Post by jeannerené on Jun 2, 2007 21:34:49 GMT -8
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctutaion
www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/dashes.asp
DASHES
En Dash
An en dash, which is a little longer than a hyphen, is used for periods of time when you might otherwise use to. With an en dash, spacing is dependent on your computer. On a PC, an en dash is made by using ALT + 0150 (hold down the ALT key and type 0150 on the numeric keypad), with a space before and after it. If you are using a Mac, press the option key and the hyphen key to form an en dash.
Examples
The years 2001 – 2003
January – June
Em Dash
Use an em dash sparingly in formal writing. Don't use it just because you are uncertain about correct punctuation. In informal writing, em dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought.
On a PC, an em dash is made by using ALT + 0151 (hold down the ALT key and type 0151 on the numeric keypad), with no spaces before or after. It looks like this: — On a Mac, an em dash is made by striking Option, Shift, Hyphen.
Example
You are the friend—the only friend—who offered to help me.
Never have I met such a lovely person—before you.
I pay the bills—she has all the fun.
A semicolon would be used here in formal writing.
I need three items at the store—dog food, vegetarian chili, and cheddar cheese.
Remember, a colon would be used here in formal writing.
My agreement with Fiona is clear—she teaches me French and I teach her German.
Again, a colon would work here in formal writing.
Please call my agent—Jessica Cohen—about hiring me.
Parentheses would work just fine here instead of the dashes.
I wish you would—oh, never mind.
This shows an abrupt change in thought and warrants a dash.
While there are many more possible uses of the em dash, by not providing additional rules, I am hoping to curb your temptation to employ this convenient but overused punctuation mark.
www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/dashes.asp
DASHES
En Dash
An en dash, which is a little longer than a hyphen, is used for periods of time when you might otherwise use to. With an en dash, spacing is dependent on your computer. On a PC, an en dash is made by using ALT + 0150 (hold down the ALT key and type 0150 on the numeric keypad), with a space before and after it. If you are using a Mac, press the option key and the hyphen key to form an en dash.
Examples
The years 2001 – 2003
January – June
Em Dash
Use an em dash sparingly in formal writing. Don't use it just because you are uncertain about correct punctuation. In informal writing, em dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought.
On a PC, an em dash is made by using ALT + 0151 (hold down the ALT key and type 0151 on the numeric keypad), with no spaces before or after. It looks like this: — On a Mac, an em dash is made by striking Option, Shift, Hyphen.
Example
You are the friend—the only friend—who offered to help me.
Never have I met such a lovely person—before you.
I pay the bills—she has all the fun.
A semicolon would be used here in formal writing.
I need three items at the store—dog food, vegetarian chili, and cheddar cheese.
Remember, a colon would be used here in formal writing.
My agreement with Fiona is clear—she teaches me French and I teach her German.
Again, a colon would work here in formal writing.
Please call my agent—Jessica Cohen—about hiring me.
Parentheses would work just fine here instead of the dashes.
I wish you would—oh, never mind.
This shows an abrupt change in thought and warrants a dash.
While there are many more possible uses of the em dash, by not providing additional rules, I am hoping to curb your temptation to employ this convenient but overused punctuation mark.
