Dash Grammar

What can dashes replace sometimes?

• ellipses

• periods

• commas

• semicolons

Why would you replace a comma with a dash?

• if a comma wouldn't make sense in the sentence, you can use a dash instead.

• To indicate a stronger break than a comma would provide.

• to give the sentence more rhythm.

My father ____ a longtime union member ____ supported the striking workers.

• use commas

• use dashes

The union workers _____ they had not received a raise in two years ___ lined up outside of the plant.

• use dashes

• use commas

Which description describes a hyphen?

• A connection between words that are working as a unit

• used to separate a group of words.

• to indicate a longer pause than a comma

• all of the above

What do dashes add to sentences?

• Drama

• Whisper

• less emphasis

• less attention

What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?

• The length of a hyphen is shorter than the length of a dash.
• Hyphens are typically used in compound adjectives, while dashes can be used to indicate an interruption, or a substitute for parentheses. 
• There are two types of dashes (em and en) but there is only one type of hyphen.
• All of the above.

Add the correct hyphen(s) or dash(es) to the below sentence: 
She has stopped buying 2 liter bottles and has started buying 0.5 liter bottles, instead.

• No change necessary.
• She has stopped buying 2—liter bottles and has started buying 0.5—liter bottles, instead.
• She has stopped buying 2-liter bottles and has started buying 0.5-liter bottles, instead.
• She has stopped buying 2 liter bottles and has started buying 0.5 liter bottles - instead.

Please read pages 171 to 151.
If you wanted to replace the "to" with a punctuation mark, which of the below would you use?

• ; semicolon
• - hyphen
• — dash
• None of the above.