- Whats an em dash on keyboard how to#
- Whats an em dash on keyboard mac os#
In Mac OS X- hold down the option and shift keys and typing a hyphen.
Whats an em dash on keyboard how to#
It adds that “The hyphen is traditionally regarded as a poor substitute for the dash, but given the relative ease of typing the hyphen, its use in lieu of the dash seems to be on the rise, and many see nothing wrong in it.” How to type an em dash
The BBC online, use a hyphen surrounded by spaces (like – this). publishers, use an en dash (or the equivalent of two hyphens) surrounded by spaces (like - this). The online New York Times and most non-U.S. Some use the equivalent of three linked hyphens surrounded by a space on each side (like - this), and some omit the surrounding spaces (like-this). Grammarist explains that “Publications make varying style choices when it comes to rendering the em dash.” Note, however, that dashes are always more emphatic than commas.” Em dash Typography The editor adds that, “A pair of em dashes can be used in place of commas to enhance readability. Otherwise, confusion rather than clarity is likely to result.” Notwithstanding its versatility, the em dash is best limited to two appearances per sentence. Depending on the context, the em dash can take the place of commas, parentheses, or colons-in each case to slightly different effect. When an independent clause follows an em dash, do not capitalize the first word unless it is a proper noun.Īccording to The Punctuation Guide, “The em dash is perhaps the most versatile punctuation mark. Instead of a bullet to set off items in a list. It warns against using an em dash to do the following: Set key names in all caps-for example, CTRL or ALT. To set off a phrase or clause at the end of a sentence for emphasis. The information in your spreadsheet-numbers, formulas, and text-is stored in cells. Use one em dash on each side of the phrase. To set off a phrase that deserves more emphasis. Style guides get very upset if you use word spacing on either side of an em dash-so don’t! When to use an em dash?Īccording to the Microsoft Manual of Style: The em dash (-), based on the width of an uppercase M, is used primarily to set off sentence elements. Don’t you find it annoying-and you can tell me if you do, I won’t be hurt-when a writer inserts a thought into the midst of another one that’s not yet complete?” What is an Em Dash? It also-and this might be its worst sin-disrupts the flow of a sentence. “The problem with the dash-as you may have noticed!-is that it discourages truly efficient writing. Noreen Malone, senior editor at New York magazine, admits what everyone else thinks about those pesky em-dashes.