I have noticed a growing trend among writers — both professional and amateur — that is as frustrating as it is wrong.
Folks have begun to use ellipses (…) whenever they pause. Please stop. You look stupid.
An ellipse is used to indicate an incomplete thought, not a pause. Ellipses could also be used to merge two thoughts together.
Commas, semi-colons and colons should be used to indicate a pause to a reader, not ellipses.
Thank you! As a freelance copyeditor, I am always critical of grammar and punctuation as I read. This is one of many issues that bother me in much of what I read today.
I doubt that these authors realize how much their structure, layout and punctuation use affects the way readers react to writing. It can’t just be me who thinks this way. Grammar matters, people! And don’t corrupt others with your poor example!
But!… I… like them… I think; do you?
I’m just torturing you with terrible punctuation… tonight, I take over the world!!! Mwahahahaha….