Can you use dash for missing words in English?

[leo12345]

For example:

Every night something spoiled his sleep. Once it was a noise from the neighbors, other time - a thunderstorm.

Should I use dash before 'a thunderstorm' or I must replace it with 'it was'?
(I heard people speak like this, not repeating 'it was' all the time, so when I write this down, should I use dash?)

 

[Olympian]

**** I am not a teacher ****

A dash is not needed, and you don't need to use 'it was' again in the same sentence. But instead of 'other time', you can say 'another time'.

 

[leo12345]

thanks!