Dash Punctuation

A punctuation mark that we must use sparingly is the dash. The dash can indicate a sudden change in thought, an interruption in the flow of the sentence, faltering speech, or an abrupt halt to speech.

  • It's too bad we—Well, it doesn't matter now.
  • The best man's behavior—he fell asleep at the reception—was remembered for years to come.
  • I saw him—at least I thought I did—at the store.
  • Uranus was originally named Georgium Sidus—can you believe it?—after King George III of Great Britain.
  • Uranus—um, I think I remember—has five rings and five satellites.
  • George Wythe submitted a list of corrective alterations—yes, it upset some people—to the Virginian ratification convention.
  • James McClurg—please pay close attention—was one of the most ill-suited delegates.

The dash can also offset a word or phrase for emphasis.

  • English, history, math—these subjects are difficult for me. 
  • Call Bob—he works for Joan—if you want the facts.
  • Singing—that's all he ever wanted to do.
  • Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon—these are the names of Uranus's five rings. 
  • Uranus was also Greek god of the heavens—husband of Gaea, father of the Titans, father of the Cyclops, and father of the hundred-handed giants.
  • It is a very bright planet—sixth-magnitude of brightness.
  • George Washington, James Madison, George Mason, and George Wythe—these and other Virginians served at the Constitutional Convention. 
  • One of the most distinguished was George Wythe—lawyer, jurist, professor, and statesman.
  • He became a professor of law at William and Mary—the first American to hold such a position.

Errors to Avoid

Do not use a dash in place of a period. Two complete sentences should be separated by a period, not a dash.

  • INCORRECT:
    The bicycle was a gift on Edward's birthday—Edward learned quickly how to take care of it.
  • CORRECT:
    The bicycle was a gift on Edward's birthday. Edward learned quickly how to take care of it.
  • INCORRECT:
    Ursa Major appears prominently in the night sky—Most people know it as the "Big Dipper."
  • CORRECT:
    Ursa Major appears prominently in the night sky. Most people know it as the "Big Dipper."
  • INCORRECT:
    James McClurg was a respected member of the medical profession—He was a high Federalist interested in protecting large investments.
  • CORRECT:
    James McClurg was a respected member of the medical profession. He was a high Federalist interested in protecting large investments.

Examples

Rewrite sentences 1-7, using dash punctuation where needed.

  1. Marian's mother her name is Rose likes tulips.
  2. "They'll never find me in the" said John, just before they found him.
  3. I finished all my homework early before three o'clock.
  4. The name of the book about Scrooge now let me think is A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.
  5. "Don't drop your" said Pat as Len's plate crashed on the floor.
  6. James McClurg let me think came from a family of physicians.
  7. He received his M.D. from the University of Edinburgh perhaps the finest medical school in the world.

Solutions

  1. We use dashes to indicate an interruption in the flow of the sentence. Marian's mother—her name is Rose—likes tulips.
  2. We dash punctuation to indicate an abrupt halt to speech. "They'll never find me in the—" said John, just before they found him.
  3. We use a dash for emphasis. I finished all my homework early—before three o'clock.
  4. We use dashes to indicate a an interruption in the flow of the sentence. The name of the book about Scrooge—now let me think—is A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.
  5. We use a dash to indicate an abrupt halt to speech. "Don't drop your—" said Pat as Len's plate crashed on the floor.
  6. We place dash punctuation to indicate an interruption in the flow of the sentence. James McClurg—let me think—came from a family of physicians.
  7. We use dash punctuation for emphasis. He received his M.D. from the University of Edinburgh—perhaps the finest medical school in the world.