Dashes

Front

What is a dash?

Back

A dash is a punctuation mark (—) used to create a strong break in the structure of a sentence.

Front

When should a dash be used?

Back

A dash is used to set off information that is added to a sentence, to indicate a pause, or to create emphasis.

Front

What is the difference between a dash and a hyphen?

Back

A dash (—) is longer than a hyphen (-) and is used to connect clauses or phrases, while a hyphen is used to join words or parts of words.

Front

How do dashes affect the tone of a sentence?

Back

Dashes can add drama or emphasis to a sentence, making the information stand out.

Front

Where should the dash go in this sentence: 'The dog barked loudly he wanted to go outside.'

Back

After 'loudly': 'The dog barked loudly — he wanted to go outside.'

Front

What is an example of using a dash for emphasis?

Back

Example: 'She was the best player on the team — no one could deny that.'

Front

How do you punctuate appositives with dashes?

Back

Use dashes to set off appositives that add non-essential information: 'My brother — a talented musician — is performing tonight.'

Front

What is the correct punctuation for this sentence: 'The book a thrilling mystery kept me up all night.'

Back

The book — a thrilling mystery — kept me up all night.

Front

Can dashes replace commas?

Back

Yes, dashes can replace commas for added emphasis or to create a more dramatic pause.

Front

What is the effect of using multiple dashes in a sentence?

Back

Using multiple dashes can create a complex structure and emphasize different parts of the sentence.