An ellipsis, or ellipses in the plural form, is a punctuation mark of three dots (...) that shows an omission of words, represents a pause, or suggests there’s something left unsaid. Known casually as dot, dot, dot, the ellipsis is a favorite tool of writers because it can symbolize silence in text, but it’s also used more practically to show that a direct quote has been altered.
Ellipses can be powerful tools for writing ... if you know how to use them. Below, we give a more thorough ellipsis definition and explain how to use those three dots in writing. We also clear up the ellipsis vs. ellipses debate and share plenty of ellipsis examples to demonstrate its use.
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What is an ellipsis?
The ellipsis (pronounced il-LIP-sis) is a type of punctuation that represents a pause or that something has been intentionally left out. Specifically, it shows that words have been cut from a direct quote, so the reader knows the original passage has been modified.
In form, the ellipsis is three dots or periods. Different style guides have different regulations for ellipses, but we prefer the version with spaces between the periods (...) from The Chicago Manual of Style.
In formal writing and journalism, the ellipsis is placed between brackets when used within a quote [...] to show that the editors added the ellipsis, not the original speaker.
Ellipsis, dash, and colon
When it comes to usage, the ellipsis resembles a couple of other punctuation marks: the dash and the colon.
While the ellipsis and the dash both represent breaks in text, the dash—or more precisely, the em dash—represents an abrupt interruption. The dash can also be used to represent a pause, but a more emphatic one than the “soft” pause of an ellipsis.
The colon also represents a break in text, although for much more deliberate reasons. Colons are used to introduce a list, quote, or explanation of what precedes it. However, unlike ellipses and dashes, they do not represent silence.
Furthermore, neither the dash nor the colon can represent omitted words; only the ellipsis can do that.
Ellipsis vs. ellipses
There’s a lot of confusion over ellipsis vs. ellipses, but the truth is that they’re the same word. Ellipsis is singular, and ellipses is plural.
Even this can be confusing because there are three dots involved. So to be clear, a single ellipsis is one group of three dots, while multiple ellipses are two or more groups of three dots.
When to use an ellipsis, with examples
While there are many types of ellipses in linguistics, an ellipsis in writing carries out four main duties:
1 Omitted words
In writing, ellipses are used to show the reader that words have been removed, typically from direct quotes. More often than not, this is done to cut out parts of the quote that aren’t relevant to the topic or to make the quote more succinct.
For example, if you want to include what a speaker said at the beginning and the end of a quote, but there’s a part in the middle that’s unnecessary, you can remove that middle part and replace it with an ellipsis.
[ORIGINAL QUOTE]
It must be obvious, from the very start, that there is a contradiction in wanting to be perfectly secure in a universe whose very nature is momentariness and fluidity.
[QUOTE WITH AN ELLIPSIS]
It must be obvious [...] that there is a contradiction in wanting to be perfectly secure in a universe whose very nature is momentariness and fluidity.
—Alan Watts
When using an ellipsis to omit part of a quote, be sure to pick the right spot. It’s best to remove a part that leaves the remaining sentence grammatically correct, as if nothing had been cut at all. In the ellipsis example above, the part removed came between two commas, so the sentence still works fine without it.
Though it’s less common, an ellipsis can also come at the beginning of a quote to show that the earlier part of a speech or conversation has been cut off. This is an effective way to open a scene in the middle of a dialogue, where the reader must guess at what the characters were talking about beforehand.
“... and you wouldn’t believe the smell! We spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning it up.”
2 Pause for dramatic effect or suspense
An ellipsis can also be used to depict a small pause or silence in text, which is ideal for a dramatic effect. Often, the ellipsis comes before an anticipated part, like the punchline of a joke. The idea is to build suspense before a big reveal.
With sweaty palms, I reached out for the knob and threw the door open to reveal ... a lost puppy.
3 Trailing off into silence
In speech, we sometimes leave sentences unfinished for a variety of reasons. Maybe we forgot what we wanted to say, or maybe our listeners already know what we’ll say, so we don’t need to say it.
In writing, this occurrence is represented by an ellipsis. When an ellipsis comes at the end of a sentence or quote, it means that the speaker has trailed off before finishing.
Would you like sugar for your coffee, or ...
4 To suggest there’s more
When an ellipsis comes at the end of a complete sentence, it’s usually a dramatic device to insinuate that there’s more to come. One of the most common examples is the phrase to be continued ..., where the ellipsis hints that there’s more to the story.
This can be a great storytelling tool in the right spot. It essentially challenges the reader to imagine what will happen next, heightening their anticipation and engaging them more deeply. It works best for cliffhangers and other endings, but be sure to use it sparingly so you don’t waste its effect.
And then only two remained ...
Ellipsis FAQs
What is an ellipsis?
An ellipsis is a punctuation mark of three dots (...) that shows an omission of words, represents a pause, or suggests there’s something left unsaid.
How does an ellipsis work?
If an ellipsis is placed at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, it means something has been removed, or it represents a silence or pause, as if the speaker trailed off. If an ellipsis comes at the end of a sentence, it suggests that there’s more to the story.
When should you use an ellipsis?
If you remove part of a direct quote, use an ellipsis as a placeholder to show the reader that something has been omitted. In storytelling, you can also use an ellipsis in key parts to build anticipation and give the reader something to think about.
FAQs
The term 'ellipsis' can be used to refer to a variety of phenomena: syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic.
What is ellipsis kid definition? ›
An ellipsis (sometimes referred to as dot dot dot...) is a punctuation mark we use to indicate that words are missing.
How do you use ellipsis in a sentence? ›
An ellipsis (plural: ellipses) is a punctuation mark consisting of three dots. Use an ellipsis when omitting a word, phrase, line, paragraph, or more from a quoted passage. Ellipses save space or remove material that is less relevant.
What does 3 dots after a sentence mean? ›
Ellipsis points are periods in groups of usually three, or sometimes four. They signal either that something has been omitted from quoted text, or that a speaker or writer has paused or trailed off in speech or thought. That's the basics.
What does a ellipsis look like? ›
The ellipsis ... (/ɪˈlɪpsɪs/, also known informally as dot dot dot) is a series of dots that indicates an intentional omission of a word, sentence, or whole section from a text without altering its original meaning. The plural is ellipses.
What is the purpose of ellipsis? ›
An ellipsis has different purposes and can be very useful in your writing. It can be used to show a word or words have been removed from a quote. It can create suspense by adding a pause before the end of the sentence. It can also be used to show the trailing off of a thought.
Why is it called an ellipsis? ›
An ellipsis is a punctuation mark consisting of three periods in a row. The word ellipsis comes from an ancient Greek word that means “to leave out.” We use ellipses to indicate omissions of words, phrases, or even whole sentences. This is always true for formal uses of the ellipsis.
What is the difference between ellipsis and ellipses? ›
Ellipsis (singular) usually means three dots (periods or full stops) to represent the above omission. In other words, ellipsis means one specific punctuation mark composed of three dots. I deleted that ellipsis and replaced it with an em dash. Ellipses (plural, with an e instead of an i) is the plural of ellipsis.
What is another word for ellipsis? ›
What is another word for ellipsis?
| omission | elision |
|---|
| apheresis | aphesis |
| apocope | apostrophe |
| asyndeton | gapping |
| haplography | haplology |
1 more rowAn ellipsis (...) is a set of three periods that indicates the omission of words from quoted material, hesitation, or trailing off in dialogue or train of thought. An ellipsis should have spaces before, between, and after the periods.
What does an ellipsis look like? Like I said, an ellipsis is a series of three dots. It can come at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence. If it comes at the end of a sentence, you usually need to use a punctuation mark after it, especially in formal writing.
Where does ellipsis go in a sentence? ›
An ellipsis ( . . . ) is used to indicate something was omitted. MLA requires ellipsis before or after the words used when you are quoting more than just a word or a phrase; however, writers only need to use ellipsis if it's unclear that the quotation does not completely reproduce the original passage.
Is an ellipsis rude? ›
When used in casual conversation, ellipses connote hesitation, confusion, and apathy — they're the most passive-aggressive of all the punctuation marks.
What does 3 dots by the eye mean? ›
The three dots tattoo is a common prison tattoo that represents “mi vida loca,” or “my crazy life.” It's not associated with any particular gang, but with the gang lifestyle itself. This tattoo is typically found on the hands or around the eyes.
What does three dots upside down mean? ›
In logical argument and mathematical proof, the therefore sign, ∴, is generally used before a logical consequence, such as the conclusion of a syllogism.
What are the 3 basic properties of ellipses? ›
The following are the important properties of the Ellipse.
- Center: The point of intersection of the major axis and the minor axis is the center.
- Focus: The fixed point on the Ellipse is called the focus.
- Major Axis: The longest diameter of the Ellipse.
- Minor Axis: The shortest diameter of the Ellipse.
Real life applications of ellipse
- Rotate an ellipse about its major axis. ...
- The path of each planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one focus. ...
- An ellipse exhibits an interesting acoustic phenomenon. ...
- Elliptical tables, book-cases, vent pipes etc look elegant and hence the shape is used in carpentry etc.
Ellipses for omitted material spanning two or more sentences
When quoted material is presented as multiple sentences, four dots should be used for omissions between two or more original sentences; three dots should be used for omissions within a single original sentence.
When should you not use an ellipsis? ›
Here are five ways not to use an ellipsis.
- Using them … like a written 'erm' … Trailing off in the middle of sentences in spoken conversation is common and almost unavoidable. ...
- Trailing off for no reason … ...
- Three is the magic number. ...
- Omitting crucial parts of a quotation. ...
- Implying you have more to say when you haven't.
An ellipsis (three dots) vertically aligned. It is sometimes used to communicate the continuation of a list vertically as opposed to horizontally.
In more formal writing, ellipses are often used to show omissions from within a piece of text; in casual communications, they are used a zillion different ways. Individual style guides offer differing rules regarding numerous elements of ellipsis usage.)
Why do older people use ellipsis? ›
Older people tend to use the three dot ellipsis to simply let a thought trail off in a casual way (at the store… good tomatoes today…). Younger people, who are used to vertically scrolling digital text, use a line break for this purpose.
Why do old people overuse ellipses? ›
McCulloch tells us older adults think using an ellipsis is simply the correct form when it comes to informal speech. “The imagined audience for older people is not the actual people they're writing to. Their imagined audience is still their memory of their grade-school English teacher,” she notes.
What does 4 dots mean in texting? ›
Unlike the three-dot disappearing act seen while texting, where the implication is that the conversation is still going, the four dots in a text message is similar to NRN and EOD, which indicates "no reply needed" and it's the "end of discussion." The first three dots are an ellipsis (…) and the fourth dot is a full ...
What does a teardrop tattoo mean on a woman? ›
What does teardrop tattoo mean? A teardrop tattoo is a small tattoo in the shape of a teardrop near one or both eyes. It is closely associated with gang and prison culture, where it often indicates one has served time, one has been humiliated, or one has killed. Others may get such a tattoo to represent sorrow or loss.
What does the tattoo 13 mean? ›
The tattoo of the number 13 is considered a “lucky” symbol, and is often accompanied by other “lucky” symbols this goes back to the days of traditional tattooing but today is still one of the most popular numbers to have tattooed.
Why does Lil Wayne have a teardrop? ›
It can acknowledge the loss of a friend or family member: North American rappers The Game and Lil Wayne have teardrop tattoos signifying the death of friends and basketball player Amar'e Stoudemire has had a teardrop tattoo since 2012 honoring his older brother Hazell Jr., who died in a car accident.
What does 3 dots tattooed on your finger mean? ›
The three dots tattoo represents “Mi Vida Loca,” which translates to “my crazy life.” It often means the struggles of the underprivileged and the minorities. It's a way of saying, “my life is crazy, but I'm thankful for it,” or “life may be crazy, but I'm still here.”
What does ∵ mean? ›
The inverted form of the therefore sign ( ∴ ) used in proofs before logical consequences, is known as the because sign ( ∵ ) and it is used in proofs before reasoning.
What does 3 triangle tattoo mean? ›
Originating around the Middle Ages, this symbol featuring three interlocking triangles has been known to serve as an illustration for the afterlife, rebirth, and the concepts of continuity, order and undying will.
There are two main types of ellipses: The horizontal major axis ellipse and the vertical major axis ellipse. The line through the foci intersects the ellipse at two points, the vertices. The line segment joining the vertices is the major axis, and its midpoint is the center of the ellipse.
What is the 3 dots symbol called? ›
An ellipsis (three dots) vertically aligned. It is sometimes used to communicate the continuation of a list vertically as opposed to horizontally.
What is the 3 dot punctuation called? ›
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.
Where are ellipses used in real life? ›
Ellipses in Real Life
Property of Ellipse to reflect sound and light is used in pulverizing kidney stones. The patient is laid in an elliptical tank of water. Kidney stones being at the other focus are concentrated and pulverized.
How do you use an ellipse in real life? ›
Real life applications of ellipse
- Rotate an ellipse about its major axis. ...
- The path of each planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one focus. ...
- An ellipse exhibits an interesting acoustic phenomenon. ...
- Elliptical tables, book-cases, vent pipes etc look elegant and hence the shape is used in carpentry etc.
Celestial objects periodically orbit around other celestial objects, and they all trace out ellipse shapes when doing this. Planets orbiting the sun make an ellipse shape when travelling around it, with the sun at one focus point. Comets, satellites, and moons are also represented by ellipses.
Why is it called ellipses? ›
An ellipsis is a punctuation mark consisting of three periods in a row. The word ellipsis comes from an ancient Greek word that means “to leave out.” We use ellipses to indicate omissions of words, phrases, or even whole sentences.
What does upside down three dots mean? ›
In logical argument and mathematical proof, the therefore sign, ∴, is generally used before a logical consequence, such as the conclusion of a syllogism.
Can you end a sentence with an 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.
