Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Use of dashes
I need some expert opinion about the use of a dash.
Can a dash link two clauses, as shown in the sentence below?
Tom couldn't come to his best friend's wedding--it was a shame.
How about this sentence?
Tome couldn't come to his best friend's wedding--which was a shame.
Which one is correct? I would probably say "which was a shame" but if I were to write it, I feel as though I would have to write "it was a shame".
I know if there were a comma instead of a dash, "which" would be the correct choice. Thanks.
Can a dash link two clauses, as shown in the sentence below?
Tom couldn't come to his best friend's wedding--it was a shame.
How about this sentence?
Tome couldn't come to his best friend's wedding--which was a shame.
Which one is correct? I would probably say "which was a shame" but if I were to write it, I feel as though I would have to write "it was a shame".
I know if there were a comma instead of a dash, "which" would be the correct choice. Thanks.
Top answer
If you are trying to master English punctuation, you would do well to avoid the dash. A full stop (period) are fine in the first sentence(s). A comma is perfect in the second.
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If you are trying to master English punctuation, you would do well to avoid the dash. A full stop (period) are fine in the first sentence(s). A comma is perfect in the second.
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