Commas, Ellipses, & Dashes

Front

What is a dash?

Back

A dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a break in thought, an interruption in dialogue, or to emphasize a point.

Front

How do you use dashes in a sentence?

Back

Dashes can be used to set off additional information or to create emphasis. Example: "I need to talk to my friend—who is an expert—about this."

Front

What is an ellipsis?

Back

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

Front

How do you use ellipses in dialogue?

Back

Ellipses can show that a character is trailing off or that there is a pause in conversation. Example: "I was thinking... maybe we should go."

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

How do you use commas in direct address?

Back

Commas are used to set off names in direct address. Example: "Can you help me, Sarah?"

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in a sentence?

Back

Commas help clarify meaning by separating elements, indicating pauses, and organizing lists.

Front

What is the correct way to use commas with interrupting phrases?

Back

Commas should be placed before and after the interrupting phrase. Example: "My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting."

Front

What is the difference between a dash and a comma?

Back

A dash indicates a stronger break in thought or emphasis, while a comma indicates a softer pause.

Front

How do you use dashes to separate items in a list?

Back

Dashes can be used to set off items in a list for emphasis. Example: "We need to buy—apples, oranges, and bananas—at the store."