Grammar and reading terms · SAT Reading and Writing, ACT English, ACT Reading
Dash
Dash: A punctuation mark used to set off interrupting information or to introduce an explanation, similar to a colon or a pair of commas.
By the CollegePrepRoom editorial team · Updated · How we write and check these pages
What it means
A pair of dashes sets off nonessential information, just like a pair of commas, but with more emphasis. A single dash can introduce an explanation at the end of a sentence, like a colon.
Be consistent: a phrase opened with a dash must close with a dash.
Example
'The violinist — only fourteen years old — won first prize.' Incorrect: 'The violinist — only fourteen years old, won first prize.'
On the exam
Questions test whether interrupting phrases are punctuated with matching marks.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- Restrictive and nonrestrictive elementsA nonrestrictive element adds extra information and is set off with commas; a restrictive element is essential to the meaning and takes no commas.
- ColonA punctuation mark that follows a complete independent clause to introduce a list, explanation, example or quotation.