Why do you need ellipses in Russian? What does the ellipsis mean in different cases? Why do we need ellipses?

This sign, appearing in the text, signals some reticence, hesitation, absent-mindedness or confusion of the subject of written speech. In grammar, ellipsis is defined as follows.

An ellipsis is a punctuation mark consisting of three dots written side by side. Serves to indicate an unfinished thought or pause by the author.

This punctuation mark is used for the following purposes:

1. In order to show the incompleteness of the statement, some confusion of thoughts caused by the state of the speaker, a break in the logical development of thought; interference arising from external environment, and also to indicate breaks in speech. Typically used in direct speech. For example:

- I can’t... I can’t do this... It’s not fair and wrong... I can’t!...

“I would say who you are... but I prefer not to talk about girls like that.”

- I remember. I remember this girl... she was good... Why are you asking about her?

2. To indicate hesitations not only between words, but also in the words themselves, For example:

- For... for... forget me! – she was shaking all over with anger.

“Wa... Wha... Vanya, now you’re completely wrong,” said Masha.

3. To indicate the boundaries of quotes. It is used in cases where the quotation is not introduced in full, but only in parts that are most significant for the context. There are several ways to enter ellipses in quotations.

a) To indicate that the boundaries of a quotation, which is an independent sentence in relation to the context, do not coincide with the boundaries of the sentence in the quoted text:

Pushkin, highlighting the works of his contemporaries, characterized Derzhavin this way: “... Some of Derzhavin’s odes, despite the irregularity of the language and the unevenness of the syllable, are filled with impulses of genius...”.

In this example, we see that the quotation, firstly, is an independent sentence, and secondly, although it is framed as a sentence, it has clearly different boundaries in the source text. And indeed, in Pushkin’s original text we see this sentence in its entirety:

“I agree that some of Derzhavin’s odes, despite the unevenness of the syllable and the irregularity of the language, are filled with impulses of true genius, that in Bogdanovich’s “Darling” there are poems and entire pages worthy of La Fontaine, that Krylov has surpassed all fabulists known to us, with the possible exception of this La Fontaine himself, that Batyushkov, Lomonosov’s happy associate, did for the Russian language what Petrarch did for Italian; that Zhukovsky would have been translated into all languages ​​if he himself translated less.” (Pushkin, “On the reasons that slowed down the progress of our literature)

However, if the quotation is formatted as indirect speech, then in this case there is no need to put an ellipsis:

The writer, covering everything done before him, said that “Derzhavin’s odes... are filled with impulses of genius.”

b) To indicate an omission within a quotation:

Pushkin wrote: “And poetry... should be stupid.” In the original: “And poetry, God forgive me, must be stupid.”

An ellipsis is a punctuation mark in the form of three dots placed side by side, indicating reticence and the possibility of continuing the text. In the old days, this sign was called “ottochie”. What cases of using ellipses do I find in the text?

Firstly, in sentences 18 “The Germans, emboldened, run towards him screaming.” and 26 “The fighters realized how the communication line was restored.” this sign denotes understatement, the possibility of continuing the text.

Secondly, in sentence 17 “Just don’t unclench.” ellipsis is used to indicate reticence: “What if he unclenched his teeth? Communication would not have been restored, and the offensive would have been disrupted.”

Thus, I can conclude that the ellipsis, along with the general separating function, has a number of specific, varied meanings, which most often reflect the emotional coloring of speech. 110 words.


Other works on this topic:

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In oral speech, we can convey our words using intonation. In one place we raise our voice, in another we lower it, somewhere we take a short pause to catch some air, and at certain moments we put long pauses so that our interlocutor can think and comprehend everything that was said to him earlier.


In the written word, we can replace intonation with punctuation marks. Enthusiastic statements are indicated by an exclamation mark. It is customary to end a question we ask an interlocutor with a question mark. Each poet and writer had his own favorite punctuation marks in his work. Surely, you noticed while reading another work that the great classic placed signs in it that do not correspond to the rules of the Russian language. Where you need to put a comma, there is a dash. And if the text simply requires quotation marks, they are missing. This was especially clear when we shave a book and begin to copy phrases written by someone from it into a notebook with an essay. As a result, having copied officially published information, we barely get a “C” for the essay.

Don't think that the great classics didn't know about the presence of rules in the Russian language. It’s just that in their works they placed more emphasis on intonation. They clearly knew where it was necessary to put a comma so that we could quickly skim through the list with our eyes, where there should be a dash, which, with a sinking heart, leads us from the beginning of an action to its rapid completion, or is a sign that the word will be followed by its explanation. The ellipsis seems to interrupt the phrase, leaving it unsaid by the author. This punctuation mark is indicated by three identical dots located at an equal, short distance from each other “...”. Karamzin introduced this punctuation mark into use. He loved to use it in his works. However, the ellipsis was originally called a “preventive sign.” Yes, this name fully reflects the meaning of these symbols. We say something to our interlocutor, but suddenly we cut off our thoughts mid-sentence and leave the phrase unsaid. After the ellipsis, as a rule, there is a long pause. Unlike a period, an ellipsis carries with it a certain semantic load that cannot be ignored while reading the work. The period reduces intonation to zero. After it, we immediately move on to reading the next sentence. After the ellipsis, we freeze in anticipation. It’s as if we want to hear what will happen next, how the sentence ends. However, we will not know the answer to this question.

Also, using an ellipsis, we can indicate the omission of words in the text. For example, if we decide to take a quote, but we absolutely do not need a certain number of words in it. These words can distract from the main idea and miss the point we want in the text. In this case, instead of missing words, we put an ellipsis. If words were omitted at the beginning, middle and end of a sentence, then an ellipsis is placed in each case. If we remove several sentences from the text, then we enclose the sign in angle brackets.

In the world of exact science, an ellipsis defines a large interval in numerical values. For example, more than once we could observe the approximate order of numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8 ... 24. In general, ellipses determine a huge number of not only semantic pauses, but also meanings in the exact sciences. Therefore, it is simply impossible to overestimate the importance of ellipses in our lives.

Why do we need ellipses? There are so many unspoken things in our lives that sometimes you wonder how soon a person understands these letters with three dots? In oral speech, we express what is not said with meaningful silence.

An ellipsis qualifies as a punctuation mark expressed by writing several periods placed side by side. Indicates a pause or unfinished thought. For the first time, ellipses in the Russian language were used in 1831 in the grammar of A. Kh. Vostokov.

Well, why do we need ellipses?

Nowadays, ellipses are used to describe the speaker’s excitement, hesitations in his speech. If the ellipsis is at the beginning of the text, it most likely indicates that this is a continuation of a thought that was once started. Also, ellipses indicate pauses when moving from one thought to another. By this means we can also show what is missing from the quotation, perhaps a less significant part of it.

Similar expressive means of speech exist in other languages, but the rules for using this sign are somewhat different. For example, in Chinese there are six dots instead of three. The British put three dots...

One of the rules of good manners is not to overdo it with the amount of a given punctuation mark.

An ellipsis is a punctuation mark indicating an unfinished phrase or omission in the text.

In the Russian language, ellipses as one of the punctuation marks were first indicated in the grammar of A. Kh. Vostokov in 1831. Then it was called a “preventive sign.” In common parlance, an ellipsis is also sometimes called an "ellipsis".

Currently, in the Russian language, ellipses are used in the following cases:

To indicate the incompleteness of a statement caused by the speaker’s excitement, a break in the logical development of thought, external interference, to indicate hesitations or interruptions in speech. - I remember, I remember very well... A sofa, a dozen chairs and round table about six legs. The furniture was excellent, from Gambs... Why did you remember? (I. Ilf, E. Petrov “Twelve Chairs”).

At the beginning of the text to indicate that the presentation continues, interrupted by a large insert, or that the events described in this passage of text and in the one preceding it are separated by a long period of time. The mouse did not deign to answer him and hastily continued: “...I found it prudent and decided, together with Edgar Zteling, to go to Wilhelm and offer him the crown” (L. Carroll “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”).

To indicate pauses during an unexpected transition from one thought to another, between complete sentences. Dubrovsky was silent... Suddenly he raised his head, his eyes sparkled, he stamped his foot, pushed the secretary away... (A.S. Pushkin “Dubrovsky”).

At the beginning, middle, or end of a quotation to indicate that part of the quoted text has been omitted. If one or more sentences are missing when quoting, then the ellipsis in this case is enclosed in angle brackets.

Original text by A. S. Pushkin: “But poetry, God forgive me, must be stupid.” Example with quotation: Pushkin wrote: “And poetry... must be stupid”

Source text (F. M. Dostoevsky “Crime and Punishment”): I needed to know something else, something else was pushing me under my arms: I had to find out then, and quickly find out, whether I was a louse, like everyone else, or a man? Will I be able to cross or not! Do I dare to bend down and take it or not? Am I a trembling creature or do I have the right? Example with quotation: Raskolnikov explained his crime this way: “I needed to find out then, and find out quickly<…>Am I a trembling creature or do I have the right?

To indicate a range of values ​​(along with a dash and an ÷). Pipe 5…10 m long. Temperature −5…+10 °C.

Sometimes ellipses are used with question marks or exclamation marks. In these cases, only two dots are placed after the sign: “!..” and “?...”. What is there to offer?.. And then they write, write... Congress, some Germans... My head is swelling. Take everything and divide it... (M. Bulgakov. “Heart of a Dog”). It's getting light!.. Ah! how quickly the night has passed! (A. S. Griboyedov “Woe from Wit”).



1 Why are commas needed?

I believe that commas, like other punctuation marks, serve important role in writing. They help to understand the structure of the sentence, and therefore the meaning of what is written.

Commas can separate parts complex sentence or homogeneous members from each other, or can distinguish separate members or words that are grammatically unrelated to the sentence. So, for example, in the sentence: “…..” - commas are separated (homogeneous members of the sentence, parts of a complex sentence), and in the sentence: “…..” - commas are separated (introductory words, addresses, participle phrases, participial turnover, comparative phrase, clarifying members of the sentence).

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations, which firmly hold the text and do not allow it to crumble. Without a doubt, commas are very important punctuation marks, without which the meaning of the sentence would not be clear.

2. Why do you need a colon?

I believe that in writing it is impossible to do without a colon, as well as without other punctuation marks.

The colon stops our attention, requires a pause and warning intonation. This punctuation mark can separate a generalizing word from homogeneous members of a sentence (9), direct speech from the words of the author (3), simple sentences within a complex sentence (23).

Performing a semantic function, a colon is placed on the border of parts of a non-union complex sentence if the second part of the sentence indicates the reason (reveals, explains the content) of what is said in the first part (15).



K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations, which firmly hold the text and do not allow it to crumble. Without a doubt, the colon is a very important punctuation mark, without which the meaning of the sentence would not be clear.

3. Why do you need a dash?

I believe that in writing it is impossible to do without a dash, as well as other punctuation marks. It helps to understand the structure of the sentence, and therefore the meaning of what is written.

A dash can separate a generalizing word from homogeneous members of a sentence (1), direct speech from the words of the author (2). It can also separate the composition of the subject from the composition of the predicate (3) and simple sentences as part of a complex sentence (4).

In incomplete sentences, a dash replaces missing parts of the sentence, helping to understand the meaning of what is written (5). A dash is placed on the border of parts of a non-union complex sentence if the content of the first part indicates the time (condition, reason) of what is said in the second part (6). (Or the content of the first part is sharply contrasted with the content of the second part).

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations, which firmly hold the text and do not allow it to crumble. Without a doubt, the dash is a very important punctuation mark, without which the meaning of the sentence would not be clear.

4. Why do we need punctuation (punctuation marks)?

Punctuation is an important branch of linguistics that studies the placement of punctuation marks. I believe that writing without punctuation is impossible.

They perform excretory and separative functions in written speech. For example, they separate sentences in the text (1 and 2), parts of a complex sentence (3), homogeneous members of a sentence (4), and separate direct speech from the words of the author (5). Punctuation marks can highlight isolated members of a sentence or words that are not grammatically related to the sentence (introductory words, addresses, participle phrases, participial phrases, comparative phrases, clarifying parts of the sentence) (6).

The presence of completion marks at the end of sentences helps the author convey narrative (7), interrogative (8) and exclamation (9) intonations, the mental state of the characters. If you replace the period in sentence 10 with a question mark, the meaning of the sentence will immediately change.

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations: they guide intonation, help the author formulate thoughts and convey feelings. Without a doubt, punctuation in writing is indispensable.

5. Why is spelling needed?

Spelling is an important branch of linguistics that studies the rules of spelling words. I believe that writing is indispensable without spelling.

Let's imagine that there are no spelling rules in a language. Then the first sentence of the text in the letter will look like this: “I have been experiencing this feeling for many years now...”. As we can see, it is difficult for us to understand the meaning of the recorded information.

Correct spelling of parts of a word is an indicator of knowledge about the language. For example, at the end of a word we can find out which part of speech is in front of us. In the word “guilty” (sentence 10) the ending is -ym. It indicates that we have an adjective in the masculine form, singular and instrumental case.

Consequently, spelling rules are necessary for a person, since competent writing is an indicator not only of knowledge of the rules, but also of a person’s culture.

6. Why do we need punctuation marks at the end of sentences? (Why are they used at the end of sentences? different signs punctuation?)

I believe that it is impossible to write without end-of-sentence marks.

At the end of the sentence there is a period, exclamation or question marks, or an ellipsis. These punctuation marks indicate a sentence boundary. Consequently, they separate sentences in a text, helping to accurately understand what is written (1,2).

The presence of completion marks at the end of sentences helps the author convey narrative (3), interrogative (4) and exclamation (5) intonations, the mental state of the characters. If you replace the period in sentence 6 with a question mark, the meaning of the sentence will immediately change.

As we can see, the choice of one of the four separating signs is determined by the meaning of the sentence and also depends on intonation.

7. Why do we need ellipses?

I believe that in writing it is impossible to do without ellipses, as well as other punctuation marks. It helps to understand the structure of the sentence, and therefore the meaning of what is written.

Ellipsis as a punctuation mark began to be used only at the end of the 18th century. This is a sign of incompleteness or termination of a sentence. In the text this is the first sentence: “……”. The ellipsis placed by the author at the end of sentences 2 and 3 is not only a dividing sign, but also allows you to express the hero’s state of mind: thoughtfulness, absorption in his thoughts and feelings.

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations: they guide intonation, help the author formulate thoughts and convey feelings. Without a doubt, the ellipsis is a very important punctuation mark, without which the meaning of the sentence would not be clear.

8. Why do we need a semicolon?

I believe that in writing it is impossible to do without a semicolon, as well as other punctuation marks. It helps to understand the structure of the sentence, and therefore the meaning of what is written.

A semicolon separates simple sentences within a non-union complex sentence if parts of the complex sentence already contain commas or other punctuation marks (1). Sometimes a semicolon is placed even if the parts of a non-union complex sentence are less connected in meaning and more independent (2).

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations, which firmly hold the text and do not allow it to fall apart. Without a doubt, the semicolon is a very important punctuation mark, without which the meaning of the sentence would not be clear.

9. Why do we need an exclamation mark (question mark, period)?

I believe that it is impossible to write without an exclamation mark (question mark, period).

An exclamation mark (question mark, period) marks a sentence boundary (1). Consequently, it separates sentences in a text, helping to accurately understand what is written (1,2).

The presence of an exclamation mark (question mark, period) at the end of sentences helps the author to convey the exclamation (interrogative, narrative) intonation, the mental state of the characters (3). If you replace the exclamation mark (question mark, period) in sentence 3 with a question mark (period), the meaning of the sentence will immediately change.

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations: they guide intonation, help the author formulate thoughts and convey feelings. Without a doubt, the exclamation mark (question mark, period) is a very important punctuation mark, without which the meaning of the sentence would not be clear.

10. Why are quotation marks needed?

I believe that in writing it is impossible to do without quotation marks, as well as other punctuation marks. They help to understand the structure of the sentence, and therefore the meaning of what is written.

Quotation marks refer to paired punctuation marks. They are used when introducing someone else's verbatim statement into the thought of one person. So, for example, in sentence 1 direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks, and in sentence 2 there is a quotation. This sign seems to protect copyright.

Quotes include words used in a figurative meaning (3), as well as proper names denoting the names of magazines (4) (newspapers, books, factories, ships, etc.).

If you remove quotation marks from any sentence, the meaning of the sentence changes.

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations: they guide intonation, help the author formulate thoughts and convey feelings. Without a doubt, quotation marks are a very important punctuation mark, without which the meaning of the sentence would not be clear.