Commas, Ellipses and Dashes

Front

What is a dash?

Back

A dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a break in thought or to set off a phrase for emphasis.

Front

When should you use a dash?

Back

Use a dash to create emphasis, indicate a pause, or separate elements in a sentence.

Front

What is an ellipsis?

Back

An ellipsis (...) is a punctuation mark that indicates the omission of words or a trailing off of thought.

Front

When should you use an ellipsis?

Back

Use an ellipsis to show that something has been left out or to create suspense.

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A comma (,) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should you use a comma?

Back

Use a comma to separate items in a list, before conjunctions in compound sentences, or after introductory phrases.

Front

How do you use dashes in a sentence?

Back

Dashes can be used to set off additional information or to create a strong break in a sentence.

Front

How do you use ellipses in dialogue?

Back

Ellipses can indicate a pause or an unfinished thought in dialogue.

Front

What is the difference between a dash and a hyphen?

Back

A dash (—) is longer and used for breaks in thought, while a hyphen (-) is shorter and used to connect words.

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in a sentence?

Back

Commas help clarify meaning by indicating pauses and separating elements.