Colons, Semicolons & Em Dashes
An em dash (—) is a versatile punctuation mark. Uses: (1) to add a dramatic or emphatic aside: "She did it — and she did it perfectly." (2) to replace commas for a non-defining clause (creates more emphasis): "My boss — who never admits mistakes — apologised today." (3) to introduce an explanation (like a colon, but more informal): "There was only one problem — money." Em dashes are more informal and dramatic than colons or semicolons.
An em dash (—) is a versatile punctuation mark. Uses: (1) to add a dramatic or emphatic aside: "She did it — and she did it perfectly." (2) to replace commas for a non-defining clause (creates more emphasis): "My boss — who never admits mistakes — apologised today." (3) to introduce an explanation (like a colon, but more informal): "There was only one problem — money." Em dashes are more informal and dramatic than colons or semicolons.
Practice
Which sentence correctly uses an em dash?
There was only one thing stopping usmoney.
Put the words in the correct order: