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The Em Dash: A Punctuation Mark Under Scrutiny

The em dash, often favored by writers across various genres, serves multiple purposes in writing. This versatile punctuation mark can replace commas or colons, highlight parenthetical information, or even summarize concepts at the end of sentences. However, recent discussions suggest that its ubiquitous use may now be perceived differently, especially among younger generations, who associate it with artificial intelligence, particularly ChatGPT.

This phenomenon, dubbed the “ChatGPT hyphen,” has garnered attention as highlighted by podcaster Daisy Reed in a recent episode of the LuxeGen podcast. Reed noted an instance where the clothing brand PrettyLittleThing’s rebranding announcement on social media was filled with em dashes, eliciting comments from users such as, “Including the ChatGPT hyphen [in this] is insane.”

The debate centers on the formatting of em dashes, which vary based on style guidelines. For example, the Associated Press (AP) style recommends placing spaces on either side of em dashes, leading to sentences structured like, “When her best friend arrived — a half-hour later than expected — Liz’s party finally began.” In contrast, other styles might omit these spaces, resulting in a denser appearance, as in, “When her best friend arrived—a half-hour later than expected—Liz’s party finally began.” Reed emphasized that leaving out spaces tends to feel characteristic of AI-generated text.

Reed and her co-host Sapna Rao discussed the growing trend of em dash misuse, offering tips for brands and individuals. They humorously suggested that companies seeking to maintain an authentic voice should reconsider their use of em dashes in promotional materials. Rao further advised that students utilizing AI for coursework should be mindful of their punctuation, warning, “If you’re at school and you’re using [ChatGPT] for your essays, take out the hyphens. I can always tell.”

The hosts clarified that they do not hold a negative view of ChatGPT. They acknowledged its utility for practical tasks, such as budget-friendly grocery shopping. Rao proposed that while it is acceptable to rely on AI tools, writers should first draft their original thoughts, then use AI for editing or reviewing before finalizing their work. This approach could prevent oversaturation of AI signatures, like the controversial em dash format.

Meanwhile, social media users have taken a keen interest in this new terminology. On X (formerly Twitter), one user expressed disbelief at how younger users have embraced the term “ChatGPT hyphen” to reference the em dash, highlighting the generational divide in punctuation preferences. Another user remarked on the irony that both ChatGPT and many aspiring writers have learned from the same journalist-driven styles, prompting reflection on the complexities of writing in the age of AI.

To further investigate this trend, I conducted a simple test with ChatGPT by generating a faux announcement for a new business rebrand. While the initial text was lively and engaging, it notably lacked any em dashes. Upon instructing the AI to rewrite the statement incorporating this punctuation, I received a version that also omitted spaces around the em dashes, reinforcing the association between this formatting style and AI-generated text.

The conversation around the em dash and its connection to AI highlights broader discussions about the evolving landscape of writing and communication in the digital age. As language continues to adapt, the implications for personal and professional expression remain significant.

Source
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