How to use a dash in a sentence

How to use a dash in a sentence

Dashes are often used informally instead of commas, colons and brackets. A dash may or may not have a space on either side of it. Do not confuse a dash (—) with a hyphen (-), which is shorter. 1. Use a dash to show a pause or break in meaning in the middle of a sentence: My brothers—Richard and John—are visiting Hanoi. (Could use commas.) 1. Emphasize Important or Essential Information. Em dashes can be used to emphasize important or essential information midsentence or at the end of sentences. Although colons and commas can serve the same function, em dashes create a more dramatic effect. 2.A double dash can also be used to set off parenthetical information within a sentence. This is similar to how parentheses or commas are used, but the double dash adds a stronger emphasis. For instance: “The team—consisting of five talented individuals—worked tirelessly to complete the project ahead of schedule.”.En Dash (–) Use an en dash (the shorter dash symbol) to show a range of dates, numbers, or locations. In all uses of the en dash, you should be able to substitute the word “to” or “through” for the dash. The report covers the period 1998–1999. Please read pages 70–77 in your text. The San Diego–Las Vegas flight is on time.Em dashes are often used to include parenthetical information within sentences, since they put more emphasis on the information in between. In this case, two em ...A double dash can also be used to set off parenthetical information within a sentence. This is similar to how parentheses or commas are used, but the double dash adds a stronger emphasis. For instance: “The team—consisting of five talented individuals—worked tirelessly to complete the project ahead of schedule.”.Learn the difference between the em dash and the en dash, and how to use them in punctuation. See examples of dashes in various contexts, such as ranges, …In medieval manuscripts, scribes used the em dash to indicate a break or change in thought within a sentence. In modern usage, the em dash has various meanings and applications in different contexts. It can be used to indicate an interruption or abrupt change in thought, similar to parentheses or commas. Learn the most common uses of semicolons (;), colons (:), and dashes (—) in writing. See examples of how to use them correctly and avoid common mistakes. Find out the difference between semicolons and commas, colons and periods, and dashes and hyphens. In this sense, you can say that writers use hyphens to join words, creating versions of new glued-together words. In other cases, a hyphen is a necessity to tell your reader the words go together as in glued-together that I used in …Place your cursor where you want the dash to appear. When you are ready to enter your dash, use one of the following key combinations. En dashes are typically used to separate numbers in a range, while an em dash can signify a break in a sentence. Stylistically, the em dash acts similar to parentheses, though it reads stronger.Jan 19, 2024 · While hyphens are used to join words, dashes serve a different purpose. Dashes are longer than hyphens, and there are two commonly used dash types: En dash (–): About the width of an uppercase ‘N,’ en dashes are typically used to indicate ranges, connect multi-word elements, or create compound modifiers. Em dash (—): Measuring about the ... In this video, Twinkl Teacher Jack demonstrates the dash punctuation mark, how to use dashes in KS2 writing, and some resources to practice using a dash:http...1 Use semicolons to connect related independent clauses. You can use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses. Let’s put that another way. The group of words that comes before the semicolon should form a complete sentence, the group of words that comes after the semicolon should form a complete sentence, and …Dashes – In a Nutshell. A dash can be used in writing to show additional information, specify definitions and tones, and highlight missing information. Dashes can be placed in different positions within a sentence, i.e., the beginning, middle, or end. They can be used in place of commas, semicolons and parentheses where applicable.Em dashes are often used to set off parenthetical information. Using em dashes instead of parentheses puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. For this usage, make sure you use two em dashes. Use one before the parenthetical information and one after it. Putting spaces before and after an em dash is a matter of preference; just ...Used with my HAs in a Year 5/6 class. We went through examples of how to use dashes one at a time, with groups coming up with their own example after each one. I had a follow up worksheet with a set of random story starter pictures. They had to choose a picture and write a sentence using each of the dash styles for that picture.To create an em-dash on a Mac computer, hold down the shift and option/alt and type -. An en dash is the width of the letter "n" and is expressed in plain text as a hyphen ( - ). A traditional use of the en dash is in dates (2012-13), but since it is largely indistinguishable from a hyphen, the en dash is no longer in common use. Use a hyphen. Learn how to use dashes in five ways: to show ranges, to divide compound adjectives, to extend sentences, to offset parentheses, and to credit quotations. Find out the difference between em dash, en dash, and hyphen, and how to type them. Common uses of colons. Using a colon in a sentence before a list gives the impression that the colon means “thus,” “which is” or “which are.”. The colon in the next example isn’t used to announce a list, like the one above. This one is added for clarification. Colons can also introduce a quotation in your writing. Here’s an example.Mar 8, 2022 · Em dashes are used to replace commas, parentheses, colons, and semicolons. Learn how to use em dashes in a sentence with these examples and best practices. The Dash. The Dash is the longer line used as punctuation in sentences – coming in between words (as in this sentence). It can also be used – as here – in pairs. For example: Paul sang his song terribly – and he thought he was brilliant! He’s won the election—granted, there was only a low turnout—but he’s won! When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, like, for example, (Jones, 1998). One complete reference for each source should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.A dash is an adaptable punctuation mark that can be used to indicate parenthesis within a sentence and can be used instead of a bracket or a colon. The main use of a dash in English is to separate or connect two independent clauses. A clause is a phrase that’s made up of a subject, a verb and any modifying words, and dashes can create a ...Don’t use a hyphen, with or without spaces, to indicate a parenthetical phrase or a break in a sentence. Use an em dash (—) with no spaces instead. ... Use an en dash (–) instead. Add 20-30 mg to the solution. Refrigerate and wait 10-15 minutes. Add 20–30 mg to the solution. Refrigerate and wait 10–15 minutes.A dash is an adaptable punctuation mark that can be used to indicate parenthesis within a sentence and can be used instead of a bracket or a colon. The main use of a dash in …Geometry Dash is an addictive and challenging platform game that has gained immense popularity among gamers of all ages. With its simple yet captivating gameplay, it has become a f...Confusing dashes with hyphens: Dashes and hyphens may look similar, but they serve different purposes. Hyphens are used to join words or parts of words, while dashes are used to set off or emphasize information within a sentence. It is crucial to understand this distinction and use each punctuation mark correctly. 3.Many people get confused about how to write dates with commas, so here is a rule of thumb: in the month-day-year format (used in the United States), place commas after the day and year. In the day-month-year format (used in the UK and other countries), do not use commas at all. On May 13th, 2007 Daniel was born. On May 13, 2007, Daniel was …The long dash is the widest of the three horizontal marks that may be used in the middle of a sentence. It is wider than an en dash (–) or a hyphen (-). The term “em dash” comes from the field of typography—an “em” is a width equivalent to the height of a given font. Thus, an em dash in 9-point type is as long as the height of a ...Em dashes are often used to set off parenthetical information. Using em dashes instead of parentheses puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. For this usage, make sure you use two em dashes. Use one before the parenthetical information and one after it. Putting spaces before and after an em dash is a matter of preference; just ... An en dash (–), the second-longest “dash,” shows when a range of things in writing are related to one another. An em dash (—), the longest “dash,” is used as a substitute for a comma, colon, semi-colon, or parentheses. For more detailed examples of their uses, check out our article comparing all three. How to Use Em Dashes in a Sentence twenty-five. hyphen. 11–25. en-dash. Well—yes. em-dash. Let’s make that even more clear. The en dash is about as wide as an uppercase N; the em dash is as wide as an M. (This image was made with PowerPoint and Photoshop; the relative sizes of the dashes look right, however, the en dash and em dash don’t exactly match the width of the ...2) To introduce an explanation or a list (Dash = Colon) In this case, a full, stand-alone sentence must come before the dash. The information that follows the dash does not have to be a full sentence (although it’s perfectly fine if it is). Correct: John Locke was one of the most important thinkers of the eighteenth century–his writings ...Em dashes are often used to include parenthetical information within sentences, since they put more emphasis on the information in between. In this case, two em ...Confusing dashes with hyphens: Dashes and hyphens may look similar, but they serve different purposes. Hyphens are used to join words or parts of words, while dashes are used to set off or emphasize information within a sentence. It is crucial to understand this distinction and use each punctuation mark correctly. 3.When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, like, for example, (Jones, 1998). One complete reference for each source should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.Mar 14, 2022 · The 3 types of dashes—hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes—often get mixed up. Learn how to use each type in a sentence with these examples and best practices. Geometry Dash is an addictive rhythm-based platformer game that challenges players with its fast-paced levels and catchy soundtrack. With its online play feature, players can compe...The Dash. The dash ( — ), also called the em dash, is the long horizontal bar, much longer than a hyphen. Few keyboards have a dash, but a word processor can usually produce one in one way or another. If your keyboard can't produce a dash, you will have to resort to a hyphen as a stand-in. In British usage, we use only a single hyphen to ...The poem “The Dash” was written by Linda Ellis. The author has made the full text available on her website. The website also features a YouTube video of her reading the poem to a l... Remember to: Use a colon to emphasize dialogue, show titles and time, or introduce a list. Semicolons separate two independent clauses. Use an en dash for ranges and an em dash to separate non-essential information. Always follow the punctuation rules in formal writing to make your work clearer and more readable. Correctly use dashes in sentences. A dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to set off information in a sentence for emphasis. You can enclose text between two dashes, or use just one dash. To create a dash in Microsoft Word, type two hyphens together. Do not put a space between dashes and text. Arrive to the interview early — but not too early.A hyphen connects two elements that are joined together to function as one word. Here are some examples of hyphenated words: best-seller, two-year-old, pre-Hanukkah, and anti-racist. An em dash cannot be used as a hyphen (and a hyphen, likewise, cannot be used as a hyphen).An em dash is traditionally used for creating emphasis, a sudden break in the sentence, or a pointed way of emphasizing what you’re saying. A colon is used when you want to introduce items in a list. As a punctuation mark, a colon separates two independent clauses. Whether to use an em dash or colon — this article will help you understand ...Geometry Dash is a popular rhythm-based platform game that has gained a massive following since its release in 2013. With its addictive gameplay and challenging levels, it has beco...Understanding when to use parentheses is a key factor in proper punctuation. Become a grammar expert and learn how to use parentheses the right way. ... Full sentence - Ivan is coming to the art show, and he’s excited to see your work. (Will he be on time, ... try substituting them with commas or em dashes. They’ll serve the same purpose ...The first is the width of the dash. The em dash (—) is the long dash—it’s roughly the same length as a capital M. The en dash (–) is shorter, taking up the same space as a capital N. Different situations require different types of dashes. Let’s take a look at how these two dashes are used and explore some examples of when to use em ...The colon makes it feel like a definition, the parentheses make it feel like an aside, the comma doesn't draw much attention to the point, and the dash makes it seem important or dramatic. The rules for en dash use are easy to remember since it is specific to word relationships. Take a look at how it is used to help highlight the relationship between particular words and numbers in a sentence. Rule #1. Use an en dash in place of the word versus. For Example: We were watching the Tiger–Ranger game on television. . Parenthetical Statements. The main use of em dashes is to set off extra information in a sentence. For instance, we could use em dashes in place of commas or parentheses: One of the twins—she couldn’t tell them apart—ran to greet her. As shown above, em dashes are often left unspaced when used in this way.An en dash is a medium-width dash used mainly to show a range ( the years 2001–05 ). It can also sometimes replace the word to ( the Boston–Seattle flight) or be used in place of a hyphen to show a connection across words ( post–World War I alliances, US–Mexico relations ). The en dash (–), also called the en rule, takes its name from ...Are you looking to upgrade your vehicle’s interior and add a touch of luxury? Consider investing in a real wood dash kit. These kits are designed to enhance the look and feel of yo... Basics of Dashes. There are two types of dashes in APA style: en dashes and em dashes. The en dash is shorter, named after the width of the letter "n," and the em dash is longer, named after the width of the letter "m." Each has distinct uses in writing. For both en dashes and em dashes, do not put any spaces before or after the dashes. (The dash separates the elements in a range (in this case, a date range). The dash is used instead of a "from-to" construction.) I demand just one thing — effort. (Here, the dash separates the sentence. It is, in fact, being used like a colon.) So, dashes and hyphens look similar, but they have very different functions in writing. Learn how to use dashes in five ways: to show ranges, to divide compound adjectives, to extend sentences, to offset parentheses, and to credit quotations. Find out the difference between em dash, en dash, …Examples of Sentences Using Dashes. Here are some sentence examples to show you how a dash can be used in a sentence. The storm raged outside, wind howling like a banshee—then, a sudden silence. He looked at her, speechless—the weight of his secret crushing him. We know one thing for sure — something unexpected is coming our way.The major types of dash are en dash (–) and em dash (—). The difference between both is in their length and how they are used in sentences. Read on to see. How to Use En-Dash in a Sentence 1. It is Used to Indicate Time or Number Range. You use the en dash to replace “to” when specifying range of time or numbers. For instance:The colon makes it feel like a definition, the parentheses make it feel like an aside, the comma doesn't draw much attention to the point, and the dash makes it seem important or dramatic.In American English, em dashes are commonly used to indicate interruptions, set off parenthetical phrases, or emphasize a point. They are often preferred over parentheses or commas for these purposes. United Kingdom. In British English, em dashes are less frequently used compared to parentheses or commas.The em dash can be used in place of commas, colons, semicolons, and parentheses to increase sentence variety and readability. The em dash triggers readers’ brains to insert a slightly longer pause, which can aid in reading comprehension. It’s a long dash, the length of two connected hyphens. It gets its name from its size which is the …A dash correctly refers to the appropriate use of the dash punctuation mark in a sentence. The dash, represented by a horizontal line, is a versatile punctuation mark that can be used to add emphasis, indicate a sudden change in thought, or create a pause in writing. When used correctly, the dash can enhance the clarity and impact of a sentence.When busy weeknights get stressful, the last thing you want to do is cook a long and intricate meal. Instead, focus on fresh and simple foods that don’t take 100 steps. It might so...Here’s the New Oxford American Dictionary definition: Generally: [sentence adverb] in most cases. For our example, we’ll use the swung dash to stand in for the word “generally,” since it’s already been established as the word being defined. “Though it’s ⁓ warm in Los Angeles, sometimes it’s cold enough to snow.”.Learn how to use dashes in five ways: to show ranges, to divide compound adjectives, to extend sentences, to offset parentheses, and to credit quotations. Find out the difference between em dash, en dash, …Geometry Dash is a popular rhythm-based platformer game that has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. With its addictive gameplay and catchy soundtrack, it’s no wonder why play...Use a hyphen to show crying or stammering when narrating. For example: “I’m s-s-sorry I broke the c-car.” What Can I Use Instead of Hyphen? You can use other symbols or punctuation marks instead of a hyphen, depending on the context. Colon or Dash. Never use a hyphen to denote a break or pause in your sentence. Instead, try a colon or a ...The long dash is the widest of the three horizontal marks that may be used in the middle of a sentence. It is wider than an en dash (–) or a hyphen (-). The term “em dash” comes from the field of typography—an “em” is a width equivalent to the height of a given font. Thus, an em dash in 9-point type is as long as the height of a ...Use a double hyphen without spaces on either side to indicate an abrupt break or interruption in a sentence. For example: “The concert was going well–until the power went out.”. When using the double hyphen to set off additional information within a sentence, it should be preceded and followed by a space.Jul 17, 2021 · Learning these new techniques will be beneficial in so many different ways, which is why you need to learn how to use a dash in a sentence. How To Use A Dash In A Sentence? A dash is a horizontal line that appears in the middle or bottom of a text line. It is longer than a regular hyphen, and can be used to indicate a range of words or a pause ... An em-dash can be used alone, as in this example from the online The Punctuation Guide: After months of deliberation, the jurors reached a unanimous verdict—guilty. The em-dash emphasizes the conclusion of the sentence, but with less formality than a colon. Consider the difference between the sentence above and the one …En Dash (–) Use an en dash (the shorter dash symbol) to show a range of dates, numbers, or locations. In all uses of the en dash, you should be able to substitute the word “to” or …When busy weeknights get stressful, the last thing you want to do is cook a long and intricate meal. Instead, focus on fresh and simple foods that don’t take 100 steps. It might so... The em dash is perhaps the most versatile punctuation mark. Depending on the context, the em dash can take the place of commas, parentheses, or colons ⁠—in each case to slightly different effect. Notwithstanding its versatility, the em dash is best limited to two appearances per sentence. Otherwise, confusion rather than clarity is likely ... Colons (:) introduce clauses or phrases that serve to describe, amplify, or restate what precedes them. Often they are used to introduce a quote or a list that satisfies the previous statement. For example, this summary could be written as "Colons can introduce many things: descriptors, quotes, lists, and more." Now that you’ve seen all of the ways you can use an em dash, let’s look at when to use the en dash. It’s simple, the en dash only has two uses in writing. To indicate a span or range of numbers or to denote a connection between two words. These are the pictures from the 2019–2020 school year. The score stood at 102–98.Aug 6, 2021 · The En-Dash (–) By comparison the shorter en dash—taking up the same space on the page as the letter “n”—has fewer, simpler use cases by comparison. The en dash is most frequently used to connect numbered ranges, like dates and scores. For example: The home team won the game by a final score of 28–14. Learn the difference between the em dash and the en dash, and how to use them in punctuation. See examples of dashes in various contexts, such as ranges, …One use case for em dashes is as a substitute for commas. Especially in sentences that would otherwise contain a great deal of commas, substituting em dashes ...What purpose does a colon serve in a sentence? If you’re looking for the answer, look no further. Learn how (and when) to use a colon correctly here.Sep 15, 2016 ... Depending on the sentence, the em-dash can have a similar function to parentheses, colons, commas, and even semicolons. But an em-dash is not ...The forward slash has many different uses in English. Learn the different ways to use a forward slash in a sentence with these examples and best practices. Dashes are often used informally instead of commas, colons and brackets. A dash may or may not have a space on either side of it. Do not confuse a dash (—) with a hyphen (-), which is shorter. 1. Use a dash to show a pause or break in meaning in the middle of a sentence: My brothers—Richard and John—are visiting Hanoi. (Could use commas.) (6) A Dash in a Compound Adjective with Equal Parts. A dash (generally, an "en dash") can replace a hyphen in a compound adjective with two equal elements. For example: The India–Pakistan issue; The Smith–Jones case (7) A Dash to Credit a Quotation. A dash (always an "em dash") can be used to credit a quotation. For example: Truckers are the lifeblood of American commerce. They take goods across the country, and they make it easier for all of us to be able to buy what we want and need. Truck drivers ha... Colons (:) introduce clauses or phrases that serve to describe, amplify, or restate what precedes them. Often they are used to introduce a quote or a list that satisfies the previous statement. For example, this summary could be written as "Colons can introduce many things: descriptors, quotes, lists, and more." Use hyphens to show word breaks in publishing. In printed matter, a hyphen is used to show word division between the end of a line and the beginning of the next line. When proofreading already formatted documents, a proofreader’s job is to ensure that words are broken in the appropriate places. It’s better to make the break between syllables.Commas are usually used to indicate appositives, but if an appositive itself contains commas, the sentence can get confusing. Using two em dashes can add clarification. To Highlight a List. When a sentence begins with a list, an em dash is better suited for separating the list than a colon.Learn how to use em dashes and en dashes in sentences to separate words, phrases, and clauses. Find out the difference between dashes and hyphens, and see examples and worksheets.In this case, two em dashes are needed—but avoid using more than two em dashes per sentence, as this can result in more confusion than clarification. Example: I saw Dr. Smith—our family dentist—at the supermarket today. Note that this sentence could also be written using commas: I saw Dr. Smith, our family dentist, at the supermarket today. Em dashes for interruptions: Use em dashes when you are interrupting the main idea of a sentence. If the interruption occurs at the end of the sentence, use a single em dash. If the interruption occurs in the middle of a sentence, put em dashes before and after the interruption. Do not put spaces before or after an em dash. Windows: Keyboard: Alt+Ctrl+ – (minus on number pad) Alt+ 0151. Autoformat on Word and other applications: type a word, then two hyphens together, then another word. Voila! The hyphens become an em dash (it’s a little short, though). Menu: Insert > Symbols > Special Characters > Em Dash. En Dash (–) Use an en dash (the shorter dash symbol) to show a range of dates, numbers, or locations. In all uses of the en dash, you should be able to substitute the word “to” or “through” for the dash. The report covers the period 1998–1999. Please read pages 70–77 in your text. The San Diego–Las Vegas flight is on time. Basics of Dashes. There are two types of dashes in APA style: en dashes and em dashes. The en dash is shorter, named after the width of the letter "n," and the em dash is longer, named after the width of the letter "m." Each has distinct uses in writing. For both en dashes and em dashes, do not put any spaces before or after the dashes. The hyphen is shorter than the en dash and the em dash. Here are some examples of words and phrases that are usually written with a hyphen. brother-in-lawA dash is an adaptable punctuation mark that can be used to indicate parenthesis within a sentence and can be used instead of a bracket or a colon. The main use of a dash in English is to separate or connect two independent clauses. A clause is a phrase that’s made up of a subject, a verb and any modifying words, and dashes can create a ...Grammar Party on twitter. Welcome to part one of a three-part series about horizontal fun in the punctuation department: the em dash, the en dash, and the hyphen. Through this series, you’ll learn the difference between these marks and when to use which one. Let’s take these marks from longest to shortest. That means we are going to …In this sense, you can say that writers use hyphens to join words, creating versions of new glued-together words. In other cases, a hyphen is a necessity to tell your reader the words go together as in glued-together that I used in …Em Dashes. Em dashes, also known as long dashes, are the most common type of dash used in writing. They are wider than hyphens and are used to indicate a break or interruption in a sentence. Em dashes can replace commas, parentheses, or colons, and are often used to add emphasis or provide additional information.The colon makes it feel like a definition, the parentheses make it feel like an aside, the comma doesn't draw much attention to the point, and the dash makes it seem important or dramatic. En Dash (–) Use an en dash (the shorter dash symbol) to show a range of dates, numbers, or locations. In all uses of the en dash, you should be able to substitute the word “to” or “through” for the dash. The report covers the period 1998–1999. Please read pages 70–77 in your text. The San Diego–Las Vegas flight is on time. May 9, 2023 ... Use one em dash to set off a phrase or clause at the end of a sentence. ... If you're not sure about the details, look at the illustrations in the ...Sep 3, 2020 · Examine these useful hyphen, em dash and en dash examples. There are three types of dashes in writing used to convey different ideas in an engaging way. Dictionary ---1