Page 53 - Improve_Your_Written_English [Marion_Field]
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PO L ISH ING U P Y O U R P U N CTU AT IO N / 39



        Using the dash
        A dash is used for emphasis. What is said between dashes – or
        after the dash if there is only one – is more emphatic than if
        there were no dash. If you break your sentence in the middle
        to make an added point, use a dash before and after it.

            Janice, Elaine, Maureen, Elsie – in fact all the girls – can
            go on the trip to London.


        If the added section is at the end of the sentence, only one
        dash is needed:

            This is the second time you have not done your English
            homework – or any of your homework.



        REMEMBERING THE QUESTION MARK AND
        EXCLAMATION MARK
        Using the question mark
        The question mark is obviously placed at the end of a
        question. Do remember to put it there. Students frequently
        miss it out through carelessness.


            Is it raining?
            You won’t go out in the rain, will you?


        If you are using direct speech, the question mark takes the
        place of the comma and is always placed inside the inverted
        commas.

            ‘When is your interview?’ asked Lucy.

            ‘Are you travelling by train?’ queried John.
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