What You Need to Know about Dashes
A dash is used to either
indicate a pause or a range. It has two types: the em dash (—) and the en dash (–).
The former is longer than the latter. Here’s how they’re used.
Use an em dash:
·
When emphasizing parenthetical
information
Examples:
o
I talked
to Ms. Reyes—my sister’s doctor—yesterday.
o
The
man—who he now knows to be his estranged uncle—stepped forward.
·
When highlighting information at the end
of a sentence
Examples:
o
After
thirty years, the man can finally return to his homeland—Ireland.
o
She
didn’t know the deal came at a terrifying price—her freedom.
Use an en dash:
·
When indicating range
Examples:
o
Chapters
10–15
o
12:00
p.m.–6:00 p.m.
·
When using a compound modifier that involves
a multi-word element that’s not easily hyphenated
Examples:
o
Michael
Jackson-style dance moves
o
Post-Cold
war establishments
Keep these in mind during
your OET review center sessions, especially
during your writing tests.
What You Need to Know about Hyphens
A hyphen is
used to connect words or parts of words. It is shorter than a dash.
Use a hyphen:
·
When creating compounds words
Examples:
o
Self-esteem
o
Meta-analysis
o
Far-off
o
High-tech
o
Life-size
Take
note! Not all compound words are hyphenated. If you’re not sure whether a term should
be hyphenated or not during your OET review in Makati
session, consult a dictionary. Most hyphenated words become closed compounds
over time (e.g., e-mail to email). So, it’s best to check a style guide
whenever you’re not sure.
·
When spelling out figures between 21 and
99
Examples:
o
Twenty-four
o
Sixty-seven
o
Eighty-one
·
With a compound modifier that precedes a
noun
The compound modifier is
composed of two or more words that are considered as a single unit. It is also
known as a phrasal adjective.
Examples:
o
Closed-door
OET review center coaching sessions
o
Dog-friendly
accommodations
o
Time-saving
study strategies
o
Patient-centered
counseling
o
Same-sex
couples
Keep an eye out for dashes
and hyphens when you read healthcare documents. Examine how they’re used. Do
the same when you read your OET handouts. It’ll help you get used to seeing
them applied in various contexts and materials.
Want to learn more about how
punctuation marks are used in the high-stakes exam? Enroll in the JRooz center
for the OET review in Makati!
References:
“Hyphens and
Dashes.” EF. Accessed January 16, 2019. https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/hyphens-and-dashes/
“Semicolons, Colons,
and Dashes.” Writing Center. Accessed January 16, 2019. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/semi-colons-colons-and-dashes/
“This Is How
and Why Hyphens Are Used in English.” Occupational English Test. November 14,
2018. Accessed January 16, 2019. https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/language-tips-punctuation-hyphens/
“What’s the
Difference Between Dashes and Hyphens?” Grammarly. Accessed January 16, 2019. https://www.grammarly.com/blog/hyphens-and-dashes/
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