All about the ellipsis

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away . . ."

Star Wars

Ellipsis can be used to:

• Represent a pause or a hesitation

• Suggest there’s something left unsaid

• Show an omission of words in a quote

How to format ellipsis

To create the spaced ellipsis, type the 3 dots with a hard space between each one.

To create the hard space, which keeps the 3 dots from separating at the end of a line:

• Ctrl +Shift + [space]

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) concedes that some authors, who are otherwise following the CMOS style, prefer the ellipsis single character of closed-up dots (...). Other style guides, including The Associated Press, recommend unspaced dots. There are many ways to create this ellipsis:

• Type three dots in a row

• Cntr + Alt + .

• Click on the Insert tab, then Symbols

• ALT + 0133 (on a numeric keyboard)

• Mac: Option + semicolon

Origin of the ellipsis

The word “ellipsis” (plural, ellipses) comes from the Greek word “elleipsis,” meaning “falling short” or “omission.” The use of ellipses can be traced back to ancient Greek and Latin manuscripts, where dots were used to indicate missing text.

In the Middle Ages, ellipses were used to indicate a pause or a break in thought in written texts, much like they are used today. Ellipses became a standard punctuation mark in English in the 19th century.

In summary...

The ellipsis is a great tool for both narrative and dialogue. Just be sure not to overuse ellipses, which can be distracting for the reader and interrupt the flow of your writing.

Hesitations

Ellipses are used when a speaker is hesitating or struggling to find the right words to say. This is an example of internal dialogue.

• “Right now it all seems like an awful lot of work. A long row to hoe. A high mountain to climb. A . . . a . . . But he can’t think of any other similes.”

Stephen King, Mr. Mercedes

Pauses

An ellipsis can be used to express that a person is pausing dramatically.

• “I’m English, Bennett. We’re not built to be . . . hospitable.”

Jojo Moyes, The Giver of Stars

Faltering or trailing off sentences

Ellipses can be used to indicate a character's drifting off--either in thoughts or dialogue--often a sign of strong emotion, confusion, or uncertainty.

• She gazed up at him between her fingers. "Not enough, apparently. Did we, um . . ." She hesitated as her cheeks flushed a bright pink. "Sleep together?"

Robin T. Popp, Death at the Double R

Omissions

Ellipses are used to shorten quotations by indicating to a reader that some text was omitted from the original quote. Be sure—as in the example below—that the words removed do not change the meaning of the original quote.

Original quote: "Being an outsider to some extent, someone who does not "fit in" with others or is rejected by them for whatever reason, makes life difficult, but it also places you at an advantage as far as enlightenment is concerned."

Shortened quote: "Being an outsider to some extent . . . makes life difficult, but it also places you at an advantage as far as enlightenment is concerned."

Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

3 dots or 4?

Most sources now recommend using three dots for an ellipsis, even at the end of a sentence. While a period is not added after the ellipsis, a question mark or exclamation point following the ellipsis should be retained.

If using a spaced ellipsis, include the space just before the question mark or exclamation point:

• “Are you planning to quit your job . . . ?” The question hung in the air.

If using the single character or no-space ellipsis, don't include the space before the question mark or exclamation point:

• “You’re married ...?!” She waited impatiently for his response.

When the ellipsis appears at the end of the sentence, omit the sentence-ending period:

• "He hesitated, looked like he was about to respond to her question, but then he just walked away . . ."