Dashes and Parentheses

What is the purpose of parentheses in writing?

• To highlight important words

• To separate paragraphs

• To indicate a list of items

• To enclose additional information or clarify a point

Answer explanation

In the context of writing, parentheses are used to enclose additional information or to provide a clarification on a certain point. This additional information is often supplementary and not critical to the main point, yet provides added value or context. The other options, such as highlighting important words, separating paragraphs, or indicating a list of items are not the primary functions of parentheses in writing.

Which of the following sentences uses parentheses correctly?

• I went to the store which was closed) to buy some groceries.

• I went to the store (which was closed to buy some groceries).

• I went to the store which was closed to buy some groceries.

• I went to the store (which was closed) to buy some groceries.

Answer explanation

The question asks for the correct use of parentheses. The sentence 'I went to the store (which was closed) to buy some groceries.' correctly uses parentheses to provide additional information - 'which was closed' - that is not essential to the main sentence. The other options either lack parentheses or use them incorrectly.

What is the purpose of dashes in punctuation?

• To emphasize a word or phrase.

• To connect two independent clauses.

• To indicate the end of a sentence.

• To indicate an interruption in a sentence or to set off additional information.

Answer explanation

The question asks about the purpose of dashes in punctuation. Dashes are not used to emphasize words or phrases, nor to connect independent clauses or indicate the end of a sentence. The correct usage is to indicate an interruption in a sentence or to set off additional information. This aligns with the correct option provided.

Which of the following sentences uses a dash correctly?

• I love pizza - it's my favorite food.

• I love - pizza - it's my favorite food.

• I love pizza it's my -favorite food.

• I love pizza it's my - favorite - food.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence using a dash is 'I love pizza - it's my favorite food.' Here, the dash is used to give extra information (it's my favorite food) about the main clause (I love pizza). This is a common use of dashes - to add additional details to a sentence or separate a list.

Which of the following sentences uses parentheses for clarification of the subject?

• The dog which was (brown) ran in the park.

• The (dog) which was brown ran in the park.

• The dog (which was brown) ran in the park.

• The dog (which was brown ran in the park).

Answer explanation

The question asks for the sentence in which parentheses are used to clarify the subject. The correct choice is 'The dog (which was brown) ran in the park.' Here, the phrase within the parentheses is providing additional information about the subject, 'the dog'. This is an example of using parentheses for clarification of the subject.

Which of the following sentences uses dashes to indicate a sudden change in thought or tone?

• I can't - believe it I won the lottery!

• I can't believe it - I won - the lottery.

• I can't believe it I won - the lottery!

• I can't believe it - I won the lottery!

Answer explanation

The question asks for the sentence that uses a dash to indicate a sudden change in thought or tone. The correct answer is 'I can't believe it - I won the lottery!'. Here, the dash separates two distinct thoughts, the disbelief at the beginning and the realization of winning the lottery.

Rewrite the sentence below with dashes where necessary.

Emily my best friend is coming over to study for the math test tomorrow.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is: Emily -my best friend- is coming over to study for the math test tomorrow.

Rewrite the sentence and insert parentheses where necessary: The school dance scheduled for Friday was postponed due to the snowstorm.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is: The school dance (scheduled for Friday) was postponed due to the snowstorm.