ELLIPSIS Meaning and
Definition
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An ellipsis, in language and grammar, refers to the omission or exclusion of one or more words, phrases, or even complete sentences that are intentionally disregarded or left out from a sentence or text without altering the overall meaning or coherence. It is indicated by three consecutive periods (…), also known as ellipsis points or suspension points, often placed within square brackets ([...]) when used in formal writing.
The purpose of using ellipsis is to condense or streamline a sentence or passage by removing unnecessary information, avoiding redundancy, or providing a sense of continuity and flow. It is commonly employed in writing literature, quoting, academic research, and informal communication to indicate the omission of words, create suspense, or invite the reader to fill in the missing information or make connections.
The ellipsis can also serve as a stylistic device, allowing writers to convey pauses, trailing off, hesitation, or unresolved thoughts, resulting in a more evocative and suggestive expression. Furthermore, depending on the context, ellipsis can have different connotations, such as indicating a passage of time or a change of subject.
However, it is crucial to use ellipsis judiciously, ensuring that the omitted words do not alter the intended meaning or distort the quoted material. Misuse of ellipsis can lead to misinterpretation or misrepresentation, hence its careful implementation is vital in maintaining clarity and precision in written communication.
Top Common Misspellings for ELLIPSIS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for ELLIPSIS
Etymology of ELLIPSIS
The word "ellipsis" is derived from the Greek word "elleipsis", which means "omission" or "falling short". It is a combination of the prefix "el-" meaning "deficient" or "lacking", and the root "-lipsis", meaning "a leaving out" or "omission". The term refers to the punctuation mark (...) used to indicate the omission of words in a sentence or passage.
Similar spelling words for ELLIPSIS
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