0
Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
punctuation and its differing effect
Hi,
I think all three are possible with differing effect, how do you see them differently? To me, the use of ellipsis creates a remote sense of the clause that starts with the word "which" like to represent as a lingering thought as the end and not quite part of the overall sentence pattern, however simple that is.
It creates anxiety ... which creates further tensions.
It creates anxiety -- which creates further tensions.
It creates anxiety, which creates further tensions.
Would you say the use of an ellipsis and a dash is similar in that just about any grammatical structure can be used in conjunction with these punctuation marks like this?
Although he is regarded highly by his peers ... I don't know what I am trying to say. I just lost my train of thought.
Althouh he is regarded highly by his peers -- I don't know what I am tryingto say. I just lost my train of thought.
I think all three are possible with differing effect, how do you see them differently? To me, the use of ellipsis creates a remote sense of the clause that starts with the word "which" like to represent as a lingering thought as the end and not quite part of the overall sentence pattern, however simple that is.
It creates anxiety ... which creates further tensions.
It creates anxiety -- which creates further tensions.
It creates anxiety, which creates further tensions.
Would you say the use of an ellipsis and a dash is similar in that just about any grammatical structure can be used in conjunction with these punctuation marks like this?
Although he is regarded highly by his peers ... I don't know what I am trying to say. I just lost my train of thought.
Althouh he is regarded highly by his peers -- I don't know what I am tryingto say. I just lost my train of thought.
Top answer
Hi, Generally speaking, I agree with you about the effects that are produced. However, my feeling is that this punctuation with ellipses and dashes should be avoided in formal writing. It makes the reader have to work hard to follow the intended meaning, and it sometimes makes that intended meaning less clear than would simply expressing the thought in another way.
- Hi, Generally speaking, I agree with you about the effects that are produced.
- However, my feeling is that this punctuation with ellipses and dashes should be avoided in formal writing.
- It makes the reader have to work hard to follow the intended meaning, and it sometimes makes that intended meaning less clear than would simply expressing the thought in another way.
- I certainly wouldn't enjoy reading a page that was full of such punctuation.
- I'd consider the writer rather lazy and self-indulgent.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
Hi,
Generally speaking, I agree with you about the effects that are produced.
However, my feeling is that this punctuation with ellipses and dashes should be avoided in formal writing. It makes the reader have to work hard to follow the intended meaning, and it sometimes makes that intended meaning less clear than would simply expressing the thought in another way. I certainly would
Generally speaking, I agree with you about the effects that are produced.
However, my feeling is that this punctuation with ellipses and dashes should be avoided in formal writing. It makes the reader have to work hard to follow the intended meaning, and it sometimes makes that intended meaning less clear than would simply expressing the thought in another way. I certainly would
00
Hi Anon
I agree with Clive. That said, I would add that I find the use of ellipsis inappropriate in your first sentence. To me, it suggests that words have been omitted, and that is not the case. So, I'd recommend simply using the comma, or possibly a dash.
In your second set of sentences, the dash does not seem particularly appropriate. The use of the ellipsis seems more ap
I agree with Clive. That said, I would add that I find the use of ellipsis inappropriate in your first sentence. To me, it suggests that words have been omitted, and that is not the case. So, I'd recommend simply using the comma, or possibly a dash.
In your second set of sentences, the dash does not seem particularly appropriate. The use of the ellipsis seems more ap
00
I will join you on the bandwagon that says that ... should NOT be used as a stand-in for almost any conceivable general punctuation mark. The more Internet writing I read, the more I wonder if anyone is being taught how to use a period, a comma, a semi-colon, or
0
Related Questions