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The confusion with the three “dashes” can be confusing, but after viewing grammar expert Mary Norris of The New Yorker in her regular “Comma Queen” series (view the video below), it became much clearer. Also, if you are wondering, as I was, where the Em Dash is on your computer, it isn’t. Below are instructions for how to create it in your next document should you wish to:
The em-dash can be created on the PC by using holding down the ALT key and typing 0151 on the numeric keypad. Only the numbers on the right hand keypad do this, not the numbers above the letters.
On the Mac, press Shift-Option and the minus key to make en em-dash.
You can use — in HTML to add the em-dash to a website.
~GOOD GRAMMAR IS . . . Posts from the Archives:
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this is this week’s grammar topic, because I quite literally learned about em & en dashes yesterday. I didn’t even know they were a thing. Thank you for reinforcing my knowledge. The difference is much clearer now.
http://www.thestylishgrace.com