Belajar Bahasa Inggris GRATIS: WRITING

'' PUNCTUATION''

Using Dashes

Generally speaking, the dash does not have a unique role. It is usually used as an alternative to another type of punctuation.

When used to extend a sentence, a dash can replace a semicolon (;), a colon (:), or three dots (...) used as a pause for effect.

When used as parentheses, dashes are alternatives to brackets or commas.

There are two kinds of dash: the em dash (—) and the en dash (–). The em dash is the same length as the character "M" (uppercase), and the en dash is same length as the letter "n" (lowercase).

As dashes do not feature on a standard keyboard, lots of people use hyphens instead of dashes. That's not really such a crime, but it's something of a missed opportunity to show off that you know the difference between a hyphen and a dash. Some writers like to use two hyphens (--) to represent one dash to differentiate.

Here are the four main dash-like characters ordered longest to shortest:

Name	Punctuation	How To Get One
em dash	—	Ctl + Alt + minus (on the numeric pad)
minus sign	−	minus (on the numeric pad)
hyphen	-	- (the key to the right of "0")
en dash	–	Ctl + minus (on the numeric pad)

Here they are again but in a bigger font size.

Name	Punctuation
em dash	—
minus sign	−
hyphen	-
en dash	–

The hyphen and the en dash are almost indistinguishable from each other when using normal size fonts.

Using Dashes with Times and Dates

A dash can be used between times and dates. (A dash will usually replace the words from…to or between…and.) For example:

USSR existed 1922-1991.

Note: This is an alternative to:

USSR existed between 1922 and 1991.
USSR existed from 1922 to 1991.
USSR existed 1922 to 1991.

The project will be delivered January-June.
I will visit 13 January-24 January
I will visit 0800-0900.

The format with the dash is most common in tables. For example:

Time	Event
0800-0830	Introduction
0830-0930	Lesson 1
0930-1030	Lesson 2

Note: If you're a stickler for the rules, use an en dash between times and dates. You will get away with a hyphen. Do not use an em dash.

Using Dashes in Compound Adjectives with Equal Parts

A dash can replace a hyphen in a compound adjective with two equal elements. For example:

The India-Pakistan issue
The NATO-Warsaw Pact agreement

Note: If you're a stickler for the rules, use an en dash in your adjective. You will get away with a hyphen. Do not use an em dash.

Using Dashes to Extend Sentences

A dash can be used to replace a colon which is offering more information about something mentioned previously in the sentence. For example:

She demanded just one thing from her students: effort.
She demanded just one thing from her students — effort.

A dash can be used to replace a semicolon which replaced a full stop / period to give a smoother transition between two sentences: For example:

She demanded effort from her students. That's all she ever asked for.
She demanded effort from her students; that's all she ever asked for.

(semicolon used to give a smoother transition between the sentences)

She demanded effort from her students — that's all she ever asked for.

(semicolon replaced by a dash)

A dash can be used to replace three dots used as a pause for effect. For example:

As she prodded through the sludge, something caught her eye. It was the unblemished unmistakable sparkle of… the diamond on her grandmother's ring.
As she prodded through the sludge, something caught her eye. It was the unblemished unmistakable sparkle of — the diamond on her grandmother's ring.

Good news! There are specific rules about when to use a semicolon, a colon, or three dots, so you have to know what you're doing if you choose one of them. One of the good things about a dash is that it can be used as a substitute for all three.

Bad news! Using dashes every single time is not a good look. It will also cut down on your options for expressing yourself and showcasing your grammar skills. Therefore, you must still learn how to use the others. (You could think of the dash as a get-out-of-jail-free card that you can use occasionally.)

Note: If you're a stickler for the rules, use an em dash to extend a sentence. You will get away with an en dash or a hyphen.

Read more about dashes to extend a sentence

Using Dashes as Parentheses

We're all familiar with putting explanations or afterthoughts in brackets (just like this). But, brackets are just one of the choices you have for inserting extra information into a sentence. You can also use commas or dashes. For example:

Mark Jones (who has lived in our village for 20 years) is the world Scrabble champion and the national Cluedo champion.

(brackets used)

Mark Jones — who has lived in our village for 20 years — is the world Scrabble champion and the national Cluedo champion.

(dashes used)

Mark Jones, who has lived in our village for 20 years, is the world Scrabble champion and the national Cluedo champion.

(commas used)

Dashes tend to be used when there are other commas in the sentence and when brackets would seem a little too informal. For example:

Last week, Dr Mark Jones — a resident of Bexley since he graduated from Bexley Secondary School in 1990 — was crowned, for the second year running, the world Scrabble champion.

(In this example, the writer did not want to use brackets because they would seem too informal and did not want to use commas because there were too many other commas in the sentence.)

You don't need to justify using dashes for parentheses, but just be aware that they can look a little stark.

Note: If you're a stickler for the rules, use an em dash for parentheses. You will get away with en dashes or hyphens.
Read more at http://www.grammar-monster.com/punctuation/using_dashes.htm#v6owOewgBcUeeDvJ.99

A comma is used:

After setting the scene at the start of a sentence (e.g., Now I'm older, I understand.

)

After transitional phrases like However, Consequently, or As a result (e.g., As a result, I now understand.

)

After an interjection (e.g., Jeepers, now I understand.

)

Before a conjunction joining two independent clauses (e.g., I like cake, and I like cheese.

)

As parentheses (e.g., Janet and John Baxter, who live next door, adore cakes.

)

To separate list items (e.g., bread, milk, and cheese

(

) / bread, milk and cheese

(

) – more on this below.)

After a long subject if it helps the reader (e.g., A, B, C, and D, are required to bake this cake.

)

In numbers (e.g., 3,213

)

With the vocative case (e.g., I know your auntie, John.

)

Before a quotation (e.g., She said, "I understand."

)

Using Commas after "Setting the Scene"

It is quite common for a sentence to start with words which "set the scene." These words usually state a place, a time, a condition, or a fact before the main part of the sentence. Words that "set the scene" at the start of a sentence are usually followed by a comma. You do not have to use a comma; i.e., it's not a strict ruling. It's just a common style. However, as it will help your reader, it is a useful style to adopt. For example:

In Paris, they simply stared when I spoke to them in French.

(sets a place)

At exactly 4 o'clock, two of the kidnappers re-entered the room.

(sets a time)

If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.

(Laurence J. Peter, 1919-1988)

(sets a condition)

As you were born here, it makes sense for my group to take the map.

(states a fact)

Often, the words that "set the scene" are a little harder to spot:

When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work , ask him "Whose?" (Don Marquis, 1878-1937)

(sets a time)

These "scene setting" words (or adverbial clauses or adverbial phrases as they're really called) vary hugely. You do not have to use a comma after an adverbial clause or phrase, but a comma will make it clear where the main clause starts. When an adverbial clause or phrase is very short (e.g., Nowadays, Now, Yesterday, Today), you are safer to omit the comma. For example:

When I was a boy, I was told that anybody could become President. Now I'm beginning to believe it. (Clarence Darrow, 1857 - 1938)

(First "scene setting" adverb – comma used. Second "scene setting" adverb – no comma required)

When an adverbial clause or phrase is at the end of a sentence, there is usually no need for a comma before it. When it is in the middle of a sentence, you should use commas if you think they will help the reader. For example:

Two of the kidnappers re-entered the room at exactly 4 o'clock.
Two of the kidnappers, at exactly 4 o'clock, re-entered the room.

Using Commas after a Transitional Phrase

A transitional phrase is a term like However, Consequently, Therefore, and As a result. (There are others, but these are the most common.) A transitional phrase usually sits at the start of sentence and acts like a bridge to a recently mentioned idea (often an idea in the preceding sentence). A transitional phrase is usually followed by a comma. For example:

John has eaten at least two cakes a day for the last decade. As a result, he has been placed in a high-risk group for diabetes.
I think. Therefore, I am. Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions. Consequently, the first condition of progress is the removal of censorships. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
Orthodox medicine has not found an answer to your complaint. However, luckily for you, I happen to be a quack.

A transitional phrase is never preceded by a comma. You can, on occasion, precede it with a semicolon (or a dash replacing a semicolon), but never a comma. That's called a run-on error.

Read more about using a comma after a transitional phrase

Using Commas after an Interjection

An interjection is usually a short word inserted into a sentence to express an emotion or feeling. Expressions such as yes, phew, and indeed are examples of interjections. Often, an interjection will sit at the start of the sentence but not always. It is normal practice to offset an interjection with a comma (or commas if it's in the middle of the sentence). In the examples below, the interjections are shaded:

Oh great, the boiler's broken down.
Yes, that's three out of three.
I understand your predicament, but, crikey, there is nothing we can do.

Note: If the interjection is to express a powerful emotion or feeling (and it's not in the middle of your sentence), then it can be followed by an exclamation mark.

Read more about using a comma after an interjection

Using Commas before a Conjunction

Words like and, or, and but are known as conjunctions. (There are other conjunctions, but these three are the most common.)

When a conjunction joins two standalone sentences (or independent clauses), it is usual to place a comma before it. For example (conjunctions shaded):

Lee can sing, and he can dance

(Here, the conjunction and is joining two standalone sentences: "Lee can sing." + "He can dance.")

Lee can sing, and dance

(Here, the conjunction and is not joining two standalone sentences. The words "and dance" are not a standalone sentence. This is just a list of things that Lee can do. This section is not about using commas in lists. That is covered below and in the lesson Using Commas in Lists.)

Here are some real examples:

No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch. (Leo Buscaglia, 1925-1998)
When you have got an elephant by the hind leg, and he is trying to run away, it's best to let him run. (Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865)

("When you have got an elephant by the hind leg" is not a standalone sentence.)

Using Commas for Parentheses

We all know that additional information (such as an explanation or an afterthought) can be offset with brackets. However, brackets are just one of the choices you have. You can also use commas or dashes. The information which is offset by commas, brackets, or dashes is called a parenthesis. The punctuation marks used to offset a parenthesis (i.e., dashes, brackets, or commas) are called parentheses.

Examples (with each example of parenthesis shaded):

The case has, in some respects, been not entirely devoid of interest.
At 4 o'clock yesterday, David Frost, a cleaner from the Lakes Estate, was charged with "dog napping" his former headmaster's poodle.
Joanne Baxter, who originally appeared as a witness, has been found guilty of handling stolen goods.

(Note: When a parenthesis starts with who or which (i.e., a relative pronoun), you should look to use commas as opposed to brackets or dashes. This is not a 100% rule, but commas are far more common when the parenthesis starts with a relative pronoun.)

Commas are often more suitable for formal writing than brackets, as brackets can make your work look a little unorganised. Also, commas are often preferable to dashes because dashes are quite stark. The disadvantage of using commas as parentheses (as they're called) is they can be easily confused with other commas in the sentence because — as you can see from this page — commas have lots of uses.

Read more about using commas to replace brackets

Using Commas in Lists

When writing a list in "sentence form" (i.e., not as bullet points), then it is normal practice to separate the list items using commas. For example:

Fish, chips, and peas

The big question is whether there needs to be a comma before the conjunction (in this example, it's the word and). Unfortunately, there is no simple rule for this.

The first part of the rule is easy enough: when there are just two items in a list, there is no need to use a comma between them.

Fish and chips

However, you can use a comma if you think it helps your reader.

The Bakerloo Line runs between Harrow and Wealdston, and Elephant and Castle.

When there are more than two list items in a list, then those following "US convention" should use a comma before the conjunction (usually and or or), and those following "UK convention" shouldn't. Therefore:

Fish, chips, and peas ()
Fish, chips and peas ()

Unfortuantely, it gets a little more complicated than that. The comma before the conjunction is known as an Oxford Comma, and it is condoned by lots of individuals and organisations in the UK, and it is avoided by a few individuals and organisations in the US. Therefore:

Fish, chips, and peas () (If you're an advocate for the Oxford Comma.)

The bottom line is you should follow whatever convention those around you (e.g., your company seniors) follow. If there is no guidance like that, then follow whatever convention you like — but be consistent. If you have to break that convention for the sake of clarity, then have the confidence to do it. Clarity trumps style every single time.

Read more about using commas in lists

Using Commas after a Long Subject

When the subject of a sentence is made up of lots of elements, it is known as a compound subject. For example:

Janet is popular.

(Normal subject made up of one element: Janet)

Janet and John are popular.

(Compound subject made up of two elements: Janet and John)

The large gorilla is popular.

(Normal subject made up of one element: The large gorilla)

The large gorilla with the bright blue eyes and the albino lion cub with piercing pink eyes are popular.

(Compound subject made up of two elements)

In the last example, the compound subject is starting to get quite long. When a subject starts getting complicated, some writers like to show the end of the subject with a comma. Be aware that this is not a popular practice among many grammarians, but if you think it helps your reader, you can do it. For example:

Leaving a list of Internet passwords, increasing your life insurance and writing a will, will give you peace of mind while you are on operations.

(Here, the writer has used a comma after will to show the end of the subject. It is hard to argue that this comma does not help the reader.)

Using Commas with Numbers

Commas can be used every 3 decimal places in large numbers to make them more readable. For example:

3,356
12,128,153,356
175,757.01

In Europe, the use of commas and full stops (

) / periods (

) is reversed. So, in Europe, the numbers above would be written:

3.356 (in Europe)
12.128.153.356 (in Europe)
175.757,01 (in Europe)

Using Commas before Speech Marks

Words like He said, She shouted, The author stated, and She wrote often precede a quotation. A comma can be used after these words to separate them from the quotation. For example:

He said jokingly, "The world is my lobster."
Paul whispered, "Is he always that miserable?"

Note: You don't have to use a comma. Using nothing and using a colon after the words that introduce a quotation are also options.

In fact, it's your choice whether you follow your introductory words with a comma, a colon, or nothing. It depends on your desired flow of text. If you don't really care about the desired flow of text and you'd like some guidelines to help you decide which to use, then there is a useful guideline which states that a comma should be used for short quotations (six words or fewer) and colon should be used for longer quotations. (This is not a rule. It's a useful guideline.)

Read more about using a comma before speech marks

Using Commas with the Vocative Case

When words are used to address somebody (or something) directly, those words are said to be in the vocative case. In English, the vocative case is shown by offsetting it from the rest of the sentence with a comma (or commas if it's in the middle of the sentence). In the examples below, the words in the vocative case are shaded:

Do me the courtesy of shutting up, Alan.
Darling, can you take the casserole out the oven?
I know your sister, Jason.
Tell me it's good news, doctor.
And that, your Majesty, is how you make Eccles Cakes. I mean, it's how one makes Eccles Cakes.

Belajar Bahasa Inggris GRATIS

Saturday, May 3, 2014

DASHES