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Is it two or three ellipsis when using it with a question mark?

English Language & Usage Asked on March 12, 2021

When using ellipsis with a question mark, how would it be written?

Would it be written as this:

So are you going to close the door..?

Or would it by written as this:

So are you going to close the door…?

My first example shows two of the ellipsis, while my other examples shows three. Which is correct?

2 Answers

From Wikipedia:

The most common form of an ellipsis is a row of three periods or full stops (. . .) or a precomposed triple-dot glyph (…). The usage of the em dash (—) can overlap the usage of the ellipsis, especially in dialogue. Style guides often have their own rules governing the use of ellipses. For example, The Chicago Manual of Style recommends that an ellipsis be formed by typing three periods, each with a space on both sides. [emphasis added]

There is no universally accepted standard for the form or use of the ellipsis. See Wikipedia, a more authoritative source, or any of a number of style manuals for additional information on the use of spaces, the role of periods, etc.

I agree with @Dan that the question mark is in addition to the ellipsis, which is its own mark of punctuation. Your second example with three dots represents common usage.

Answered by Richard Kayser on March 12, 2021

The Chicago Manual of Style now (2018) accepts the use of the precomposed triple-dot glyph (…) ctl+alt+period (in MS Word).

Answered by J. Anderson on March 12, 2021

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