Dashes are used widely in informal notes and letters. (i) A dash can be used to attach an afterthought: I should love to come – that’s if I can get the time off. (ii) A dash can replace a colon before a list in informal writing: The thieves took everything – video, television, cassettes, computer, camera, the lot. (iii) A dash can precede a summary: Video, television, cassettes, computer, camera – the thieves took the lot. (iv)