Informal Writing: Using Dashes Worksheet

A dash can be used as an informal way of joining clauses without a conjunction.

These two clauses can be written as separate sentences:

I went to the cinema today. I didn't really like the film.

They can also be joined by a conjunction:

I went to the cinema today but I didn't really like the film.

If we want to link them together as one sentence without a conjunction we can either use a semi-colon or a dash:

I went to the cinema today; I didn't really like the film.

I went to the cinema today - I didn't really like the film.

Using a semi-colon is the preferred way in formal English. However, for informal writing, such as an email to a friend, a semi-colon can look too serious so a dash is more appropriate.

Note that two independent clauses (clauses that make sense on their own) should never be joined with a comma. This is a common mistake.

I went to the cinema today, I didn't really like the film. (wrong)

Read the following sentence and decide whether it is correctly punctuated or not.

My dog is really naughty - he chewed up Dad's slippers yesterday!

correct

incorrect

Read the following sentence and decide whether it is correctly punctuated or not.

I am really hungry, I can't wait for dinner.

correct

incorrect

Read the following sentence and decide whether it is correctly punctuated or not.

I went out for a lovely meal last night; the food was delicious.

correct

incorrect

All the following sentences are correctly punctuated except one. Tick the odd one out.

My birthday is in June but my sister's is in April.

My birthday is in June - my sister's is in April.

My birthday is in June, my sister's is in April.

My birthday is in June; my sister's is in April.

All the following sentences are correctly punctuated except one. Tick the odd one out.

Dad's late, I hope he comes home soon.

Dad's late - I hope he comes home soon.

Dad's late; I hope he comes home soon.

Dad's late. I hope he comes home soon.

Use punctuation to join these sentences without a conjunction. Write your answer in the box.

We went to see a band last night. They were brilliant!

Use punctuation to join these sentences without a conjunction. Write your answer in the box.

I am pleased to meet you. I have heard a lot about you.

Use punctuation to join these sentences without a conjunction. Write your answer in the box.

I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to.

Which punctuation mark should you use to join two independent clauses in a letter applying for a job?

Semi-colon

Dash

Comma

If you are unsure whether to use a semi-colon or a dash when joining independent clauses, what should you do?

Tick two boxes.

Use a comma instead

Use a semi-colon

Use a dash

Join the clauses with a conjunction

ANSWERS

Question 1

Read the following sentence and decide whether it is correctly punctuated or not.

My dog is really naughty - he chewed up Dad's slippers yesterday!

CORRECT ANSWER

correct

EDDIE SAYS

Great to see you having a go! This sentence is fine in an informal situation. We can use a dash as both clauses can make sense on their own.

ANSWERS

Question 2

Read the following sentence and decide whether it is correctly punctuated or not.

I am really hungry, I can't wait for dinner.

CORRECT ANSWER

incorrect

EDDIE SAYS

This is a really common mistake. Using a comma to join two independent clauses is never correct. Keep going super star!

ANSWERS

Question 3

Read the following sentence and decide whether it is correctly punctuated or not.

I went out for a lovely meal last night; the food was delicious.

CORRECT ANSWER

correct

EDDIE SAYS

You got this! This is correctly punctuated. You can use a semi-colon to link two sentences together provided they would both make sense on their own.

ANSWERS

Question 4

All the following sentences are correctly punctuated except one. Tick the odd one out.

CORRECT ANSWER

My birthday is in June, my sister\'s is in April.

EDDIE SAYS

Did you get it correct? Remember it is never correct to link two sentences together using a comma. A comma should not be used to replace a conjunction. You got this!

ANSWERS

Question 5

All the following sentences are correctly punctuated except one. Tick the odd one out.

CORRECT ANSWER

Dad\'s late, I hope he comes home soon.

EDDIE SAYS

Super effort! Remember we do not use commas to link two sentences together.

ANSWERS

Question 6

Use punctuation to join these sentences without a conjunction. Write your answer in the box.

We went to see a band last night. They were brilliant!

CORRECT ANSWER

We went to see a band last night; they were brilliant!
We went to see a band last night - they were brilliant!

EDDIE SAYS

You got this! You can use either a semi-colon or a dash here, but a dash is better as the situation is an informal one.

ANSWERS

Question 7

Use punctuation to join these sentences without a conjunction. Write your answer in the box.

I am pleased to meet you. I have heard a lot about you.

CORRECT ANSWER

I am pleased to meet you; I have heard a lot about you.
I am pleased to meet you - I have heard a lot about you.

EDDIE SAYS

You got the hang of this now? Again you can use either a dash or semi-colon. This time a semi-colon would be better as the situation is more formal.

ANSWERS

Question 8

Use punctuation to join these sentences without a conjunction. Write your answer in the box.

I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to.

CORRECT ANSWER

I'm sorry I hurt you; I didn't mean to.
I'm sorry I hurt you - I didn't mean to.

EDDIE SAYS

How did you get on? This could be said in a formal or informal situation, so a semi-colon or a dash can be used. Nearly there! Lets do this!

ANSWERS

Question 9

Which punctuation mark should you use to join two independent clauses in a letter applying for a job?

CORRECT ANSWER

Semi-colon

EDDIE SAYS

Although you could use a dash, we only use them in an information situation. The question tells us the letter is formal. Always use the semi-colon in a formal situation.

ANSWERS

Question 10

If you are unsure whether to use a semi-colon or a dash when joining independent clauses, what should you do?

Tick two boxes.

CORRECT ANSWER

Use a semi-colon
Join the clauses with a conjunction

EDDIE SAYS

High five! It is always better to use a semi-colon than a dash if you are not sure, as a dash is only for informal situations. If you are really not sure then you could always join the clauses with a conjunction instead. Great work!