Ellipsis

An ellipsis is a set of three dots. It shows that something has been left out, or that a sentence trails off unfinished. In dialogue and creative writing, an ellipsis can suggest hesitation, a pause or a thought that fades away.

It can also build tension while the reader waits for what comes next. In quotation, it shows that words from the original have been omitted. Used sparingly, an ellipsis is a subtle way to create suspense or to capture the halting rhythm of real speech.

Overused, it makes writing feel vague and uncertain.

In your own creative writing, an ellipsis can create suspense or capture hesitant, trailing speech, showing control of punctuation for effect. In the reading paper, notice how a writer uses an ellipsis to build tension or leave a thought unfinished. This can support a point about atmosphere and pace.

When quoting in analysis, an ellipsis lets you trim a quotation neatly while keeping the parts that matter to your argument.

I thought you understood, but perhaps... trails off with an ellipsis. The unspoken disappointment hangs heavily in the air between the two characters.

Use an ellipsis to show a pause, a trailing-off or an omission, and keep it rare so it stays effective. In creative writing, use it for hesitation or suspense. In quotation, use it to cut unneeded words while preserving meaning.

In analysis, explain how an ellipsis creates suspense or captures unfinished thought, rather than simply noting that the dots are there.

You may also find writing formats and annotated model responses useful. Next, visit our skills guides for IGCSE English to see terms like this used in real answers. Our IGCSE English tuition page explains how lessons run. When you are ready, the paid one-hour trial is the first step.