Dash Commas Ellipsis

Front

What is an ellipsis?

Back

An ellipsis is a series of three dots (...) used to indicate the omission of words, a pause, or an incomplete thought.

Front

When should you use a dash in writing?

Back

A dash is used to signal an interruption in dialogue and to emphasize breaks in thought or shifts in tone.

Front

What is the purpose of a comma?

Back

A comma is used to separate items in a list, to separate clauses, and to clarify meaning in sentences.

Front

How do you correctly use an ellipsis in a quotation?

Back

An ellipsis is used to shorten a quoted passage by omitting words or phrases, indicating that the quote is incomplete.

Front

What does the acronym FANBOYS stand for?

Back

FANBOYS stands for For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So; these are coordinating conjunctions used to connect independent clauses.

Front

What is the difference between a dash and a comma?

Back

A dash indicates a stronger break in thought or an interruption, while a comma indicates a softer pause or separation.

Front

Can an ellipsis indicate hesitation in speech?

Back

Yes, an ellipsis can indicate a pause or hesitation in the middle of a sentence.

Front

What is a subordinate clause?

Back

A subordinate clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Front

How do you use commas in a series?

Back

Commas are used to separate three or more items in a list, placing a comma before the conjunction (e.g., apples, oranges, and bananas).