How to Use a Dash

Which sentence uses a DASH correctly to emphasize breaks in thought & shifts in tone?

• I was glad to be home - until I saw the bill in the mailbox.

• I was glad - to be home until I saw the bill in the mailbox.

• I was glad to be home until I saw - the bill in the mailbox.

He is afraid of two things ___ spiders and senior prom.

What punctuation mark should be used in the blank?

• dash

• comma

• ellipsis

Only one person wears that perfume ___ my mother.

Which punctuation mark should go in the blank?

• comma

• dash

• ellipsis

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

• comma

• dash

• ellipsis

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a dash?

• I need to buy - milk, eggs, and bread.

• My favorite activities - reading, hiking, and painting - help me relax.

• She said - "I will be there soon."

• It's time to eat - dinner is ready.

What is used to show a sudden break in a sentence, to emphasize a word or clause, and to show that someone's speech is being interrupted?

• hyphen

• dash

• quotation mark

• a breath

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.

Choose the sentence that correctly applies a dash to separate an appositive for emphasis.

• My sister - a talented musician - plays the violin beautifully.

• We will visit - Paris, London, and Rome - next summer.

• The car - needs to be repaired.

• It was a long day - at work.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a dash to indicate a sudden change in thought or tone.

• A) I was going to tell her - then I changed my mind.

• B) The cat - is on the roof again.

• C) We could go to the -beach or the park.

• D) He said - he would be here.

Which of the following sentences uses a dash incorrectly?

• My brother - who is a doctor - lives in New York.

• I can't wait for the weekend - I need a break.

• The winner of the race - gets a trophy.

• We need to talk about Kevin - the movie, not the book.