Em Dash Definition with Examples for Dramatic Effect in Writing

📚 Quick Study Guide

🖋️ The em dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a sudden break in thought, an interruption, or to add emphasis. It's longer than an en dash (–) and a hyphen (-).

✏️ Use a single em dash to set off an introductory element: *Example:* Running late — as usual — he grabbed his keys and dashed out the door.

📝 Use a pair of em dashes to set off a parenthetical element: *Example:* The dog — a golden retriever named Max — loves to play fetch.

💡 Em dashes can replace commas, semicolons, colons, or parentheses to create a specific effect.

📢 Overusing em dashes can weaken your writing, so use them sparingly for dramatic effect.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following sentences uses an em dash correctly?
1. A. I need to buy milk—eggs, and bread.
2. B. The car—which was red—sped past.
3. C. She said—that she would be late.
4. D. He went to the store—but it was closed.
2. What is the primary purpose of an em dash?
1. A. To indicate possession.
2. B. To connect compound words.
3. C. To create a dramatic pause or break in thought.
4. D. To separate items in a list.
3. Which sentence uses em dashes to set off a nonessential clause?
1. A. My sister—she is a doctor—is coming to visit.
2. B. My sister, she is a doctor, is coming to visit.
3. C. My sister; she is a doctor; is coming to visit.
4. D. My sister: she is a doctor: is coming to visit.
4. What punctuation mark is closest in function to an em dash when setting off parenthetical information?
1. A. Colon
2. B. Comma
3. C. Semicolon
4. D. Period
5. Which of the following is an incorrect use of the em dash?
1. A. The movie—it was amazing—kept me on the edge of my seat.
2. B. I love to read—especially mysteries.
3. C. He is—always—late for everything.
4. D. She went to the store—and bought some fruit.
6. Which sentence uses an em dash to emphasize a word or phrase?
1. A. I need to remember to buy groceries—milk, bread, and eggs.
2. B. There is only one thing I want—success.
3. C. She went to the park—because it was a nice day.
4. D. He loves to play—video games all day.
7. In which sentence does the em dash replace a comma effectively for dramatic effect?
1. A. The dog—barked loudly at the mailman.
2. B. She wanted to go to the beach—but it was raining.
3. C. He arrived late—as always.
4. D. I saw him—yesterday at the store.