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What punctuation is used to set off a modifier?

apostrophe
comma
hyphen
parentheses
quotation marks

1 Answer

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Final answer:

To set off a modifier, commas, hyphens, dashes, or parentheses can be used, depending on the context and desired emphasis. Apostrophes and quotation marks are not used for this purpose.

Step-by-step explanation:

The punctuation used to set off a modifier can vary depending on the specific context and the level of emphasis the writer wishes to convey. In general, commas are often used to set off non-restrictive modifiers, which are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Hyphens are used with compound modifiers, such as adjectives, when they come before a noun they modify, for example, 'a well-known author'. Parentheses can de-emphasize or add extra information whereas dashes can be used to emphasize or create a strong break in the sentence structure. Apostrophes indicate possession and are not typically used for setting off modifiers. Quotation marks are mainly used to denote speech, quotations, or specific titles, and so are not typically used for setting off modifiers either.

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