Punctuation—The Ellipsis (…)

Content code

a2146

Slug (identifier)

punctuation-the-ellipsis

Grades

Secondaire 3

Secondaire 4

Secondaire 5

Topic

Anglais

Content

Title (level 2)

Ellipsis Uses

Title slug (identifier)

ellipsis-uses

Contenu

Content

Corps

The ellipsis is used to:

indicate an omission in a quote
create an effect in dialogue: a pause, hesitation or interruption

The word following the ellipsis is capitalized only if it begins a new sentence. When the word is continuing the same sentence it is not capitalized.

Content

Corps

Quote with omission

Image

Selina the inventor quoting Mark Twain to her cat, with an omission in the quote.

Corps

A pause in a dialogue

Image

Selina the inventor asking her cat what he’s doing on the window sill.

Corps

Interruptions in a dialogue

Image

Selina’s cat replying that she is disturbing him.

Content

Corps

Use the ellipsis when the occasion is right and do not overuse them.

Quotes are generally more meaningful when used in their entirety: removing sections from them should be justifiable.

Dialogue with the constant use of the ellipsis can fall flat due to lack of structure.

Title (level 2)