Watch: What is an ellipsis?
How to use an ellipsis
An ellipsis can be used for different purposes and can be very useful in your writing.
- It can be used to show a word or words that have been removed from a sentence or quote. For example:
‘The space station has a cracked window and if you open it, it is very dangerous.’ could become ‘The space station has a cracked window… it is very dangerous.’
Here, part of the sentence (and if you open it) has been removed and replaced by an ellipsis.
- When a character finishes a sentence in their head, or their thought trails off. For example:
If your grown-ups ask you if you have tidied your room, you might reply, “Well I was going to…”.
Here, the ellipsis has finished the sentence and replaced “but I haven’t”.
- To create suspense by adding a pause before the end of the sentence. For example:
‘The hero saved the day, for now…’
Watch: Using ellipsis
Activity 1
Activity 2
Write a spooky short story (or story opening) using the picture below as inspiration.
In your writing, try to use an ellipsis for at least three of the following purposes.
To:
- leave a cliffhanger
- add suspense
- show thoughts trailing off
- introduce a character flashback
- show where part of the sentence was removed
- leave a cliffhanger at the end of a paragraph
Play our fun English game Crystal Explorers. gamePlay our fun English game Crystal Explorers
Use grammar, punctuation and spelling skills to explore jungles, caves and tombs on your mission!
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