EM

EM (or EM dash) is a punctuation mark (—) used to indicate a sudden break in thought, an interruption, an emphasis, or to set off parenthetical material. It is often used in place of commas, parentheses, or colons for a more dramatic effect, and it's the widest of all common dashes. It can also represent a missing value, in cases of data or names.

EM meaning with examples

• I was walking down the street — a sudden clap of thunder shook the sky — when it started to rain. I never saw anything so scary in my entire life. The EM dash separates the unexpected event and highlights my sudden, startled reaction. It also introduces an unexpected break in the narrative, creating tension.
• He thought he was safe, but his past—his secret—threatened to destroy his present. The EM dash here draws attention to the 'secret', emphasizing its importance and the impact it could have. This creates suspense and highlights the hidden context.
• The data, specifically the values for X, Y, and Z—was incomplete. The report needed more information. The lack of information regarding this parameter meant the report was incomplete. The EM dash indicates an omission or lack of information in this instance, which is used to display its limitations.
• She considered three career paths: teaching, writing—specifically poetry—and law. The EM dash, used here like a colon, introduces a specific instance of the career path the subject may be pursuing. The emphasis clarifies exactly what writing career path she will take.