Study Notes
Punctuation marks help us link thoughts clearly and meaningfully, making it easier to pause and stress on words while reading and writing. We will focus on dashes, hyphens, and exclamation marks.
- Dashes — used to interrupt a thought and add another thought.
Example: Tomorrow—my last day of school—is almost here. - Hyphens — link words together to form compound words.
Example: well-known actor - Exclamation marks — express strong emotions like anger, surprise, joy, and fear.
Example: Stop!
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Dashes interrupt a thought and add another thought.
- Hyphens link words together to form compound words.
- Exclamation marks express strong emotions.
Common Confusions
- Using dashes instead of commas or colons.
- Hyphenating adjectives after a noun.
Typical Exam Questions
- Where should a dash be used in this sentence?
To interrupt a thought or add additional information. - When do you use a hyphen?
To join words together to form a compound word. - How do you use an exclamation mark?
To express strong emotions or feelings.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Correct placement of dashes in sentences.
- Proper use of hyphens in compound words.
- Appropriate use of exclamation marks to convey emotions.