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Uses of Dashes - free english lessons- Lección de ingles gratis
- 1. Uses of Dashes Dashes Use dashes to indicate an abrupt change of thought, a dramatic interrupting idea, or a summary statement. Use dashes to set off nonessential appositive or parenthetical expressions when it is long, when it is already punctuated, or when you want to be dramatic. USES OF THE DASH Change of Thought: Dramatic Interruption: Summary Statement: Nonessential Element: I’ll be with you in a minute – oh, oh, there’s the phone again. That musical – the production numbers are spectacular – has been running on Broadway for years. Nuts, fruits, and grains – all are nutritious foods. The woman who proposed the plan – a wealthy widow who owns two villas, a Manhattan townhouse, and a yacht – has always had liberal ideas. When Stacy saw the new car – can you believe this? – she fainted. Exercise 1 Using the Dash Insert dashes (–) where necessary.. Example: It was a long movie seemingly interminable. It was a long movie – seemingly interminable. 1. Did you hear about – oh, maybe I shouldn’t say that. 2. “What – what is it?” the child asked timidly. 3. The record for that event is two hours, twenty minutes – fantastic! 4. “Do you know if I – if I was accepted?” he asked. 5. She challenged him to a duel – what a switch! 6. The sound of the words cellar door – say it to yourself – is very lovely. 7. The shrub we planted last year – that one over there – is blooming very nicely. 8. Walnut – a beautiful, deep brown wood – is frequently used for furniture. 9. The book I was talking about – I remember it now – was Ethan Frome. 10. Dachshunds – such affectionate dogs – were bred in Germany to hunt badgers. Exercise 2 Using the Dash in Paragraphs Rewrite the paragraph adding dashes where they are needed. Not every sentence in the paragraph needs a dash. (1) The party– it’s been in the planning stages for several weeks now– will take place on Saturday. (2) I hope you can be here a little early– I’ll need help setting up the buffet table. (3) The clown– Bojingles Entertainment, Inc. is sending him out– will arrive at about four o’clock. (4) By then, all the guests should be here. (5) I’ve invited the Johnson twins– you remember them, don’t you? (6) I’ve also invited Susan Campbell– I haven’t seen her in months. (7) The extra chairs, which I ordered from a party supply house, will be delivered in the morning. (8) In addition to the clown, we’ll have other live entertainment– a guitar player, a singer, and a magician. (9) This is the third party I’ve ever given– it will be the best one ever! (10) In a way, I’ll be glad when it’s over– the preparations have really been exhausting. Example: Yesterday I saw my old Spanish teacher- I haven’t seen her in a long time running in the Paso Colon. My little cousin- a big skibidi toilet fan- was eating in the coach while eating Feastables.