Dashes Hyphens and Ellipses

Front

What is a dash used for in a sentence?

Back

A dash is used to create emphasis, indicate a break in thought, or set off additional information.

Front

How is a hyphen different from a dash?

Back

A hyphen is used to connect words or parts of words (e.g., in compound words), while a dash is used for emphasis or to indicate a pause.

Front

What punctuation mark is used to indicate a pause or unfinished thought?

Back

An ellipsis (...) is used to indicate a pause or an unfinished thought.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence using a dash for emphasis.

Back

The winner of the contest is—John Smith!

Front

What is the correct way to punctuate the phrase 'twenty five'?

Back

It should be written as 'twenty-five' when used as a compound adjective.

Front

How should the following sentence be punctuated? 'Newburyport a small town in Massachusetts is the place she calls home.'

Back

It should be punctuated as 'Newburyport — a small town in Massachusetts — is the place she calls home.'

Front

What is the purpose of an ellipsis in writing?

Back

An ellipsis indicates a pause, hesitation, or that something has been left out.

Front

When should you use a hyphen in compound adjectives?

Back

Use a hyphen in compound adjectives when they come before a noun (e.g., a well-known author).

Front

What is the correct usage of a dash in a sentence?

Back

A dash can be used to set off a list or explanation that follows (e.g., She had three pets—two dogs and a cat).

Front

What punctuation mark is used to connect two independent clauses?

Back

A semicolon (;) is used to connect two independent clauses.