Em Dash

Which of the following sentences correctly uses an em dash to set off an explanatory clause?

• My brother—who is a chef—makes the best lasagna.

• My brother - who is a chef - makes the best lasagna.

• My brother — who is a chef — makes the best lasagna.

• My brother —who is a chef— makes the best lasagna.

True or False: An em dash can be replaced by a comma or parentheses in a sentence.

• Sometimes

• False

• Only in specific cases

• True

How does the use of an em dash differ from a semicolon?

• An em dash can replace a semicolon in all instances.

• A semicolon is used to join two independent clauses, while an em dash can introduce a list or add emphasis.

• A semicolon is more informal than an em dash.

• There is no difference in their use.

Correctly add an em dash to this sentence.

Nido a school with a great reputation follows a different schedule than other schools in Chile.

• Nido—a school with a great reputation—follows a different schedule than other schools in Chile.

• Nido a school with a great reputation, follows a different schedule than other schools in Chile.

• Nido a school with a great reputation follows a different schedule than other schools in Chile.

• Nido—a school with a great reputation, follows a different schedule than other schools in Chile.

Which is the correct way to use the dash in the following sentence: The Beatles (the most famous rock band in history) were from England.

• The Beatles, the most famous rock band in history—were from England.

• The Beatles—the most famous rock band in history—were from England.

• The Beatles—the most famous rock band in history; were from England.

• The Beatles the most famous rock band—in history were from England.

Let's make an em dash.

1. Press ctrl+shift+u and u will appear.

2. Now type the unicode character number for em dash, which is 2014. (You don't need to be holding down ctrl-shift-u while you type the number.)

3. Press space to let the system know that you're done entering the unicode.

4. 4. Delete the u

***The underlined u will be replaced by an em dash.***

DIRECTIONS: After reading the sentence, choose the answer that uses the correct punctuation. Choose NO CHANGE if the sentence is already correct.

 
The—American Civil Liberties Union—ACLU is going to bring a suit.

• NO CHANGE

• The American Civil Liberties Union—ACLU—is

• The American Civil Liberties Union ACLU is

• The American Civil Liberties Union ACLU—is

Which punctuation is correct?

• John went to the party for one reason only—to get revenge.

• John went to the party for one reason only; to get revenge.

• John went to the party for one reason only. To get revenge.

• NO CHANGE

A(n) _____ is used to signal an interruption in dialogue AND used to emphasize breaks in thought & shifts in tone.

• comma

• dash

• ellipsis

Why are em dashes used in writing?

• replace many marks of punctuation for no reason

• replace many marks of punctuation for effect and emphasis

• replace no other marks of punctuation

• no reason