Dashes actually emphasize the interruption, like this:
One of the best things about the previous two versions–the versions before the company was taken over by XYX, Inc.–was the user interface.
Parentheses de-emphasize the interruption:
The correspondence between the codes (see Table 2) is nearly one-to-one.
Commas indicate an interruption that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence:
The new interface, we all agree, is much easier to use.
Interruptions with no punctuation are essential to the meaning of the sentence:
The function that has been changed the most is the video editor.
Challenge
Give a try to punctuating the interruptions in the sentences below. When ready, post your answers as comments.
- It is very tedious in my opinion to type on a flat screen.
- The blog even after the extensive upgrade we purchased last quarter was still slow to load on mobile devices.
- The most widely accessible option according to the magazine is still the print version.
- The company that provides the fastest downloads is still XYZ.
- Norman who arrived at the classroom before the computers were turned on noticed the change in temperature right away.
- A more extended listing (see Appendix B) has been compiled by XYZ Press.
***
If you love Jennie's grammar articles, you'll love her classes. Check out some of Jennie's mini courses.