Ellipses Tips

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How do I use ellipses?

Ellipses in Quoted Matter, End of Sentence

If one or more words are omitted at the end of a quoted sentence, use three spaced periods followed by the necessary closing punctuation for the sentence as a whole.

Example:
"Can anyone explain why …?"
"During the past thirty-five years, we have been witnessing a change …."

   
How do I use ellipses?

Ellipses in Quoted Matter Within the Sentence

If one or more words are omitted within a quoted sentence, use ellipsis marks to indicate the omission.

Example:
"During the past thirty-five years … we have been witnessing a change in buying habits."

   
How do I use ellipses?

Ellipses to Trail Off

Ellipsis marks are used to indicate that the sentence trails off before the end. The three spaced periods create an effect of uncertainty or suggest an abrupt suspension of thought. No closing period is used.

Example:
He could easily have the situation by …

   
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