What’s the difference between an Em and En dash?
The em dash and en dash are often misused or confused with each other especially in a British and American English spelling context. In this article, I’ll explain the main differences between them and give you some tips on how to use them correctly in your writing.
These two dashes can either link or separate ideas in sentences. They are both bold marks of punctuation to be used with care and a little flair!
The ʺem″ dash (—), so-called as it represents the printer’s measure equivalent to a lowercase “m”.
In American English, the use of the ʺem″ dash (—) is preferred.
Tips
1. Use a pair of em dashes to insert information into the middle of a sentence than a pair of commas. Information between dashes gets more noticed.
The art of the Italian Renaissance—including the works of Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian—influenced Europe for centuries.
Many consider Verdi’s Othello—based on Shakespeare’s story of a marriage ruined by jealousy—as the greatest of Italian tragic operas.
2. Use the em dash to add illustrations, examples, or summaries to the end of sentences to give emphasis to any addition.
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was a great accomplishment for an artist in bad health—and completely deaf.
Dvorak’s New World Symphony reflects musical themes the composer heard in the United States—including Native American melodies and black spirituals.
3. The Em dash can also be used to highlight interruptions, especially in dialogue. The interruption can even be punctuated.
Jane mumbled, “The movie lasted—I can hardly believe it—3 hours!”
“When—perhaps I should say if—I ever sit through a James Bond movie, I expect to be paid for it,” Philippe remarked.
4. Use the Em dash to set off items, phrases, or credit lines.
Lav Diaz, Ezra Edelman, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Mariano Llinás—these directors made the longest films.
Members of the audience were asked
—to withdraw applause between movement
—to remain silent
—to turn off their mobile phones.
Extra tip!
5. Don’t use too many dashes. They can clutter a passage. One pair per sentence is the limit.
WRONG: Mozart—recognized as a genius while still a child—produced more than six hundred compositions during his life—including symphonies, operas, and concertos.
RIGHT: Mozart, recognized as a genius while still a child, produced more than six hundred compositions during his life —including symphonies, operas, and concertos.
The En dash (–), so-called because it has the width of a typesetter’s letter “n”.
1. It is used to show an inclusive range.
The reading session was 6–8 pm.
I have to study chapters 3–5.
2. In a UK spelling context, the En dash is preferred, in lieu of the em dash, for parenthetical expressions.
She ordered a chocolate croissant – gluten and dairy-free one – from the bakery Paul.
3. Similarly, in British spelling, the en dash is used for afterthoughts or asides, indicating pauses in hesitant speech, etc.,
Charles Beslay, participated in the revolution of July 1830; disappointed by its outcome – a liberal monarchy succeeding the absolute monarch – he enlisted in several republican societies.
4. or for interrupted or stuttering speech.
“She – she – she pretended not to know me when I stopped her at Borough Market”.
Just like any other punctuation signs, dashes are there to help us better understand the ideas conveyed. They give us the option to emphasize, pace, and add a little flair to the sentences!
Shortcuts:
Em dash:/Ctrl⁺ΑLT⁺Minus/ or type /ALT ⁺ 0151/
En dash: /Ctrl⁺⁺Minus/ or type /ALT ⁺ 0150/