-Ups: Grammar & Usage 2006 W
Punctuation
Dashes and Parentheses
Dashes and parentheses work to set off information much as
commas do. Dashes set off an abrupt change in thought, an
appositive that is introduced by words such as for example and for
instance, and parenthetical expressions or appositives that include
commas. Parentheses are used to set off information that is not closely
related to the meaning of the sentence.
Daily Warm-Ups
Read the following sentences. Insert dashes and parentheses when needed.
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1. Where is the girl she just moved in across the street going?
2. We walked or should I say crawled back to our hotel room after a long day.
3. Three teachers Mr. Dugan, Ms. Ortiz, and Ms. Thayer are all nominated for
the Teacher of the Year award.
4. That puppy often found sleeping in his cage bites my fingers when he plays.
Now write two sentences of your own. One should contain dashes, and one
should contain parentheses.