Emdash fans!
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@mcc
Normally they belong on both sides. *However*, if the em dash represents interruption in mid-word, you only use a space afterward, not on both sides.Oh, and for those who want to back things up with a style guide? Spaces on both sides is Associated Press style.
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@mcc ummmm… you forgot ―much to my chagrin― one other option.
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@mcc ummmm… you forgot ―much to my chagrin― one other option.
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@mcc Voted yes — on both sides — but it's slightly more complicated. When using an em-dash as an interjection, I only add spaces to the right, but when I use em-dashes to denote parenthetical clauses, I use spaces on either side.
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@mcc indeed
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@mcc I didn't realize I was such an avid em-dash user until I implemented my static site code and had to add a special rule in thr markdown compiler to turn "--" into an em-dash.
I have no idea how to actually write an em-dash outside of my work email's WYSIWYG editor which auto converts the dashes...
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@mcc I don't use spaces, because Chicago, but that works best when you have a nice, long emdash. If you're making do with two endashes, adding spaces makes sense.
Also, one of my typographical pet peeves is an emdash at the start of a line.
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The latest episode of the 99% Invisible podcast is all about the emdash. Check it out:
https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/658-the-em-dash/ -
@mcc I was reading some UK source the other day that called the habit of placing spaces on either side an abominable Americanization. Or maybe it was the other way round. My actual preference is spaced en dashes where em dashes are called for, and unspaced en dashes where en dashes are most commonly used: to indicate a numeric range. That sounds weird but it doesn’t look weird imo. And I feel like different typefaces treat em dashes differently!
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@mcc My editor and I have different preferences in em dash use. This doesn't hurt my soul at all.
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@mcc and on char limited posts I may use an en-dash as an em-dash-declining auto-replacement, yes I know, annoying paperclip bot-and expect you to parse the grammar anyhow. The o'erweening curse of pedantry aside, and the grace bestowed by dashed communication obviating all else, we might celebrate all forms of dashery, be they em, en or haber, lest we dash an opportunity to impugn AI.
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@mcc@mastodon.social space on right if it's an interruption and the dialogue continues with the same person; no spaces otherwise. I voted no spaces.
examples:
- "I was talking to my fr— look out!"
- "I was talking to my fr—" ¶"Look out!" she screamed.
- Peaches are nice—when they're in season—but not as nice as mangos.
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@mcc I’m not a big emdash fan and generally don’t use them much (usually it’s the editor that converts my plain old dash to emdash), but spaces before and after
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@mcc it actually depends on if the emdashes are for print or ebook. For print, no spaces. For ebook spaces on both sides.
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I only put the space after it, because if there is a space before it, the M-dash can awkwardly begin a line by itself, depending on text flow. Without the space, the M-dash stays with the previous word and guarantees correct line breakage.
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@mcc Depends on how many characters are left in the post.
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