Em Dashes Are AI's Tell-Americans Rarely Use Them
AI leans on the em dash, but most readers don't. Write for clarity: favor periods, use dashes with intent, keep sentences short, and let structure do the heavy lifting.
AI Loves the Em Dash. American Writers Don't. Here's What To Do About It
One of the easiest tells of AI-generated copy is the em dash. Readers are spotting it because most Americans rarely use it. A recent YouGov survey found dashes among the least used punctuation marks in the U.S., just ahead of colons and semicolons.
People who consider themselves strong writers use rarer marks more often. For everyone else, the em dash, colon, and semicolon live in textbooks and lit classes. Meanwhile, most Americans are writing almost nothing beyond emails and texts.
Why this matters to working writers
Your audience is trained by short-form communication. Clear structure beats flashy punctuation. Overusing em dashes risks sounding robotic, even if the content is solid.
You don't have to avoid them. You just need intent. Use punctuation for function, not flair.
When to use the em dash (and when to skip it)
- Use an em dash to show a sharp break in thought or an interruption.
- Use it for a quick emphasis at the end of a sentence, if a period feels too flat.
- Avoid stacking multiple dashes in one paragraph. It drags the eye and reads like AI.
- Default to periods for clarity. Use commas or parentheses for softer asides.
- Pick a style and be consistent: Chicago (no spaces) vs. AP (spaces on both sides).
Semicolons and colons: practical rules
- Semicolons connect two complete, related thoughts. If in doubt, split them with a period.
- Colons introduce a payoff: a list, a definition, or a direct explanation.
- If the sentence feels precious, rewrite. Most readers prefer short and direct.
Make AI an assistant, not a fingerprint
- Set constraints in your prompts: "Use periods and commas. Avoid em dashes unless necessary."
- Ask for two options: one with simple punctuation, one with rhetorical style. Choose the clean version.
- Run a final pass: replace extra dashes with periods, cut filler, and tighten clauses.
If you use AI for drafting, train it on your style. Feed it approved samples. Keep a short guide: sentence length, punctuation preferences, voice notes, and banned words. That reduces cleanup and keeps your work consistent.
Fast edit checklist (use this before you publish)
- One idea per sentence. One purpose per paragraph.
- Replace stacked em dashes with periods or commas.
- Cut filler phrases and hedging: "just," "really," "in order to," "that."
- Read aloud. If you run out of breath, break the sentence.
- Scan for mixed styles (AP vs. Chicago). Pick one. Stick to it.
The macro trend: less writing, more signals
YouGov's research suggests most Americans write mainly emails and texts. That means readers reward clarity and structure, not ornamental punctuation. As a working writer, this is leverage. Clean syntax, short sentences, and consistent rhythm cut through.
Useful references
Improve your AI workflow (without the tell)
- Learn prompt constraints that control tone and punctuation.
- Build a reusable brief with examples, banned patterns, and formatting rules.
- Use AI for outlines and first passes; keep final phrasing human and context-aware.
If you want practical training on prompts and writing workflows, explore these resources:
Bottom line
Use the em dash with intent. Prefer periods. Keep sentences short. Let punctuation serve the idea, not the other way around.
That's how your work reads human-because it is.
