ACT Preparation / Unit 2 ACT 0124 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Dashes and Parentheses
Captions available
The idea
Dashes and parentheses, like commas, set off nonessential information. A dash can also mark a contrast, a pause or a change of direction; parentheses enclose asides, examples and dates.
In practice
"The ferry, the last one of the night, was late." "The ferry—the last one of the night—was late."
Where people slip
The witness adds that a dash sets information off for emphasis.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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