Clauses: Using Dashes to Separate Clauses
English: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 2.10.10
Using Dashes to Separate Clauses
We don’t always need to use a full stop to separate main clauses. Sometimes, we can use other symbols, like a dash (—).
Dashes
- We don’t always need to use a full stop to separate main clauses.
- We can use other symbols, like dashes.
- A dash is a punctuation mark that looks like this: —
Examples
- The man was strong — he never stopped doing exercise.
- Jerry is funny — I wish he told me a joke.
- Patricia likes cats — we will get her one for her birthday.
More examples
- Molly finds sums tricky — she needs a little more practice.
- Will adores animals — he is a vegetarian
Test yourself on Clauses: Using Dashes to Separate Clauses
Which of these could replace the full stop between these clauses?
Hamzah is so smart. He is going to study at Yale University.