Ellipsis is a punctuation mark that refers to the omission of a word, words, phrase, paragraph or sentence that is not necessary. The sentence can still be understood with the presence of the ellipsis.
The ellipsis is formed by a set of three spaced full-stops/periods. There is also a space before and after the ellipsis. Four full-stops are used if the ellipsis comes at the end of a sentence: three full-stops to indicate an ellipsis followed by a full-stop to indicate the end of the sentence. The ellipsis can occur at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence or clause.
Examples:
- Without ellipsis: You might say, "I ate a chicken pie, and she ate just a donut.
- With ellipsis: You might say, "I ate a chicken pie, and she just a donut.
(The word ate is omitted because it is understood from the context what the speaker means.)
- Without ellipsis: She went to the spring sale on Saturday, and her brother went to the spring sale on Sunday.
- With ellipsis: She went to the spring sale on Saturday and her brother on Sunday.
(The word went to the spring sale was omitted and the sentence can still be understood.
- Is that your bag? No, it's Tom's bag.
- Is that your bag? No, it's Tom's.
(The word bag is omitted as it is understood.)
Ellipsis shows pause, hesitation, or interruption
An ellipsis is used to show a pause, hesitation, or interruption.
Examples:
- I’m thinking … well, never mind … you can go on your own.
- I . . . I’m not sure I want to go along with you all.
- “The security guard said I could not enter wearing sandals.” “ Then you …?”
Ellipsis within quotation or with question mark.
Examples:
- “I’m waiting . . . “ Joe said, but stopped suddenly.
- “If you are not going to marry him, are you not going to . . .”?
Ellipsis at end of quotation
When a quotation ends with an ellipsis, the ellipsis of three full-stops is followed by a sentence full-stop – that is, four full-stops altogether. There will be no space before the first or after the last full-stop.
Examples:
- “The soldier was shot through the head by a sniper's. . . .“
- “They had to abandon the match. . . .“
Ellips is used in long quote.
If a quote is too long, the words that are unnecessary may be omitted and replaced with an ellipsis.
Examples:
- "Our plan for the summer was to climb the mountain. We had a long discussion about it days before the climb, and a week later we all agreed to cancel the plan.
- "Our plan for the summer was to climb the mountain. We had a long discussion about it . . . and . . . all agreed to cancel the plan."