Commas
Fishing skiing and scuba diving are my favorite sports.
Fishing, skiing, and scuba diving are my favorite sports.
What is the difference between an em dash and an en dash?
The em dash is longer
Which sentence uses a hyphen correctly?
A) Sally is too self—centered.
B) Sally is too self-centered.
C) Sally is too—self centered.
B) Sally is too self-centered.
Choose the sentence that uses parentheses correctly.
A) George Washington 1732-1799 was the first (president) of the United States.
B) George Washington 1732-1799 was the first president of the United States.
C) George Washington (1732-1799) was the first president of the United States.
C) George Washington (1732-1799) was the first president of the United States.
What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?
The length of a hyphen is shorter than the length of a dash.
There are two types of dashes (em and en) but there is only one type of hyphen.
Hyphens are typically used in compound words, while dashes can be used to indicate an interruption, or pause in a sentence.
The Great Gatsby my favorite book was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The Great Gatsby, my favorite book, was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Which sentence uses the en dash correctly?
A) Our store is open 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
B) Our store is open 9:00 am—5:00 pm.
C) Our store is open—9:00 am 5:00 pm.
A) Our store is open 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
Which sentence uses hyphens correctly?
A) The test will be twenty-five questions long.
B) The test will be 2-5 questions long.
C) The test will be twenty—five questions long.
A) The test will be twenty-five questions long.
Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?
A) Newton (Julie’s dog) loves to play fetch.
B) (Newton) Julie’s dog loves to play fetch.
C) Newton Julie’s dog (loves to play fetch).
A) Newton (Julie’s dog) loves to play fetch.
Choose the sentence that uses hyphens correctly.
A) That six—year—old girl is a child prodigy on the piano.
B) That six-year-old girl is a child prodigy on the piano.
C) That six-year old girl is a child prodigy on the piano.
B) That six-year-old girl is a child prodigy on the piano.
They are fortunately safe and sound in their hotel room.
They are, fortunately, safe and sound in their hotel room.
Which sentence uses an em dash correctly?
A) Wait a minute oh, never mind.
B) Wait a minute-please oh, never mind.
C) Wait a minute—oh, never mind.
C) Wait a minute—oh, never mind.
Which sentence uses hyphens correctly?
A) He didn't think about the long—term consequences of his actions.
B) He didn't think—about the long term consequences of his actions.
C) He didn't think about the long-term consequences of his actions.
C) He didn't think about the long-term consequences of his actions.
Choose the sentence that uses parentheses correctly.
A. There are three reasons that we should get a dog: a they're lovable, b they make great pets, and c they are fun to play with.
B. There are three reasons that we should get a dog: a) they're lovable, b) they make great pets, c) they are fun to play with.
C. There are three reasons that we should get a dog: (a) they're lovable, (b) they make great pets, and (c) they are fun to play with.
C. There are three reasons that we should get a dog: (a) they're lovable, (b) they make great pets, and (c) they are fun to play with.
Choose the sentence that uses parentheses correctly.
A) My friend Dave (who is also my neighbor) came over to watch a movie last night.
B) My friend Dave who is (also my neighbor) came over to watch a movie last night.
C) My friend Dave who is also my neighbor came over (to watch) a movie last night.
A) My friend Dave (who is also my neighbor) came over to watch a movie last night.
First you need to take out the trash and do your laundry.
First, you need to take out the trash and do your laundry.
Which sentence uses the en dash correctly?
A) Please read—chapters 1,4.
B) Please read chapters 1-4.
C) Please read chapters 1—4.
B) Please read chapters 1-4.
Choose the sentence that uses hyphens correctly.
A) Soon, I will celebrate my forty—fifth birthday.
B) Soon, I will celebrate my forty-fifth birthday.
C) Soon, I will celebrate my forty-fifth-birthday.
B) Soon, I will celebrate my forty-fifth birthday.
Choose the sentence that uses parentheses correctly.
A) The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ASPCA helps many animals.
B) The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) helps many animals.
C) The (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) ASPCA helps many animals.
B) The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) helps many animals.
Which sentence uses the en dash correctly?
A) Summer break is from-June August.
B) Summer break is from June—August.
C) Summer break is from June-August.
C) Summer break is from June-August.
Before I left the parking lot I checked to make sure my groceries were in the trunk.
Before I left the parking lot, I checked to make sure my groceries were in the trunk.
Which sentence uses the em dash correctly?
A) The park—the one with the orange slide is closed.
B) The park—the one with the orange slide—is closed.
C) The park-the one with the orange slide-is closed.
B) The park—the one with the orange slide—is closed.
Choose the sentence that uses hyphens correctly.
A) She was the best all-around player on the team.
B) She was the best all around player on the team.
C) She was the best all—around player on the team.
A) She was the best all-around player on the team.
Choose the sentence that uses parentheses correctly.
A) I’m hoping to go to a craft store maybe Hobby Lobby to buy some materials for my (art project).
B) I’m hoping to go to a (craft store) maybe Hobby Lobby to buy some materials for my art project.
C) I’m hoping to go to a craft store (maybe Hobby Lobby) to buy some materials for my art project.
C) I’m hoping to go to a craft store (maybe Hobby Lobby) to buy some materials for my art project.
Which sentence uses the em dash correctly?
A) James ripped his shorts-his favorite shorts on the monkey bars.
B) James ripped his shorts his favorite shorts—on the monkey bars.
C) James ripped his shorts—his favorite shorts—on the monkey bars.
C) James ripped his shorts—his favorite shorts—on the monkey bars.