Why Real Writers Still Claim the Em Dash AI Overused

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Then, robots started to write. And we’re on board with that, assuming there’s still human oversight. AI can be an excellent tool for structuring ideas, fine-tuning messaging and saving time. However, these large language models (LLMs) were trained on decades’ worth of content across the web created by actual, professional writers. The majority of those writers used em dashes as standard practice, and AI ran with it. For miles. Journalism’s most cherished symbol became obnoxiously overused almost overnight, with studies showing LLMs (and especially ChatGPT) inserting it at rates that make real writers look suspicious by association. Now, many readers automatically, and often incorrectly, view em dashes as an AI-writing red flag. It’s not just us sensing this shift. Washington Post, TIME and others have covered the ironic twist of events, given that the same people who use em dashes most, typically lean on AI the least. But we writers won’t back down. We refuse to accept this as a new “no-no” in our content. Here’s why we plan to still proudly use the em dash that we claimed first. But First: Hyphens vs. En Dashes vs. Em Dashes No, they’re not all the same. Yes, it’s important to differentiate them. Hyphens (-) should never cause mid-sentence pause. They’re solely for connecting words or parts of words, like compound adjectives (i.e., full-service) or prefixes (i.e., re-enter). En Dashes (–) are hyphens about as wide as an “N,” hence the name. They’re typically used to show ranges or relationships, such as “2021–2026” or “Phoenix–Scottsdale.” Em Dashes (—) are the same width as “M,” with the longer letter indicating a longer, more expressive break in thought. The Pre-AI Origin of Em Dashes Em dashes in modern English likely date back to the 1400s, but a long, horizontal stroke called virgula plana first appeared in Italian medieval manuscripts well before then. It more officially took off in the 1700s among novelists mimicking the “messier” rhythms of human speech. The em dash was common in newspapers by the 1800s. Then in 1953, when the first AP Stylebook was publicly released, it became part of routine newsroom training for journalists, wire editors and PR writers. We still follow its latest version today. Wait, no. That can’t be right. Because Rasheed (and countless others like him on the internet) said so: Dizzying discourse like this has forced writers into a heartbreaking dilemma: Do we sacrifice our beloved dash to avoid being mistaken for AI? Or do we continue using it and hope our readers understand it came from a brain, not a bot? Why AI Platforms Love Em Dashes So Dearly We know real writers defined the distinct style of AI-generated responses; not the other way around. But why did these tools, namely ChatGPT, overcommit to this particular punctuation? The most plausible explanation is that AI wants to sound human, and em dashes capture the most human parts of everyday conversation — our imperfect interruptions and innate emphases. For good measure, we asked ChatGPT ourselves. It said: “AI tries to mirror the kind of polished, professional prose that sits between journalism, content marketing and personal essay.” Then, it subtly roasted itself: “I’m very aware of the current public perception. The issue is that AI made em dashes too frequent, predictable and evenly distributed. Human writers use em dashes with taste, instead of like a universal adapter.” So, there you have it. When Not to Dismiss Em Dashes as an AI Giveaway It’s hard to tell with black-and-white certainty whether em dashes stemmed from a keyboard or an algorithm. AI writing detectors aren’t much help beyond educational settings either, with some tools falsely flagging fully human writing up to 78% of the time. But in general, don’t write off content due to em dashes if it: Came from a reputable source/brand. Lists a real author, ideally with a bio containing their credentials. Separates em dashes with spaces on both sides, per AP style. AI tends to close words around the dash. Uses em dashes to enhance flow in ways other punctuation can’t. AI often carries a TED Talk-like cadence, adding them in places where a period or comma would easily suffice. Incorporates em dashes naturally and sparingly. As who-wrote-what scrutiny rises, many writers have begun to punctuate with caution. To that last point, the writers of Aker Ink say phooey. We’ll keep using it like the generations of word-wielders before us, because it’s always been ours — whether ChatGPT or confidently wrong online commenters like it or not. Want to elevate your content with expert, unmistakably human writers? Let’s talk. By Hannah Pollard | 2026-07-10T11:42:19-07:00 July 6th, 2026 | All Things AI, Content | Comments Off on In Defense of the Em Dash: Why Real Writers Still Claim AI’s Favorite Punctuation Related Posts What Business Leaders Need to Understand About Search & Discoverability in the Age of AI April 14th, 2026 Where Does Your Brand Stand in AI Search? Find Out with Aker Ink’s GEO Readiness Audit April 2nd, 2026 When AI Backfires: How Misuse Is Undermining Marketing Efficiency March 26th, 2026 2026 Hits Play: Aker Ink’s Top Blogs of 2025 (According to You) December 18th, 2025 What You Need to Know About Google’s AI Overviews December 1st, 2025 SEO vs. GEO: How Businesses Can Improve Visibility in AI Search August 22nd, 2025 Helping growth-oriented businesses break through barriers to achieve more awareness, thought leadership, leads and revenue. Careers Media Resource Center CONNECT Aker Ink PR & Marketing P.O. 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