Hyphens Dashes and Ellipses

What is used to show a pause in dialogue or to show that words or sentences have been left out? (HINT: ...)

• comma

• space

• hyphen

• ellipses

Pick the correct use of ellipses in the sentence:

It is not much more than sand pressed tightly together and mixed with clay, which acts as a kind of cement.

• It is . . . sand pressed tightly together and . . . acts as a kind of cement.

• It...acts as a kind of cement.

• It is not much more than sand . . . mixed with clay.

• It is . . . more than sand . . . mixed with clay.

Pick the correct use of ellipses in the sentence:

Dr. Martin Cooper may not be a familiar name, but he invented one of the most significant innovations of the twentieth-century.

• Dr. Martin Cooper ... invented ... the most significant innovations of the twentieth-century.

• Keep it as is.

• Dr. Martin Cooper...a familiar name...invented one of the most significant innovations of the twentieth-century.

• Both 1 and 3.

Pick the correct use of ellipses in the sentence:

Holmes's ever questioning mind and dislike for displays of emotion made him appear cold, calculating, and uncaring.

• Holmes's ... dislike for displays of emotion made him appear ... uncaring

• Holmes's ever questioning mind ... made him appear cold, calculating, and uncaring.

• Holmes's ... him appear cold, calculating, and uncaring.

• Answer 1 and 2.

What does the ellipsis the following sentence indicate?

"I couldn't help but noticing..." Mark's voice trailed off.

• Passage of time

• An unfinished thought

• Omitted text from a quotation

What does the ellipsis in the following sentence indicate?

The clock chimed...and then chimed again...she counted sheep...and still Eloise could not sleep.

• Passage of time

• An unfinished thought

• Omitted text from a quotation

What does the ellipsis in the following sentence indicate?

"Chopin...was a gifted musician."

• Passage of time

• An unfinished thought

• Omitted text from a quotation