Comments on: The Ellipsis … stop abusing it!

By: ben scott

ben scott — Thu, 14 May 2009 09:24:13 +0000

ellipsis are meant to have a space before them

that is their proper use and grammar, everyone here has written wrong

(p.s. I dont bother writing things properly as you can see he, but if we are being pedantic then better get it right)

By: Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 01:00:16 +0000

Yeah, I hear what you are saying. I don’t always follow with profound or awesome stuff (in fact not sure if anything I have ever typed could be labeled as either).

Sometimes I use them as “umm” or pause indicating thought or as a transition point. Other times I use them because I have myself stuck in a bad habit of using them.

I also add a 4th period (or more) to sometimes voice frustration. I hate it when I do it and normally I catch myself but sometimes it slips out.

Something like, “Maybe we wouldn’t have these problems if our developers checked their code for performance first…..”

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:14:19 +0000

I agree entirely. My rant here was definitely targeted at emails and instant messages. I think the ellipsis is certainly abused by some on blogs and other posts online, but it also does exactly as you say – lends some insight to who the writer is, how they think, etc.

It’s not ellipsis abuse when you actually follow the ellipsis with “more awesome stuff” – or maybe more appropriately… more profound stuff.

By: Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 23:27:39 +0000

Actually… I just talked to my wife about this. Was telling her (grammar misuse is a pet peeve of hers) how bad I have been. Her response was refreshing. She said that she uses the three periods as a flow of thought. More how she talks, conversation style typing, if you will.

That is how I use them also. A true ellipsis has a space before and after the periods. Maybe I will take my declaration back and use them less than I do. Take them away completely? Maybe I was too harsh on myself…

By: Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 22:41:40 +0000

Ouch.

I have always known I take too many liberties with the ellipsis. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I just read your post.

I searched my blog for “…” and I found far too many ellipses, all used incorrectly.

I declare that from this point forward I will strive to only use them when indicated. I am so mad at myself I could…

By: nubiennze

nubiennze — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:30:22 +0000

lol @ werelord’s comment. I’m definitely guilty as charged.

By: werelord

werelord — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:17:53 +0000

well…