Using Parentheses and Dashes

Using Parentheses and Dashes

Once you've learned about appositives, it's easy to understand the use of parentheses and dashes in your writing.

They can substitute for each other!!

They are often interchangeable!

Rule 1 - Parentheses

Use parentheses to enclose words or figures that clarify or are used as an aside (extra information).

• I expect five hundred dollars ($500).

• He finally answered (after taking five minutes to think) that he did not understand the question.

Rule #2 - Parentheses

Use parentheses to enclose numbers or letters used for listed items.

• We need an emergency room physician who can (1) think quickly, (2) treat patients respectfully, and (3) handle complaints from the public.

Rule #3 - Parentheses

Periods go inside parentheses only if an entire sentence is inside the parentheses.

• Please read the analysis (I enclosed it as Attachment A.).

• Please read the analysis. (I enclosed it as Attachment A.)

• Please read the analysis (Attachment A).

Commas could have been used in the previous slides' examples.

Parentheses show less importance or express less emphasis.

Mrs. DeYoung's smart-aleck remarks in personal narratives are often found in parentheses! (Yes, she can be a smart-aleck sometimes!)

Dashes

There are many uses of the dash.

We will look at the most common uses for using these dashes.

A dash is a little longer than a hyphen.

When typing, use 2 hyphens to create a dash.

A hyphen holds compound words together, two word numbers between 21 & 99together, and splits words between syllables for word alignment on written lines.

A dash is used for periods of time when you might otherwise use the word 'to'.

The years 2011--2014

January--June

Dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought.

You are the friend--the only friend--who offered to help me.

You are the friend (the only friend) who offered to help me.

Never have I met such a lovely person--before you.

I pay the bills--she has all the fun!

A semicolon would be used in formal writing.

I pay the bills; she has all the fun!

I need three items at the store--dog food, milk, and cheddar cheese.

Here a colon would have been used in formal writing.

I need three items at the store: dog food, milk, and cheddar cheese.

My agreement with Fiona is clear--she teaches me French, and I teach her German.

A colon could have been used here in place of the dash.

Please call my agent--Jessica Cohen--about hiring me.

Parentheses or appositive commas would have worked just fine here instead of the dashes.

Dashes are also used to show an abrupt change in thought or an interruption in speech.

I wish you would--oh, never mind!

But all I wanted was---

These are not the only uses of dashes, but they are the most highly used situations.

We need to be sure to NOT overuse parentheses and dashes.

A few things to remember:

• Commas, parentheses, and dashes can often be interchanged.

• Parentheses show less emphasis or importance.

• Dashes show emphasis and are often accompanied by a pause when being read aloud.