If you spaced between the dots of the ellipsis, then space between the period or whatever at the end of the sentence. (I don't put in extra spaces when I use ellipses, for whatever that's worth.)
 

The closest thing to what you are asking I found was that if the last part of a sentence that ends in an exclamation or question mark is being omitted, "then instead of four points, use that mark plus three points." (That from Stilman in Grammatically Correct).

But Stilman assumes you're omitting something. You may simply be trailing off in a questioning manner, as in "Where was he going...?" If you write "Where was he going?..." it seems to nullify the trail-off. Looks too abrupt to me.

Kathleen's way makes more sense.

[This message has been edited by Kolona (edited May 03, 2003).]
 

ellipsis is singular, and ellipses is plural.

Same goes for words like parenthesis (one set of the double punctuation mark that ends and starts this parenthetical comment) and two sets are called parentheses.

If you have more than one analysis, you should call them analyses, and so on.

Weird way to make a plural, I know, but there it is. And one set of ... is an ellipsis, with more than one set being called ellipses.
 

If an elipse is a trail of dots to denote a change of movement...then my own research suggests that the most common published form...would appear like that...and this...with three dots only and...no spaces between words. Do you think that this punctuation is correct...? That is indeed the way to use...elipses.

3 dots
No spaces
occurs before punctuation.

If the ellipsis ends a grammatically complete declarative sentence, then do a period and then three ellipsis points, like this:

quote:

---

Hmm . . . I'm not sure what to do now. . . .

---

[This message has been edited by Jon Boy (edited May 04, 2003).]
 

If you have something to say, say it and let the world be damned to it. If you don't have something worth saying, and you know the difference between good and bad and right and wrong, do not attempt to hide an Ending behind three specks.

Ellipsis users are a seedy lot who'll cheat on art, taxes, and their spouses; they are not to be trusted.

Edit:

I think Twain wrote that people who use ellipses are apt to steal.

[This message has been edited by Tanglier (edited May 05, 2003).]
 

Those who cannot write realistic characters and dialogue will never use an ellipse.

Btw - check to see how the genre you're writing for uses ellipses. I actually think I do use spaces in courier, but that was originally to overcome auto-formatting. Either way, it's all very easy to change using the "edit>>replace" function in Word.

Tanglier: Twain who...?
 

What in the heck is an ellipsis?
And when should i use one?
 

EXAMPLE:Though we’ve come across nothing but ruins, we keep searching…searching for our past…searching for our brothers!

EXAMPLE:Shutting down spin.... Now...! Transit to hyper in...eight minuets.”

[This message has been edited by gt2it (edited May 06, 2003).]
 

gt2it, I think Tanglier was referring to Mark Twain. Also, there's no need to shout. Typing in all caps is visually assaulting and hard to read.
 

quote:

---

Sorry, but I can't even begin to understand the logic behind it.

---

Try harder.

Ellipses are for the inarticulate writer who, instead of delving into the issue he/she wants to discuss, keeps the idea hidden behind three dots. It's like playing a shell game or a sleight of hand with Art. Ellipses are the wink winks and nudge nudges of the craft. They are used when the writer cannot think of an appropriate metaphor or explanation and feels like gambling that the reader will understand what writer cannot articulate and probably doesn't understand him/herself.

They are for opportunists and the verbally and morally ambiguous. If they were religious, they would be non-denominational Protestants who only go to church on Christmas and Easter. Ellipsis users walk on slippery ground, and like these sinners, their foot will slide in due time.

[This message has been edited by Tanglier (edited May 06, 2003).]
 

Jon Boy,you insult me by assuming i don't know who Twain is. Twain who...? was a humorous poke at Tanglier. So i will assume that you have no sense of humor and explain.
Twain who, as in - what did Twain know?
the elipsis at the end was to show no matter what Tanglier says i'll use it anyway. the little guy slicking out his tounge was just sticking out his tounge at Tanglier.

Tanglier

[This message has been edited by gt2it (edited May 06, 2003).]

[This message has been edited by gt2it (edited May 06, 2003).]
 

In a story, the use of them often weakens the story itself. Not always, but often. I have seen stronger stories where the author broke off what was being said, and explained what was going on.
 

Pick up one or two of his books, they're wonderful and a good example of a unique style.
 

Shawn
 

And gt2it, I don't think Jon Boy was insulting your intelligence. It's just sometimes hard to pick up on sarcasm on the Internet. Believe me, I know from experience.

[This message has been edited by Brinestone (edited May 07, 2003).]
 

Tanglier, could you provide some examples of the kind of writing that you're talking about? In my experience, ellipses are used to indicate a pause, faltering speech, or the omission of extraneous material in a quote. Speech is anything but a smooth, unbroken chain of words, and there must be a type of punctuation to indicate the broken nature of dialogue. I really don't know what you're reading, but I'm interested to find out.

[This message has been edited by Jon Boy (edited May 07, 2003).]
 

Not worth answering.