Parentheses and Dashes

Parentheses and Dashes

Parentheses Rule #1

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

Example: I expect five hundred dollars ($500).

Example: 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 do your homework (read that story) before you come to class tomorrow.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following uses parentheses correctly?

• My worst (subject Math) is getting easier.
• My worst subject (Math) is getting easier.
• My worst subject Math (is getting easier).

Multiple Choice

Which of the following uses parentheses correctly?

• All of my life (all 12 years) has been in Georgia.
• All of my life (all 12 years has) been in Georgia.
• All (of my life) all 12 years has been in Georgia.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?

• Jane had a favorite chimp David Greybeard.

• Jane had a favorite chimp (David Greybeard).

• Jane had a favorite chimp (David Greybeard.)

• Jane had a (favorite chimp) David Greybeard.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?

• Adolf the (biggest chimp) was not very helpful to Jane, but Rashidi was.

• Adolf (the biggest chimp) was not very helpful to Jane, but Rashidi was.

• Adolf the biggest chimp was not very helpful to Jane (but Rashidi was).

• Adolf the biggest chimp was (not very helpful) to Jane, but Rashidi was.

Dashes

There are many uses of the dash.

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

What is a dash?

A dash is a little longer than a hyphen.

When typing, use 2 hyphens to create a dash.

Dash Rule #1

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

• Example: The years 2011--2014

  January--June

  
  

Dash Rule #2

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

Dashes can also be used as interruptions in thought

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a reason to use dashes?

• to confuse the reader
• to show an abrupt interruption
• to show the character's thoughts
• to create suspense

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses dashes correctly?

• My little brother-- who annoys everyone will not be there-- tonight.
• My little brother--who annoys everyone--will not be there tonight.
• My little--brother who annoys--everyone will not be there tonight.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses dashes correctly?

• If I knew everything--which I don't--then my grade would be so much higher.
• If I knew everything--which I don't then--my grade would be so much higher.
• If I knew everything which I don't--then my grade would be so much higher.