DASHES | English Lesson
DASHES
In today's lesson, Kevin teaches you how to use the "em dash."
NOTE: When it comes to stuttering, if you're stuttering between complete words (like the examples in the lesson), most style guides recommend using dashes. However, if you're stuttering within a word ("W-w-will you marry me?"), most style guides recommend hyphens. It's a small detail but still worth remembering!
-- FREE PRACTICE BELOW --
DIRECTIONS: Read each sentence. If the dashes are being used correctly, write “CORRECT.” If the dashes are being used incorrectly, write “INCORRECT.”
1. Did—did you really just do that?
2. My brothers—the two guys over there, are pretty cool.
3. I’ll take the—actually, never mind.
4. The tree fell just as Joey said, “I think it’s going to—”
5. My neighbor—is a really nice guy.
6. I knew the material perfectly until—test day.
7. You two can sit—wait, hold on.
8. No one and I mean no one should be allowed to do that!
9. I can work with anyone here—except Richard.
10. Do you know if—if I was accepted?
ANSWERS:
1. CORRECT
2. INCORRECT (The punctuation is inconsistent. There should be two dashes or two commas surrounding
the interruption, not one of each.)
3. CORRECT
4. CORRECT
5. INCORRECT (There is no interruption in this sentence.)
6. INCORRECT (The dash should go BEFORE the word “until.)
7. CORRECT
8. INCORRECT (There should be a dash before “and” and a dash before “should.”)
9. CORRECT
10. CORRECT
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