How To Use Comma Dash

Use a dash to cut off dialogue.

How to use comma dash. Both are used for providing some explanation about a thing that is mentioned in the sentence an explanation without which the sentence would make sense too but the writer wants the reader to know more about that thing. Conversely use a shorter en dash to indicate a range of numbers like 10 15. What this handout is about. Use a longer em dash to join independent clauses with words like and but as or and for. 2 the dash is used for explaining something.

When a thought is left unfinished however a dash should be used instead. Take a look at this example. You could use dashes. The em dash is perhaps the most versatile punctuation mark. Only use commas semicolons colons or dashes if you identify a situation that requires them.

Semicolons colons and dashes. Movie night is more of an aside or comment than a clarification. Em dashes can be used in pairs to replace commas when writing a parenthetical or interruptive phrase. It doesn t seem like enough of an interruption or a dramatic statement to me to merit dashes but it s a judgment call. You re more likely to miss a punctuation question by adding unnecessary punctuation than by leaving out punctuation that s needed.

The dashes have a slightly more emphatic feel making the reader focus on this information that is set inside the special marks. Depending on the context the em dash can take the place of commas parentheses or colons in each case to slightly different effect. For example i never said he began when typing a completed sentence a comma precedes the closing quotation mark and the attribution. Use a dash to show a pause or break in meaning in the middle of a sentence. Use dashes in place of a comma.

Movie night is so far removed from the flow of the sentence that you wouldn t want to use commas around it. An em dash is made by typing two hyphens. Could use commas in the 15th century when of course nobody had electricity water was often pumped by hand. My brothers richard and john are visiting hanoi. 1 the use of comma is for depicting a brief pause when one has to provide side information about something.