A "dot dot dot," more formally known as an ellipsis (…), is used to indicate an omission of words, a pause, or an unfinished thought. It adds nuance and flow to writing.
Understanding the Ellipsis
The ellipsis (...) is a punctuation mark consisting of three dots. It's a versatile tool with several applications:
- Indicates Omission: Replacing deleted words, phrases, or sentences, without altering the meaning.
- Creates a Pause: Suggesting a reflective pause or trailing off of thought.
- Shows Unfinished Thought: Indicating hesitation, uncertainty, or an incomplete statement.
Using Ellipses Correctly
Here's a breakdown of how to use ellipses in various contexts:
1. Omission Within a Sentence
When you omit words mid-sentence, use the ellipsis without spaces between the dots. The sentence before the ellipsis usually ends with a space.
- Example: "I went to the store, bought some milk, bread, and eggs...and then came home." (Words like "and other groceries" are omitted).
2. Omission at the End of a Sentence
When omitting words at the end of a sentence, the ellipsis follows the sentence's final word, potentially including a period if the remaining text is a complete sentence.
- Example: "I wasn't sure what to say..." (The sentence trails off, leaving the thought incomplete).
- Example: "I think... I am going to agree with you." (Pause before stating an opinion).
3. Indicating Pauses or Hesitation
An ellipsis can convey a pause or hesitation in speech or thought.
- Example: "I... I don't know if I can do that." (Indicates uncertainty and hesitation).
4. Indicating a Trailing Off of Thought
An ellipsis shows an unfinished or trailing-off thought.
- Example: "Maybe we should just...forget about it." (The speaker doesn't fully commit to the suggestion).
5. In Quotations
When quoting material, use an ellipsis to show that you've omitted words from the original text, while preserving its overall meaning.
- Original: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
- Quoted with ellipsis: "The quick brown fox...jumps over the lazy dog."
Important Considerations
- Overuse: Avoid using ellipses too often, as it can weaken your writing.
- Clarity: Ensure the omission doesn't distort the original meaning.
- Context: The meaning of the ellipsis depends heavily on context.
- Spacing: There's some stylistic variation regarding spacing around an ellipsis. This guide generally follows the convention of no spaces between the dots themselves, and one space before and/or after the ellipsis unless it is butting up against another punctuation mark like a quotation mark or period.
By understanding and applying these guidelines, you can effectively use ellipses to enhance your writing, adding nuance, creating pauses, and indicating omitted text.
