Ellipsis (Elliptical Construction)

Introduction

Ellipsis is a linguistic and literary device involving the omission of a word or words from a sentence, a process that may or may not be marked by the use of three dots, and serves to condense expression while maintaining grammatical structure.

In this article, we will explore how this linguistic concept is used in literature as a stylistic device. Examples from literature will be offered.

What is ellipsis?

Ellipsis (or elliptical construction) is the omission of a word or words. It refers to constructions in which words are left out of a sentence but the sentence can still be understood. This omission may or may not be marked by the use of three dots (…)

Here are the examples:

“She met him. And…?”
- (Here, the three dots are used to create an ellipsis, implying the omission of a question like “And what happened?”)
“I want to help, but I can’t.”
- (In this case, the omission is understood without the need for three dots, and the sentence “I want to help but I can’t help” is condensed to maintain brevity and clarity.)

Ellipsis proves invaluable in mitigating redundancy within language, revealing the extent to which meaning can persist even when substantial content is omitted, especially when contextual cues adeptly guide the comprehension of intended messages.

Why Do Writers Use Ellipsis?

Writers use ellipsis for three main reasons: to indicate omitted content for brevity, to create suspense or a sense of continuity, and to allow readers to infer unspoken thoughts or conclusions.

Brevity: Ellipsis condenses content, reducing redundancy and promoting concise expression.
Suspense and Continuity: Used to build suspense or maintain a sense of continuity by leaving certain elements undisclosed.
Inference: Enables readers to infer unspoken thoughts or conclusions, adding depth to the narrative.

Common Examples of Ellipsis

The examples of ellipsis below include the omission of words that can be understood from the linguistic context. Notice that there is no use of the three dots here (…):

Lacy can do something about the problem, but I don’t know what (she can do.)
She can help with the housework; Nancy can (help with the housework), too.
John can speak seven languages, but Ron can speak only two (languages.)

The words between parentheses can be omitted and the sentences can still be meaningful.

Here are other examples of ellipsis where the three dots (…) are used, indicating the omission of a word or words that can be inferred from the context:

Um…I’m not sure that’s the right thing to do.
“I tried to reach out, but…”, “Yes, I know you’re busy lately.”

Examples of Ellipis in Literature

In the short story, “The Sisters”, from Dubliners, James Joyce uses ellipsis, omitting a word related to death:

My aunt waited until Eliza sighed and then said:
“Ah, well, he’s gone to a better world.”
Eliza sighed again and bowed her head in assent. My aunt fingered the stem of her wine-glass before sipping a little.
“Did he…peacefully?” she asked.
“Oh, quite peacefully, ma’am,” said Eliza. “You couldn’t tell when the breath went out of him. He had a beautiful death, God be praised.”
“And everything…?”
“Father O’Rourke was in with him a Tuesday and anointed him and prepared him and all.”
From “Dubliners” by James Joyce

The use of ellipsis in this context can be associated with the sensitivity surrounding the topic of death. The omission of explicit details through ellipsis may be a narrative choice by James Joyce to convey the emotional weight and delicacy of discussing the circumstances of someone’s passing.

This ellipsis allows for a more subdued and indirect presentation of the harsh truth of death, leaving space for readers to infer and contemplate the unspoken aspects. This technique enhances the thematic depth and emotional impact of the storytelling.

T.S. Eliot utilizes ellipsis in this excerpt from “Preludes”:

“You curled the papers from your hair,
Or clasped the yellow soles of feet
In the palms of both soiled hands.”
From “Preludes” By T.S. Eliot

In the second and third lines, the possessive “your” is omitted, yet it is implied that the woman referred to by the speaker is clasping the soles of her own feet with her own hands.

This stylistic device is also exemplified in the play “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare when Benvolio inquires of Romeo’s parents about the issue troubling their son. In response, Romeo’s father states,

“I neither know it nor can learn of him.”
From “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare

Let’s explore what is omitted. The equivalent sentence without ellipses would be:

“I neither know [the cause of] it nor can [I] learn [about it from] him.”

Conclusion

In summary, ellipsis, a linguistic and literary device, involves the deliberate omission of words from a sentence. This process, whether indicated by three dots or not, serves to condense expression while maintaining grammatical structure. Implementing ellipsis in writing adds a layer of nuance, encouraging readers to engage actively by inferring unspoken details, thereby enriching the depth and subtlety of the narrative.

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