Using three dots to show omission, trailing off, or pause
Three dots with spaces: word ... word (formal) or word... word (informal)
Don't use more than three dots (avoid ....)
Ellipsis can come before question mark: What if...?
💡 In formal writing, use spaces around ellipsis. In informal writing, no spaces is common.
✓The original text states: 'Four score and seven years ago ... all men are created equal.'
✗The original text states: 'Four score and seven years ago all men are created equal.'
Use ellipsis to show words have been omitted from a quotation.
✓I wanted to tell you something... never mind.
✗I wanted to tell you something.... never mind.
Use exactly three dots, not four or more.
✓She whispered, 'I think I saw...' and then stopped.
✗She whispered, 'I think I saw' and then stopped.
Ellipsis shows the speaker trailed off without finishing.