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How to Use Em Dashes (–), En Dashes (–), and Hyphens (-)

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650 points Stratoscope | 1 comments | 27 Mar 25 20:19 UTC | HN request time: 0.517s | source
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bangaladore ◴[27 Mar 25 21:08 UTC] No.43498204[source]▶
Somewhat off topic, however, I'm thoroughly convinced that there is a very high probability something is AI generated when I see Em dashes. Anyone else noticing this?

ChatGPT for example almost always uses them. I'm sure they are more common in academic writing, but its now super common on boards like Reddit.

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arduanika ◴[27 Mar 25 23:56 UTC] No.43499676[source]▶
So you're saying that when you see an Em dash in someone's prose, it's a big minus?
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bangaladore ◴[27 Mar 25 23:58 UTC] No.43499689[source]▶
As I said in another comment, it depends highly on the context and previous / alternative knowledge of the source.
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1. arduanika ◴[27 Mar 25 23:59 UTC] No.43499701[source]▶
(How about when you see a pun in an HN thread?)

:)