Since many writers here (some far more talented than I) have weighed in recently on matters of grammar, spelling and punctuation, I feel I must confess--I am addicted to ellipses...
I think I first saw the power of the magical three dots when I would read Larry King's column. Larry would simply string together a handful of not-very-risky opinions (usually, but not exclusively, about celebrities), introduced by some regular guy phrase like "for my money" or "if you ask me"--add some ellipses, and you've got a column.
For my money, you couldn't ask for a nicer guy than Will Smith...if you ask me, that Cristina Aguilera can really move...if you put a gun to my head, I'd have to to call cappellini my favorite noodle--not for nothing, but I love how it's thicker than angel hair and not as thick as spaghetti...
Once I decided to share my unhinged ramblings with the world outside my apartment, it wasn't long before I began using ellipses to excess...At first, I really believed I could use them responsibly—as something to compliment an otherwise well-reasoned essay. All my friends were using them anyway...besides, I knew I could always stop using them if it got out of control.
When I first started using them, it felt great! I could start a thought, and then just...trail off. Or I could set up some marvelous joke, and then simply...move on to another joke. No need for sticky segues or troublesome transitions...I would just start another thought after typing three periods.
I'd been using ellipses recreationally for years, but then things got crazy... They were just too easy to find—the period's right there on the keyboard, and if you're already using one, why not three?...I tried not to use them when I was alone—that would mean I had a problem...But then I started using them at home...on to-do-lists (“grocery store...library...Punctuation Anonymous meeting”)...on my resume (“clerk...cashier”)...my god, even on the memo line of a check (“cable bill...July”)...
I know I need to quit, but I don't know how...I worry my writing won't be as fun—maybe other writers won't want to hang out with me if I'm not ellipsing...I want it to look like I'm just about to add something else...something even more important...
But I'm gonna try...one period at a time. Because if I can beat this, maybe I can stop beginning sentences with conjunctions...but at least prepositions are parts of speech I would never end a sentence with...OH MY GOD I CAN'T CONTROL MYSELF! The worst part is the fear...If I don't end an idea with three dots, I'll have to actually...make a point...and be done with it...it seems so final...as if I've got nothing else to say.
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ordinaryjoe
John A Bayerl
icyhighs
nilesite
Firechick
Lauren J Barnhart
Salon.com
Comments
Actually, I just do it...cause...it's...fun!!!!!!!!
;)
Good blog, although I also love the ellipse and abuse the living hell out of it. I signed up for a blog here so I could continue to chat with you etc. I did not want you to think we had all forgotten you.
E
Perhaps you don't realize the methadone for ellipses is the dash--equally addictive but it takes up one less space so it isn't as bad. Remember, you have to take this one day at a time--and ask God to give you the grace to accept with serenity the punctuation that cannot be changed, courage to change the punctuation that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish one from the other....
I am reminded of the editor who rearranged one of Churchill’s sentences so that it did not end in a preposition. The Prime Minister replied: “This is the sort of English up with which I will not put.”
Not to be elliptical in my meaning, but the excessive ellipses are an obvious metaphor for your current peregrine lifestyle. Greetings from the purveyor of pop cabaret cross-over hits.
I can't say more without risking overexcitement.