Ellipsis

[Scott <insanus_scottus@yahoo.co.uk>]

> I didn't know that! I always use three. And I put a space before 
> them. So too does JKR. Is this a UK v US thing? Four looks way too 
> many, though I couldn't say why three looks right :)) Does it get 
> changed in the American editions? Any qualified grammarians out 
there?
> 
> Is elipse the standard American spelling? I'd have used ellipsis 
or 
> ellipse.
> 
> ER

Although I may be misinformed (and a disclaimer always seems healthy 
when speaking of one's own less than sundry grammar skills) it is 
known simply as an ellipsis. Perhaps elipse is a singular spelling? 

The point, however, is that there are three dots (...) when the 
ellipsis comes within a sentence, and there are four dots (....) 
when the ellipsis comes at the end, the forth dot thus functioning 
as a period/full stop. If this is unique to US grammar I was not 
aware of it.

I don't think "dot" is the correct term, but I cannot think of what 
it might be.

Scott
Who finds the recent slew of grammar posts far too enjoyable, but is 
still too shy to comment, knowing what a hypocrite he should 
immediately become.  

(I apologise for the inevitable mistakes in this message.)