Use ellipsis marks when omitting a word, phrase, line, paragraph, or more from a quoted passage.
NOTE: To create ellipsis marks with a PC, type the period three times and the spacing will be automatically set, or press Ctrl-Alt and the period once.
The Three-dot Method
There are many methods for using ellipses. The three-dot method is the simplest and is appropriate for most general works and many scholarly ones. The three- or four-dot method and an even more rigorous method used in legal works require fuller explanations that can be found in other reference books.
Rule 1
Use no more than three marks whether the omission occurs in the middle of a sentence or between sentences.
Example:
Original sentence:
The regulation states, "All agencies must document overtime or risk losing federal funds."
Rewritten using ellipses:
The regulation states, "All agencies must document overtime..."
Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:49 pm