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(grammar) the act of omitting a word or words from a sentence, when the meaning is complete and the omission is understood from the context
a punctuation mark consisting of three dots that indicates the omission of words or a pause in speech, often used to create suspense, indicate trailing off, or show incomplete thoughts in writing
What is an "ellipsis"?
An ellipsis (…) is a punctuation mark consisting of three consecutive dots used to indicate the omission of words, a pause in speech, or an unfinished thought. It can suggest that there is more to say or that a sentence trails off. For example, in the sentence "I was thinking about…," the ellipsis indicates that the thought is incomplete. Additionally, ellipses can be used in quoted text to show that some content has been left out, as in "She said, 'I love ice cream… it is my favorite treat.'" This punctuation mark helps convey uncertainty, hesitation, or suspense in writing, making it a useful tool for enhancing tone and meaning.
