Em inglês, o travessão (dash) usa-se:

 

  1   para introduzir um comentário no meio ou no fim de uma frase:

Mary — only God knows why — started screaming her head off.
Melinda — is that the nurse's name? — took my temperature.
John broke another glass — an example of his clumsiness.

 
 

  2   antes ou depois de uma palavra colectiva:

Bluebells, roses, tulips, daffodils — all these flowers are beautiful.
I like some dogs — poodles, spaniels, Alsatians and terriers.

 
 

  3   para dramatizar:

He opened the bag and couldn't believe what he saw — diamonds!

 
 

  4   para indicar uma interrupção na fala:

"What the —" he began, but she held up her hand to silence him.