If you're a GRAMMAR WIZ please help....?

Question

I want to know, is this the correct way to use a dash. Let's say this is the sentence. The plan is-- well you know what the plan is. ???? is this right??

Answer 1

Yup, a dash is fine there, but you need a comma after "well":

"The plan is -- well, you know what the plan is."
It's very much like example a)

Proper use of the dash in writing helps to convey the precise message.
The dash is used:
a) To denote a sudden change of thought.
Example: What he said was true — or so I thought.
b) To indicate a sudden break in a sentence.
Example: I can’t let them continue to — so many people would be hurt if they proceeded with this action.
c) In the place of parentheses.
Example: They were all in agreement with the restructuring — even agreeing to the shortened lunch breaks — but if anyone tried to revamp their vacation time they claimed they would walk out.
d) As a replacement of the word to with reference to dates, sections, verses, etc.
Examples:
2001-2004
sections 8-10
pages 112-134
Genesis 11:5-8

Ellipsis wouldn't be very appropriate here since it indicates a long pause, and from the context you've given, it's much more likely to be a short pause.

"Using ellipsis...
Method
Use the ellipsis within a sentence to add a long pause and hence create tension.
The ellipsis may also be used at the end of an incomplete sentence, to indicate that there is more to come (or that the reader should put in their own completion).
Example
And the winner is ... James Dean! (tension-building)

And of course that means...

Discussion
The ellipsis introduces a long pause, which is a basic technique for creating tension.
Within the pause, the listener is invited to add their own meaning. They may also be encouraged to increase attention, hanging onto the speaker's words, waiting for the next installment.
The ellipsis is made of three dots exactly (not two or five). At the end of a sentence, it may have a further period, although this is not necessary (and can confuse)."

Answer 2

Dashes and other punctuation marks
Dashes are more common in informal writing. They can be used in similar ways to commas. Both single and multiple dashes may be used: Our Head of Finance – who often loses his temper about travel expenses – was the calmest in the room. I couldn’t believe it! Just to let you know we’ve just got back from Mallorca --- we really loved it.Brackets have a similar function to dashes. They can also function as a punctuation of what are presented as afterthoughts: We were up late most nights (not working, of course!) and so never really got up till after midday.Hyphens are a form of dash and can be used within modifiers: a twelve-year-old girl(compare: she’s twelve years old)Forward slashes are common in internet addresses and to act as an ‘and/or’ marker in academic references: You can find more information on www.bbc.co.uk/sport. Jenkins 1991/1997 has given three reasons for this state of affairs.

Answer 3

Just one dash. Or an ellipsis (three dots). As in:

The plan is... well, you know what the plan is.

And don't forget a comma after 'well'.

Answer 4

I use: The plan is -- well, you know what the plan is.

But my wife corrects me, and she is right; no spaces:
The plan is--well, you know what the plan is.

(I still do it my way -- I think it reads better).

Answer 5

I am a grammar whiz...

The plan is---well, YOU know what the plan is...

Three dashes---three dots...

Answer 6

The plan is, well, you know what the plan is.

Answer 7

No it should be 'The plan is...well you know what the plan is.'