Luckily,
the ellipsis isn’t nearly as confusing as the comma. It’s relatively easy to
learn how to use it correctly and how to refer to it properly.
An
ellipsis is a series of three points with spaces between them (. . .)
Definition
An ellipsis – the omission of a word,
phrase, line, paragraph, or more from a quoted passage — is indicated by
ellipsis points (or dots)… Ellipsis points are three spaced periods ( . . . ),
sometimes preceded or followed by other punctuation.
Singular and Plural
The word ellipsis is not plural. In other words, it refers to the three points, together, as a single unit, which is often colloquially referred to as dots or periods. Here is an ellipsis:
The word ellipsis is not plural. In other words, it refers to the three points, together, as a single unit, which is often colloquially referred to as dots or periods. Here is an ellipsis:
( . . . )
The
plural of ellipsis is ellipses. This would indicate more than one
set of three dots:
( . . . ) ( . . . ) ( . . . )
This punctuation mark may also be called a suspension
point, points of ellipsis, or periods of ellipsis. But to keep things
simple, let’s just stick with the word ellipsis.
Omissions
The ellipsis is primarily used to indicate an omission. It can be
an intentional omission, such as when you are using a quotation but want to
skip over a portion of it.
Example:
The name of a minor in a legal case.
Purpose of the Ellipsis
It
is inserted into a quotation/speech to indicate the omission of text from an
original quotation.
Rules
There
are quite a few simple rules for the proper use of ellipses, which are used
more often in legal writing than most forms of writing (Yes, I have come across
this far too many times). Failure to use the proper form of an ellipsis could
misrepresent the work of another person and result in legal liability for the
writer. Correct use of ellipses, on the other hand, shows that the writer has
carefully attended to detail, and thus increases the reader's confidence in the
reliability of the written work.
Go through these for a better understanding:
1.
When placing an ellipsis in the middle of a quotation to
indicate the omission of material, use three points with spaces before and
after the ellipsis.
Incorrect: “The First Amendment
provides that ‘Congress shall make no law respecting. . .the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances’.”
Correct: “The First Amendment provides that ‘Congress
shall make no law respecting . . . the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances’.”
2.
When placing an ellipsis at the end of a quotation to
indicate the omission of material, use four points -- a three-point ellipsis
and a period. The ellipsis should follow a blank space.
Incorrect: “The First Amendment
provides that Congress shall make no law. . . abridging the freedom of
speech. . .”
Correct: “The First Amendment
provides that Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of
speech . . . .”
3.
When omitting one or more entire paragraphs, indicate the
omission by indenting four points and placing them on a separate line. If the
quoted material is 50 words or more, use indented margins and do not use any
quotation marks.
Incorrect:
“Poverty imposes costs on the non-poor that
warrant, on strictly economic grounds and without regard to ethical or
political considerations, incurring some costs to reduce it. For example,
poverty in the midst of a generally wealthy society is likely to increase the
incidence of crime: the forgone income of a legitimate alternative occupation
is low for someone who has little earning capacity in legitimate occupations,
while the proximity of wealth increases the expected return from crime, or,
stated another way, the cost of honesty. . . . An individual who feels
endangered or appalled at the poverty around him can contribute to an
organisation designed to alleviate that poverty an amount equal to the benefit
that he would derive from the reduction of poverty enabled by his contribution
(net of administrative costs).”
Correct:
“Poverty imposes costs on the non-poor that
warrant, on strictly economic grounds and without regard to ethical or
political considerations, incurring some costs to reduce it. For example,
poverty
. . . .
An individual who feels endangered or appalled
at the poverty around him can contribute to an organisation designed to
alleviate that poverty.”
4. Never leave a
point in an ellipsis floating at the beginning or end of a line of text.
(However, you may have a period at the end of a fully quoted sentence at the
end of a line of text and begin the ellipsis on the next line.)
Incorrect: "His refusal to cooperate with the
court and name the source .
. . resulted in a contempt citation."
. . resulted in a contempt citation."
Also Incorrect:
"His refusal to cooperate with the court
and name the source . .
. resulted in a contempt citation."
. resulted in a contempt citation."
Correct: "His refusal to cooperate with
the court and name the source . . .
resulted in a contempt citation."
resulted in a contempt citation."
Also Correct:
"His refusal to cooperate with the court
and name the source
. . . resulted in a contempt citation."
. . . resulted in a contempt citation."
Also Correct:
"The period may properly be placed at the
end of a sentence.
. . . The ellipsis may then be placed on the following line, indicating the omission of an intervening sentence."
. . . The ellipsis may then be placed on the following line, indicating the omission of an intervening sentence."
