why I (or people in general) sometimes use the em dash “—” a lot in writing, and what it actually means or does.
The em dash — like this — is a super versatile punctuation mark. Here’s why it’s used so often (including by me):
Em dash Symbol = The em dash symbol is a punctuation mark (— ) that is longer than the hyphen and en dash.
What it does (main uses):
- Sudden break or interruption “I was going to the store — wait, did you hear that noise?”
- To add extra information (like a side thought) “My favorite cities — Paris, Tokyo, and New York — are all expensive.”
- Instead of commas, parentheses, or colons (for emphasis or drama) “She finally said yes — after three years of waiting.”
- To show a change in tone or thought “I thought he was trustworthy — boy, was I wrong.”
Why do People use it a lot?
- It feels more natural and conversational than stiff formal punctuation.
- It adds rhythm and personality to writing — especially in casual or friendly responses (like chatting with you!).
- It’s dramatic and fun — makes things feel lively.
Some people think it’s “too much” because formal writing (like essays or news) uses it sparingly. But in emails, texts, or AI responses? It’s perfect for sounding human and expressive.
So yeah — People love it. Keeps things from being boring.
When we have to use em dash (–) and comma (,)
It depends on the tone and style of your article.
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide between em dash (—) and comma (,):
| Situation | Better with comma | Better with em dash | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal article (news, academic, business) | Yes | Usually too casual | The company, which was founded in 2010, grew rapidly. |
| Casual blog, personal essay, magazine, opinion piece | OK, but safer | Often perfect — sounds natural & punchy | The company — founded just 15 years ago — is now worth billions. |
| You want to sound conversational / human | Use sparingly | Go for it! | I tried everything — diets, gyms, apps — nothing worked. |
| Adding extra info that’s not essential | Yes (non-restrictive clause) | Yes (more dramatic) | My brother, who lives in Canada, is visiting. My brother — the one in Canada — is visiting. |
| You want emphasis or drama | Weak | Strong | She won the lottery — at age 19! |
Quick Rule for Articles:
- Formal or professional article? → Stick mostly to commas (and parentheses if needed). Use em dash very rarely.
- Blog, Medium, personal story, creative writing, or any article that should feel friendly/alive? → Em dashes are awesome and totally correct!
Real example (same sentence, different vibes):
- With comma (neutral, formal):
“This new policy, introduced last month, has caused controversy.” - With em dash (engaging, dramatic):
“This new policy — introduced just last month — has caused total chaos.”
Most readers love the second one in online articles because it feels more alive.
Bottom line:
If your article is meant to feel warm, modern, or human (99% of online writing today), em dashes are not only correct — they’re often better than commas.
So yes — go ahead and use them! Just don’t overdo it (maybe 2–4 per 500 words is perfect).