The Dash
Dashes are used to set off words that break into the main idea of a sentence. While commas are used to set off material that is closely connected to the main idea, dashes indicate a looser connection. The words set off by dashes add extra information to an already complete thought. Dashes can mean in other words or that is when they come before an explanation.
Use a dash to show an abrupt break in thought.
This use of the dash is especially appropriate in dialogue, where it adds a casual, conversational tone.
"Her husband, Frank Butler, allowed her to shoot a cigarette out of his mouth and a dime out of his hand - can you imagine such
trust?"
Use a dash to set off a long explanatory statement that interrupts the main thought of the sentence.
Note that in the last example above, punctuation occurs within the interrupting statement. In such a case, the dash serves as a guide and clarification for the reader, signaling the addition of extra, nonessential information.
Use a dash to set off a summarizing statement from the rest of a sentence.
Remember that dashes call attention to themselves. Consequently, there is always the danger that, if misused, they may confuse the reader or make your writing seem choppy and abrupt. When dashes are used appropriately, however, they can add interest, variety, and emphasis to your writing.
Punctuation Note Punctuation marks that belong to the material set off by dashes should be placed inside the dashes.
Use a dash to show an abrupt break in thought.
- The Morrises plan to see Hamlet - it's their favorite play - a the Shakespeare festival in Stratford, Ontario.
- The trouble is - I suppose he knows it himself - he just can't get along with other people.
This use of the dash is especially appropriate in dialogue, where it adds a casual, conversational tone.
- "Did you know that Annie Oakley - her nickname was 'Little Sure Shot' - was only five feet tall?"
"Her husband, Frank Butler, allowed her to shoot a cigarette out of his mouth and a dime out of his hand - can you imagine such
trust?"
Use a dash to set off a long explanatory statement that interrupts the main thought of the sentence.
- There was a feeling of curious anticipation - a feeling shared throughout the world - when Communist China first invited the President of the United States to visit Beijing.
- Tammany Hall - a powerful political machine in the New York of the late nineteenth century - was often attacked by cartoonists.
- Many prominent American poets - Elizabeth Bishop, Sharon Olds, and Robert Bly, to name just a few - gathered at the national writing convention.
Note that in the last example above, punctuation occurs within the interrupting statement. In such a case, the dash serves as a guide and clarification for the reader, signaling the addition of extra, nonessential information.
Use a dash to set off a summarizing statement from the rest of a sentence.
- Simplicity of operation, low cost, assembly-line production - these were the factors that Henry Ford introduced to revolutionize the manufacture of automobiles.
Remember that dashes call attention to themselves. Consequently, there is always the danger that, if misused, they may confuse the reader or make your writing seem choppy and abrupt. When dashes are used appropriately, however, they can add interest, variety, and emphasis to your writing.
Punctuation Note Punctuation marks that belong to the material set off by dashes should be placed inside the dashes.
- I saw Sue - do you remember her? - when I visited my old school last week.
The Hypen
Hyphens are sometimes used to combine words and word parts and sometimes to separate them.
Use a hyphen in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.
Use hyphens in fractions, whether they are used as adjectives or as nouns.
Use a hyphen in a compound adjective used before a noun. Usually no hyphen is used when a compound adjective follows a linking verb.
Use a hyphen in certain compound nouns.
Spelling Note The rules for hyphenation of compound nouns and modifiers are very complex. Always consult a dictionary when you are unsure about the spelling of such words.
Use a hyphen with the prefixes all-, ex-, and self-; with the suffix -elect; and with all prefixes before a proper noun or proper adjective.
Use hyphens if part of a word must be carried over from one line to the next.
The following rules should be observed when hyphenating words:
Spelling Note Do not use a hyphen when a modifier includes a word ending in -ly; newly painted fence.
Use a hyphen in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.
- thirty-one fifty-six
Use hyphens in fractions, whether they are used as adjectives or as nouns.
- Adjective She won the election by a two-thirds majority.
- Noun Two-thirds of the members voted for the measure.
Use a hyphen in a compound adjective used before a noun. Usually no hyphen is used when a compound adjective follows a linking verb.
- Before a Noun Eleanor is a well-informed voter.
- After a Verb Eleanor is well informed
Use a hyphen in certain compound nouns.
- sister-in-law self-confidence
Spelling Note The rules for hyphenation of compound nouns and modifiers are very complex. Always consult a dictionary when you are unsure about the spelling of such words.
Use a hyphen with the prefixes all-, ex-, and self-; with the suffix -elect; and with all prefixes before a proper noun or proper adjective.
- ex-senator President-elect post-Elizabethan
Use hyphens if part of a word must be carried over from one line to the next.
- Ed felt strongly about the issue, so he wrote his represen-
The following rules should be observed when hyphenating words:
- Separate words only between syllables.
- Hyphenate a word only if it has two or more syllables.
- Leave at least two letters of the hyphenated word on each line.
Spelling Note Do not use a hyphen when a modifier includes a word ending in -ly; newly painted fence.
Parentheses
Parentheses and brackets are used to enclose information that is separate from the main idea of the sentence.
Use parentheses to set off supplementary or explanatory material that is nonessential or loosely connected to the sentence.
Use parentheses to identify a source of information.
Use parentheses to enclose figures of letters that identify items in a series.
Use parentheses to set off certain numerical information.
Place punctuation marks inside the parentheses when they belong to the parenthetical material. When punctuation marks belong to the main part of the sentence, place them outside the parentheses.
Use parentheses to set off supplementary or explanatory material that is nonessential or loosely connected to the sentence.
- The Xhosa (ko'sa) are a pastoral people who live in South Africa.
- T.S. Eliot's poem "Ash Wednesday" (written in 1930) shows how he had begun to move from despair to faith.
Use parentheses to identify a source of information.
- "Things happened to young Walt Disney that he would remember with absolute clarity in his mature years" (Thomas 10).
Use parentheses to enclose figures of letters that identify items in a series.
- The years after the turn of the century were years of change for the people of England: (1) in social conditions, (2) in government, and (3) in the expansion of their empire.
Use parentheses to set off certain numerical information.
- Call our toll-free number (800) 555-3211.
- William Penn (1644-1718) founded the colony of Pennsylvania.
Place punctuation marks inside the parentheses when they belong to the parenthetical material. When punctuation marks belong to the main part of the sentence, place them outside the parentheses.
Brackets
Like parentheses, brackets are used to enclose information that is separate from the main idea of the sentence.
Use brackets to enclose corrections or to insert additional information into material quoted from a source.
Use brackets to enclose corrections or to insert additional information into material quoted from a source.
- Correction "On the 4th [5th] of March, Hayes took office."
- An explanatory word inserted by the editor The letter read: "We have him [Jordahl] at our mercy."
Ellipses
Use ellipses - three dots ( . . . ) - to indicate the omission of part of a quoted sentence. Use four dots - a period plus ellipses - when the omission is between sentences or after a sentence.
- "Dear Madam: I have been shown in the files of the War Department . . . that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle . . . . " Abraham Lincoln