OpenAI has addressed a long-standing quirk in ChatGPT: the chatbot’s habit of overusing em dashes in its responses. For years, users noticed the punctuation mark appearing excessively, prompting some to nickname it the “ChatGPT hyphen.”
The frequent use of em dashes sparked criticism, especially in school assignments, LinkedIn posts, emails, and online forums. Many readers assumed that heavy use of the dash signaled AI-generated content. Despite repeated requests, ChatGPT could not avoid using it—until now.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed the change on X, explaining that users can now set a preference in ChatGPT’s custom instructions to reduce em dash usage. He described the update as a “small-but-happy win” for those frustrated by the punctuation.
The new feature gives users more control over ChatGPT’s writing style. While the AI will not automatically remove em dashes from all responses, it will respect user instructions through personalization settings. OpenAI also acknowledged the issue on Threads and apologized for “ruining the em dash” in earlier replies.
Many writers and professionals see this update as a meaningful improvement. By giving users the ability to limit certain stylistic habits, ChatGPT becomes more versatile and aligned with individual writing preferences.
The change may seem minor, but for those who have been irritated by the relentless em dash, it represents a step forward in making AI outputs more user-friendly. It also highlights OpenAI’s commitment to listening to feedback and improving personalization options for ChatGPT users worldwide.
As AI tools continue to evolve, features like this ensure that ChatGPT remains not only powerful but also adaptable to user needs and writing styles.
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