The term ellipsis comes from the Greek word meaning “omission,” and that's just what an ellipsis does—it shows that something has been left out. When you're quoting someone, you can use an ellipsis to show that you've omitted some of their words.

Why is an ellipsis used?

An ellipsis has different purposes and can be very useful in your writing. It can be used to show a word or words have been removed from a quote. It can create suspense by adding a pause before the end of the sentence. It can also be used to show the trailing off of a thought.

What effect does ellipsis have on the reader?

The ellipsis introduces a long pause, which is a basic technique for creating tension. Within the pause, the listener is invited to add their own meaning. They may also be encouraged to increase attention, hanging onto the speaker's words, waiting for the next installment.