Dashes & Hyphens Grammar Review

Dashes & Hyphens Grammar Review

What is a Dash?

A dash (or em dash) marks a break in thought, sets off nonessential elements for emphasis or clarity, or introduces an introductory list or series. Note: A shorter dash (en dash) is mainly used for number ranges (e.g., pages 10–15). Example: "The concert was incredible—I've never heard anything like it."

1. Mark a Break in Thought
2. Use a dash to indicate a shift in thought, tone, or direction within a sentence.

1. Set Off Nonessential Elements
2. Use dashes to emphasize or clarify information that isn't essential to the sentence.

Three Main Uses of the Dash

1. Introduce a List or Series
2. Use a dash after an introductory list to connect it to a summarizing statement.

Use 1: Marking a Break in Thought

Use a dash to indicate a shift in thought or tone within a sentence. The dash signals a pause or change in direction. Example: "I was awed by the almost superhuman effort Stonehenge represents—but who wouldn't be?" Notice how the dash creates a dramatic pause before the rhetorical question, emphasizing the speaker's reflection.

A dash or pair of dashes sets off a nonessential element for emphasis or clarity. While commas can also work, dashes add stronger focus! Example 1: "Dr. Kruger's specialty is mycology—the study of fungi."

Use 2: Setting Off Nonessential Elements

Example 2: "The trail we took into the Grand Canyon—steep, narrow, winding, and lacking guardrails—made me wonder whether we could call a helicopter to fly us out." Notice how dashes create more emphasis than commas would!

Use 3: Setting Off an Introductory List

Use a dash to set off an introductory list or series when it appears at the start of a sentence, followed by a summarizing phrase. Example: "Eager, determined to succeed, and scared to death—all of these describe how I felt on the first day at work." The dash links the list items to the main clause that follows.

Tech Savvy – How to Type Dashes

Creating an Em Dash in Digital Writing: • Type two hyphens (--) with no spaces – most word processors auto-convert them to em dashes • Microsoft Word Shortcuts: Mac: Option + Shift + Hyphen PC: Control + Alt + Minus (on number pad) • Pro Tip: Practice these shortcuts to ensure professional punctuation in all your writing!

Comma: Minimal pause, less emphasis. "He never failed to mention what was most important to him, the bottom line."

Dash: Longer pause, stronger emphasis. "He never failed to mention what was most important to him—the bottom line."

Rhetorical

Impact

Colon: Direct and formal introduction. "He never failed to mention what was most important to him: the bottom line."

Key Insight: Same sentence, different punctuation = different rhetorical effect and reader experience!

What is a Hyphen?

A hyphen (-) is shorter than a dash and is used to join words or parts of words together. The en dash (–) is slightly longer and is mainly used for number ranges, such as 2010–2020 or pages 15–20. Visual Comparison: • Hyphen: - (shortest) • En Dash: – (medium) • Em Dash: — (longest)

Compound Words

Prefixes

Common Uses of Hyphens

Avoiding Ambiguity

Hyphen Uses: Join compound words (well-known), connect prefixes to proper nouns (pre-1990), and avoid ambiguity (re-sign vs. resign).

Em Dash Uses: Mark breaks in thought, set off nonessential elements for emphasis, and introduce lists or series.

Key Rules

Summary

Rhetorical Effects: Commas = minimal pause, Dashes = stronger emphasis, Colons = formal introduction. Practice typing shortcuts!

En Dash: Primarily used for number ranges (pages 10–25, years 2010–2020). Shorter than em dash.

Questions? Let’s do some practice together!

RULES

x2

Roll the dice

ANIMAL

x3

Dash

Finish

x2

x2

Start

• The game is for 2 to 4 players.
• Each player must choose a token and roll the die (just tap the digital die and wait for it to stop).
• The player who rolls the highest number goes first.
• To play, each player must roll the die and move their token to the corresponding space.
• Some of the squares on the board have special meanings: the star spots when clicked will have a question pop up. Your job is to answer the questions correctly to move forward 1 space and move backwards 2 spaces if you answer incorrectly.

• If they land on an X2 or X3 square, they must multiply the number rolled on the die by the corresponding factor and move that many squares forward.
• If they land on a DANGER space, the player cannot roll the die again until another player passes through that space.
• The first player to reach the finish line wins.

Dang it! You are stuck here until another player passes this space -- better luck next time!