THE DASH 1 Use a dash to show

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.

Remember: There are FOUR main uses for dashes. 1) Use a dash to show a break in speech. ) Use a dash to emphasize important information that abruptly interrupts a sentence. 3) Use a dash to signal a change in thought (or to signal an unfinished thought). 4) Use a dash to set off a long explanatory statement that interrupts the main thought of a sentence.