Is the folllowing sentence correctly punctuated?












1














Could someone please tell me if I've correctly punctuated the following sentence (specifically, if I've correctly used the dash and commas highlighted bloew)? Also, is the period at the end of the word "voice" better served by a comma or semicolon?



My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink for nearly two uneventful when I heard a voice. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.



Thank you!



Alex






commas quotations dashes







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  • 1




    Dashes set off parenthetical insertions, so you need a "closing" dash somewhere. And "for nearly two uneventful" doesn't make sense.
    – Andrew Leach♦
    17 hours ago










  • The reason a closing dash is important is because there are two possible meanings: "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink for nearly two uneventful years —when I heard a voice," or "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink—for nearly two uneventful hours, when I heard a voice."
    – Andrew Leach♦
    17 hours ago












  • Ah, I see. In the boded example, it sounds as if the skating rink has served as the world's largest outdoor rink for two years. Is that correct? Thanks for your help, Andrew!
    – Alex K
    7 hours ago


















1














Could someone please tell me if I've correctly punctuated the following sentence (specifically, if I've correctly used the dash and commas highlighted bloew)? Also, is the period at the end of the word "voice" better served by a comma or semicolon?



My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink for nearly two uneventful when I heard a voice. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.



Thank you!



Alex






commas quotations dashes







share|improve this question







New contributor




Alex K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1




    Dashes set off parenthetical insertions, so you need a "closing" dash somewhere. And "for nearly two uneventful" doesn't make sense.
    – Andrew Leach♦
    17 hours ago










  • The reason a closing dash is important is because there are two possible meanings: "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink for nearly two uneventful years —when I heard a voice," or "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink—for nearly two uneventful hours, when I heard a voice."
    – Andrew Leach♦
    17 hours ago












  • Ah, I see. In the boded example, it sounds as if the skating rink has served as the world's largest outdoor rink for two years. Is that correct? Thanks for your help, Andrew!
    – Alex K
    7 hours ago
















1












1








1







Could someone please tell me if I've correctly punctuated the following sentence (specifically, if I've correctly used the dash and commas highlighted bloew)? Also, is the period at the end of the word "voice" better served by a comma or semicolon?



My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink for nearly two uneventful when I heard a voice. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.



Thank you!



Alex






commas quotations dashes







share|improve this question







New contributor




Alex K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











Could someone please tell me if I've correctly punctuated the following sentence (specifically, if I've correctly used the dash and commas highlighted bloew)? Also, is the period at the end of the word "voice" better served by a comma or semicolon?



My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink for nearly two uneventful when I heard a voice. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.



Thank you!



Alex






commas quotations dashes




commas quotations dashes






share|improve this question







New contributor




Alex K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




Alex K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






New contributor




Alex K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 18 hours ago









Alex K

61




61




New contributor




Alex K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Alex K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Alex K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1




    Dashes set off parenthetical insertions, so you need a "closing" dash somewhere. And "for nearly two uneventful" doesn't make sense.
    – Andrew Leach♦
    17 hours ago










  • The reason a closing dash is important is because there are two possible meanings: "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink for nearly two uneventful years —when I heard a voice," or "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink—for nearly two uneventful hours, when I heard a voice."
    – Andrew Leach♦
    17 hours ago












  • Ah, I see. In the boded example, it sounds as if the skating rink has served as the world's largest outdoor rink for two years. Is that correct? Thanks for your help, Andrew!
    – Alex K
    7 hours ago
















  • 1




    Dashes set off parenthetical insertions, so you need a "closing" dash somewhere. And "for nearly two uneventful" doesn't make sense.
    – Andrew Leach♦
    17 hours ago










  • The reason a closing dash is important is because there are two possible meanings: "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink for nearly two uneventful years —when I heard a voice," or "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink—for nearly two uneventful hours, when I heard a voice."
    – Andrew Leach♦
    17 hours ago












  • Ah, I see. In the boded example, it sounds as if the skating rink has served as the world's largest outdoor rink for two years. Is that correct? Thanks for your help, Andrew!
    – Alex K
    7 hours ago










1




1




Dashes set off parenthetical insertions, so you need a "closing" dash somewhere. And "for nearly two uneventful" doesn't make sense.
– Andrew Leach♦
17 hours ago




Dashes set off parenthetical insertions, so you need a "closing" dash somewhere. And "for nearly two uneventful" doesn't make sense.
– Andrew Leach♦
17 hours ago












The reason a closing dash is important is because there are two possible meanings: "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink for nearly two uneventful years —when I heard a voice," or "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink—for nearly two uneventful hours, when I heard a voice."
– Andrew Leach♦
17 hours ago






The reason a closing dash is important is because there are two possible meanings: "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink for nearly two uneventful years —when I heard a voice," or "My partner and I had been patrolling the Rideau Canal Skateway—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow, serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink—for nearly two uneventful hours, when I heard a voice."
– Andrew Leach♦
17 hours ago














Ah, I see. In the boded example, it sounds as if the skating rink has served as the world's largest outdoor rink for two years. Is that correct? Thanks for your help, Andrew!
– Alex K
7 hours ago






Ah, I see. In the boded example, it sounds as if the skating rink has served as the world's largest outdoor rink for two years. Is that correct? Thanks for your help, Andrew!
– Alex K
7 hours ago












1 Answer
1






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oldest

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The sentence is very long and just doesn't flow very well, since it contains both a description of something (the skating rink) and things happening (patrolling & hearing the voice).



Also, as already noted in the comments, "skating rink for nearly two uneventful when" doesn't make sense. I assume you meant that you were patrolling for two uneventful hours.



Here's my attempt to fix it up:




My partner and I were tasked with patrolling the Rideau Canal, a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow which serves as the world's largest outdoor skating rink. We had been patrolling for two uneventful hours when I heard something. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.




Or alternatively, if you must use dashes:




My partner and I were tasked with patrolling the Rideau Canal—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow—serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink. We had been patrolling for two uneventful hours when I heard something. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.







share|improve this answer





















  • Hi Aron, Correct. Sorry, I accidentally forgot to include the word, "hours". As a general rule of thumb, is it preferred to separate a description of something and a description of things happening? Thanks for your help!
    – Alex K
    7 hours ago













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The sentence is very long and just doesn't flow very well, since it contains both a description of something (the skating rink) and things happening (patrolling & hearing the voice).



Also, as already noted in the comments, "skating rink for nearly two uneventful when" doesn't make sense. I assume you meant that you were patrolling for two uneventful hours.



Here's my attempt to fix it up:




My partner and I were tasked with patrolling the Rideau Canal, a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow which serves as the world's largest outdoor skating rink. We had been patrolling for two uneventful hours when I heard something. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.




Or alternatively, if you must use dashes:




My partner and I were tasked with patrolling the Rideau Canal—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow—serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink. We had been patrolling for two uneventful hours when I heard something. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.







share|improve this answer





















  • Hi Aron, Correct. Sorry, I accidentally forgot to include the word, "hours". As a general rule of thumb, is it preferred to separate a description of something and a description of things happening? Thanks for your help!
    – Alex K
    7 hours ago


















0














The sentence is very long and just doesn't flow very well, since it contains both a description of something (the skating rink) and things happening (patrolling & hearing the voice).



Also, as already noted in the comments, "skating rink for nearly two uneventful when" doesn't make sense. I assume you meant that you were patrolling for two uneventful hours.



Here's my attempt to fix it up:




My partner and I were tasked with patrolling the Rideau Canal, a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow which serves as the world's largest outdoor skating rink. We had been patrolling for two uneventful hours when I heard something. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.




Or alternatively, if you must use dashes:




My partner and I were tasked with patrolling the Rideau Canal—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow—serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink. We had been patrolling for two uneventful hours when I heard something. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.







share|improve this answer





















  • Hi Aron, Correct. Sorry, I accidentally forgot to include the word, "hours". As a general rule of thumb, is it preferred to separate a description of something and a description of things happening? Thanks for your help!
    – Alex K
    7 hours ago
















0












0








0






The sentence is very long and just doesn't flow very well, since it contains both a description of something (the skating rink) and things happening (patrolling & hearing the voice).



Also, as already noted in the comments, "skating rink for nearly two uneventful when" doesn't make sense. I assume you meant that you were patrolling for two uneventful hours.



Here's my attempt to fix it up:




My partner and I were tasked with patrolling the Rideau Canal, a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow which serves as the world's largest outdoor skating rink. We had been patrolling for two uneventful hours when I heard something. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.




Or alternatively, if you must use dashes:




My partner and I were tasked with patrolling the Rideau Canal—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow—serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink. We had been patrolling for two uneventful hours when I heard something. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.







share|improve this answer












The sentence is very long and just doesn't flow very well, since it contains both a description of something (the skating rink) and things happening (patrolling & hearing the voice).



Also, as already noted in the comments, "skating rink for nearly two uneventful when" doesn't make sense. I assume you meant that you were patrolling for two uneventful hours.



Here's my attempt to fix it up:




My partner and I were tasked with patrolling the Rideau Canal, a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow which serves as the world's largest outdoor skating rink. We had been patrolling for two uneventful hours when I heard something. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.




Or alternatively, if you must use dashes:




My partner and I were tasked with patrolling the Rideau Canal—a nearly 8 km stretch of ice and snow—serving as the world's largest outdoor skating rink. We had been patrolling for two uneventful hours when I heard something. “This way!” shouted a voice in the distance.








share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 17 hours ago









Aaron Franke

1014




1014












  • Hi Aron, Correct. Sorry, I accidentally forgot to include the word, "hours". As a general rule of thumb, is it preferred to separate a description of something and a description of things happening? Thanks for your help!
    – Alex K
    7 hours ago




















  • Hi Aron, Correct. Sorry, I accidentally forgot to include the word, "hours". As a general rule of thumb, is it preferred to separate a description of something and a description of things happening? Thanks for your help!
    – Alex K
    7 hours ago


















Hi Aron, Correct. Sorry, I accidentally forgot to include the word, "hours". As a general rule of thumb, is it preferred to separate a description of something and a description of things happening? Thanks for your help!
– Alex K
7 hours ago






Hi Aron, Correct. Sorry, I accidentally forgot to include the word, "hours". As a general rule of thumb, is it preferred to separate a description of something and a description of things happening? Thanks for your help!
– Alex K
7 hours ago












Alex K is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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