comma or dash before participle clause: a plural "-s"–becoming...

8769

Senior Member
Japanese and Japan
I’m interested in the use of "dash" and "comma"..
I came across the sentence #1 below the other day. I guess #2 is also OK without any big changes in meaning. Am I correct?

1. It is important to note here that the proper noun “English” has received a plural “-s”---becoming “Englishes”. (dash)
2. It is important to note here that the proper noun “English” has received a plural “-s”, becoming “Englishes”. (comma)
 
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  • I once described a dash to one of my Chinese colleagues as a drum roll -- and they understood immediately that a dash is like a lead-up to something important, some finale. Here, you don't need a drum roll, but just a comma to set off your "becoming Englishes."

    WR dictionary: drum roll: noun a rapid succession of drumbeats, typically used to introduce an announcement or event.
     
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