Hyphens, Dashes, Parenthesis, and Ellipses

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What is a hyphen?

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A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark used to join words or parts of words, such as in compound words (e.g., well-known) or to separate syllables.

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What is a dash?

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A dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a break in thought, to set off a phrase, or to emphasize a point.

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What is the purpose of parentheses?

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Parentheses ( ) are used to include additional information or clarifications in a sentence without disrupting the main flow.

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What is an ellipsis?

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An ellipsis (...) is a punctuation mark used to indicate the omission of words or a trailing off of thought.

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When should a hyphen be used in compound adjectives?

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A hyphen should be used in compound adjectives when they come before a noun (e.g., a well-behaved dog).

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How do you use a dash to show interruption in speech?

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A dash can be used to indicate that someone's speech is interrupted, as in: 'I was going to say—'.

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What is the correct punctuation for the phrase 'duck billed platypus'?

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The correct punctuation is 'duck-billed platypus' with a hyphen.

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How do you correctly use parentheses in a sentence?

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Parentheses should be placed around additional information that is not essential to the main point, e.g., 'The book (which I borrowed) was fascinating.'

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What punctuation is used to show a sudden break in a sentence?

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A dash is used to show a sudden break in a sentence.

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What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?

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A hyphen (-) connects words, while a dash (—) indicates a break in thought or adds emphasis.