2007-07-27 18:18:49 · 4 answers · asked by zenriek 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Actually, most of the answers so far have had the right idea, but been just a little bit off. "Ellipse" [plural "ellipses"] to refer to the three dots is a PRINTING term. This is based on (or a way of reflecting) a GRAMMATICAL ellipse, which is what you asked about.
The grammatical use refers to the omission of words, not to the dots that mark it.
Here's what the use in GRAMMAR is, according to dictionary.com:
1. Grammar.
a. the omission from a sentence or other construction of one or more words that would complete or clarify the construction, as the omission of 'who are', 'while I am', or 'while we are' from 'I like to interview people sitting down.'
b. the omission of one or more items from a construction in order to avoid repeating the identical or equivalent items that are in a preceding or following construction, as the omission of 'been to Paris' from the second clause of 'I've been to Paris, but they haven't'.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ellipsis
2007-07-28 01:51:35 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
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RE:
What exactly is an ellipses in english grammar, and what is its purpose?
2015-02-02 21:29:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is an ellipse: . . .
What it does is let the reader know that there has been a pause, or a fade out by the speaker/narrator. It can also be used to set up the reader for a point that's being made, as a means of effect. It also helps abbreviate, by standing in the place of the part that has been omitted.
Hope this helps. . . .
2007-07-27 18:28:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ellipses ( . . . ) are used to denote that words have been omitted from a quote. For instance, if I were quoting your question, but wanted to leave out words that weren't necessary for a reader to still understand what you asked, I might quote you thus: "What . . . is an ellipses . . . and what is its purpose?"
2007-07-27 18:26:39 · answer #4 · answered by sidgirls 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An "ellipsis" (note the spelling is different from your question, but I think this is what you mean) is a series of three consecutive periods used in a print passage to indicate the deletion of one or more of the words in condensing quotes, texts and documents. It is treated as a three letter word constructed with three periods preceded and followed by a space. When using an ellipsis the writer must be careful to avoid distorting the meaning of the actual verbatim quote.
2007-07-27 18:38:06 · answer #5 · answered by stilllearning 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An ellipsis symbolizes that there are words in between them but have been ommitted from a quote in order to highlight only the important points. In most cases, ommitted stuff if fluff, not really adding anything of value to a statement.
2007-07-27 20:13:32 · answer #6 · answered by Redeemer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ellipses is actually plural for elipsis.
It is a string of three dots. It is used to indicate words that have been removed such as in a quote when you remove the middle part "Four score ... our fore fathers" or 1,2,3, 4 ... 10.
Think of it as yadda-de-yadd or blah-blah-blah.
2007-07-27 18:31:59 · answer #7 · answered by davster 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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2016-03-27 04:11:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An ellipsis is three dots at the end of a sentence like this ... It usually means the thought is unfinished.
2007-07-27 19:03:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋