Expert: Leslie - 12/30/2006

Question
Sorry, Leslie. I was unclear.

In my examples, the dots were to show that text was omitted. I realize that my examples made it seem that the second sentence immediately followed the first, but I meant that there be omitted text (indicated by the dots).

Best,

Steve
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi,

I know that when you use ellipses and the first text is a sentence, you use a period and three dots.

E.g. "I went to the movies....The popcorn was awful."

But what if the first text is a question? Do you have a question mark and three dots, a period and three dots, or just three dots.

E.g.."Did he go to the movies?...The popcorn was awful."
or "Did he go to the movies....The popcorn was awful."
or "Did he go to the movies...The popcorn was awful."

Many thanks,

Steve
-----Answer-----
Hi Steve,

Happy New Year!

An ellipse (three periods) is used to indicate that the statement is unfinished, as in an incomplete quote or a sentence that the dialog (for example) will not be completed. (Example: "I was telling here where we..." George interrupted, "Is this really important?")

We are using the ellipse in casual writing to indicate a pause or to indicate that the rest of the statement is understood by the reader (Example: A stitch in time...). Technically, using the ellipse with a period after a complete sentence is an improper use of the punctuation. The more correct punctuation for the sentence you sent me is a period, a semicolon, or maybe a colon, depending on the surrounding text.

Example period: I went to the movies. The popcorn was awful.
Example semicolon: I went to the movies; the popcorn was awful.
Example colon: I recall in my youth the flavors of the movies: jujubes, buttered popcorn. Last week, I went to the movies: the popcorn was awful.

If you use end punctuation, like a period, exclamation point, or a question mark, then the ellipse is not necessary because the sentence is complete. See APA 291.

Hope this helps, but does not confuse.

Leslie

Answer
Steve,

Oohhhhhhhh...

Check APA 275 to 281. The use of the ellipse depends on the circumstance. Using the end punctuation with the ellipse is fine including using the question mark. "Did he say he was going to the store with us? We need to leave soon." = "Did he say he was going to the store...? We need to leave soon."

In some cases, ellipses can be eliminated. Rules APA 278, 279, and 280.

The newer rules (since 1975-ish) say that if the sentence from the quote is complete, you do not need to add the ellipses. If what you are deleting changes the meaning of the quote, (i.e.: taking the quote out of context) you may use brackets and the words, text delete, to indicate the change.

Example: "'I hate blue cheese,' he said sarcastically, after stuffing another piece into his mouth. He often spoke unkindly of nature's Epicurean delights."

With text deleted:
"'I hate blue cheese.' [text deleted] He often spoke unkindly of nature's Epicurean delights."

The meaning from the first example to the second seems to be changed substantially, changing the meaning. Ellipses are not needed, and would be cumbersome with the quotes. "'I hate blue cheese.'... He often spoke unkindly of nature's Epicurean delights."

Good luck.

Leslie