I suspect I’m preaching to the choir here, but the em dash is not the problem.
Yes, AI-generated writing overuses the em dash, which is where this poor punctuation mark got its bad reputation.
But it’s not just an issue of overuse—the em dash is part of larger sentence patterns that make writing sound generic and robotic.
For example:
1. Em dash + “which/where” clause + hedge phrase:
“AI tools can streamline your workflow—especially in situations where efficiency may be important.”
2. Em dash + multi-adjective padding
“The solution is effective—clear, practical, and scalable.”
3. Em dash + unnecessary restatement
“She submitted the report on time—in other words, she met the deadline.”
These all look familiar, right? In each of these cases, the em dash is used to add length without substance.
Paradoxically, the em dash used to make text sound more human, suggesting a pause or emphasizing a point. But it has been so abused in AI-generated writing that we now see it as AI-speak.
The answer isn’t to stop using the em dash completely. Really! You’re allowed to keep using the em dash! Just be aware of these patterns so you can use it like a person, not like a robot.