Two dashes can emphasize a modifier . Words or phrases that describe a noun can be set off with dashes if you wish to emphasize them. Example: The fairgrounds—cold and wet in the October rain—were deserted. Example: Nettie—her chin held high—walked out into the storm.
Can you use two sets of dashes in one sentence?
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 .
Do you use two dashes or one?
The dash has only one use : a pair of dashes separates a strong interruption from the rest of the sentence. (A strong interruption is one which violently disrupts the flow of the sentence.) Again, note that word `pair': in principle, at least, dashes come in pairs, though sometimes one of them is not written.
What is a double dash?
: a graphic character consisting of two long parallel horizontal dashes of which the top one is heavy and the bottom one light that is sometimes used to mark page or column divisions in printed matter.
How do you use two hyphens in a sentence?
Two dashes can emphasize a modifier . Words or phrases that describe a noun can be set off with dashes if you wish to emphasize them. Example: The fairgrounds—cold and wet in the October rain—were deserted. Example: Nettie—her chin held high—walked out into the storm.
Why do we use dashes in writing?
A dash is a little horizontal line that floats in the middle of a line of text (not at the bottom: that's an underscore). It's longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. Dashes are used to separate groups of words, not to separate parts of words like a hyphen does.
What are () called in English?
They can also be used in mathematical expressions. For example, 2{1+[23-3]}=x. Parentheses ( () ) are curved notations used to contain further thoughts or qualifying remarks. However, parentheses can be replaced by commas without changing the meaning in most cases.
How do you use a dash instead of a comma?
Em dashes can be used in pairs to replace commas when writing a parenthetical or interruptive phrase. The dashes have a slightly more emphatic feel, making the reader focus on this information that is set inside the special marks.
How do I type an en dash?
If you have a numeric keyboard, hold down the Alt key and type 0151 for an em dash or 0150 for an en dash.
What is dash example?
A dash can be used to replace a colon that offers more information about something previously mentioned in the sentence. For example: She demanded just one thing from her students: effort . She demanded just one thing from her students — effort.
What happens if you say hyphen 5 times?
Many people have found that after saying the fifth “hyphen,” their phone's iOs immediately “crashes” and either restarts their phone completely or closes their current screen and brings them back to their home one . ... So if you do, don't worry – your phone will be exactly as it was before you said “hyphen” five times.
How do you use a dash in academic writing?
- Hyphens are punctuation marks used to link multiple words.
- Use a hyphen to join words together to avoid ambiguity.
- Use a hyphen when two or more words act as a single adjective before a noun.
- Hyphenate spelled-out numbers between 21 and 99 (twenty-one, ninety-nine).
What is Colon in grammar?
Colons are punctuation marks used to signal when what comes next is directly related to the previous sentence . They are used after complete sentences. It is especially important to remember that a colon is not used after a sentence fragment.
What does a dash mean in writing?
A dash is a little horizontal line that floats in the middle of a line of text (not at the bottom: that's an underscore). It's longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. Dashes are used to separate groups of words, not to separate parts of words like a hyphen does.
What is a dash punctuation examples?
Dashes replace otherwise mandatory punctuation, such as the commas after Iowa and 2020 in the following examples: Without dash: The man from Ames, Iowa, arrived. With dash: The man—he was from Ames, Iowa—arrived. Without dash: The May 1, 2020, edition of the Ames Sentinel arrived in June.
When should you use dashes in a sentence quizlet?
In informal writing, em dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought . Examples: You are the friend—the only friend—who offered to help me.
