Space before/after emdash or not? [duplicate]

Solution 1:

Actually, the rules are fairly set on spaces before or after an "em-dash" -- you don't use them. If your style guide calls for spaces around a dash, you use a different character altogether, the "en-dash."

Wikipedia has a descent overview on dashes, especially noting the differnet ways to reflect either and em-dash or an en-dash.

• An em-dash can be written using the old HTML keycode —, which looks as follows ( — ), or by using the express unicode key U+2014 ( — ).
• An en-dash can be written using the old HTML keycode –, which looks as follows ( – ), or by using the express unicode key U+2013 ( – ).

The particulars of if you should include spaces or not around a dash may vary substantially by whatever style guide you are following. And the internet being largely free, you can no doubt find instances of em dashses surrounded by spaces or en dashes without.

Solution 2:

According to the Canadian Style Guide, there should be no space before or after an em dash.

This is the rulebook I usually stick to for class work. Having said this, I have seen people add a space before and after the em dash with the justification that it makes the text appear less clumped. I can't argue with that. Just to be safe, however, I wouldn't use spaces.

I also agree with the others that it depends on the style guide.