How To Use The Dashes In Writing
Use a dash to show that letters or words are missing.
How to use the dashes in writing. Place em dashes around non essential information or a list in the middle of a sentence like you would with commas. Two dashes can emphasize material in the middle of a sentence. The information inside the dashes is off topic. You might want to replace the use of a dash with a set of parentheses or even 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.
The two most common dashes are the em dash and the en dash. Em dashes so called because they are at least historically the width of the character m are used for emphasis or interruption. This works in microsoft word but not google docs. The en dash which is the width of the letter n. Dashes are usually considered to be informal.
Dashes are used to separate groups of words not to separate parts of words like a hyphen does. Some style and grammar guides even permit you to write a complete sentence within the dashes. It s longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. Em dashes are the width of you guessed it a capital m. 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.
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. Similarly limit the frequency of dash use in your writing. Take it out and the sentence makes sense. The words between a pair of dashes may or may not form a complete sentence. The great barrier reef the most extensive coral reef system on earth is estimated to be wiped out by 2050.
They are really f d up. Typically used in missing word questions in fact there are two kinds of dash. 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. Everything i saw in my new neighborhood from the graceful elm trees to the stately brick buildings reminded me of my alma mater.