ellipsis points: spacing and punctuation

An ellipsis is three spaced periods, with a space between the ellipsis and the adjoining words: “The committee . . . rejected the proposal.” Keep the three points together on one line; nonbreaking spaces between them prevent a split.

When an omission separates complete sentences in a quotation, retain the first sentence’s period, set directly after its last word, before the ellipsis. Suppose the original reads “The bridge is closed. Inspectors found cracks in two supports. Repairs begin Monday.” With the middle sentence omitted, write “The bridge is closed. . . . Repairs begin Monday.” The first point ends the sentence; the other three mark the omission.

An omission within a sentence takes only three points. From “The bridge, which opened in 1968, is closed,” write “The bridge . . . is closed.” Do not add a sentence period merely because words have been removed.

Speech that hesitates or trails off takes three points and no sentence period: “I was hoping . . .” This holds even when the preceding words form a complete sentence: “I thought you knew . . .”

Retain a question mark or an exclamation point when the meaning requires it, with a space between the ellipsis and the mark: “Could you possibly . . . ?” “But you promised . . . !” A complete question followed by a pause keeps its question mark before the ellipsis: “Who told you? . . . Was it Nina?”

No space goes between the last ellipsis point and a closing quotation mark: “Perhaps we could . . .”

Note. The single ellipsis character (…) and three unspaced periods (...) are also established forms, but the spaced form (. . .) is the one we recommend, and it should be used consistently. The above is our guidance.