The random ellipse infuriates me. I know that grammar is for big dorks, but let’s face it, this is stupid:
“Hey, I wanted you opinion on this report, but maybe you are out . . .”
“Maybe we can go later . . .”
“I think this is a good start . . .”
ACK! We get it! Most statements require some type of response. I hate the use of an ellipse simply to indicate that a response is needed, wanted, or expected. Social emailing with friends, sure; Facebook messages, great – use whatever punctuation you like. When I receive, however, twenty-five work-related emails per day that request my response in the form of “. . .” it kind of makes me want to rip out a clump of hair.
It doesn’t help that someone was shot in our back parking lot at work recently either! I’m using that incident as an excuse to write articles like these about petty things that bug me. Why? Because when it all comes down to it, no one ever lost their mind over something reasonable. One thing bugs you a whole bunch, but it’s the little things that accrue later which seem to cause the most aggravation. Now stop shooting each other out there already!
