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PaperclipPerfector  1d ago (text post)   1480 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for January 18, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I make a point of using em-dashes whenever they're appropriate

But you're using them wrong.

  • Good: "author—well" (em dash with no spaces)

  • Okay (preferred by some publishers, though I personally see no need for it): "author – well" (en dash with spaces)

  • WTF: "author — well" (em dash with spaces)

Okay, what would be the correct unit of punctuation to separate two clauses with a space on either side?

I just gave you two options—either an em dash with no spaces (as I prefer), or an en dash with spaces (as, e. g., Steve Jackson Games prefers). Just don't use an em dash with spaces.

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