EM DASH Meaning and
Definition
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An em dash is a punctuation mark that is used to indicate a pause or break in a sentence or to set off a parenthetical phrase or clause. It is longer than a hyphen, typically the width of the letter "m" in the given typeface, hence the name "em" dash.
The em dash is commonly used to add emphasis, to introduce an explanation or clarification, or to indicate an abrupt change in thought. It can be used in place of commas, parentheses, or colons when a stronger or more noticeable break is desired. For example, "The concert—oh, it was extraordinary—left the audience mesmerized."
In addition to its uses in creating a dramatic or emphatic pause, an em dash can also be used to indicate interrupted speech or an unfinished thought. It can be helpful in conveying a sense of interrupted dialogue or sudden silence. For example, "I was just going to say—"
In typesetting, the em dash is most commonly represented by two consecutive hyphens (--), although some word processing software automatically converts the double hyphen to a single unbroken line. It is important to note that the em dash should not be confused with the shorter en dash, which is used for ranges or to connect two related words.
Overall, the em dash is a versatile punctuation mark that adds emphasis and clarity in writing by indicating pauses, interruptions, and changes in thought.
Common Misspellings for EM DASH
- wm dash
- sm dash
- dm dash
- rm dash
- 4m dash
- 3m dash
- en dash
- ek dash
- ej dash
- em sash
- em xash
- em cash
- em fash
- em rash
- em eash
- em dzsh
- em dssh
- em dwsh
- em dqsh
- em daah
Etymology of EM DASH
The term "em dash" derives from the name of the typography unit "em". The "em" is a unit of measurement in printing that is equivalent to the width of the uppercase letter "M" in a particular font. The em dash (—) is a punctuation mark that is as wide as the "em" in a specific font, hence the name "em dash".
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