A Guide to the Ellipsis In English: History, Rules & Errors
Contents
History of the Ellipsis
- Origin: Emerged in the 16th century in drama manuscripts to indicate pauses or changes in mood.
- Evolution: Gradually adopted in literature and formal writing to signify omissions or unfinished thoughts.
How You Should Use an Ellipsis
- Indicating Omission:
- Quotations: "In the beginning... all the heavens and earth."
- Texts: Skipping parts that are not relevant to the point being highlighted.
- Showing Pause or Incomplete Thought:
- Dialogue: "If I could just... never mind."
- Creating Suspense: "As the door creaked open, she peered inside and saw..."
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Quotations | "To be... that is the question." |
| Dialogue | "What if... no, it's nothing." |
Ellipsis Spacing: The Debate Rages!
The debate around ellipsis spacing hinges on aesthetic preference versus practicality. Proponents of spacing before and after an ellipsis argue for visual clarity and consistency with traditional print norms.
On the other hand, the digital formatting perspective, like the BBC's, advocates for no space before the ellipsis to avoid awkward line breaks on webpages. This practical approach ensures that the ellipsis stays connected to the preceding text, providing a smoother reading experience in digital media.
The Ellipsis With Square Brackets
Ellipses combined with square brackets are often used in academic writing, especially when quoting text. This combination indicates that a part of the quote has been omitted for brevity or relevance.
The square brackets around an ellipsis signal that the omission is not part of the original text but has been made by the person quoting the text. For example:
"He argued that the policy was [...], leading to significant changes."
Here, the square brackets with ellipsis show that some words have been omitted from the original quote.
How Not to Use an Ellipsis
Overuse: Avoid using ellipses in every sentence as it can make the text hard to read.
Not a Complete Replacement for Punctuation: Ellipses shouldn't always replace periods, commas, or other punctuation. For example:
Incorrect: "I don't know... I think... maybe..."
Correct: "I don't know. I think... maybe."
Common Mistakes with the Ellipsis
The ellipsis, while a simple punctuation mark, is often misused in various contexts. Understanding these common mistakes can help in maintaining clarity and effectiveness in writing.
| Example | Explanation | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| "I guess I could..." | Using ellipsis for trailing off | Correct usage |
| "I guess I—" | Using dash for interruption | Correct usage |
| "I wonder...." | Using four or more dots | "I wonder..." |
| "...I was late." | Placing the ellipsis at the start of a sentence without purpose | "I was late." |
Changing Patterns of Use
- Digital Communication: Increasingly used in texting and online chats for casual, informal communication.
- Reduced Formality: Casual conversations and modern literature often use ellipses for dramatic or emotional effect.
The Ellipsis in Other Languages
Across different languages, the ellipsis is used to convey similar meanings as in English, although there are some variations in its application and formatting.
- Japanese: Uses a special character in vertical text to represent an ellipsis.
- German: Similar usage to English but often tightly spaced or connected.
- Note: In most languages, the ellipsis functions similarly to English, often indicating omissions or pauses.
