Explanation on: ... - Writers Forum

jmsx521 · 01-02-2006, 11:31 PM

I'm sorry, I can't even recall the name of the three or so (punctuation) dots (...) that get placed before and/or after a sentence. Search engines weren't helping on the search of ... I am not sure if I ever clearly knew their meaning as well. Please explain them to me and post samples as well.

I believe that:

We all went to work...
means that the sentence continues

...we all went to work.
means that that there is an extended pause before that sentence and it was a follow up of a previous sentence.

Is it also true that in this -- last -- case, the first letter of the sentence is NOT capital (letter)?

Thanks.

Queasy Dillo · 01-02-2006, 11:47 PM

You mean an elipse?

As I understand it, it allows you to have a thought that trails off--stilll ending, but without an obvious conclusion.

And, as far as I know, your two examples and conclusions are correct.

Talia_Brie · 01-03-2006, 12:25 AM

In complete agreement with the Dillo.

Also, you can use them in the middle of a sentence to indicate that something has been removed.

e.g. Osama Bin Laden is hiding in . . . but no one has been able to reach him, and he's not taking any calls.

mammamaia · 01-03-2006, 04:55 PM

it's an 'ellipsis'... plural is 'ellipses'...

Quote:

el·lip·sis
n. pl. el·lip·ses (-sz)
<LI type=a>The omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction but not necessary for understanding.

An example of such omission.

A mark or series of marks (... or * * *, for example) used in writing or printing to indicate an omission, especially of letters or words.

an 'ellipse' [w/ 2 'l's] is a sort of flattened circle, like the route of a planet around its sun... as in 'elliptical orbit'...

the examples given are more or less correct... for the full raft of rules 'n regs, consult a good punctuation guide... 'Punctuate it Right!' by harry shaw is what i use... it contains 3 whole pages on correct usage of ellipses...

Icywind · 01-03-2006, 06:14 PM

You're on the spot!

Yes, you're right......and I usually use ellipses during a long pause, or to emphasize something central in the story.

mammamaia · 01-03-2006, 11:13 PM

as anyone who's shared a forum or email with me knows, i use 'em to separate my posts and messages, since it's easier/quicker than formal caps and stuff... wouldn't do so in 'real' work, of course!

Hodge · 01-03-2006, 11:17 PM

In academic papers, you only use ellipses to show that content has been omitted in a quote somewhere. Either before or after.

In fiction I don't believe you'd have a use for showing omitted content in quotes unless you were actually quoting a real document. In fiction they generally denote a long pause or a trailing off.

And Maia, I always wondered why you used ellipses so much... I imagined all of your thoughts just trailing off.

Talia_Brie · 01-03-2006, 11:46 PM

Quote:

And Maia, I always wondered why you used ellipses so much... I imagined all of your thoughts just trailing off.

Ha!

Sorry. That's pretty funny. Unnecessary maybe, but funny nonetheless.

We should try to stay on topic and avoid the direct attacks at other members, no matter how amusing, ok?

BTW, it's not three or so, it's 3. So this is correct (...), This is correct (. . .), these are not correct (.......) (....) (. . . . . )

Hodge · 01-04-2006, 01:30 AM

How is that an attack? The ellipses make it look like her thoughts are trailing off. What did I just say ellipses are for?

journyman161 · 01-04-2006, 03:54 PM

Mammamaia - THREE PAGES!!!! I don't know if I would be game to pick up that book, let alone read it.

Hodge I agree, I don't think that was an attack... & I think it would bring a smile to Maia... certainly did to me...

mammamaia · 01-04-2006, 04:39 PM

i'm smiling away, kids!... it was funny, hodge... and i can't imagine anyone thinking it was an attack...

but i do appreciate you riding in like a white knight to my defense, talia!

mark, don't let that 3 page bit scare you off... it's only 208 pages total, including glossaries and index... it's a very good, easy-to-use guide to punctuation basics... every writer should keep one near at hand, along with dictionary, thesaurus, and a strunk and white...

Mike C · 01-04-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hodge

How is that an attack? The ellipses make it look like her thoughts are trailing off. What did I just say ellipses are for?

You're a scurrulous rogue, sir. I demand you step outside! (I want your seat...)

Hodge · 01-04-2006, 10:18 PM

Would someone mind explaining two things to me?

1) How was what I said offensive?

and

2) How was what I said funny?

I'd think I was stoned, except I'm not, which only leaves you guys...

Talia_Brie · 01-04-2006, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hodge

Would someone mind explaining two things to me?

1) How was what I said offensive?

and

2) How was what I said funny?

I'd think I was stoned, except I'm not, which only leaves you guys...

Can you explain to me how this is on topic?

journyman161 · 01-04-2006, 11:01 PM

Um Talia, he was responding to a comment by a Mentor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talia

We should try to stay on topic and avoid the direct attacks at other members, no matter how amusing, ok?

Hodge it was funny because of how it is so not like Maia to be trailing off at anything... um, where was I now... But seriously, anyone who has read Maia's comments could not possibly confuse her with being vauge or trailing off, so it was a funny image