brainshrub
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Fri Jan-09-04 01:37 PM
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Attention English majors and teachers!!! "..." |
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Edited on Fri Jan-09-04 01:37 PM by brainshrub
I use the three dots a lot. (...)
I use the "..." to signify a pregnant pause, like a punchline before a joke. I don't remember where I learned to do this or if this is proper punctuation in the first place.
Here is my question: Is there a correct punctuation protocol for using "..."? What are those three dots called?
The following three examples are sentences where I have used "..." while posting at DU. Am I using proper punctuation? (I used a heavier font for the ... to make them easier to see.)
#1: The main problem here is that the dollar is in free-fall against the Euro & other currencies. This is happening because we no longer actually manufacture anything here...so there is nothing other countries want from us that require dollars to buy.)
#2: I hate to admit this...but I think I just found the perfect woman for me.
#3: At first I thought this story was good news. Great! We can root out the racists! But if you can find out if someone is a racist, would you also be able to tell if a person felt strongly about a political issue...such as human rights, anti-globalization or Democracy?
Thanks for your input.
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utopian
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Fri Jan-09-04 01:42 PM
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are usually used to fill the gap in a sentence where part is omitted. However, I've seen it used your way too. I usually use a dash to signify a pregnant pause. It's really a matter of choice and personal style.
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brainshrub
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Fri Jan-09-04 01:45 PM
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5. So in the examples I used: |
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are they passable?
Would my 7th grade English teacher approve? Or perhaps she is rolling her eyes in disgust at my flagrant refusal to use "-".
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NashVegas
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Fri Jan-09-04 01:59 PM
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6. Getting Out the Blue Pencil |
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Edited on Fri Jan-09-04 02:00 PM by Crisco
#1: The main problem here is that the dollar is in free-fall against the Euro & other currencies. This is happening because we no longer actually manufacture anything here; there is nothing other countries want from us that require dollars to buy.
#2: I hate to admit this, but I think I just found the perfect woman for me.
#3: At first I thought this story was good news. Great! We can root out the racists! But if you can find out if someone is a racist, would you also be able to tell if a person felt strongly about political issues such as human rights, anti-globalization or Democracy?
I'm guilty of overuse as well. :)
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displacedtexan
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Fri Jan-09-04 01:43 PM
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DrWeird
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Fri Jan-09-04 01:44 PM
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3. They're called ellipses... |
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I get that it's a pregnant pause, and I'd certainly consider it acceptable usage for this board. But I'm not sure if the Grammar Nazis and their Punctuation SS will agree with me.
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Richardo
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Fri Jan-09-04 01:44 PM
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