Adison Elliot, Alli Horn, Kaitlin Deal, Manny Quiñones. The Dash. En and Em Adison Elliot, Alli Horn, Kaitlin Deal, Manny Quiñones.

What is a Dash? A dash is used to set off a sentence. (–) & (—) Do not confuse them with hyphens. (-) Dashes emphasize the text.

What does a dash do? A dash connects an independent clause with another, with a separate or interruption thought plus a conjunction like, or, but, yet, as, for, and after the second dash. I’d better have passed my test—it’s ninety percent of my class grade—or I’ll have to go to summer school. Connecting an independent clause with an independent clause Abby gave me a terrible haircut—and she expected a tip! Indpendent clause with an interrupting and conjunction.

Types of Dashes The em dash- It is a longer dash, the size of the letter m, and is used between words. Ex. “I’m afraid history—and math for that matter—were tutorworthy for you” (Pearson 40). The en dash- It is a shorter dash, the size of the letter n, and is used between numbers. Ex. Forty–four.

Dash as a Hyphen You can replace a hyphen with a dash in a compound adjective with equal elements. The Smith—Jones Case. The India—Pakistan issue.

Using a Dash for a Quotation A quotation can be credited by a dash. Ex. “Some cause happiness wherever they go; other whenever they go.”—Oscar Wilde

Dashes as a Pause for Effect The dash can replace three dots.(…) “I’m fine…” (Pearson 4). I eventually found it…in my shoe.

Dash as a Semicolon A dash is used to merge two independent clauses by replacing the semicolon. He cannot afford it; the flight alone is too much.

Dash as a Colon An appositive and be introduced by a dash instead of a colon. She is only interested in one thing: money.

Using the Dash in Between Numbers and Dates When talking about times and dates you can replace the words from, to, between, an and. From 1999 to 2020 1 through 4 Between February 4th and February 24th