Understanding Dashes and Hyphens

What is the primary function of a dash in a sentence?

• To connect words

• To separate information

• To indicate a question

• To end a sentence

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a dash to set off information?

• I need to buy some groceries - milk, eggs, and bread.

• I need to buy some groceries—milk, eggs, and bread.

• I need to buy some groceries: milk, eggs, and bread.

• I need to buy some groceries; milk, eggs, and bread.

Identify the sentence that uses a hyphen correctly.

• She is a well known author.

• She is a well-known author.

• She is a well known-author.

• She is a well-known-author.

In which situation would you use a dash instead of a hyphen?

• To join two words into a compound word

• To indicate a range of numbers

• To emphasize additional information

• To separate syllables in a word

Which sentence demonstrates the use of a dash to show an interruption?

• "I was going to the store—"

• "I was going to the store, but—"

• "I was going to the store—when it started raining."

• "I was going to the store when—"

What is the difference between a dash and a hyphen?

• A dash is used to join words, while a hyphen separates information.

• A dash is longer and separates information, while a hyphen is shorter and joins words.

• A dash is shorter and joins words, while a hyphen is longer and separates information.

• A dash and a hyphen are used interchangeably.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a dash to clarify information.

• The best players—Michael Jordan and LeBron James—are often compared.

• The best players, Michael Jordan and LeBron James, are often compared.

• The best players: Michael Jordan and LeBron James are often compared.

• The best players; Michael Jordan and LeBron James are often compared.

Which of the following sentences uses a hyphen incorrectly?

• The twenty-one-year-old student graduated.

• The student is twenty one years old.

• The student is twenty-one years old.

• The twenty-one year old student graduated.

Analyze the following sentence and determine if the dash is used correctly: "The concert—scheduled for tonight—has been postponed."

• Yes, the dash is used correctly to set off additional information.

• No, the dash should be replaced with a comma.

• No, the dash should be replaced with a semicolon.

• No, the dash should be removed entirely.

Which sentence uses a dash to emphasize a sudden change in thought?

• I was planning to go to the beach—but it started raining.

• I was planning to go to the beach, but it started raining.

• I was planning to go to the beach; but it started raining.

• I was planning to go to the beach: but it started raining.