Ellipsis: The Dot-Dot-DotEllipsis: The Dot-Dot-Dot Ellipsis, denoted by three consecutive dots (…), is a punctuation mark that signifies an omission, pause, or unfinished thought. It is commonly used in: Omissions: * Quotes: To indicate missing words or phrases: “She said, ‘I’ll be back…’ and left without a trace.” * Lists: To denote an incomplete or continued list: “Ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, … butter” Pauses and Hesitations: * Dialogue: To convey a pause in speech: “I don’t know…” * Writing: To create a sense of suspense, anticipation, or uncertainty: “She stared at the door, her heart pounding…” Unfinished Thoughts: * Speeches: To indicate an unfinished sentence or argument: “I believe that… that we should…” * Poetry: To suggest a sense of longing, nostalgia, or lost potential: “Gone are the days…” Other Usages: * Databases: To represent null or missing values: “Data: {name: ‘John’, age: 25, …}” * Mathematics: To denote a recurring pattern: “1, 4, 9, 16, …” * Programming: To indicate that a line or block of code is continued on the next line: “if (condition) {…}” Formatting: Ellipsis should be spaced one space from the preceding and following text. In some styles, a period is also added after each dot to indicate an omission: “… .”. Caution: Ellipsis should not be overused, as it can disrupt the flow of writing and make it difficult to read. It is best used sparingly and for specific effects.
