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Teacher Tips and Answers

Page 432

Ellipsis

An ellipsis (three spaced periods) is used to show omitted words or sentences and to indicate a pause in dialogue.

Tip When writing an ellipsis, leave one space before, after, and between each period. On a computer, your software may automatically change three dots without spaces to an ellipsis. In that case, leave out the spaces.

To Show Omitted Words

Use an ellipsis to show that one or more words have been left out of a quotation.

Complete Quotation:

“Jellyfish have no bones or brains. They are 95 percent water. Their insides hold a thick layer of jellylike stuff.”

Shortened Quotation:

“Jellyfish . . . are 95 percent water. Their insides hold a thick layer of jellylike stuff.”

At the End
of a Sentence

If the words left out are at the end of a sentence, use a period followed by an ellipsis.

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