Quote:
Originally Posted by rhadin
Gmw gave you the answer but omitted one important aspect: the use for each dash  .
The em-dash is generally used to offset text; the en-dash is used in number ranges and when you are adding a prefix or suffix to an already hyphenated compound. In the instance of the hyphenated compound, the reason for using the en-dash rather than another hyphen is to make it clear that you are calling for an action other than that normally expected with the compound. (I'm sure that is clear as mud!) For example (- = hyphen; -- = en-dash; --- = em-dash):
- non--anti-inflammatory is used rather than non-anti-inflammatory because it is clearer that the compound anti-inflammatory needs to be seen as a single "word"
- "It is better---probably for everyone---that he not be telephoned." Here the em-dash is used to set off explanatory, but unnecessary to the sentence text.
It would be incorrect to use en-dashes in lieu of the em-dashes in #2, just as it would be incorrect to replace the en-dash in #1 with an em-dash. |
Number ranges? As in "He could get 5-10 in the big house for that murder" ? I would have used hyphen there.
Also, in number two,
"It is better---probably for everyone---that he not be telephoned."
I would have done
"It is better, probably for everyone, that he not be telephoned."
(actually I would not use that word order at all, but this is comma vs --- question so ignoring that)
Why use --- vs , there?
Thanks!