The Dash

Examples Help! What is the definition of the Dash?

How do you define Dash? When to use a Dash? What are the rules for using a Dash? The definition of Dash punctuation mark is as follows:

 

Punctuation Mark - Definition of a Dash
Definition: The dash is a punctuation mark (-) which is used especially to indicate a break in the thought or structure of a sentence.
Punctuation Mark - Definition

When to use the Dash - the Rules

The Dash is generally confined to cases where there is a sudden break from the general run of the passage. Of all the punctuation marks it is the most misused. When to use this type of punctuation with examples:

  • It is employed to denote sudden change in the construction or sentiment: "The Heroes of the Civil War,—how we cherish them." "He was a fine fellow—in his own opinion."
  • When a word or expression is repeated for oratorical effect, dashes are used to introduce the repetition: "Shakespeare was the greatest of all poets—Shakespeare, the intellectual ocean whose waves washed the continents of all thought."
  • The Dash is used to indicate a conclusion without expressing it: "He is an excellent man but—"
  • It is used to indicate what is not expected or what is not the natural outcome of what has gone before: "He delved deep into the bowels of the earth and found instead of the hidden treasure—a button."
  • love study? I do."
  • It is used to denote the omission of letters or figures: "J—n J—s for John Jones; 1908-9 for 1908 and 1909; Matthew VII:5-8 for Matthew VII:5, 6, 7, and 8.
  • When an ellipsis of the words, namely, that is, to wit, etc., takes place, the dash is used to supply them: "He excelled in three branches—arithmetic, algebra, and geometry."
  • A dash is used to denote the omission of part of a word when it is undesirable to write the full word: He is somewhat of a r——l (rascal). This is especially the case in profane words.
  • Between a citation and the authority for it there is generally a dash: "All the world's a stage."—Shakespeare.
  • When questions and answers are put in the same paragraph they should be separated by dashes: "Are you a good boy? Yes, Sir.—Do you

Examples Help - Dash - Understanding English Grammar!

English Grammar applies rules for standard use of words and how their component parts combine to form sentences. A grammar is also a system for classifying and analyzing the elements of language including inflections, functions, rules and relations in the sentence. This page about when to use this type of punctuation mark with the rules and guidelines will help with the understanding of this subject.

  • English Grammar & Terminology
  • When to use the dash
  • Definitions, rules, guide, samples and examples of different English Grammar rules - Punctuation marks
  • What are the rules?
  • Definition, rules, guidelines
  • The dash Punctuation Mark
  • Definitions, rules, guide, samples and examples of different English Grammar rules - Punctuation marks
  • When to use this type of punctuation mark
  • Examples Help!

The Dash

Punctuation - Definition - Define - English Grammar - Punctuation mark - Rules - Grammer - Grammer - Speach - Online - Web - Free - Samples - Sample - Speach - Examples - Example - Online - Web - E-Learning - English Grammar - Grammer - Types - Structure - Sentence - Essential - Rules - Grammatical - Definition - Define - English Grammar - Punctuation mark - Rules - Grammer - Grammer - Speach - Online - Web - Free - Samples - Sample - Speach - Examples - Example - Online - Web - E-Learning - English Grammar - Grammer - Types - Structure - Sentence - Essential - Rules - Grammatical - Punctuation - Written By Linda Alchin