Dashes · Grade 12
In Grade 12 you get fluent with: a dash for a pause or a surprise; a pair of dashes for extra information.
A dash – is longer than a hyphen and has a space on each side. One dash adds a pause before a surprise or an extra detail; a pair of dashes adds extra information in the middle of a sentence. I opened the box – it was empty!
Key facts
- A single dash adds a pause before a surprise or extra detail: He had one dream – to fly. A pair of dashes adds extra information in the middle: My uncle – a famous chef – cooked dinner.
- A dash is longer than a hyphen and has a space on each side; a hyphen is short, with no spaces.
Worked examples
Example 1
Add a dash: I opened the box it was empty!
Answer: I opened the box – it was empty!
Example 2
Add a pair of dashes: My uncle a famous chef cooked dinner.
Answer: My uncle – a famous chef – cooked dinner.
Example 3
Hyphen or dash? We waited and waited ___ nobody came.
Answer: a dash –, with a space on each side
Example 4
Which sentence uses a dash correctly? The film was long-but good. or The film was long – but good.
Answer: The film was long – but good.
Example 5
Rewrite with a dash so that the ending is a surprise: We ran to the station, but the train had already gone.
Answer: We ran to the station – the train had already gone.
Example 6
Use a dash for effect: I opened the letter. It was from the Queen.
Answer: I opened the letter – it was from the Queen.