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AskAndAnswer Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Ellipsis?

Hi.
If the ellipsis is only used to replace an omitted word or words, then how would one portray a pause that was in the middle of a complete sentence?

Such as...this?
Or would it be more like... this?
Or even . . . this?
Or ... this?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

Commas. And no pause on any of these.

— HalfMoon

  • Commas.
  • And no pause on any of these.
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5 Answers
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Commas. And no pause on any of these.
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There is only one ellipsis. It consists of three dots with thin spaces between them ( … ), normally rendered here in cyberspace by three periods with no spaces ( ... ). If you want to make a pause in dialogue, and either you can't resist the urge to ... write in punctuation, or there is a good reason ... you can't interrupt with ... narrative, use the ellipsis exactly as if it was a ... word.
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Thanks, but can it also be used to indicate a trailing off into silence, at the end of a sentence? (and to add melancholy to it)

Example: His faith surrenders, smears, and dies...
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You're asking the wrong guy. I have a positive hatred for punctuation of all kinds, but the ellipsis really makes my blood boil. Write in words, not in gimmicks.
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AskAndAnswerThanks, but can it also be used to indicate a trailing off into silence, at the end of a sentence? (and to add melancholy to it) Example: His faith surrenders, smears, and dies...
Yes, it can, but in that case the sentence is complete, so add a full stop — four dots altogether.

Rover
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