What do ellipses mean in a quote

The three ellipsis points are then placed after this sentence-terminating period. When using MLA-style parenthetical references, the sentence-terminating period is placed outside the parenthetical reference. Use ellipsis points to show omission within the quotation. Omit any punctuation on either side of the ellipsis, unless the punctuation is necessary to make the shortened quotation grammatically correct. In the example above, the colon in the original is needed to introduce the thing that Thoreau learned.

When a quotation is presented as a single sentence made up of material from two or more original sentences, ellipses should be used for all omitted segments. When quoted material is presented as multiple sentences, four dots should be used for omissions between two or more original sentences; three dots should be used for omissions within a single original sentence.

Writers also use ellipses to indicate a pause or wavering in an otherwise straightforward sentence. Examples: I don't know … I'm not sure. Pride is one thing, but what happens if she …? He said, "I … really don't … understand this.

Enable JavaScript Uh oh! Hide Notice. Definition An ellipsis plural: ellipses is a punctuation mark consisting of three dots. They are useful in getting right to the point without delay or distraction: Full quotation: "Today, after hours of careful thought, we vetoed the bill. Some writers and editors feel that no spaces are necessary. Example: I don't know…I'm not sure.

A commonly used method we favor is to enclose the ellipsis with a space on each side. Example: I don't know … I'm not sure. Skip to content Writing Commons The encyclopedia for writers, researchers, and knowledge workers. Main Menu. How Can We Help You? What punctuation should be used when words are omitted from a direct quotation?

How are ellipsis points used? How should ellipsis points be spaced within a sentence? How should ellipsis points be spaced for an omission after a sentence?

Use ellipsis points at the beginning or end of a direct quotation except in rare instances. Insert a space before and after the ellipsis points.

Use ellipses to make a quote say something other than what the author originally intended. Leave out the spaces before and after the ellipsis points or between them. Works Cited [1] Salvucci, Dario D.