Lesson 430

Mechanics - Punctuation - Dashes

Use a dash to emphasize appositivesAn appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames the noun or pronoun that it follows. It is set off by commas unless closely tied to the word that it identifies or renames. ("Closely tied" means that it is needed to identify the word.) An appositive can follow any noun or pronoun.  Source: Lesson 128 or to set off a series of appositives.

Example:
Everything--cars, bikes, furniture--must be moved.

Dashes are used to give emphasis to written ideas and are typed by using two hyphens. They should be used sparingly.

 
 
 

Instructions: Use dashes where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. Have you met Larry Millward the best friend I've ever had?

2. We lost in the fire everything clothes, jewelry, photos, memories.

3. We stopped in three cities Butte, Great Falls, Sweetgrass.

4. I want you to visit Brazil my other country and second home.

5. Everyone men, women, children will be cared for immediately.