Em-Dashes and En-Dashes get their names from the length of dash they represent.
An Em-Dash (—) is the same length as the lower-case m. Just to be sure, let’s compare them:
| — |
| m |
An Em-Dash is used for emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought.
He was the killer—Annabelle’s killer—and we never knew.
Put it here—on a coaster.
“Will you take out—” “I already did.”
I wonder if Lizzie—what’s for lunch?
An En-Dash is the same length as the lower-case n. Here’s the comparison:
| – |
| n |
An En-Dash is used as a substitute for the word “to” in time to time instances. It is also used in place of a hyphen with open compounds.
The Spring Set runs April–June.
The hermit lives on the Adams–Jefferson County border.
If you have questions, please post below!
Cicero Grade 