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Grammarholic Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Em-dash format

In your opinion, what is the best way to format the em dash? 1, 2 or 3 below?

(1) Her qualities—perseverance, dedication and commitment—are admirable.

(2) Her qualities — perseverance, dedication and commitment — are admirable.

Or should we used the spaced en dash?

(3) Her qualities – perseverance, dedication and commitment – are admirable.
  

Top answer

The rule is no space on either side of the hyphen, n-dash, or m-dash.

— Mister Micawber

  • The rule is no space on either side of the hyphen, n-dash, or m-dash.
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3 Answers
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The rule is no space on either side of the hyphen, n-dash, or m-dash.
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Your personal preference is to use (1), then, correct?

And do you advocate the serial comma in your writing?
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GrammarholicYour personal preference is to use (1), then, correct?
It is not a personal preference; I have had to conform to the style manuals.
GrammarholicAnd do you advocate the serial comma in your writing?
I use it when I perceive imbalance or ambiguity.
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