He was—surprisingly—very late.

Definition

The phrase 'he was—surprisingly—very late.' employs dashes to insert an unexpected comment into the sentence, emphasizing the surprising nature of the lateness. This construction enhances the sentence's expressiveness and allows the writer to convey a tone of incredulity or emphasis. The use of dashes in this way serves to disrupt the flow of the sentence, drawing attention to the inserted phrase and creating a more dynamic reading experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dashes can replace commas or parentheses when a writer wants to emphasize an interruption in a sentence more strongly.
2. The use of dashes creates a pause in reading, allowing readers to absorb the inserted information more dramatically.
3. Inserting comments with dashes can reflect the writer's tone, showcasing surprise, humor, or irony.
4. The construction encourages a conversational style, making writing feel more informal and engaging.
5. While dashes can be effective, overusing them may lead to cluttered sentences and confusion for readers.

Review Questions

• How do dashes function differently than parentheses in a sentence like 'he was—surprisingly—very late.'?
  • Dashes provide a stronger emphasis than parentheses by creating a more noticeable interruption in the flow of the sentence. In 'he was—surprisingly—very late.', the use of dashes highlights the surprising nature of his lateness more vividly than if parentheses were used. This difference in punctuation alters how readers perceive the inserted information, making it feel more integral to the understanding of the overall statement.
• What effect does using dashes have on reader perception in sentences that include unexpected comments?
  • Using dashes can create an immediate impact on reader perception by emphasizing unexpected comments within a sentence. In the example 'he was—surprisingly—very late.', the dash draws attention to the word 'surprisingly', signaling that this detail is important for understanding the context. This technique not only adds emphasis but also encourages readers to pause and reflect on the surprising element being highlighted, enhancing engagement with the text.
• Evaluate how effectively using dashes can alter the overall style and tone of prose, specifically in conveying emotions or reactions.
  • Effectively using dashes can significantly alter the style and tone of prose by adding emotional depth and conversational elements. In sentences like 'he was—surprisingly—very late.', the dash allows for an expressive interruption that conveys disbelief or surprise, which may resonate with readers on an emotional level. This stylistic choice can transform straightforward statements into vivid reflections of feelings or reactions, making writing more relatable and engaging while also reflecting the author's voice and perspective.

Related terms

Em Dash: A long dash used to create a strong break in the structure of a sentence, often to insert additional information or an explanation.

Parentheses: Punctuation marks used to enclose additional information or asides that are not essential to the main point of a sentence.

Interruption:

A stylistic technique where a sentence is broken by an inserted phrase, providing additional context or commentary without altering the main flow.