Question

The English language provides three sizes of the dash—each a graphic symbol used for a specific punctuation purpose.

1. A hyphen (-) is used to combine a compound modifier before a noun (five-year strategic plan) and to separate numbers (847-555-9999).
2. The en-dash (–) is the width of the typesetter’s “n” and is used to replace the word “through” (sizes 4–12). (Insert, Symbol, More Symbols, Special Characters, en-dash, Insert)
3. The em-dash (—), so named because the dash is the width of the typesetter’s “m”, is used to alert the reader that the words following it are important. (Insert, Symbol, More Symbols, Special Characters, em-dash, Insert OR key two hyphens together with no space before or after)

For example, the em-dash is often used to create a strong break within a sentence in lieu of commas, thus:

EXAMPLE: The winners—six of whom came from France—credited their country’s health policy in their acceptance speech.

The em-dash can also be used to set off and emphasize the words that follow it.

EXAMPLE: All entrants to the business plan competition were engineering majors—except for the winning team.

In some cases, the em-dash is used instead of a semicolon or a period to emphasize the following independent clause.

EXAMPLE: This potential threat is not only happening behind closed doors—no one even knows to whom the doors belong.

For each sentences, identify which dash is needed. Some sentences will require more than one type of dash.

· Students who receive a score of 90 through 100 percent on the exam will earn bonus points.

· The double digit increases in gas prices have drivers finding different ways to transport themselves to work; however, most drivers still choose to drive themselves to work.

· Incredibly high cost prices on health insurance have adults aged 18 through 50 struggling to pay for their health insurance.

· Dog owners specifically of small breeds can purchase dog food for small dogs at a special price.

· The key to succeeding in Mrs. Campbell’s business communications class is studying and effort which will definitely help students become better communicators.

· Only two employees met their monthly goal Jacob Brown and Molly Travis and these two employees received a bonus for their hard work.

· Hospitals such as Baptist Medical Center and St. Vincent offer exceptional patient care.

· Matt provides free one on one baseball lessons, especially for students that cannot afford lessons.

· Some teachers use many in class pop quizzes to check student knowledge.

· People interested in purchasing the new car should call 888 5554983.

· The company’s balance sheet was released to employees in May just a couple of weeks after company management viewed the document.

· For obvious reasons most of them appearing on the MRI the patient was admitted to the hospital.

Answer 1

• Students who receive a score of 90—100 (en-dash) percent on the exam will earn bonus points.
• The double-digit (hypen) increases in gas prices have drivers finding different ways to transport themselves to work—(em-dash)however, most drivers still choose to drive themselves to work.
• Incredibly high-cost (hypen) prices on health insurance have adults aged 18—50 (en-dash) struggling to pay for their health insurance.

• Dog owners—(em-dash)specifically of small breeds can purchase dog food for small dogs--(em-dash)at a special price.

• The key to succeeding in Mrs. Campbell’s business communications class is—(em-dash)studying and effort—(em-dash) which will definitely help students become better communicators.

• Only two employees met their monthly goal—(em-dash)Jacob Brown and Molly Travis and—(em-dash)these two employees received a bonus for their hard work.

• Hospitals such as—(em-dash) Baptist Medical Center and St. Vincent offer exceptional patient care.

• Matt provides free one-on-one-baseball (hypen) lessons—(em-dash) especially for students that cannot afford lessons.

• Some teachers use many in-class (hypen) pop quizzes to check student knowledge.

• People interested in purchasing the new car should call 888-555-4983. (hypen)

• The company’s balance sheet was released to employees in – (em-dash) May just a couple of weeks after company management viewed the document.

• For obvious reasons most of them appearing on —(em-dash)the MRI the patient was admitted to the hospital