Ellipsis points

Use ellipsis points with a space on either side to denote pauses. Use them at the end of a sentence without a space to indicate that the sentence has been left unfinished.

Exemple adequat“This morning’s lecture ... was very interesting.”


Exemple adequatThe lecturer warned her students: “The reports are due next Friday. If I don’t get them...


Use ellipsis points with square brackets to denote words missing from a direct quotation.

Exemple adequatThe Rector said, “Preston [...] transmitted values through his books [...] and enabled us to understand the present and look to the future.”


Do not use ellipsis points to indicate an incomplete list. Use etc. Therefore, not

Exemple no admissibleThis unit deals with promotion, advertising, outreach...


but

Exemple adequatThis unit deals with promotion, advertising, outreach, etc.

Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics
Darrera actualització: 29-9-2022
Recommended citation:
«Ellipsis points» [en línia]. A: Llibre d’estil de la Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics. <https://www.ub.edu/llibre-estil/criteri.php?id=2313> [consulta: 29 març 2024].