✏️ Lesson 4: Using Dashes & Parentheses
As your writing becomes more complex, you'll want to add extra comments, thoughts, and explanations inside your sentences. Two powerful punctuation marks that help you do this are the dash (—)1 and parentheses ( )2. They look different and have very different tones.
The Dash (—): For Emphasis and Interruption
Think of the dash as a dramatic punctuation mark. It creates a strong, noticeable break in a sentence to add emphasis3 or show a sudden change of thought.
- To emphasize a final thought: It can work like a colon, but with more power.
Example: "After weeks of work, he finally achieved his dream—to open his own cafe in Battambang." - To show an interruption4 or sudden change:
Example: "I was about to leave when—I can't believe I forgot!—I realized it was her birthday." - To set off an extra comment (using two dashes):
Example: "The food at the market—all of it cooked fresh—was absolutely delicious."
Parentheses ( ): For Extra, Non-Essential Information
Parentheses are the opposite of dashes; they are quiet. They allow you to add extra, non-essential5 information, like a side comment or an afterthought. The sentence must still be grammatically correct if you remove the parentheses and the words inside them.
"The Bamboo Train (also known as a 'nori' in Khmer) is a popular tourist attraction."
"Please read the entire report (especially the conclusion on page 5) before our meeting."
Dash vs. Parentheses: A Difference in Tone
The choice between these marks is often about the style and tone you want to create.
| Use a Dash (—) when... | Use Parentheses ( ) when... |
|---|---|
| You want to emphasize the extra information. It's like shouting a comment. | You want to de-emphasize the extra information. It's like whispering a comment. |
| "The final result—a complete shock to everyone—was announced." | "The final result (a complete shock to everyone) was announced." |
🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Punctuation
Choose the best punctuation for each sentence's intended meaning.
- To add a quiet, non-essential clarification: "The currency of Cambodia _______ the Riel _______ is used everywhere."
Answer: ( ) - Parentheses are best for a quiet side note like this. - To add a dramatic, final thought: "She wanted only one thing _______ revenge."
Answer: — (a dash). It adds a strong, dramatic pause before the final word. - To show a sudden change of thought: "I was walking to the market when _______ oh, I just remembered _______ I need to call my mother."
Answer: —...— (a pair of dashes). They are perfect for showing an interruption. - Which punctuation mark gives the MOST emphasis to the words it contains?
Answer: The dash (—)
📝 Homework: Punctuate with Style
Write your own sentences using these advanced punctuation marks.
- Write a sentence about a place in Battambang, adding an extra fact in parentheses.
(Example: We visited Wat Ek Phnom (an 11th-century temple) last weekend.)
_________________________________________ - Write a sentence about a surprising event, using a dash for dramatic emphasis.
(Example: Everyone thought the exam was easy—but I failed.)
_________________________________________ - Rewrite this sentence to emphasize the phrase "the best in the city" using two dashes: "This restaurant's fish amok, the best in the city, is famous."
Answer: This restaurant's fish amok—the best in the city—is famous.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Dash (—): (Noun) - សញ្ញាចុច ngang (sânh'nha chŏch'ngang) - A punctuation mark used to indicate a range, a break in a sentence, or to add emphasis. ↩
- Parentheses ( ): (Noun) - វង់ក្រចក (vông'krâ'châk) - A pair of punctuation marks used to set off extra, non-essential information. ↩
- Emphasis: (Noun) - ការសង្កត់ធ្ងន់ (kaa sâng'kât'thngón) - Special importance or attention given to something. ↩
- Interruption: (Noun) - ការរំខាន (kaa rum'khaan) - An action or comment that breaks the flow of something. ↩
- Non-essential: (Adjective) - មិនចាំបាច់ (mĭn cham'bach) - Not necessary; not needed for the main sentence to make sense. ↩