Answer: What is the correct punctuation for speech that "trails off"?
with examples from Stargate: SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, and Fullmetal Alchemist
velocitygrass asks: What is the correct punctuation for speech that "trails off"? What is the punctuation for interruption (either by yourself or someone else)?
Many people will tell you that trailing-off punctuation is largely a result of stylistic choices. Personally, I disagree. Punctuation tells you how to read a sentence. It's as scientific as writing ever gets. Each symbol for punctuation correlates to a different, specific meaning and the punctuations for pauses each determine a different length of pause. Punctuation that indicates trailing off or interruptions can be very different, as well, and if not properly punctuated could convey a meaning very different from the intended meaning.
velocitygrass was kind enough to provide some examples from her own fic, so all SGA examples are from her own work with corrected punctuation.
Ellipses
Ellipses (. . .) are used to indicate an omission or a pause. The word "ellipsis" comes from the ancient Greek roots "ek" (out) and "lip" (from the verb "leipo," "leave"), so it literally means "leaving something out" or "something left out."
Like all issues of grammar, stylebooks have some varying information on ellipses, though this is restricted to how the ellipsis should be printed.
The Chicago Manual of Style lists two commonly used methods of using (and printing) ellipses.
The Modern Language Association (MLA) states that an ellipsis must include spaces before and after each dot (. . .) in all uses. It also agrees that an ellipsis ending a sentence (any sentence) must include a period followed by the ellipsis. To differentiate pauses from omissions, previous editions of the MLA handbook required that the ellipsis be set in brackets, though that style requirement has since been removed.
Personally, I prefer the MLA style, which is what I will be using in my examples. As always, it's okay to use a different style as long as you consistently follow that same style.
In speech, ellipses are typically going to indicate pauses and trailing off.
Pauses
Ellipses can be used to indicate a pause in speech. Perhaps the character is thinking in the middle of a sentence or is briefly distracted in his thoughts. Both are great uses for an ellipsis.
Trailing Off
Ellipses can be use to indicate a thought that trails off and is never finished. This is similar to being used to indicate an omission (because grammatically and sensibly there is an end to the sentence even if it's not printed).
For dialogue that ends with a dialogue tag (like in the second example), there is no comma used before or after the ellipsis. The ellipsis is used as it is for pauses within a sentence. The dialogue tag is essentially the end of the sentence.
Misuse
Ellipses are often misused in dialogue. I choose to illustrate ellipsis use with an animanga fandom because manga do use ellipses to begin sentences or as dialogue (". . .") to indicate a silence or hesitation.
For further information on the ellipsis:
The Ellipsis
Ellipsis at Merriam-Webster
Em Dashes
Besides being my favorite piece of punctuation, an em dash (-) is used to indicate a break in thought or sentence structure, to introduce a phrase added for emphasis, definition, or explanation, or to separate two clauses.
An em dash is about the length of a lower case m, which is how its name was derived. On a Mac, you can type an em dash by pressing shift + option + -. On a PC, you can make an em dash by pressing ALT + 0151. If your computer is unable to create this useful piece of punctuation you can use two hyphens (--) as an acceptable way to indicate an em dash.
Em dashes do not have spaces before or after them. They are wedged firmly between words, fitting snugly against the terminating and initiating letters.
Within a Sentence
Within a sentence, an em dash can be used for clarification, to change direction, or for emphasis.
Interrupting Dialogue
Em dashes can also be used in dialogue to indicate an interruption. In these cases the em dash is acting as terminating punctuation, like a period that indicates an incomplete sentence.
When used as terminating punctuation, periods, question marks, and exclamation marks should not be used.
For dialogue that ends with a tag line ("Rodney, how long do you think-" John began for the fifth time that day.), a comma should not be used after the em dash. The em dash is treated like a question mark or an exclamation mark, which are both followed by the closing quote for the dialogue.
En Dashes
Because velocitygrass mentioned en dashes in her original question, I just want to point out that en dashes are typically used to indicate a span, such as 1-4. The dash in between the numbers 1 and 4 is an en dash (not a hyphen; a hyphen is shorter whereas an en dash is about the length of a lower case n). Hyphens are used only in hyphenated words such as forty-two or Wyndam-Pryce. En dashes are not used to punctuate for pauses or as terminating punctuation.
For further information on em dashs, en dashes, and hyphens:
Get It Write: En Dashes and Em Dashes
So, velocitygrass, when trailing off in a pause or omission, use an ellipsis, but be sure to punctuate correctly when terminating a sentence. When indicating a change in direction, either by the speaker or another speaker, use an em dash. Just be mindful of your intent with the dialogue and you should be able to make the right decisions in your pausing punctuation.
velocitygrass asks: What is the correct punctuation for speech that "trails off"? What is the punctuation for interruption (either by yourself or someone else)?
Many people will tell you that trailing-off punctuation is largely a result of stylistic choices. Personally, I disagree. Punctuation tells you how to read a sentence. It's as scientific as writing ever gets. Each symbol for punctuation correlates to a different, specific meaning and the punctuations for pauses each determine a different length of pause. Punctuation that indicates trailing off or interruptions can be very different, as well, and if not properly punctuated could convey a meaning very different from the intended meaning.
velocitygrass was kind enough to provide some examples from her own fic, so all SGA examples are from her own work with corrected punctuation.
Ellipses
Ellipses (. . .) are used to indicate an omission or a pause. The word "ellipsis" comes from the ancient Greek roots "ek" (out) and "lip" (from the verb "leipo," "leave"), so it literally means "leaving something out" or "something left out."
Like all issues of grammar, stylebooks have some varying information on ellipses, though this is restricted to how the ellipsis should be printed.
The Chicago Manual of Style lists two commonly used methods of using (and printing) ellipses.
- 1. Use three dots for any omission
2. Omissions within a sentence should use three dots (...) while omissions between sentences should use a period and a space followed by three dots (. . .)
The Modern Language Association (MLA) states that an ellipsis must include spaces before and after each dot (. . .) in all uses. It also agrees that an ellipsis ending a sentence (any sentence) must include a period followed by the ellipsis. To differentiate pauses from omissions, previous editions of the MLA handbook required that the ellipsis be set in brackets, though that style requirement has since been removed.
Personally, I prefer the MLA style, which is what I will be using in my examples. As always, it's okay to use a different style as long as you consistently follow that same style.
In speech, ellipses are typically going to indicate pauses and trailing off.
Pauses
Ellipses can be used to indicate a pause in speech. Perhaps the character is thinking in the middle of a sentence or is briefly distracted in his thoughts. Both are great uses for an ellipsis.
- "I'm Daniel, it means, uh . . . 'God is my judge'."
("Upgrades")
"Rodney, you know that I'd never . . . do something like that to you."
(velocitygrass)
Ed scratched the back of his neck. "Al, there's something I've been . . . meaning to tell you."
- "Jack, it's not that easy. . . ." Daniel adjusts his glasses. "Forgetting about Sha're isn't easy."
"I didn't know that I. . . . I mean, since I left her, I've thought about it all the time."
(velocitygrass)
"I know that putting both hands together symbolizes a circle. . . . But what about the runes?"
(Chapter 23: Knocking on Heaven's Door)
Trailing Off
Ellipses can be use to indicate a thought that trails off and is never finished. This is similar to being used to indicate an omission (because grammatically and sensibly there is an end to the sentence even if it's not printed).
- Daniel blinked against the harsh light. "I never really thought. . . ."
"Rodney, I just . . ." John began helplessly.
(velocitygrass)
"Haven't you ever just . . . ?"
For dialogue that ends with a dialogue tag (like in the second example), there is no comma used before or after the ellipsis. The ellipsis is used as it is for pauses within a sentence. The dialogue tag is essentially the end of the sentence.
Misuse
Ellipses are often misused in dialogue. I choose to illustrate ellipsis use with an animanga fandom because manga do use ellipses to begin sentences or as dialogue (". . .") to indicate a silence or hesitation.
- Ed: "Hardly the reaction of a loyal subordinate."
Roy: ". . . He's got a point."
(Chapter 24: Fullmetal Alchemist)
Hawkeye: "It would appear that either this document came through a time vortex, or someone made a grave error."
Roy: ". . ."
Driver: "Why don't you just meet them before you make your decision."
(Chapter 23: Knocking on Heaven's Door)
For further information on the ellipsis:
The Ellipsis
Ellipsis at Merriam-Webster
Em Dashes
Besides being my favorite piece of punctuation, an em dash (-) is used to indicate a break in thought or sentence structure, to introduce a phrase added for emphasis, definition, or explanation, or to separate two clauses.
An em dash is about the length of a lower case m, which is how its name was derived. On a Mac, you can type an em dash by pressing shift + option + -. On a PC, you can make an em dash by pressing ALT + 0151. If your computer is unable to create this useful piece of punctuation you can use two hyphens (--) as an acceptable way to indicate an em dash.
Em dashes do not have spaces before or after them. They are wedged firmly between words, fitting snugly against the terminating and initiating letters.
Within a Sentence
Within a sentence, an em dash can be used for clarification, to change direction, or for emphasis.
- Clarification: "Exactly how many of these loops have you-we-been through?"
("Window of Opportunity")
Change Direction: "Rodney, how long do you think-Oh God, what's that?"
(velocitygrass)
Emphasis: "I'm not saying that-I'm not-but Colonel Mustang is still a bastard."
Interrupting Dialogue
Em dashes can also be used in dialogue to indicate an interruption. In these cases the em dash is acting as terminating punctuation, like a period that indicates an incomplete sentence.
- Daniel: "You just gonna sit in here all day and, uh-"
Sam: "I'm not sulking."
Daniel: "Working. Gonna say 'working'."
("Zero Hour")
"Rodney, how long do you think-" John began for the fifth time that day.
"Oh God, what's that?" Rodney shouted.
(velocitygrass)
Havoc pats his pockets. "The price is a little stiff and I'm just short right-"
"Are you saying I'm so short that I can't even count that high?" Ed frothed.
When used as terminating punctuation, periods, question marks, and exclamation marks should not be used.
For dialogue that ends with a tag line ("Rodney, how long do you think-" John began for the fifth time that day.), a comma should not be used after the em dash. The em dash is treated like a question mark or an exclamation mark, which are both followed by the closing quote for the dialogue.
En Dashes
Because velocitygrass mentioned en dashes in her original question, I just want to point out that en dashes are typically used to indicate a span, such as 1-4. The dash in between the numbers 1 and 4 is an en dash (not a hyphen; a hyphen is shorter whereas an en dash is about the length of a lower case n). Hyphens are used only in hyphenated words such as forty-two or Wyndam-Pryce. En dashes are not used to punctuate for pauses or as terminating punctuation.
For further information on em dashs, en dashes, and hyphens:
Get It Write: En Dashes and Em Dashes
So, velocitygrass, when trailing off in a pause or omission, use an ellipsis, but be sure to punctuate correctly when terminating a sentence. When indicating a change in direction, either by the speaker or another speaker, use an em dash. Just be mindful of your intent with the dialogue and you should be able to make the right decisions in your pausing punctuation.