Punctuation: Ellipsis (2024)

FAQs

What are the rules for punctuation ellipsis? ›

An ellipsis ( ... ) consists of three evenly spaced periods and is used to indicate the omission of words or suggest an incomplete thought. In general, an ellipsis should be treated as a three-letter word, with a space, three periods and a space. (Western Michigan University is ...

Using Ellipses to Show Omission

When omitting a word or words in a quotation, use ellipses to indicate the deleted word or words. Original Text: “He got away. We called in for backup, drove with blaring sirens, and chased after him, but he ran faster than we did,” said the policeman. Ellipses: “He got away.

The ellipsis itself can be 3 dots without any spaces (...)OR it can be 3 dots with spaces between each (. . .). APA does not have a preference for this.

Like substitution, there are three types of ellipsis: nominal ellipsis (a noun is missing), verbal ellipsis (a verb or part of a verb phrase is missing), and clausal ellipsis (a clause is missing).

Without spaces, the ellipsis is known as an “ellipsis character,” meaning it is one punctuation mark. Chicago prefers the ellipsis to be written with spaces between each period, and there is always a space after the ellipsis.

Using an ellipsis to omit words from the end of a sentence:

Notice that when using an ellipsis at the end of a sentence you must place a period after the ellipsis. When using a parenthetical notation at the end of a sentence, with an ellipsis, place a period after the citation.

John saw two hawks in the sky, and Bill saw three. This is an example of a noun phrase ellipsis because "hawks" is omitted from the noun phrase "three hawks." Notice that when a noun phrase ellipsis is used, the word or words that are omitted from one clause appear in the other clause. Nordquist, Richard.

For example, this sentence contains an ellipsis: He must have left … about an hour ago. And this sentence contains multiple ellipses: He must have left about an hour ago …

In informal writing, an ellipsis can be used to represent a trailing off of thought. If only she had . . . Oh, it doesn't matter now. An ellipsis can also indicate hesitation, though in this case the punctuation is more accurately described as suspension points.

What is the alternative to the ellipsis? ›

An em dash — is sometimes used instead of an ellipsis, especially in written dialogue. Elision – Omission of sounds in words or phrases. In written text, this is sometimes denoted using the horizontal ellipsis.

In linguistics, ellipsis means leaving out words rather than repeating them unnecessarily; for example, saying 'I want to go but I can't' instead of 'I want to go but I can't go'.

Ellipses are used to signify a pause in speech (e.g., "But . . . why is a cat standing on the top shelf in aisle 7?"). Ellipses are used to express an unfinished thought (e.g., "There's just something about that cat . . .").

Don't use a full stop, comma or semicolon after an ellipsis.

Without spaces, the ellipsis is known as an “ellipsis character,” meaning it is one punctuation mark. Chicago prefers the ellipsis to be written with spaces between each period, and there is always a space after the ellipsis. However, they do allow for certain publishers to use smaller spaces than a standard space.

In formal writing, the ellipsis is typically only used to indicate omissions, usually in quotations. In informal writing and fiction writing, the ellipsis is often used to indicate hesitation, a long pause, or a sentence trailing off.

Like substitution, there are three types of ellipsis: nominal ellipsis (a noun is missing), verbal ellipsis (a verb or part of a verb phrase is missing), and clausal ellipsis (a clause is missing).