B. Foundations of Language · Foundations: Grammar, Sentences and Punctuation

Ellipses and Dashes: Omissions, Pauses and Breaks

B3.3About 40 minutes

Learning goals

I can use an ellipsis to show that words have been left out of a quotation, without changing its meaning.
I can use an ellipsis to show a pause or trailing off in dialogue or narration.
I can use a dash to show a sudden break, an interruption or extra emphasis.
I can tell a hyphen from a dash and choose between commas, parentheses and dashes.

Words to know

ellipsis
Three dots ( ... ) that show words have been left out, or that a speaker pauses or trails off. The plural is ellipses.

omission
Something that has been left out.

dash
A long line ( — ), also called an em dash, that shows a sudden break, an interruption or emphasis.

hyphen
A short line ( - ) that joins words or parts of words, like well-known or twenty-one.

interruption
When a speaker is cut off before finishing.

Punctuation you can hear

Read these aloud:

"I think ... maybe ... we should go back."

"Watch out for the—" CRASH!

You can hear the punctuation. The dots slow you down: the speaker is unsure. The dash stops you suddenly: something interrupted. These two marks, the ellipsis and the dash, help writers show pauses, breaks and missing words.

The ellipsis ( ... )

An ellipsis is three dots. It has two main jobs.

1. To show an omission in a quotation. When you quote a long sentence, you can leave out words that aren't needed. Put an ellipsis where the words were.

Original: "The trail, which was built by volunteers over three summers, leads to a waterfall."
Shortened: "The trail ... leads to a waterfall."

Be honest! Never leave out words in a way that changes the meaning. If the original says "The movie was not boring at all," you can't quote it as "The movie was ... boring."

2. To show a pause, hesitation or trailing off, usually in dialogue or in a narrator's thoughts.

"Well ... I guess I could try."
She looked at the empty jar and wondered ...

Style guides differ about spaces around an ellipsis. Follow your teacher's style and be consistent.

An ellipsis marks where words were left out of a quotation. It is fair only when the shortened quotation still means what the writer meant.

The dash ( — )

A dash (also called an em dash) is a long line. It's much louder than a comma.

A sudden break or change of thought: I opened the door and saw—nothing.
An interruption in dialogue: "I was just about to tell you about the—" "Not now!" Mom said.
A pair of dashes around extra information you want to stand out: My cousin—the one who lives in Iqaluit—is visiting next week.
Before an explanation or summary at the end: We needed three things for the camping trip—food, water and bug spray.

Commas, parentheses or dashes? All three can surround extra information.

Commas: normal volume. My cousin, who lives in Iqaluit, is visiting.
Parentheses: a quiet side comment. My cousin (who lives in Iqaluit) is visiting.
Dashes: loud and dramatic. My cousin—who lives in Iqaluit—is visiting!

Three different lines: a hyphen joins words, an en dash shows a range, and an em dash shows a break. Lengths are drawn to show the difference.

Typing a dash

Many word processors turn two hyphens (--) into a dash as you type. You can also use a shortcut: on a Mac, Option + Shift + Hyphen makes an em dash. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0151 on the number keypad. Don't use a single hyphen ( - ) when you mean a dash.

Worked example

Let's shorten a quotation with an ellipsis

Shorten this quotation for a report, without changing its meaning: "Monarch butterflies, which are orange and black, travel thousands of kilometres to spend the winter in Mexico."

Decide what you need: the fact about migration. The colour isn't needed for this report.
Remove which are orange and black, and the comma before it.
Put an ellipsis where the words were.
Check: does the meaning stay the same? Yes.

"Monarch butterflies ... travel thousands of kilometres to spend the winter in Mexico."

Worked example

Let's choose between an ellipsis and a dash

Which mark fits each blank? (a) "I'm not sure__ maybe tomorrow?" Theo said slowly. (b) "Grab the rope before it__" The canoe drifted away. (c) There was only one person who could help__Grandma.

(a) slowly tells us Theo is hesitating → ellipsis: "I'm not sure ... maybe tomorrow?"
(b) The speaker is cut off suddenly → dash: "Grab the rope before it—"
(c) A dramatic reveal at the end of the sentence → dash: ...who could help—Grandma.

(a) ellipsis, (b) dash, (c) dash.

Use them sparingly

Ellipses and dashes are like spices. A few make writing lively. Too many make it confusing and breathless. In a formal report, use ellipses mainly for shortening quotations, and use dashes rarely.

Just for fun

Did you hear about the ellipsis that went to the party?

It never quite finished its sentences ...

Hands-on activity

Radio play recording

You need: a phone, tablet or computer that can record audio (ask a grown-up), paper and a pencil, and one or two family members.

Write a short scene (6 to 10 lines of dialogue) where something goes wrong: a pot boils over, the dog escapes, or the power goes out.
Use at least two ellipses for hesitation or trailing off, and at least two dashes for interruptions or sudden breaks.
Rehearse it aloud with your family members. Pause at each ellipsis. Stop sharply at each dash.
Record it and listen back. Can you hear the punctuation?
Swap scripts with a family member and see if they read the pauses and breaks the way you meant them.

What to look for: ellipses where a speaker hesitates or trails off, dashes where someone is cut off or changes direction suddenly.

Your turn

Ellipsis or dash? A speaker trails off, unsure: "I wonder if__"

Ellipsis or dash? A speaker is cut off: "Don't touch the wet pai__"

Shorten with an ellipsis: "The park, which opened in 1985, has a splash pad."

Add a pair of dashes for emphasis: The surprise a brand-new puppy was waiting at home.

Hyphen or dash? a ___ year-old cousin (twelve)

Is this a fair omission? Original: "The plan is risky but could work." Quoted: "The plan ... could work."

Add a dash before the summary: Snow, ice and wind winter had arrived.

More practice: warm-up

How many dots are in an ellipsis?

Name two jobs of an ellipsis.

Which is longer, a hyphen or a dash?

Which mark shows a sudden interruption in dialogue?

Which uses a hyphen: ice-cold or ice—cold?

More practice: on your own

Rewrite with dashes instead of commas, and explain the effect: Our goalie, who had never stopped a penalty shot, made the save.

Shorten this quotation for a science report: "Beavers, which are Canada's largest rodents, build dams that create wetlands for many other animals."

Punctuate this dialogue so the second speaker interrupts: I think we should take the long way around No time Follow me

Ellipsis or dash, and why? I reached into the box and pulled out__a snake!

Fix: We need three things - patience, practice and a good coach.

Challenge

Write a three-sentence story opening that uses one ellipsis and one pair of dashes correctly.

A movie review says: "This film is not the best of the year, but it is a fun ride for families." An ad quotes it as "This film is ... the best of the year." What's wrong?

Explain how the punctuation changes the meaning or feeling: (a) "I'm fine." (b) "I'm ... fine." (c) "I'm fine—"

Check your understanding

Quiz

What does an ellipsis in a quotation show?

Which sentence uses a dash to show an interruption?

Which is a fair shortened version of "The lake, which is very deep, is safe for swimming in summer"?

Which mark is the loudest way to set off extra information?

Which word needs a hyphen, not a dash?

A character says "I ... I don't know." What does the ellipsis show?

For parents and teachers

What this lesson is about: ellipses (for omissions and pauses) and dashes (for breaks, interruptions and emphasis), a Grade 7 punctuation expectation.

How to help at home:

Read dialogue from a novel aloud together and act out the ellipses and dashes.
Talk about honest quoting: when you shorten someone's words, the meaning must stay the same. Movie posters and ads are good places to spot quotes that may have been shortened.

Common difficulties:

Using a hyphen ( - ) instead of a dash ( — ).
Overusing ellipses and dashes in formal writing.
Using an ellipsis to cut words in a way that changes the meaning.
Using two or four dots instead of three.