Are Ellipses Acceptable in Formal Writing?

In formal writing, the most common way to use an ellipsis is to show that you've omitted words. For example, if you're quoting someone and you want to shorten the quote, you use ellipses to indicate where you've dropped words or sentences.

Are ellipses formal?

An ellipsis (...) is a punctuation mark that consists of three dots or periods (ellipses is the plural form of ellipsis). ... However, the ellipsis serves a particular use in both formal and informal styles of writing.

Is it unprofessional to use ellipses?

Not that ellipses are rude, but they do distort the meaning. ... Some have said that we use ellipses as a way to try to capture the way we speak, with the pauses, lingering and start-and-stop quality of verbal exchanges.

Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne

Automotive & Future Transportation Editor

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.