Use of Ellipses and Parentheses

A(n) _____ is a series of 3 dots      ( . . .) that is used when omitting a word, phrase, or line, from a quoted passage.

• period

• comma

• dash

• ellipsis

An ellipsis is used to ___.

• shorten a quoted passage by omitting  words or phrases

• pause or hesitate in the middle of a sentence

• indicate an incomplete thought

• all answers are correct

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?

• Passage of time

• An unfinished thought

• Omitted text from a quotation

Which sentence uses ellipses correctly to shorten the original?

• My Aunt Louise, a distant relative...is visiting this week.

• My Aunt Louise...is visiting this week.

• ...My Aunt Louise, a distant relative of George Washington, is visiting this week.

• George Washington is visiting this week.

Which punctuations are parentheses?

• " "

• ( )

• [ ]

• ...

When using ellipses, you want to be sure you DO NOT CHANGE the meaning of the sentence. Which of the two uses ellipses without changing the sentence meaning?

• The Hubble’s camera records in black and white... Then the different layers are assigned whatever colors look good to the eye and best show off the underlying astrophysics rather than their natural colors.

• The Hubble’s camera records in black and white, through filters that isolate the characteristic light from different atoms, such as... whatever colors look good to the eye and best show off the underlying astrophysics rather than their natural colors.

What is the primary function of parentheses in a sentence?

• To indicate a pause

• To add extra information

• To show excitement

• To separate clauses

Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?

• I went to the store (it was closed) and then went home.

• I went to the store it was closed (and then went home).

• I went to the store and then went home (it was closed).

• I went to the store and then (it was closed) went home.

How are ellipses used in dialogue?

• To indicate a character is shouting

• To show a character's thoughts

• To indicate a pause or trailing off

• To show excitement