ACT English Punctuation Dashes Em Dash Usage Parenthetical Interruption

What This Is and Why It Matters for the ACT

Dashes: Em Dash Usage - Parenthetical, Interruption appears in the English section of the ACT. It's a common punctuation mark that students often struggle with, appearing on about 20% of English tests. Understanding em dashes can help you improve your score, especially in the English section.

Key Concepts (What You Must Know)

• Em dash: a punctuation mark used to set off nonessential information or to indicate a break in thought.
• Parenthetical: a phrase or clause that provides additional information, set off by commas or em dashes.
• Interruption: a break in thought or sentence structure, often marked by an em dash.
• Parallel structure: maintaining the same grammatical structure in a sentence or list.
• Commas vs. em dashes: use commas for nonessential information, em dashes for interruptions or breaks in thought.

Step-by-Step Strategy for This Topic

1. Read the sentence or passage carefully to identify the punctuation mark.
2. Determine the purpose of the em dash: is it setting off nonessential information or indicating a break in thought?
3. Eliminate answer choices that don't match the purpose of the em dash.
4. Check your work by reading the sentence or passage with the em dash removed.
5. Manage your time: spend about 1-2 minutes per question, depending on the complexity.

⚠️ Don't confuse em dashes with commas or parentheses: make sure you understand the difference in usage.

How It’s Tested on the ACT

English: a sentence or passage with an underlined portion, where you need to choose the correct punctuation mark.
Math: not relevant to this topic.
Reading: not relevant to this topic.
Science: not relevant to this topic.

Common distractors: * Using commas instead of em dashes * Using parentheses instead of em dashes * Ignoring the em dash altogether

Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

1. The mistake: Using commas instead of em dashes.
   • Why it happens: Misunderstanding the purpose of em dashes.
   • How to avoid it: Read the sentence or passage carefully to determine the purpose of the em dash.
   • Exam board insight: The ACT penalizes incorrect punctuation marks.
2. The mistake: Using parentheses instead of em dashes.
   • Why it happens: Rushing through the question or misreading the punctuation mark.
   • How to avoid it: Take your time and read the sentence or passage carefully.
3. The mistake: Ignoring the em dash altogether.
   • Why it happens: Misreading the sentence or passage.
   • How to avoid it: Read the sentence or passage carefully and identify the punctuation mark.

Practice Questions (3-5 questions)

Question 1

The city of Paris, famous for its art museums and historical landmarks, is also a hub for fashion and cuisine.
A) The underlined portion should be set off with commas.
B) The underlined portion should be set off with em dashes.
C) The underlined portion is a nonessential clause.
D) The underlined portion is an essential clause.
E) The sentence is grammatically correct without the underlined portion.

Answer: B) The underlined portion should be set off with em dashes.
Explanation: The underlined portion is a nonessential clause that provides additional information about Paris. Em dashes are used to set off nonessential information.

Question 2

I was going to the store, but then I remembered I had already bought the groceries.
A) The underlined portion should be set off with commas.
B) The underlined portion should be set off with em dashes.
C) The underlined portion is a nonessential clause.
D) The underlined portion is an essential clause.
E) The sentence is grammatically correct without the underlined portion.

Answer: B) The underlined portion should be set off with em dashes.
Explanation: The underlined portion indicates a break in thought and is used to set off the interruption. Em dashes are used to indicate a break in thought.

Question 3

The city of New York, often referred to as the city that never sleeps, is a hub for finance and entertainment.
A) The underlined portion should be set off with commas.
B) The underlined portion should be set off with em dashes.
C) The underlined portion is a nonessential clause.
D) The underlined portion is an essential clause.
E) The sentence is grammatically correct without the underlined portion.

Answer: A) The underlined portion should be set off with commas.
Explanation: The underlined portion is a nonessential clause that provides additional information about New York. Commas are used to set off nonessential information.

Quick Reference Card (60-Second Summary)

• Em dashes are used to set off nonessential information or indicate a break in thought.
• Commas are used to set off nonessential information.
• Parentheses are used to set off essential information.
• Parallel structure is maintained in a sentence or list.
• Read the sentence or passage carefully to determine the purpose of the em dash.

If You Get Stuck on Test Day

• If you don't know the answer, eliminate answer choices that don't match the purpose of the em dash.
• If you're running out of time, focus on the most common punctuation marks (commas and em dashes).
• If you're unsure, use the process of elimination to narrow down the answer choices.

Related ACT Topics

• Commas: learn to use commas correctly to set off nonessential information.
• Parentheses: understand when to use parentheses to set off essential information.
• Parallel structure: maintain parallel structure in sentences and lists to improve clarity and grammar.