dash in interrupted speech
The em dash when a speaker breaks off.
Use an em dash when speech is cut off abruptly: “I thought the key was—” Use paired em dashes when an action interrupts a single spoken sentence: “The receipt”—she opened the drawer—“must be in here.” An ellipsis marks speech that trails off. The dash marks an abrupt stop.
Examples
Use“Give me the—”
Avoid“Give me the . . .” (If the speaker is cut off abruptly, use an em dash.)