Colons, semicolons, brackets and dashes (Edexcel GCSE English Language): Flashcards
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Practise the cards
13 cards from this deck
Function of colons
Function of colons
Signal additional info or explanation coming; point forward
When to use colons for explanations
When to use colons for explanations
When adding extra details or clarifying what you mentioned
Colons for quotations
Colons for quotations
Introduce quotations smoothly, creating natural flow
Colons for lists
Colons for lists
Signal several related items coming after complete clause
Two main uses of semicolons
Two main uses of semicolons
Complex lists & connecting related ideas without conjunctions
What do semicolons avoid in complex lists?
What do semicolons avoid in complex lists?
Confusion when list items already contain commas
Semicolons replacing conjunctions: effect
Semicolons replacing conjunctions: effect
Connect related sentences elegantly without 'and' or 'but'
Rule for using semicolons
Rule for using semicolons
Both parts must stand alone as complete sentences
Function of brackets
Function of brackets
Add extra info in pairs that isn't essential but useful
Brackets vs commas: formality
Brackets vs commas: formality
Brackets make writing feel more formal and structured
What do paired dashes do?
What do paired dashes do?
Create strong pause & draw attention to inserted info
Single dash at sentence end
Single dash at sentence end
Introduce afterthought or comment; creates casual tone
Effect of dashes on writing tone
Effect of dashes on writing tone
Add drama, create pauses; casual/conversational effect