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Q&A Should I use ellipses or em dashes to denote pauses in speech?

em dashes are usually used to denote an interruption or sudden change — whether in dialogue, thought or narrative — ellipses are for pauses, again in all respects. 'I just don't see why— 'I d...

posted 10y ago by CLockeWork‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T03:53:45Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/14523
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar CLockeWork‭ · 2019-12-08T03:53:45Z (almost 5 years ago)
em dashes are usually used to denote an interruption or sudden change — whether in dialogue, thought or narrative — ellipses are for pauses, again in all respects.

> 'I just don't see why—  
> 'I don't care what you think,' Johan barked, turning from me before I could protest.

* * *

> 'She was just...' His face turned pale as his memory returned to that night.  
> 'Just _what_?' I asked, eager for more.

here are some resources:   
[Jodie Renner Editing](http://jodierennerediting.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/how-and-when-to-use-hyphens-dashes.html)  
[Novel Publicity](http://www.novelpublicity.com/2012/03/ask-the-editor-when-do-you-use-an-em-dash-when-do-you-use-an-ellipsis/)  
[Writer's Relief](http://writersrelief.com/blog/2008/03/serial-commas-ellipses-and-em-dashes/)

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2014-11-28T13:13:05Z (almost 10 years ago)
Original score: 10