Dashes, Parentheses, and Apostrophes

Front

What is a dash?

Back

A dash is a punctuation mark used to show a sudden break in a sentence, to emphasize a word or clause, or to indicate that someone's speech is being interrupted.

Front

When should you use parentheses?

Back

Parentheses are used around words or phrases that are included in a sentence to add information or clarify an idea.

Front

What is the correct punctuation for possessive nouns?

Back

To show possession, add an apostrophe. For singular nouns, add 's (e.g., the dog's leash). For plural nouns ending in 's', add just an apostrophe (e.g., the dogs' park).

Front

What is the difference between a dash and a hyphen?

Back

A dash (—) is used to create a strong break in a sentence, while a hyphen (-) is used to connect words or parts of words, such as in compound adjectives.

Front

How do you punctuate a sentence with parentheses?

Back

When using parentheses, the punctuation for the sentence should remain outside the parentheses unless the entire sentence is within them.

Front

What is the correct way to punctuate a sentence with a dash?

Back

A dash can be used to set off additional information or an interruption in a sentence, often with spaces on either side (e.g., 'I was going to—well, never mind').

Front

What is the correct form of the possessive for 'students'?

Back

The correct possessive form is 'students'' (e.g., the students' books).

Front

How do you use quotation marks?

Back

Quotation marks are used to indicate direct speech or to highlight specific words or phrases.

Front

What is an example of incorrect use of parentheses?

Back

An example of incorrect use is: 'My family is getting a new dog from (the shelter we are going to name him Barney.' The closing parenthesis is missing.

Front

What punctuation is used to indicate a break in thought?

Back

A dash is used to indicate a break in thought or to add emphasis.