Dashes

A dash is a single, unbroken line about the width of a capital M placed between two parts of a sentence. Because dashes are used for emphasis in a sentence, they should be used sparingly in formal writing.

Tips:

• No spaces are placed between the words and the dash.
• Do not overuse dashes. Too many dashes in one sentence or paragraph will make your writing choppy.
• Incorrect: 
  • I thought she could be trusted with my children-but I was very wrong!
• Correct:
  •  I thought she could be trusted with my children—but I was very wrong!
  • I thought she could be trusted with my children, but I was very wrong!