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Sources use dashes in varying ways, but for consistency and clarity the UniWiki adopts the following principles. | Sources use dashes in varying ways, but for consistency and clarity the UniWiki adopts the following principles. | ||
=== Punctuating a sentence (em or en dashes) === | |||
Dashes are often used to mark divisions within a sentence: in pairs (''parenthetical dashes'', instead of parentheses or pairs of commas); or singly (perhaps instead of a colon). They may also indicate an abrupt stop or interruption, in reporting direct speech. | Dashes are often used to mark divisions within a sentence: in pairs (''parenthetical dashes'', instead of parentheses or pairs of commas); or singly (perhaps instead of a colon). They may also indicate an abrupt stop or interruption, in reporting direct speech. | ||
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:: {{xt|Another "planet" was detected—but it was later found to be a moon of Saturn.}} | :: {{xt|Another "planet" was detected—but it was later found to be a moon of Saturn.}} | ||
*An en dash is ''spaced'' (that is, with a space on either side) when used as sentence punctuation: | *An en dash is ''spaced'' (that is, with a space on either side) when used as sentence punctuation: | ||
:: {{xt|Another "planet" was | :: {{xt|Another "planet" was detecte d– but it was later found to be a moon of Saturn.}} | ||
Dashes can clarify the sentence structure when there are already commas or parentheses, or both. | Dashes can clarify the sentence structure when there are already commas or parentheses, or both. | ||