1. To omit words or sentences from a longer quotation:
* This is done to shorten the quote and focus on the most relevant parts.
* Example: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog...and then he goes to sleep."
2. To indicate a pause or hesitation in the original text:
* This is used when the speaker is trailing off or thinking about what to say next.
* Example: "I don't know...maybe it's a good idea."
3. To show a trailing thought or incomplete sentence:
* This is used when the speaker doesn't finish their thought or the sentence is left unfinished.
* Example: "I was thinking...but then I changed my mind."
Important Notes:
* Space before and after ellipses: Put a space before and after the ellipsis (...), except when it's at the end of a sentence, in which case you just put a period after the ellipsis.
* Brackets: Use brackets ([...]) when you need to add an ellipsis to a quotation that already has one.
* Context: The meaning of the ellipses can change depending on the context of the quotation.
Remember, ellipses are a powerful tool for editing quotations, but they should be used carefully and judiciously.