THE DASH

1) Use a dash to show a break in speech.

1) Use a dash to show a break in speech.

Example: “I--I can’t do it!” exclaimed the girl.“I can’t--!” exclaimed the girl.

2) Use a dash to emphasize important information that abruptly interrupts a

sentence.

2) Use a dash to emphasize important information that abruptly interrupts a

sentence.

Example: The crowd marveled as the circus performer--using one finger--lifted fifty pounds.

3) Use a dash to signal a change in thought (or to signal an unfinished thought).

3) Use a dash to signal a change in thought (or to signal an unfinished thought).

Example: The winner of today’s baseball game--assuming we aren’t rained out--will play in the

regional semifinals.

The appetizers--supposedly the restaurant’s specialty--left us disappointed.

4) Use a dash to set off a long explanatory statement that interrupts the main thought

of a sentence.

4) Use a dash to set off a long explanatory statement that interrupts the main thought

of a sentence.

Example: They desperately searched everywhere--under the seats, in the aisle, in the

lobby--trying to find their car keys.

4) Use a dash to set off a long explanatory statement that interrupts the main thought of a sentence.

3) Use a dash to signal a change in thought (or to signal an unfinished thought).

2) Use a dash to emphasize important information that abruptly interrupts a sentence.

1) Use a dash to show a break in speech.

Remember: There are FOUR main uses for dashes.