Technically, the ellipsis is supposed to indicate missing or skipped or eliminated words. But when you're writing informal text, especially fiction dialogue or internal train of thought, it's another way of showing a pause . . . a pause that can allow for a strong continuation of the ongoing thought in the succeeding partial sentence. It's a longer pause than a semicolon; but it doesn't bring the sentence to a full stop. You know. The way the full stop does.
But it can also be used when a sentence trails off, and I always understood that a full stop was needed (in addition) then. But:
Three-point ellipsis for trailing-off effect. You only need the fourth point if it's a full sentence; the fourth point is the period that ends the sentence. Not a full sentence, then no period, just ellipsis.
This makes no sense to me, because how could it ever be a "full sentence" if it's trailing off?
ETA: And after some research at fandom_grammar, this advice appears to be incorrect. Whew!
Hmmm. Personally, I'm not sure I'd rely on fandom_grammar; I've only wandered past there a few times, but I was underwhelmed. Most of what I saw was either so obvious I wondered why it was under discussion, or opinion presented as received wisdom. (I am, of course, speaking from my own bias here. But it's my bias.)
The New Well-Tempered Sentence: A Punctuation Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed
She also wrote The Transitive Vampire, which is, hands down, the best book I've ever seen on grammar. Unlike most language wonks, she is aware of nuance, recognises that there are different levels of formality, and that context calls for a rich range of variation. Most language mavens are more interested in the One True Way.
And I'd better head for bed before I start ranting about Stunk and Blight again. ;-)
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Date: 2011-07-16 04:11 am (UTC)Apparently I have always misunderstood the ellipsis, however. This would not surprise me in the least.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-16 04:19 am (UTC)Technically, the ellipsis is supposed to indicate missing or skipped or eliminated words. But when you're writing informal text, especially fiction dialogue or internal train of thought, it's another way of showing a pause . . . a pause that can allow for a strong continuation of the ongoing thought in the succeeding partial sentence. It's a longer pause than a semicolon; but it doesn't bring the sentence to a full stop. You know. The way the full stop does.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-16 04:39 am (UTC)Three-point ellipsis for trailing-off effect. You only need the fourth point if it's a full sentence; the fourth point is the period that ends the sentence. Not a full sentence, then no period, just ellipsis.
This makes no sense to me, because how could it ever be a "full sentence" if it's trailing off?
ETA: And after some research at
no subject
Date: 2011-07-16 05:08 am (UTC)I'd look for a source with a bit more authority than an online hivemind, myself. I regard Karen Elizabeth Gordon as the best of all: http://www.amazon.com/New-Well-Tempered-Sentence-Punctuation-Handbook/dp/0618382011
The New Well-Tempered Sentence: A Punctuation Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed
She also wrote The Transitive Vampire, which is, hands down, the best book I've ever seen on grammar. Unlike most language wonks, she is aware of nuance, recognises that there are different levels of formality, and that context calls for a rich range of variation. Most language mavens are more interested in the One True Way.
And I'd better head for bed before I start ranting about Stunk and Blight again. ;-)
no subject
Date: 2011-07-17 05:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-16 04:21 am (UTC)Anyway at 900 words now. This part just seems to be flowing from me :D
no subject
Date: 2011-07-16 05:10 am (UTC)And good night! See you tomorrow, I trust!