What is the semantic difference between <em> and <strong>?

**aqw** · Oct 18, 2006 06:46

Hi!

What is the semantic (meaning) difference between <em> and <strong>?

Thanks

**Buddy Bradley** · Oct 18, 2006 07:21

EMphasis
STRONG emphasis

One is more emphasised than the other.

Code:

John: But if I use XHTML Strict it makes me a better coder, right?
Tommy: <em>Shut up</em>.
John: But...
Tommy: <strong>SHUT UP!</strong>

**AutisticCuckoo** · Oct 18, 2006 09:18

STRONG is really superfluous. You could use nested EM elements to denote increasing emphasis.

Some experts recommend that you don't use STRONG at all to mark up emphasis in normal text. They say that STRONG should be reserved for particular page components that should stand out, e.g., to highlight the currently selected option in a menu.

When read out loud, STRONG should be emphasised more strongly than EM. For instance, it could be read louder and more slowly, with extra stress on each syllable.

**xhtmlcoder** · Oct 18, 2006 09:58

I assume it's Swedish People that take a dislike to STRONG.

**Dan Schulz** · Oct 18, 2006 10:46

Possibly.

**zcorpan** · Oct 18, 2006 18:11

No, that's not it. I like strong.

But I don't like the definintion for it in HTML4.

**brandaggio** · Oct 18, 2006 21:14

Originally Posted by Buddy Bradley

EMphasis
STRONG emphasis

One is more emphasised than the other.

Code:

John: But if I use XHTML Strict it makes me a better coder, right?
Tommy: <em>Shut up</em>.
John: But...
Tommy: <strong>SHUT UP!</strong>

ROTFL

!

**AutisticCuckoo** · Oct 18, 2006 22:36

@Yorkshire Ripper: actually the main advocate of this is Finnish.

@John: LOL

**xhtmlcoder** · Oct 19, 2006 03:29

Republiken Finland, well that explains things.

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