Can you put a comma before an em dash?
The em-dash does not take comma after it. That’s because, as you said it correctly, it replaces a comma so you don’t need to put it again. An em-dash may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought.
How do you use an em dash with a comma?
In Place of Commas Use a pair of em dashes to set off an appositive that contains commas. Appositives are normally set off with commas, but when there are commas within the appositive itself, using em dashes instead helps avoid confusion.
What is the difference between an em dash and a comma?
An em dash is most often used to indicate a pause in a sentence. It’s stronger than a comma, but weaker than a period or semicolon.
Should there be spaces around an em dash?
Most writers (and style guides) use the em-dash without spaces on either side.
Do you capitalize after em dash?
Don’t capitalize the first word after an em dash unless the word is a proper noun.
Can an em dash replace a colon?
In informal writing, em dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought. Examples: You are the friend—the only friend—who offered to help me.
Do you put a space before and after an em dash APA?
There are two types of dashes in APA style: en dashes and em dashes. The en dash is shorter, named after the width of the letter “n,” and the em dash is longer, named after the width of the letter “m.” Each has distinct uses in writing. For both en dashes and em dashes, do not put any spaces before or after the dashes.
Do you put a space before and after an em dash MLA?
In the MLA Handbook, we show no space before and after dashes because that’s the standard format used by publishers in the United States. A student who follows that model will be sure of producing professional-looking work, at least as far as the dashes are concerned.