Using Ellipses to Indicate Omissions

Which of the following sentences correctly uses an ellipsis?

• "I was thinking... maybe we could go to the park."

• "I was thinking maybe... we could go to the park."

• "I was thinking maybe we could... go to the park."

• "I was thinking maybe we could go to the... park."

Recognize the ellipsis in the following text: "The journey was long... and tiring."

• "The journey was long"

• "and tiring"

• "..."

• "The journey was long and tiring"

Which of the following is NOT a correct use of an ellipsis?

• "I was thinking... about what you said."

• "She wanted to go... but decided not to."

• "He said he would call... but he didn't."

• "I like pizza... and ice cream."

Identify the ellipsis in the following sentence: "She was thinking... about the future."

• "She was thinking"

• "about the future"

• "..."

• "She was thinking about the future"

Differentiate the use of ellipses in these sentences: "I wonder... what if?" and "He said he would come... but he didn't."

• Both are pauses

• The first is a pause, the second is an omission

• The first is an omission, the second is a pause

• Both are omissions

Recognize the ellipsis in the following text: "I was thinking... maybe we should wait."

• "I was thinking"

• "maybe we should wait"

• "..."

• "I was thinking maybe we should wait"

Identify the ellipsis in the following sentence: "He was thinking... about the possibilities."

• "He was thinking"

• "about the possibilities"

• "..."

• "He was thinking about the possibilities"

Differentiate between the types of ellipses in these sentences: "I don't know... maybe." and "He said he would... but he didn't."

• Both are omissions

• Both are pauses

• The first is a pause, the second is an omission

• The first is an omission, the second is a pause

Insert an ellipsis in the following sentence to indicate a trailing off: "I was going to tell you something important."

• "I was going to tell you... something important."

• "I was going to tell you something... important."

• "I was going to tell you something important..."

• "I was... going to tell you something important."

What is the purpose of using ellipsis in writing?

• To indicate the omission of words or a trailing off of thought in writing.

• To separate paragraphs in writing

• To emphasize a point in writing

• To indicate a question in writing