What punctuation mark indicates a pause or break in a sentence?

The punctuation mark that indicates a pause or break in a sentence is the dash. Dashes are often used to create emphasis or to set off additional information within a sentence, allowing for a more dramatic pause or interruption in thought compared to other punctuation marks. They can be particularly effective for drawing attention to the material that follows them.

While commas serve to separate elements within a sentence and provide a softer pause, and periods indicate a full stop, dashes allow for a more pronounced interruption. Semicolons link closely related independent clauses but do not create the same kind of noticeable pause as dashes do. Thus, dashes are the punctuation mark that best signifies a notable break or shift in thought within a sentence.