How do you use dashes in writing?

Dashes

To set off material for emphasis. Think of dashes as the opposite of parentheses.
To indicate sentence introductions or conclusions.
To mark “bonus phrases.” Phrases that add information or clarify but are not necessary to the meaning of a sentence are ordinarily set off with commas.
To break up dialogue.

What is a dash example?

Dashes, like commas, semicolons, colons, ellipses, and parentheses, indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought. Note how dashes subtly change the tone of the following sentences: Examples: You are the friend, the only friend, who offered to help me.

How do you use a dash in a sentence?

Dashes

Your writing, at its best.
After a split second of hesitation, the second baseman leaped for the ball (or, rather, limped for it).
After a split second of hesitation, the second baseman leaped for the ball—or, rather, limped for it.
He is afraid of two things: spiders and senior prom.

What does a dash mean in a sentence?

The dash (—) is a mark of punctuation used to set off a word or phrase after an independent clause or a parenthetical remark (words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence). “A dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses.”

Can you use dashes in formal writing?

Use an em dash sparingly in formal writing. In informal writing, em dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought.

How do you write a list in a sentence?

Format for Lists

Use a colon to introduce the list items only if a complete sentence precedes the list.
Use both opening and closing parentheses on the list item numbers or letters: (a) item, (b) item, etc.
Use either regular Arabic numbers or lowercase letters within the parentheses, but use them consistently.

What is a colon in writing?

The colon is used to separate two independent clauses when the second explains or illustrates the first. In such usage, the colon functions in much the same way as the semicolon. As with the semicolon, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless the word is ordinarily capitalized.

What is Colon example?

Colons and semicolons are two types of punctuation. Colons (:) are used in sentences to show that something is following, like a quotation, example, or list. Semicolons (;) are used to join two independent clauses, or two complete thoughts that could stand alone as complete sentences.

How do you start a list in a sentence?

In-sentence lists

Use a colon to introduce the list items only if a complete sentence precedes the list.
Use both opening and closing parentheses on the list item numbers or letters: (a) item, (b) item, etc.
Use either regular Arabic numbers or lowercase letters within the parentheses, but use them consistently.

How do you write parallelism in writing?

Parallelism may be created by connecting two clauses or making a list using coordinating conjunctions; by comparing two items using than or as; or by connecting two parts of a sentence using correlative conjunctions.

How will you identify a sentence if it is parallel?

To spot potential parallelism pitfalls, first look for the coordinating conjunctions in a sentence – those are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so – and then look to either side of the conjunction to see if it’s parallel.

What’s the difference between parallelism and repetition?

Repetition is the reuse of words, phrases, ideas or themes in your speech. Parallelism—a related device—is the proximity of two or more phrases with identical or similar constructions, especially those expressing the same sentiment, but with slight modifications.

What is a non parallel sentence?

Non-parallel structure occurs when you mix the verb forms. For example: The verbs here are follow, join and creating – different forms of verb (two base forms and one -ing verb). The structure is therefore non-parallel.

What is run on sentence?

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly. Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time. There are two complete sentences in the above example: One common type of run-on sentence is a comma splice.

How do you use parallelism in a sentence?

Sentence with Parallel Structure: This usage of parallelism lists the tasks in a simpler and clearer way: I need you to first (adverb) water the plants (verb and object), then (adverb) feed the dogs (verb and object), and lastly (adverb) make the dinner (verb and object).

What is parallelism example?

Here’s a quick and simple definition: Parallelism is a figure of speech in which two or more elements of a sentence (or series of sentences) have the same grammatical structure. The following well-known adage is an example of parallelism: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day.

Why is parallelism important in writing?

Parallelism is important in writing because it allows a writer to achieve a sense of rhythm and order. When sentence structures are not parallel, writing sounds awkward and choppy. Parallel clauses are usually combined with the use of a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

What are cohesive devices in writing?

Cohesive devices are words or phrases used to connect ideas between different parts of text.

What does it mean when words are parallel?

Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as “and” and “or.”

What does but nevertheless mean?

: in spite of that : however her childish but nevertheless real delight— Richard Corbin.

How is nevertheless used in a sentence?

1, He was very tired; nevertheless he went on walking. 2, Nevertheless, we will do everything. 3, What you said was true but nevertheless unkind. 4, She was very tired, nevertheless she kept on working.