The Right Dash
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- gramme
So I'm tired of the worldwide inconsistency. For those that care/know:
When setting paragraphs, do you use Em dashes when completing thoughts, with no space on either side, or do you use En dashes with one space to each side? I see typically savvy designers do it both ways.
I was taught to use Em dashes for the above scenario, but now some typographers tell me that's old school or distracting.
- spendogg0
I prefer the En dash - the Em dash went out with the double space after the period.
- PonyBoy0
the NY Times uses em w/no spaces...
... the five+ magazines I've worked for all took that stance too... so I say go with the ol':
...thought—thought...
- Witt0
i was taught that you do like this (no space left/right of something you add to a phrase:
so they -they bla bla- went out.
and space it when it breaks the phrase:
they were both happy - and they left.
- gramme0
This is how I've done since college:
The right word—the word I'm looking for
January 7–March 9
Zeta-Jones
- Rand0
for a while I used em dash with spaces, all set to 75% horizontalscaling, but it was too much trouble, so now I'm back to em dash with no spaces
- gramme0
TYPE FASTER PEOPLE!
i have juan minute left in the day. I need answers.
- gramme0
that's dedication, Randall
- Witt0
i guess i didn't understand your question.
- skelly0
i prefer em (no spaces)
this is recent, as i used to prefer en (with spaces)
either is acceptable.
- monNom0
I think 'the elements of style' says something like en for splitting numerical data, em for perenthetic statements.
no spaces for either.
that said, do what looks good, or follow a styleguide
- gramme0
I've always went the Elements of Style route (using 3 diff. kinds of dashes with no spaces), but I've seen a lot of people lately, like VSA caliber and in my own office, who never use em dashes. Just wondering if it makes a difference...
Where's Typographica when you need him?
- neue75_bold0
each studio abides by different rules based on stylistic preference, there is no single almighty rule...
- skelly0
gramme, i believe all 3 examples you posted were the correct usage.
but i was also told that en with spaces could be substituted for an em with no spaces. only for sentences though.
as for numbers, dates, etc. it was the way you posted.
- acescence0
em dash no space is what chicago manual of style says, which just about every newspaper and university in this country follows, so i'd say that's safe.
- horton0
this is all very alarming, i hate the em dash. its ugly.
- fresnobob0
In the case of completing thoughts, I believe the typographically correct way is to use the em dash.
So.. anybody heard any good type humor lately?
- maky0
I think that the em is distracting in some fonts that have a relatively narrow body width or have a light page - personal opinion though if challenged I fall back on elements of
- taragee0
rules are folr fools
- CyBrain0
the NY Times uses em w/no spaces...
... the five+ magazines I've worked for all took that stance too... so I say go with the ol':
...thought—thought.. .
PonyBoy
(Oct 3 06, 14:55)----------------------------
I wish The New York Times was a credible example, but they don't even know not to use an apostrophe for plurals.
They will use the following: G.I.'s CD's, DVD's.