Ellipsis — Meaning, Uses, and Examples

Written by

Daniel Bal

February 13, 2024

Edited by

Courtney Adamo

Fact-checked by

Paul Mazzola

What is an ellipsis?

An ellipsis (plural form ellipses) is a punctuation mark consisting of three dots (. . .) that indicates the removal of information in writing. The omitted information can represent quoted material, indicate hesitation, or signify trailing off in speech or thought.

How to use ellipses

Review the many uses of ellipses as they relate to the following quotation from "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss.

Format: According to The Chicago Manual of Style, there should be a space on either side of the ellipsis and between each ellipsis point.

• Incorrect: "You have brains in your head…"

• Correct: You have brains in your head . . . "

Other style guides, such as The AP Stylebook, call for no spaces and treat the ellipsis like a three-letter word. Consult the appropriate style guide and use consistent formatting throughout a document.

Beginning and End of Quotations

It is rarely required to include an ellipsis when removing the beginning or end of the quoted material. However, an ellipsis may be necessary if removing the information could cause a misinterpretation.

If including an ellipsis at the start of the quoted material, insert the quotation mark followed by the three dots.

• ". . . feet in your shoes."

If including an ellipsis at the end of the quoted material and end of a sentence, insert the three dots followed by the ending punctuation (period, question mark, or exclamation mark) and the closing quotation mark. If the quote contains a citation, place the punctuation after it.

• "You can steer yourself. . . ."

• "You can steer yourself. . ." (Seuss).

Capitalization: After removing the information from the quoted material, it may be necessary to capitalize the first word to match the surrounding material. Place the capitalized letter in square brackets to indicate the change.

• "[S]teer yourself any direction you choose."

• ". . . [S]teer yourself any direction you choose."

Middle of Quotations: When removing words or a complete sentence from the middle of a quotation, replace the words or sentence with an ellipsis.

• "You have brains in your head . . . feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."

Dialogue: In fictional writing, use an ellipsis to represent the hesitation of characters or if they trail off in the middle of a sentence or thought (unlike a full stop). This type of ellipsis is also called a suspension point.

• "What happens if I go to ask her and she . . . says no?"

• "I'm not afraid to go into that house . . . um . . . you are!"

• "If only I had decided to . . . oh, it doesn't matter now."

Ellipsis examples

The following examples showcase the use of ellipses incorporated into the use of famous literary passages:

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

• Original Passage: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.

• Ellipsis: "As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning . . . he found himself transformed . . . into a gigantic insect."

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

• Original Passage: The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.

• Ellipsis: "The most beautiful things in the world . . . are felt with the heart."

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

• Original Passage: I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.

• Ellipsis: "I wanted you to see what real courage is . . . It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what."

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

• "Please come and see me . . . Phone book . . . Under the name of Mrs. Sigourney Howard . . . My aunt . . . ," she was hurrying off as she talked.