What does 3 periods in a sentence mean?
ellipsis
Those three little dots are called an ellipsis (plural: ellipses). The term ellipsis comes from the Greek word meaning “omission,” and that’s just what an ellipsis does—it shows that something has been left out. You can also use an ellipsis to show a pause in speech or that a sentence trails off.
How do you use multiple periods in a sentence?
The only time that more than three period marks should be used, is when the ellipsis occurs at the end of a full sentence, in which case the period should follow the sentence as normal, (after the dot, dot, dot): I told you that driving in the snow wasn’t a great idea. I don’t know what else to say . . . .
What are three periods called?
All About Ellipses. Ellipsis points are periods in groups of usually three, or sometimes four. They signal either that something has been omitted from quoted text, or that a speaker or writer has paused or trailed off in speech or thought.
What does 4 periods mean in texting?
Unlike the three-dot disappearing act seen while texting, where the implication is that the conversation is still going, the four dots in a text message is similar to NRN and EOD, which indicates “no reply needed” and it’s the “end of discussion.” The first three dots are an ellipsis (…) and the fourth dot is a full …
How do you use ellipses in a quote?
Use ellipses to make a quote say something other than what the author originally intended. Include the sentence’s ending punctuation followed by the ellipsis points when the dots are inserted after a complete sentence. Leave out the spaces before and after the ellipsis points or between them.
What does 2 periods mean in a text?
It is used to indicate a break: either a break in thought, or a break in communication medium (text, email, etc.) where the same thought will be continued in. The two dot ellipsis is not an official punctuation.
How do you use ellipsis in a sentence?
With quoted material, use an ellipsis to indicate an omission at the beginning, within, or at the end of a sentence….Use an ellipsis in dialogue
- The dark, clammy evening foretold stormy weather, unless… could it be? …
- Rachel was not sure she wanted to go…
- Rachel was not sure she wanted to go…
What do three periods mean in text?
Three periods in a row is called an ellipsis. It can be used to show that something has been left out, or that a sentence is unfinished. When you use an ellipsis at the end of a sentence, or if you omit more a whole sentence or more, a fourth period follows as end punctuation.
What is the meaning of three periods?
Those three periods are in fact a punctuation mark called an ellipsis. Most often ellipses are used between words to signal that something has been excerpted. But an ellipsis placed at the end of a phrase, such as in your example, can suggest that there’s more to the story, that what has just been said has implications.
What are three periods called in punctuation?
Ellipsis points are three spaced periods ( . . . ), sometimes preceded or followed by other punctuation. The word ellipsis is not plural. In other words, it refers to the three points, together, as a single unit, which is often colloquially referred to as dots or periods.