Understanding Dashes in Writing

This video tutorial covers the use of dashes in English grammar, distinguishing them from hyphens. It explains the three main uses of dashes: indicating stuttering, showing interruptions, and adding extra information within a sentence. The tutorial provides practice examples to help viewers identify correct usage and concludes with encouragement to practice further.

What is the main topic of this lesson?

• Commas

• Dashes

• Periods

• Hyphens

How do you type a dash on a keyboard?

• Press the minus key once

• Press the shift key and minus key

• Press the minus key twice

• Press the space bar and minus key

Which of the following is NOT a use of dashes?

• Indicating stuttering

• Ending a sentence

• Showing someone being cut off

• Adding extra information

When should you use a dash for stuttering?

• When someone whispers

• When someone pauses

• When someone speaks quickly

• When someone repeats a word

What does a dash indicate when someone is cut off?

• A statement

• A question

• An interruption

• A pause

How can dashes be used to add information?

• By ending the sentence

• By interrupting the sentence

• By replacing commas

• By replacing periods

What is the main difference between dashes and commas?

• Commas are more abrupt

• Dashes are more abrupt

• Dashes are smoother

• Commas are longer

Why are dashes common in speech?

• They end sentences

• They are used for questions

• They indicate interruptions

• They are used for pauses

In the practice example, why is a dash used in 'My boyfriend is a total oh hey Brian'?

• To indicate a question

• To add extra information

• To show a pause

• To show an interruption

What should you do if there is no interruption in a sentence?

• Use a semicolon

• Use a period

• Use a comma

• Use a dash