Insert Symbol command or by using keyboard shortcuts. An em dash is a long dash which is the width of the letter m. An en dash is the width of the letter n. The dashes appear as follows: Em dash (—)
Which dash is about half the length of an em dash? Despite its name, the en dash has more in common with the hyphen than with the em dash. In fact, it helps to think of the en dash, which is half the length of the em, as a variant of the hyphen.
Do you capitalize after em dash?
No, you don’t capitalize after a dash. You capitalize at the beginning of a sentence, not in the middle. Regardless of the type of dash you use, you typically would not capitalize the first letter of the first word after the dash. The exception is in case of a proper noun.
What is colon example? A colon can be used to introduce a list. … For example, “Here’s a list of groceries I need: a loaf of bread, a quart of milk, and a stick of butter.” The words preceding the colon stand as a complete, grammatically correct sentence.
How do you write a list after a colon?
When listing items one by one, one per line, following a colon, capitalization and ending punctuation are optional when using single words or phrases preceded by letters, numbers, or bullet points. If each point is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end the sentence with appropriate ending punctuation.
What is an example of a dash? Dashes replace otherwise mandatory punctuation, such as the commas after Iowa and 2020 in the following examples: Without dash: The man from Ames, Iowa, arrived. With dash: The man—he was from Ames, Iowa—arrived. Without dash: The May 1, 2020, edition of the Ames Sentinel arrived in June.
How do you make a long dash in Word on a Mac?
Inserting an em-dash in Word. For Mac: press “option+shift+hyphen key”. Word will automatically convert it to an em-dash.
How do I insert an em dash? Fortunately, there are three easy methods:
- Press [Ctrl]+[Alt]+-. …
- Hold down the [Alt] key and type 0151 on the numeric keypad.
- Choose Symbol from the Insert menu, click the Special Characters tab, highlight the em dash, and click Insert.
How do you type a long dash on a Mac?
How to use the em dash keyboard shortcut on a Mac. Mac operating systems all have the same shortcut for the em dash, which makes the process quick and simple. Press Option + Shift + Minus (that’s -, the key right next to 0 at the top of your keyboard). The em dash will appear immediately.
What is a lowercase dash called? An en dash is a typographic dash that is as wide as a lowercase “n” character. These dashes are typically used to denote ranges of numbers, as in 3–7. You create an en dash by pressing Ctrl and the minus sign on the numeric keypad.
What is the difference between long and short dash?
Long dashes — what grammarians call em dashes — are dramatic. Those long straight lines draw your eye and hold your attention. … Short dashes show a range or connect words when the word to or and is implied.
How long is an em dash? The character is called an em dash because it is one em wide, a length that varies depending on the font size. One em is the same length as the font’s height (which is typically measured in points). So in 9-point type, an em dash is nine points wide, while in 24-point type the em dash is 24 points wide.
Is an em dash formal?
Use an em dash sparingly in formal writing. In informal writing, em dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought. Examples: … Again, a colon would work here in formal writing.
Do you use caps after a colon? When a colon introduces a list of things, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless it is a proper noun. When a colon introduces a phrase or an incomplete sentence that is meant to add information to the sentence before it, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless it is a proper noun.
How do you use em dash in dialogue?
To show an interruption of the spoken words, include an em dash inside the quotation marks, at the point where the dialogue is interrupted. “I knew you’d drop it.”
What do you call apostrophe S? When two words are shortened into one, the apostrophe replaces the missing letter(s). This combined word is called a contraction. Examples: It is or it has = it’s. (i t apostrophe s)
What are parentheses?
parenthesis Add to list Share. … When you use parentheses to set off material in a sentence, you say that the material is “in parenthesis.” Put something in parentheses if it’s a comment, an afterthought, or additional information that is possibly interesting but not essential to the subject.
What is punctuation mark colon? The colon : is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots placed one above the other on the same vertical line. A colon often precedes an explanation, a list, or to introduce a quoted sentence.
Should I use a colon or a dash?
Although they also have other uses, dashes and colons can both be used to introduce the next part of a sentence, and the difference between the two marks is subtle. A dash is a stronger and more informal mark than a colon. … A colon informs the reader that something more is coming along.
What Does a colon look like in writing?
The colon : is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots placed on the same vertical line. A colon often precedes an explanation, a list, or a quoted sentence.
Do you need a colon before a list? Use a colon before a series or list only if the words that introduce the list make up a complete sentence: To make a cake you need a few basic ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt.