Blog about English
Using ellipses, slashes and other less common punctuation marks.
English uses ellipses, slashes, brackets, asterisks, and other less common punctuation marks for omission, alternatives, editorial information, references, and specialized notation.
The exact conventions depend strongly on context, register, and publication style.
An ellipsis normally consists of three dots and indicates omitted material, an unfinished thought, or a pause or trailing-off effect.
For example, I was going to say ... but I changed my mind.
An ellipsis can show that words have been deliberately omitted from a quotation or text.
For example, The report states that the system ... is currently unavailable.
In informal dialogue, an ellipsis can represent hesitation, uncertainty, or a sentence that trails off.
For example, I thought you were going to ... never mind.
An ellipsis can indicate that a speaker stops before completing an expected thought.
For example, If only I had known ...
Ellipsis can represent hesitation or searching for words in informal written dialogue.
For example, Well ... I am not sure.
An ellipsis can indicate that part of a quoted passage has been omitted.
For example, "The results ... were unexpected."
When an omission occurs at the end of a sentence, the punctuation convention may require both the sentence-ending punctuation and the ellipsis depending on style.
Quotation and editorial styles differ in how many dots are displayed and where the final punctuation appears.
Spacing around ellipses varies according to the publication or style guide being followed.
Some styles use spaces around three separate dots, while others treat the ellipsis as a single typographic character.
An ellipsis is conceptually different from simply placing three unrelated full stops together.
For example, an ellipsis can indicate omission or trailing off, while three full stops used independently may result from incorrect punctuation.
A slash can indicate alternatives or paired possibilities in concise writing.
For example, and/or, pass/fail, and he/she.
Slashes are commonly used in numerical date formats, although the resulting date may be ambiguous internationally.
For example, 08/15/2026 and 15/08/2026 follow different regional conventions.
A slash can represent a fraction in plain text and informal numerical writing.
For example, 1/2, 3/4, and 5/8.
A slash can represent per in compact technical and numerical notation.
For example, km/h, $10/hour, and 60 words/minute.
Slashes can separate alternative words or expressions in notes and informal communication, but prose normally benefits from fully written alternatives.
For example, and/or may occur in forms, while ordinary prose often uses or or a clearer reformulation.
A slash normally separates alternatives or represents a relationship, while a hyphen joins elements into a single compound.
For example, pass/fail versus part-time.
The ampersand represents and in names, labels, business names, and certain specialized contexts.
For example, Johnson & Johnson and R&D.
In ordinary formal prose, and is generally preferred to the ampersand unless a particular name or style requires &.
For example, research and development in normal prose versus R&D as an established abbreviation.
An asterisk can mark a note, footnote, correction, or special comment.
For example, an asterisk after a word can refer the reader to a note below.
Multiple asterisks can indicate successive notes or omissions when no numbered footnote system is being used.
For example, *, **, and *** may identify different notes in informal formats.
In informal digital communication, an asterisk can introduce a corrected form of an earlier typo or mistake.
For example, I meant Tuesday. *Thursday.
Asterisks can replace letters in censored or partially obscured words in informal or media writing.
For example, f*** may be used to partially obscure a swear word.
Square brackets can enclose inserted, editorial, or explanatory material, especially inside quotations.
For example, "She [the manager] approved the request."
Square brackets can indicate that a quoted text has been grammatically adapted or supplemented by the current writer.
For example, "They [the researchers] concluded that..."
Square brackets can enclose sic to indicate that an unusual or incorrect form is reproduced exactly from the source.
For example, "The results was [sic] significant."
Angle brackets are used mainly in technical, mathematical, programming, linguistic, and specialized notation rather than ordinary prose.
Examples include <tag> in markup and angle-bracket notation in specialized references.
The backslash is primarily a technical symbol used in computing and certain mathematical or formal notations rather than ordinary English prose.
For example, backslashes occur in file paths and programming syntax.
Typographic quotation marks and apostrophes should be distinguished from straight quotation marks and apostrophes when consistent typography is required.
For example, curly quotation marks may be used in professionally typeset text, while straight quotes are common in plain text and code.
The tilde can indicate approximation or special technical relationships, although its use varies considerably by context.
For example, ~5 can mean approximately five in informal technical notation.
The hash or number sign can represent a number, identifier, or hashtag depending on context and regional usage.
For example, #5 can mean number five, while #grammar can be a hashtag.
The percent sign represents percent in numerical, statistical, and technical contexts.
For example, 25%.
Symbols such as ©, ®, and ™ have specialized legal or commercial meanings and are used according to the relevant convention.
For example, a brand name may be followed by ™ or a work may display ©.
Digital writing often uses punctuation symbols creatively to express tone, emphasis, omission, correction, or emotion.
Examples include ellipses for hesitation, repeated exclamation marks, asterisks for corrections, and slashes for alternatives.
Less common punctuation marks should be selected according to the function they perform and the conventions of the relevant genre or technical system.
A slash in a form, an asterisk in a footnote, and an ellipsis in dialogue serve different purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable symbols.
Use ellipses to indicate omission or trailing off, slashes only where they serve a clear relationship or alternative function, and specialized symbols according to established conventions.
Common mistakes include using four or more dots for an ordinary ellipsis, overusing slashes in formal prose, confusing hyphens with dashes, and using technical symbols without regard to their context.