what do ellipses (---) indicate in a document? words have been inserted by the editor. words are illegible. words of sentences have been deleted.
Ellipses (…) are used in a document to indicate different things depending on the context:
1. Words have been inserted by the editor: Ellipses can be used to show that additional words have been added to a quote or text by an editor or writer. This is done to clarify or complete the sentence while maintaining the original meaning.
Example: "The original quote was 'I am ... honored to be here,' and the editor added the word 'truly' to show the speaker's sincerity."
2. Words are illegible: Ellipses can also be used to indicate that some words in a document are illegible or unreadable due to poor handwriting, missing text, or damaged sections. This helps to acknowledge that the text is incomplete, while allowing readers to understand that illegible portions exist.
Example: "The letter mentioned something about '... and then we should meet next Thursday,' but the words in between were illegible."
3. Words of sentences have been deleted: Ellipses are commonly used to indicate that parts of a sentence or multiple sentences have been omitted or removed from a quote or text. This could be for brevity, removing unnecessary information, or to focus on specific aspects.
Example: "The original paragraph was too long, so some sentences were removed ... to make it more concise and easier to read."
In all cases, the use of ellipses helps to indicate that original text has been altered or that portions are missing. It is important to maintain integrity and clarity when using ellipses in a document.