July 2012 – ChanteSez.com

ChanteSez … Make a dash for it, part 2

Posted by onthelookoutatlantaon July 25, 2012July 25, 2012in ChanteSez Tip of the DayLeave a comment

Lesson No. 2 on dashes: Use them when there’s an abrupt change, interruption or addition to a sentence.

For example:

I’ll bet she never smiled — why would she?
What would be the point of saying more — I’ve explained everything I can.
Sometimes you just need a friend — even when there are lots of acquaintances around.

ChanteSez … Make a dash for it, part 1

Posted by onthelookoutatlantaon July 18, 2012July 18, 2012in ChanteSez Tip of the DayLeave a comment

This is the first in a three-part series on when to use dashes … because sentences and paragraphs filled with dashes are not cute. And they’re often hard to read.

The easiest to remember and most common use for dashes is when separating a list of items within a phrase.

For example:

Chante liked having things to do — biking, swimming, cooking — and made sure there was time.
The show was everything you’d want — excellent singing, dynamic dancing, engaged audience — and was well worth the money.