How To Use Dashes Semicolons And Colons
After reading the handout you will be better able to decide when to use these forms of punctuation in your own writing.
How to use dashes semicolons and colons. It is also less formal than a colon. If they were separated by a full stop it might sound a bit abrupt. A dash can also connect two sentences when you want to sound less formal. Colons come after a complete sentence and set up a list or explanation. The dash is used for the most part to give your sentence that little dramatic pause it needs to provide emphasis.
This handout explains the most common uses of three kinds of punctuation. The use of the colon or semi colon in these cases helps the reader focus on the relationship between the two clauses. Practice creating sentences with semicolons colons and dashes. Following this quick guide to using colons semicolons and dashes correctly will help you improve your grammatical precision and writing. Dashes can replace colons.
Semicolons connect two independent clauses. Notice that in comparison to the colon and the semicolon the dash is pretty flexible with its usage. Just be sure to become comfortable with the dash. Being able to use them correctly will give your writing more impact making what you say clearer for the reader. It should give you the least amount trouble on the exam.
Find out more with this bitesize primary ks2 english guide. How to properly use a semicolon we use semicolons to separate two independent clauses that are not joined by a conjunction for and nor but or yet so etc. What this handout is about. Don t use commas in between two independent clauses. Semicolons colons and dashes.
A semi colon can replace a full stop between two or more sentences that share a theme. Use each sentence below as the model for a new sentence. Use an em dash instead of a colon when you want to emphasize the conclusion of your sentence without giving it all of the connotations that a colon brings. Use a dash in place of a colon. Model 1 levin wanted friendship and got friendliness.