Comments on: The Ellipsis … stop abusing it!

By: Pedant

Pedant — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:17:39 +0000

I’m afraid this (very old) thread is plain wrong and I feel obliged to comment! The truth is far more nuanced. Amongst its many uses the ellipsis can very validly be used to indicate aposiopesis (a trailing off into silence), sometimes even regret or sadness. I could go on but …

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…