To show readers that part of a quotation is missing, a writer can use three dots (like this …) to replace the missing words. (These three dots are called
an ellipsis
.) An ellipsis is usually written … or in square brackets […].
How do you quote an incomplete sentence?
When you introduce a quotation with a full sentence, you should always place a colon at the end of the introductory sentence. When you introduce a quotation with an incomplete sentence,
you usually place a comma after the introductory phrase
.
How do you show error in a quote?
If “incorrect spelling, grammar, or punctuation in the source might confuse readers,
insert the word ‘[sic]', italicized and bracketed, immediately after the error in the quotation
” (American Psychological Association, 2020, p. 274). For example, “they made they're [sic] lunches.”
How do you show you removed a letter in a quote?
4 Answers. You could
use empty brackets with a space between them
. Brackets are generally used to alter a quote inline, such as fixing grammar or to add information like a name so the quoted material will work within the context of the piece quoting it.
How do you indicate a typo in a quote?
If there's a typo in a quotation, you
use [sic] to show the reader that the error is in the original source and that you're faithfully quoting it just as it appeared
.
What do you do when a quote is grammatically incorrect?
If “incorrect spelling, grammar, or punctuation in the source might confuse readers,
insert the word ‘[sic]', italicized and bracketed, immediately after the error in the quotation
” (American Psychological Association, 2020, p. 274). For example, “they made they're [sic] lunches.”
How do you indicate text has been removed?
This also helps writers control what the reader focuses on. You can
shorten quotes by removing words from the middle of the quote and adding ellipses
to indicate that you have removed some words. Shortening quotes helps the reader focus on the key information.
Can you omit punctuation in a quote?
Use ellipsis points
to show omission within the quotation. Omit any punctuation on either side of the ellipsis, unless the punctuation is necessary to make the shortened quotation grammatically correct.
How do you correct grammar in a quote?
Use parentheses when inserting words
into a quotation. Use brackets to enclose inserted words intended to provide a brief explanation within a quotation. Use parentheses to enclose a change in letter case or verb tense when integrating a quote into your paper.
Can you correct a quote?
In theory, no. Most newspaper style guides are unambiguous about attempts to “clean up” the language of an interviewee. “
Never alter quotations
even to correct minor grammatical errors or word usage,” says the style book of the Associated Press.
What does SIC mean in a quote?
Sic—What Does It Mean? The sic you see in quoted text marks a spelling or grammatical error. It means that the text was
quoted verbatim
, and the mistake it marks appears in the source. It's actually a Latin word that means “so” or “thus.”
Can quotes be grammatically incorrect?
If “incorrect spelling, grammar, or punctuation in the source might confuse readers,
insert the word ‘[sic]', italicized and bracketed, immediately after the
error in the quotation” (American Psychological Association, 2020, p. 274). For example, “they made they're [sic] lunches.”
What is a silent correction?
In less formal contexts, you can employ silent correction,
the strategy of simply editing the original material without comment
. Writers must used sound judgment, however, in minimizing the alterations and refraining from altering the meaning or intent of the original content.
How do you correct a direct quote?
When writers insert or alter words in a direct quotation,
square brackets—[ ]—are placed around the change
. The brackets, always used in pairs, enclose words intended to clarify meaning, provide a brief explanation, or to help integrate the quote into the writer's sentence.
What does 3 dots mean?
The ellipsis …, . . ., or (as a single glyph) …, also known informally as dot-dot-dot, is a series of (usually three) dots that
indicates an intentional omission of a word, sentence, or whole section from a text
without altering its original meaning. … Opinions differ as to how to render ellipses in printed material.
