Colons, Hyphens, & Dashes Addison B. & Madison B. & Leo F.

Definition of a Colon & Example A punctuation mark (:) that is used in between lists and separating two clauses. The kinds of fiction in which prevails include these: fairy tales, Westerns, and detective stories. The Olympic Games include sport like these: swimming, gymnastics, and track.

Rules of Colons Use a colon to introduce a list, especially after a statement that uses words such as these, namely, the following, or as follows. Use a colon to introduce material that illustrates, explains, or restates the preceding material. Use a colon to introduce a long or formal quotation. A formal quotation is often preceded by such words as this, these, the following, or as follows. Use a colon between the hour and minute of the precise time Use a colon between the chapter and verse in biblical references Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter

Definition of a Hyphen & Example A sign (-) used to to join words together All-purpose Ex-senator Re-use

Rules of Hyphens Use a hyphen after any prefix joined to a proper noun or proper adjective. Use a hyphen after the prefixes all-, ex- (meaning “former”), and self- joined to any noun or adjective. Use a hyphen after the prefix anti- when it joins a word beginning with i. Also use a hyphen after the prefix vice-, except vice president. Use a hyphen to avoid confusion between words beginning with re- that look alike but are different in meaning and pronunciation. Use a hyphen in a compound adjective that precedes a noun.

Rules of Hyphens Continued Hyphenate any spelled-out cardinal number (such as twenty-one) or ordinal number (such as twenty-first) up to ninety-nine or ninety-ninth Hyphenate a fraction that is expressed in words Hyphenate two numerals to indicate a span

Definition of a Dash & Example On a typewriter you would use two hyphens (--). If you’re using a computer you may have a combination of keystrokes to make a proper dash. Don’t place a comma, a semicolon, a colon, or a period before or after a dash

Rules of Dashes Use a dash to indicate an abrupt break or change in thought within a sentence Use a dash to set off and emphasize extra information or parenthetical comments

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