Use of Dashes
The dash is used in informal writing such as personal letters to set off material that the writer wants to emphasize. When using a dash on the computer, you should hit the dash key twice like this -- . There are no spaces added on either side of the dash. The final dash written on the computer will look like so: The building---the one on the hill---was built in 1995.
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Change
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Use a dash when you need to indicate a sudden change in thought in a sentence. For example: The answer to the question is---I forget it now.
Emphasize
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A dash is used when you need to emphasize or clarify extra information in a sentence. For example: My dress---my favorite dress---got torn on my way to work.
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Subordinating Conjunction
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To show a relationship between two ideas, use a dash instead of a subordinating conjunction such as after, because, unless. For example: I decided to wear the blue dress after I spilled coffee on the red one. I decided to wear the blue dress---I spilled coffee on the red one.
Conjunctive Adverb
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Instead of a conjunctive adverb such as however or furthermore, a dash is used in informal writing to show how two ideas are related. For example: I wanted to be on time for school; however I was late. I wanted to be on time for school---I didn't make it on time.
Overuse
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Use dashes sparingly and only use them in informal writing. Dashes normally are not encouraged in professional or academic writing.
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References
- Grammar and Composition Handbook; Glencoe Language Arts; 2003
Resources
- Photo Credit http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu
