Read this text. The first Godzilla movie was made in Japan in 1954. The film was released in the United States two years later and was a huge hit there. Is this an appropriate use of an ellipsis? "The first Godzilla movie was made in Japan in 1954. The film . . . was a huge hit there."
No, this is not an appropriate use of an ellipsis. Ellipses are typically used to indicate the omission of words or to create a pause in a sentence. In this case, the use of an ellipsis does not convey any meaningful omission or pause. The sentence would be clearer and more effective without the ellipsis: "The first Godzilla movie was made in Japan in 1954. The film was a huge hit there."
Read this text. It took Ernő Rubik, the Hungarian professor who invented the Rubik's cube, more than a month to solve his puzzle the first time he tried it. Is this an appropriate use of an ellipsis? "It took Ernő Rubik . . . more than a month to solve his puzzle the first time he tried it."
Yes, this is an appropriate use of an ellipsis. In this context, the ellipsis indicates the omission of the phrase or clause that explains what Ernő Rubik was doing during the time it took him to solve the puzzle. It creates a pause and allows the reader to infer that there was more information about Ernő Rubik's activities during that period. The sentence would still make sense if the ellipsis were removed, but its inclusion adds a sense of intrigue or mystery.
Read this text. Online review websites, where people may anonymously leave comments, ratings, and reviews, help consumers choose restaurants, movies, salons, and, increasingly, doctors. Is this an appropriate use of an ellipsis? "Online review websites . . . choose restaurants, movies, salons, and, increasingly, doctors."
Yes, this is an appropriate use of an ellipsis. In this context, the ellipsis indicates the omission of the phrase or clause that further explains or describes online review websites. It creates a pause and allows the reader to infer that there is more information about the websites and their purpose. The sentence would still make sense if the ellipsis were removed, but its inclusion adds a sense of anticipation or invitation for the reader to fill in the missing information.
