Punctuation marks are symbols that clarify meaning and separate written parts of sentences. Writing represents spoken language and punctuation imitates non-verbal elements of speech to convey meaning. Punctuation establishes the structure and logic of written language. Without punctuation, written texts could be interpreted in multiple ways. In English, punctuation is crucial for the reader to understand the writer's meaning.
On the GRE we usually have the following in a sentence TC/SE alike.
- Colon
- Semi-colon
- Dash or specifically Em dash: —
#1 -
Common uses of colonsA colon is a punctuation mark that is used to connect two clauses, where the second clause explains, expands, or illustrates the first one. The clause preceding the colon should be a complete and independent sentence that can stand alone. The colon can be used to introduce a list, a quotation, or an example that supports the first clause, or to signal a conclusion or a summary. Additionally, a colon can be used to draw attention to a particular word or phrase in the second clause for emphasis, or to introduce a question or a statement that follows logically from the first clause. It is important to note that a colon should not be used after a verb or a preposition, as it can cause confusion and make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
1. A colon is a punctuation mark used to highlight and draw attention to various elements in writing. Some common ways you can use a colon include announcing, introducing, or directing attention to a list, a noun or noun phrase, a quotation, or an example/explanation.
Using a colon can help to make your writing clearer and more organized, especially when you want to emphasize certain information or ideas. For example, if you're going to provide a list of items, such as ingredients for a recipe or steps for completing a task, you can use a colon to introduce the list and make it stand out from the rest of the text.
2. A colon is a punctuation mark that can join two closely related sentences. It is commonly used when the second sentence provides additional clarification, summary, or explanation to the first sentence. For this to work, both sentences must be complete and their content closely related. By using a colon, you can create a strong connection between the two sentences and make it clear to the reader that they are closely related and complementary to each other. This is a valuable technique in writing, particularly in academic and technical writing, where precision and clarity are essential.
3. When writing, it is crucial to convey the time accurately and appropriately. This includes correctly indicating the time in titles and adhering to other writing conventions. It is essential to consider the context and purpose of the writing and any style guidelines that may be applicable to ensure that the time is conveyed clearly and effectively. Whether it is a matter of indicating the time of an event or simply incorporating time-related information, attention to detail and precision are essential to effective writing.
#2 -
Common uses of semnicolonsThe semicolon is a punctuation mark that is used to create a stronger separation between two independent clauses in a sentence than a comma does, but not as strong as a period. It is a versatile punctuation mark that can be used in a variety of ways.
The two most common uses of the semicolon are:
1. To connect two independent clauses in a sentence that are closely related in meaning and cannot be separated by a period. For example: "She loves to read books; he loves to write stories."
2. To separate items in a list that already contain commas. For example: "The team included John, the captain; Sarah, the coach's daughter; and Tom, the star player."
Using a semicolon can help to create a more complex sentence structure and add variety to your writing style. However, it is important to use it correctly to avoid confusion and grammatical errors.
#3 -
Common uses of dashesWhen it comes to using dashes in writing, it's important to understand their purpose and when they should be used. While dashes are not strictly required by the rules of grammar and punctuation, they can be a useful tool to convey emphasis, introduce or conclude a sentence, indicate bonus phrases, or break up dialogue.
1) One of the primary uses of dashes is to emphasize material. Dashes can be used to set off a word or phrase that is particularly important or impactful, drawing the reader's attention to it. In this way, dashes can be thought of as the opposite of parentheses, which are used to de-emphasize material.
2) Another common use of dashes is to introduce or conclude a sentence. Dashes can be used to indicate a break in thought or tone, signaling to the reader that what follows is a separate but related idea. Similarly, dashes can be used to conclude a sentence, adding a final emphasis or providing a sense of closure.
3) Dashes can also be used to mark bonus phrases, which are nonessential but add detail or information to a sentence. By using dashes to set off these phrases, the reader can more easily identify and understand their purpose.
4) Finally, dashes can be used to break up dialogue, making it easier for the reader to follow and understand who is speaking. By using dashes to indicate changes in speaker or to separate dialogue from action or description, the writer can create a more engaging and immersive experience for the reader.
The em dash (-) and en dash (-) are both horizontal lines used in English punctuation, but they serve different purposes. Here's a clear breakdown of their differences:
1.
Em Dash (—)- Length: Roughly the width of the letter " $M$ " (longer than the en dash).
- Uses:
Interruptions or emphasis: Adds drama or a strong break in a sentence.
- Example: "She was about to tell him the truth—until the phone rang."
Parenthetical statements (like commas or parentheses):
- Example: "The answer-though surprising—made perfect sense."
Replacing colons or semicolons:
" Example: "There's one thing I need-your honesty."
2.
En Dash (–)- Length: Roughly the width of the letter " $N$ " (shorter than em dash, longer than a hyphen).
- Uses:
Number/date ranges: Shows spans (like "from $X$ to $Y$ ").
- Example: "Read pages 10-20." or "The 1990-2000 decade."
Connections between equal things (scores, conflicts, directions):
- Example: "The London-Paris flight was delayed."
- Example: "The liberal-conservative debate intensified."
Key Differences Summary

Bonus: Hyphen (-) vs. Dashes
- Hyphen (-): Shortest; joins words (well-known, sister-in-law).
- En Dash (–): Mid-length; for ranges/connections.
- Em Dash (—): Longest; for interruptions or emphasis.
Usually, on the GR,E we deal with the Em Dash (the longest one among the three)Sources used: Semicolons, colons, and dashes
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and- ... nd-dashes/This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Semicolons vs. Colons vs. Dashes
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/semicolo ... n-vs-dash/We are dealing with the OG VR Mixed Practice Set 1 :: #5 Hard Level.
The worst-case scenario is to be rigid and inflexible approaching a TC complex like this.
Your focus should be on the question rather on the words. They are a natural consequence of your sentence understanding
Now, notice that this sentence is complex: it uses eh-dash, colon and a linking words BUT as contrast. So we should have the (i) in contrast with the other two blanks
There is no point in combing through the director’s work for hints of ideological significance.
MMMhhh this phrase (it is not a sentence) is here to introduce something about the director's work. Basically it syass that the job is meaningless
It is unnecessary: his ideology—Marxist, anti-imperialist, aligned with the perceived interests of the powerless and the marginal—is the (i) ________ of his films.
We do not need and then a colo, which means that the sentence after the colon is an explanation WHY the all things are unnecessary. The ideology - my thinking or what I firmly believe, related to the Marxism philosophy, is the main focus of the movie. But for now I leave it to see what is going on in the rest of the sentence.
One thing is sure: the first blank is in contrast with the other two blanks. I.e. IF the first one is white the other blanks must be black or the other way aroundThe clarity and force of that ideology are considerable, but its (ii) ________ sometimes bothers critics, who often scold the director for lacking (iii) ________.The ideology is powerful
BUT the way it is exposed in the movie or maybe how it is intended DO NOT like the critics
The same critics OFTEN reproach the director to have or to lack of something.
Now , doing reverse engineering of the sentence
1) the director lacks of something good and because we are talking about IDEOLOGY or ideas and BECAUSE the critics do not like the ideas are they are exposed or filmed in the movie the (iii) must be courage. We said that the ideology is powerful soooo the director lacks of courage or a strong way to expose his idea or ideology
2) going backward: the director lacks courage. That means THIS bothers the critics. And IF this is not good to the critics the arguments exposed in the movie are WEAK. BECAUSE the ideology per see is strong and powerful. The only words
is bluntness. During the sentence, we are talking about ideology, powerfulness, ideas and that those are weak or strong NOT unclear. So D and F are out
3) Now we are in the last blank to fill in which turns out is the first one. The (i) blank must be on the other side of the spectrum of the (ii) and (iii) blanks
we said that the movie shows what Marxism is indeed: it stand on the side or powerless people. the poor....and blah blah blah. The movie shows this. Notice also that A and C are basically to options similar: hidden and murky means basically NO clearness. Obscure. So they cannot be the answers for two reasons
- if they were then we would have TWO good words for the first blank. This is clearly NOT possible. The answer must be B
- moreover, we need a word that shows the director's ideas are good. Murky and hidden are NOT good. For example: murky waters are NOT clear waters and they are cloudy, dirty. This is completely out of scope for the first blank.
B must be the first blank
Alternative ApproachFirst BlankSince it is not necessary to comb through the director's work to find his ideology, and since we are also told that the clarity and the force of his ideology are considerable, we can say that his ideology is the
chief impetus of his films. The clarity and force of his ideology also insists that it is not the
hidden focus of his films. There is nothing to justify it as a
murky lesson of his films.
Second BlankThe "but" in the second sentence after the comma implies that we need something that counters the clarity and force of his ideology. It cannot be
feebleness, because it is the exact opposite of force, and it makes no sense to say the ideology has both force and feebleness. We are not looking for exact opposite, but something similar to counterparts. Since it is unnecessary to search for the ideology,
obscurity can be rejected.
Bluntness is a good choice for the same reason. And also because the ideology has clarity and force. And we already know that it is the
chief impetus of his films.
Third BlankAnd if the director was blunt, then the critics will scold him for lacking
subtlety.
Hence the correct choices are
chief impetus,
bluntness and
subtlety.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We are dealing with the OG Discrete Questions Set 5:: #1 Hard Level
The sentence states that
something has been presumed not to exist. And instead, the notion that "everybody has an angle is considered wisdom." is current.
In other words, each person's subjective view is given importance, and this subjective view can be the by-product of self-interest.
Therefore the word for the blank should be something that goes against this subjective view, and establishes objectivity.
disinterestedness - which means unbiased by self-interests or considerations, not influenced by selfish motives - is the best counterpoint to subjectivity (each persons point-of-view is equally valid)
A disinterested view does not take anybody's angle into account. It simply see things objectively.
So
disinterestedness is the best answer.
We are dealing with the SECOND PowerPrep FREE software > SECOND section :: Hard Level.
Ignore the first blank for now and focus on the rest of the sentence.
Quote:
The journalism professor's first lecture tackled (i) ______ itself
I have no idea what the professor asserted so no care for now - 10 seconds to think this. No matter what.
the second part
Quote:
challenging the journalistic trope that an article has to represent all sides—no matter how marginal—equally.
In this sentence, I do not know what is the meaning of trope ( by the way it means a figurative way to use words or expressions) but this is not important. Try always to grasp the overall meaning of the sentence.
Actually, this portion of the entire sentence says: the professor in the lecture mentioned before is challenging the journalists' view that an article should be always impartial, representing all sides of the story. The professor is saying: this is not true or is not always the case.
Quote:
Instead, the professor argued that this impulse to (ii) _______ even obviously (iii) _______ views in order to furnish opposing perspectives is harmful to basic accuracy.
In this third part the professor is going to say why this is not always true. And most important, following this, is that in a more general way the tendency to (ii)
present - notice the word clue of the previous part
has to represent - even obviously (iii)
fringe views in order to furnish opposing perspectives is harmful to basic accuracy.
- controversial: this word does not fit because in order to furnish opposing perspectives has little sense - controversial and opposing? I do not think so. Moreover, the professor is not going to point out something that is controversial.
- straightforward: this word has no sense because if you use something that is straightforward you do have a clear view NOT to furnish an opposing perspective
- fringe: this must be the right word even if you do not know the exact meaning of it (it means unconventional). You do need fringe because of you should have something of "nuance" that change the overall meaning of a thing. Think about your favorite dish: it tastes really good but if you add - would say - a spicy the taste completely change. Yes, you need that small nuance changes the overall meaning or taste of your favorite dish
At this point, having a clear view of the overall sentence you back to the first blank: the professor challenges the journalists' view that an article offers an equally view of something but indeed this envission is not always true. I.E: not always an article is objective. As such, B is the right answer for the first blank (i)
objectivity.
Always:
- grasp the overall meaning
- dissect the sentence
- do not think in a linear way: start from where you find the gap. the weak link of the sentence and then do a sort of reverse engineering process
.
We are dealing with the OG VR :: Hard Level.
It is easier to attack the second blank first as we have plenty of information in the neighborhood of that blank.
because if there is no (ii) _________ to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.
The things that will interest the public is given in between the hyphens - stage or screen triumphs, interesting books, heroic exploits. It is worthwhile to note that two of the three items talk about victory (screen triumphs and heroic exploits). Hence I will complete the sentence in the following way -
because if there is no (ii)
victory to interest the public—no stage or screen triumphs, no interesting books, no heroic exploits—people quickly become bored.
The word from the choice list closest to victory is
real achievement.
Now let us get to the first blank.
Since we know that the people quickly become bored, we can say that instant celebrity is often a
fleeting asset.
(fleeting = transient = lasting for a very short period of time)
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GRE em and en dash.png
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