ChanteSez … Sometimes you have to go missing

Someone recently asked me where the (over)use of ellipses — or dot dot dot — came from. My guess is texting. Who has time to write out words on a small screen?

Here’s the lowdown on this punctuation fave:

Ellipses are formally meant to indicate missing words, or their intentional deletion.

More commonly, they’re used to signal hesitation, which is also an appropriate use.

The key is to leave enough context and content so the missing words don’t distort your message. So text and type away, and remember why you’re taking the missing route.