Ellipsis
Literary term · say it ih-LIP-sis
Ellipsis is the leaving out of words or events that readers can understand from context. It can shorten a sentence, skip a stretch of story time, or appear as three dots marking missing words or trailing speech.
Two ways ellipsis appears
Ellipsis in sentences
Words are left out because the surrounding conversation or sentence makes their meaning clear. Short answers often work this way.
In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge asks a boy below his window what day it is, and the boy answers that it is Christmas Day. The boy's brief reply leaves out the words needed for a full sentence.
In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Ellipsis in storytelling
A story passes over a stretch of time without describing everything that happens. Readers pick up the action after the gap.
In Jane Eyre, Jane passes over much of her eight years at Lowood, briefly explaining that she spent six as a pupil and two as a teacher. The story then turns to her wish for a different life.
In Jane Eyre: An Autobiography by Charlotte Brontë
How to spot ellipsis
- Look for missing words whose meaning is clear from context.
- Notice three dots that mark a gap or trailing speech.
- Check whether the story jumps over a stretch of time.
Does ellipsis always mean three dots?
No, ellipsis can mean an omission even when no dots appear. A short reply can leave out understood words, and a story can skip several years. The three-dot punctuation mark is one visible way of showing a gap or unfinished thought.
What is the difference between ellipsis and a dash?
An ellipsis often suggests trailing off or omitted material, while a dash often signals a sudden break or interruption. In dialogue, a hesitant speaker may trail off with dots, while someone cut short by another speaker may stop at a dash.
Related terms
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