How To Use Dashes In Sentences Examples
Twice as long as the en dash the long dash can be used in place of a comma parenthesis or colon to enhance readability or emphasize the conclusion of a sentence.
How to use dashes in sentences examples. Do not use an em dash. Dashes can be used to add parenthetical statements or comments in much the same way as you would use brackets. He prayed to his god to allah. Use a dash to indicate an emphasised addition. Place em dashes around non essential information or a list in the middle of a sentence like you would with commas.
Using dashes to extend sentences. Books paper pencils many students lacked even the simplest tools for learning in nineteenth century america. In formal writing you should use the bracket rather than the dash as a dash is considered less formal. After a split second of hesitation the second baseman leaped for the ball or rather limped for it. For instance em dashes can replace parentheses at the end of a sentence or when multiple commas appear in a parenthetical phrase.
It is used in the same manner as a parenthetical expression. You will get away with a hyphen. Use a longer em dash to join independent clauses with words like and but as or and for. Dashes can be used to create emphasis in a sentence. Use a dash to show hesitation.
If you re a stickler for the rules use an en dash in your adjective. A dash can be used to add emphasis at the beginning middle or end of a sentence. The name em indicates that the dash is roughly the size of the letter m. Dashes in summaries and additional information. Using dashes in compound adjectives with equal parts a dash can replace a hyphen in a compound adjective with two equal elements.
Along with its use in place of brackets and colons a dash can be used when writing dialogue for example to show that someone speaking has been interrupted. Jane daniel susan and i we all were taken aback. To show subordinate or additional information within a sentence. Dashes are often used to signal an abrupt change in a sentence indicating that the reader should pay close attention to what comes next. Here a dash is used in place of brackets.