Dashes

Front

What is a hyphen?

Back

A hyphen is a punctuation mark used to connect words that are working as a unit, such as in compound words (e.g., well-known).

Front

What is the main purpose of a single dash?

Back

A single dash can emphasize material at the beginning or end of a sentence, serve as a longer pause than a comma, and make sentences fluid when used correctly.

Front

Where should the dash be placed in the sentence: 'Dominic lived in the hills his favorite place'?

Back

The dash should be placed after 'the hills'.

Front

What does a single dash emphasize?

Back

A single dash emphasizes material at the beginning and end of a sentence.

Front

In the sentence 'After eighty years of dreaming, the elderly man realized it was time to finally revisit the land of his youth—Ireland,' what does the dash do?

Back

The dash emphasizes where he came from and acts as a pause.

Front

What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?

Back

A hyphen connects words (e.g., mother-in-law), while a dash indicates a pause or break in thought.

Front

Can a dash replace parentheses?

Back

Yes, a dash can be used in place of parentheses to add information or emphasize a point.

Front

What punctuation mark is longer than a hyphen but shorter than a double dash?

Back

A single dash (—) is longer than a hyphen (-) but shorter than a double dash (— —).

Front

How can dashes improve sentence flow?

Back

Dashes can create a more conversational tone and connect related ideas smoothly.

Front

What is an example of using a dash for emphasis?

Back

In the sentence 'She was determined—nothing could stop her,' the dash emphasizes her determination.