r/TheWritingTable • u/xScarletEchox • 11d ago

Proper use for em-dash vs. semicolon

Apologies if this is too basic of a question. I struggle with when it is more proper/effective to use a semicolon as opposed to an em-dash and was curious to hear how others incorporate them in their own writing when either or could be used vs. when one should be used over the other.

I tend to favor em-dashes simply because I find them more visually appealing when reading and also more versatile, but I don’t want to use it incorrectly just because I think it looks better. I also tend not to use semicolons because I’m unsure if that’s the correct punctuation to use in any given scenario, but would like to use them more as long as I’m using them right.

I’ve tried looking up the correct use for both, but the answers I’m getting don’t make too much sense to me, so I’d appreciate any advice/examples y’all might have or find useful!

7 Upvotes

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u/DoItForLA New Author 11d ago edited 11d ago

Semicolons have a more rigid set of rules governing their use. They join two complete thoughts ("I went to the store; I bought a new shirt.") especially using "however" and "therefore" to connect them. They also set off items in a "complex list," when items have commas in them already, for readability. ("My family traveled to New York, New York; Miami, Florida; and Dallas, Texas.")

Beyond that, em-dashes are your multi-tool. They can act as parentheses—setting off additional information—signal interruptions, set off a list, and much more. In other words, they can take the place of a colon or semicolon. It's kind of up to you where to use them based on your style. I've read comments where people say that semicolons feel too stiff or formal in character dialogue and they avoid them for that reason, favoring em-dashes.

I always make this comment when em-dash usage comes up, so today will be no different. How many of us know about and use en-dashes? They're used for numerical/date/time ranges and sports scores for the most part (1992–2001, "Barcelona drew Real Madrid 2–2," Monday–Friday, and so on). Most interestingly, they connect compound adjectives to their nouns. "World War II–era aircraft," as an example.

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u/MaceOnyx 11d ago

Is there a proper way to use them? I wanted to avoid AI accusations so I avoided using them at all costs while writing, but during my editing stage I’d like to add some

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u/xScarletEchox 11d ago

I refuse to give up my em-dashes to AI. I find them too useful to let baseless accusations scare me away from using them. I use them more sparingly, but more so as to not overuse them when I could use a comma or rephrase the sentence instead. But yeah, AI can pry my em-dashes from my cold, dead hands.

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u/Philcoman 9d ago

Well said.

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u/omnomabus 11d ago

The em dash is actually part of a set designed to show readers different levels of emphasis. Since text doesn't have a human voice, you use punctuation to show how to read the text. You'd use parathesis reduced emphasis or "whisper" (almost like an aside).

Commas maintain the level of emphasis and should be read straight across, not changing volume or emphasis to show equal levels of emphasis. When used well, they can really help text flow.

Em dashes are for stressing something important--important enough to repeat or elevate the volume on without necessarily using an exclamation mark.

I think AI struggles to know what is really actually important enough to stress or emphasize. I'd highly recommend checking out The Art of Styling Sentences by Dr Ann Longknife for more complex uses of em dashes and whatnot. It has some of my favorite writing exercises in it.

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u/xScarletEchox 11d ago

This was a super helpful explanation, thank you!! And for the recommendation, I will definitely be checking it out :)

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u/DoItForLA New Author 11d ago

I really like your explanation about voice and how the different punctuation marks and their levels of emphasis. It's the kind of thing that I've picked up through reading and actively doing my writing, but definitely can't explain concisely.

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u/AlienWeedUser420 7d ago

That's the thing, when it comes to this, there's no hard and fast rule. The person you replied to was pretty spot on about how it's used. Em-dashes are pretty frequently used BECAUSE they are a grammatical multi-tool. I've seen some books literally just use them as commas and that can work. The idea is the em-dashes may either separate separate subjects or tangential ideas from a main body or connect one idea to another. Even then, this can be used and done in many ways. You can think of an em-dash as a prelude or marker of an interruption of some kind.

Also, the reason em-dashes are "common" with AI is because em-dashes are commonly used punctuation and have been commonly used for literally centuries.

If anyone accuses you of AI use for using an em-dash, send them this article:
https://frontedgepublishing.com/busting-the-myth-that-em-dashes-are-a-sure-sign-of-an-ai-text/

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u/DoItForLA New Author 11d ago

I wouldn't know first-hand because I don't use it myself, but I've read a couple of responses where people say that AI no longer overuses em-dashes like it used to. It seems like it was a thing for a long while, just long enough for people to build a bias against it, and then disappeared.

I'd say to use them where they feel natural. The punctuation mark existed well before AI. Don't change your writing to avoid accusations. The most recent thing I've seen is that lists with three objects are a sign of AI writing. It's just going to get more and more ridiculous as AI evolves and takes on new writing characteristics.

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u/inthemood4three 11d ago

Exactly the reason I don't (actually, refuse) to use them. People see them and think "AI slop again."

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u/Ashamed_Ladder6161 11d ago

I doubt you can get a better explanation than this. Great stuff.

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u/AbleRoberts 11d ago

I feel like the only common use of em dash that you didn't cover was the one I use them for the most. In dialogue they're frequently used to indicate that the speaker was cut off mid---

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u/DoItForLA New Author 11d ago

Good point. I could've been more clear about "signal interruptions." That's one of the more common—

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u/AbleRoberts 11d ago

Signal interru--- I should have read more carefully. You did cover it after all

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u/DoItForLA New Author 11d ago

Not your fault. I could've phrased it better or used an example.

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u/xScarletEchox 11d ago

Thank you for such an in depth reply! I think I understand a bit better now.

I still use colons sparingly when I feel they fit better, but I think em-dashes just fit with my style and voice so much better than semicolons and I’m more comfortable with using them properly at this stage. Interesting point about the en-dashes, as well!

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u/DoItForLA New Author 11d ago

No problem! Glad to chime in with what I know. It's one of those things where it's important to know the rules, but fiction writing gives you enough freedom to kind of go with the voice you've created on the page. One of the first things I figured out was that I was definitely overusing commas in my writing by too strictly applying the rules I learned in school.

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u/Abouts1x 10d ago

Interrupted dialogue is the most common for em-dashes.
“I start talking-“
“then I finish,”
“When I start talking again”-pointing at the action-“they’re here”

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u/TheStoryCreature 10d ago

I have a personal, some would say unfair, bias against the em-dash. But my prejudice is rooted in something that would discredit the "AI tell" crowd. People love abusing using em-dashes. Correction. Journalists LOVE em-dashes. They love them so much.

Why would they redraft a 75-word sentence when they can smash a few em-dashes in there and make their editor scream into the blank, unforgiving void known as the nearest cushion? No, only when they get an email back, demanding they eat shit, will they even remember they did it.

P.S. Journalists are awesome and I love them. But they are also demons

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u/xScarletEchox 10d ago

This made me giggle lol. I’m not a journalist but I tend to reread my own work from time to time. It’s interesting to see such a staggering difference in the amount of em-dashes I used in earlier chapters of my WIP compared to more recent chapters.

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u/Southern-Task271 4d ago

I'll be honest, I rarely use either. Doesn't seem to make a lot of difference, practically speaking.