Skip to main content

Punctuation Tip: The Ellipsis

When people omit certain words in written discourse, they tend to put periods at the place of the omitted word. Certain people make sentences like the following:

“No, wait…..” he shouted.

Ellipsis

They tend to put several dots to describe some pause or omitted words, as in the above example. In English, however, a special punctuation mark is available to show this omission, the Ellipsis, so you don’t have to put too many dots to show it. The ellipsis is a series of three periods with spaces on both ends. The dots may or may not be spaced.

“No, wait …” he shouted.

Using Ellipsis

Using ellipses to omit certain words is similar to Elliptical clauses (elliptical constructions). Ellipses are used in intentional omission of words usually in reported conversation. It indicates an abeyance in speech, an incomplete thought, or a silence at the end of a sentence.

Ellipses can end a sentence, as I mentioned before. In such case, the ellipsis together with the full stop will form four dots.

He thought it would be all right, but … .

The last dot is the sentence’s end, and not part of the ellipsis.

Consecutive ellipses can appear in sentences separated by spaces. If an ellipsis appears at the end of a sentence, then add the ellipsis before the period, spaced at both sides.

John marked the file closed … .

When some sentences or thoughts are omitted in between two sentences, it can be indicated by an ellipsis in between the sentences, as in:

John marked the file closed. … The file had to be reopened.

Disputes in Typography

Certain authorities, for instance the Modern Language Association (MLA), state that in all places the ellipses should have spaces before and after, though many people prefer to avoid them. The Elements of Typographic Style by Canadian typographer, Robert Bringhurst suggests using ellipsis according to the preference of the writer and the typeface used.

In US legal writing, each of the dots in the ellipses is separated by spaces.

Copyright © Lenin Nair 2008

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Power of Short Sentences

Post dedicated to Thomas Hardy (see History Today below). There are monster sentences like the one you encounter as the first paragraph of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens . One of my friends, whom I am getting equipped for his IELTS ( what is this? ), told me that the examination recommends long sentences. In writing classes also, I guess it’s longer sentences most tutors promote. But indubitably shorter sentences are more powerful . We will see why. Take a long sentence for instance: Tom Cruise, one of the finest actors in the whole world, is perhaps the most powerful celebrity to exist ever according to Time Magazine, but many people still dispute this fact and point out that there are more powerful and popular actors than Cruise, though they were unsuccessful in providing the total number of fans, who liked the films of those actors. This is a long sentence and it is very confusing . Though it has a logical construction and conveys a meaning, it falters in many occasions and seems

Creative Writing: Crafting Characters With Emotional Appeal in Mind

When you read the greatest fiction works ever, have you ever asked what was so compelling about them that you not only kept reading it, but you ended up reading all other major works of the writer? It may well be because the writer touched your emotional quotient quite a bit. Every reader has a unique taste . Some like to read suspense thrillers , some tender love stories, and some others dark horror and bloodshed stories . That’s why there are all sorts of genres out there. When a writer gives you what exactly you want, you will keep reading. Here we come to the emotional appeal. Character Imperfection Perfect characters may not always be the upshot of a writer’s deliberation. It may well be due to ignorance . Usually the upcoming writers take it for granted that if they create perfect characters, they will be able to garner a bigger audience . It is not true. You have to ask yourself what a character would do in a particular situation. Perfect characters—perfect gunmen, perfect

Another Tiny List of Confusables

Earlier, you may remember we published a list of confusable words . Here we are again, with such a list of words. Abjure/Adjure: Abjure means "to formally renounce (give up) something" such as a position. Adjure on the other hand means 'to appeal to' or 'solemnly order'. The governor decided to abjure his position due to political pressure. Normally, adjuring to the subordinates doesn't give many results. Amount/Number: Use amount when you have uncountable subject. Use number when it is countable. The amount of love one gets depends on the number of friends one has. Appraise/Apprise: Appraise is the word applied to quantitative evaluation of something. Apprise means 'communicate' or 'inform'. Appraising diamonds is the work of an expert. Joe apprised me of the schedule of events. Attorney/Lawyer/Solicitor: These terms are highly misinterpreted and confused by many people. Let me clarify. In the US, an attorney is any member