Fact · Dictation on Mac
On a Mac, saying "new line" during Dictation is equivalent to pressing the Return key once, and saying "new paragraph" is equivalent to pressing it twice.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“Say “new line” (equivalent to pressing the Return key once) or “new paragraph” (equivalent to pressing the Return key twice).”
Dictate messages and documents on Mac (Apple Mac Help, Dictation), Apple Inc., Apple Support, Mac User Guide, n.d., Dictate text section.
Open the original- What it measures
- Apple's Mac Help page on Dictation lists the spoken ways to insert an emoji or punctuation mark, or perform simple formatting, in the Dictate text section.
- What it does not show
- Apple describes the Mac behaviour on macOS 27 (Mac Help page read 16 October 2026). It does not say whether the Return key itself inserts the break in the middle of dictation, see the fact on when the break appears.
Source
Cited on
- Writing a Book by Dictation: Software and WorkflowGuide
- Speech to Text for Students: Essays, Notes, HomeworkGuide
- How do you dictate a medical letter?Question
- How do you dictate a professional email?Question
- How do you press Enter with Mac dictation?Question
- How do you start a new line with Mac dictation?Question