What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ellipsis
Example
The article used an ellipsis to indicate the omission of a sentence. [ellipsis: noun]
Example
She paused for a moment... before continuing her speech. [ellipsis: punctuation]
shortening
Example
I'm gonna grab some brekkie before work. [brekkie: shortening of breakfast]
Example
He's been in a bad mood all day cuz he didn't get enough sleep. [cuz: shortening of because]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shortening is more commonly used than ellipsis in everyday language, especially in informal contexts such as social media and texting. Ellipsis is more commonly used in formal contexts such as literature and academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ellipsis and shortening?
Ellipsis is a formal tool used in literature and academic writing, while shortening is an informal tool used in everyday language. Therefore, ellipsis is more formal than shortening.
