Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[river1974]

Dear teachers:

ITC - *When* you see these three letters, rest assured you're dealing with a world-class financial *services* organization.

(a) Could I use "when" instead of "When"?
(b) Is "service" often used in the plural form?

Thanks.

[asterix]

I think so. A hyphen is about the same as a semi-colon.
Service is often used in the plural. Financial services merely means more than one type of financial service. All banks offer financial services.

[river1974]

Thanks asterix. There seems to be a typo in your sentence, "A hyphen is about the same as a semi-colon." I guess "hyphen" should be "dash".

[asterix]

I 've always called this mark (-) a hyphen.
Although it is the same, it is indeed called a dash when used as in your example.
I think you have just educated me. Thanks!