Dash ( — )

This section of Exploring English describes use of the dash ( - ) punctuation mark.

The dash is used to set off an appositive (aside) to give more emphasis to the appositive than commas would provide:

The car — a collector's Rolls Royce — was gone!

Used to indicate an abrupt shift in thought:

First, you place the flour in the bowl — Johnny, quit playing with the blender!

Last Modified April 08, 2003