1. To indicate an abrupt change in thought or a dramatic pause:
* "I was about to leave—wait, did you say you saw him at the library?"
2. To set off a parenthetical element that is closely related to the main sentence:
* "The old house—once filled with laughter and life—now stood empty and silent."
3. To set off an appositive that is particularly long or complex:
* "He had a particular fondness for one book in particular—a tattered copy of 'Moby Dick' that he had inherited from his grandfather."
4. To introduce a list or series:
* "There were three things she wanted—a new car, a vacation to the Bahamas, and a lifetime supply of chocolate."
5. To separate contrasting elements:
* "She wanted to stay—but she knew she had to go."
6. To highlight a specific word or phrase:
* "The only thing he wanted was—peace."
7. To create emphasis:
* "I told you—don't touch it!"
Important Notes:
* Use em dashes (—), not hyphens (-) for the purposes listed above.
* Dashes should be used sparingly to avoid confusing the reader.
* In formal writing, use a comma or semicolon instead of a dash if the parenthetical element is relatively short and simple.
* Always use spaces on either side of an em dash.
Remember, using dashes effectively requires a good understanding of their purpose and how they can enhance your writing.