Ellipsis - GCSE English Language Definition

An ellipsis in literature is when part of a sentence or story is left out on purpose, allowing the reader to fill in the missing details themselves. Writers use ellipsis to create mystery, tension, or to speed up time by skipping over events. It encourages readers to think about what might have happened without being told directly.

It’s important to know that ellipsis can also refer to the punctuation mark (...) that shows words have been left out, but when talking about it as a literary device, we focus more on the missing information or gaps in the story rather than the punctuation itself.

Example of ellipsis from a GCSE text

In An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley, studied for GCSE English Literature, ellipsis is used when characters hesitate or trail off during speech, creating tension and suggesting that they are hiding something.

For example, when Sheila says, "I know I'm to blame – and I'm desperately sorry – but I can't believe – I won't believe – it's simply my fault..." the breaks show her emotional struggle and reluctance to fully accept guilt, and the missing information makes the audience think more deeply about what she might be feeling.