The Em Dash: Indicating Interruption, Definition, and Examples

📚 The Em Dash: Quick Study Guide

• ✍️ An em dash (—) is longer than an en dash (–) or a hyphen (-).
• 🛑 It can indicate a sudden interruption in thought.
• 🔑 It can set off a definition or explanation.
• ➕ It can replace commas, parentheses, or colons for emphasis.
• 💻 When an em dash is unavailable, two hyphens (--) are sometimes used as a substitute.
• 💡 Use em dashes sparingly for maximum impact. Overuse weakens their effect.
• ✏️ Em dashes can be used to set off appositives, creating a stronger break than commas.

📝 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following sentences correctly uses an em dash to indicate an interruption?
   1. A) I was thinking about—wait, what was I saying?
   2. B) I was thinking about, wait, what was I saying?
   3. C) I was thinking about; wait, what was I saying?
   4. D) I was thinking about: wait, what was I saying?
2. In which sentence does the em dash correctly set off a definition?
   1. A) The solution—a complex algorithm, was difficult to implement.
   2. B) The solution, a complex algorithm, was difficult to implement—
   3. C) The solution—a complex algorithm—was difficult to implement.
   4. D) The solution: a complex algorithm, was difficult to implement.
3. Which sentence uses an em dash to create a dramatic pause?
   1. A) She finally decided—to quit her job.
   2. B) She finally decided, to quit her job.
   3. C) She finally decided; to quit her job.
   4. D) She finally decided: to quit her job.
4. Which of the following best describes the purpose of an em dash?
   1. A) To connect words.
   2. B) To indicate a minor pause.
   3. C) To add emphasis or indicate a break in thought.
   4. D) To separate items in a list.
5. Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of an em dash as a substitute for parentheses?
   1. A) My brother—who is a doctor—arrived late.
   2. B) My brother, who is a doctor, arrived late.
   3. C) My brother(who is a doctor)arrived late.
   4. D) My brother: who is a doctor, arrived late.
6. Which of the following is the correct way to represent an em dash when the character is unavailable?
   1. A) ---
   2. B) - -
   3. C) --
   4. D) =
7. Which sentence uses the em dash to set off an appositive for emphasis?
   1. A) My favorite author, Jane Austen, wrote many novels.
   2. B) My favorite author—Jane Austen—wrote many novels.
   3. C) My favorite author: Jane Austen, wrote many novels.
   4. D) My favorite author(Jane Austen) wrote many novels.