Ellipsis
An ellipsis is one of the
punctuation marks. It is made of three dots or periods. We use an ellipsis to
show an omission, create a pause, show an unfinished thought, or show a trail
off into silence.
Uses of an Ellipsis
Ellipsis Showing Omitted Text
We use an ellipsis to show that
some text has been omitted. It is done when a writer wants to remove irrelevant
words or words that are difficult to understand. Typically, words are removed
from direct speech.
“There have been many reasons,
which have been kept secret, why I don’t show my sadness.”
- “There have been many reasons [. . .] why I don't show my sadness.”
Keep in your mind that it is
also important to pick the right spot. In simple words, omit the information in
a way that the remaining sentence will not become grammatically incorrect.
It is also useful to use square
brackets having ellipsis inside. A reader can easily understand that the
ellipsis is not a part of the original text.
- “She will dance [. . .].”
Ellipsis Showing Pause for Dramatic Effect or Suspense
We also use an ellipsis to show a
pause in text. Ellipsis showing the pause is used for a dramatic effect. The
pause creates suspense.
- It was an amazing moment. We were three friends. We wanted to leave silently. When I reached the door and turned the doorknob . . . a puppy started barking.
Ellipsis Showing Trailing off into Silence
Sometimes,
we leave sentences unfinished in our speech. There can be different reasons
like forgetting what was to be said, or listeners may know about it. It can
also occur in writing. An ellipsis comes at the end of a quote to show that the
speaker has trailed off something.
- “I intended to tell him … .”
Ellipsis Showing Unfinished Thoughts
An
ellipsis is used at the end to show unfinished thought. It means that the
ellipsis indicates that the speech is continued.
- I understand what you mean, but . . .
Format for Ellipsis
When
one uses an ellipsis, he can use different formats. Your formats can be as:
1.
Space, dot, dot, dot, space
- When I reached the door and turned the doorknob ... a puppy started barking.
2. Space, dot, space, dot,
space, dot, space
- When I reached the door and turned the doorknob . . . a puppy started barking.
3. Space, square bracket, dot,
dot, dot, square bracket, space
- When I reached the door and turned the doorknob [...] a puppy started barking.
4. Space, square bracket, dot,
space, dot, space, dot, square bracket, space
- When I reached the door and turned the doorknob [. . .] a puppy started barking.
5. Dot, dot, dot
- When I reached the door and turned the doorknob...a puppy started barking.
Format for Ellipsis at the End of a Sentence
1.
Dot, dot, dot, space, dot
- “I intended to tell him… .”
2.
Dot, dot, dot, dot
- “I intended to tell him….”
3.
Space, dot, dot, dot, space, dot
- “I intended to tell him … .”
4.
Space, square bracket, dot, dot, dot, square bracket, dot
- “I intended to tell him […].”
At the end of a sentence showing the omission of other sentences
1.
Dot, space, dot, dot, dot
- “I intended to tell him. …”
2.
Dot, dot, dot, dot
- “I intended to tell him….”
3.
Dot, square bracket, dot, dot, dot, square bracket
- “I intended to tell him.[…]”
4.
Dot, space, square bracket, dot, dot, dot, square bracket
- “I intended to tell him. […]”
