Attention English majors and teachers!!! "..."

[brainshrub]

I use the three dots a lot. (...)

I use the "..." to signify a pregnant pause, like a punchline before a joke. I don't remember where I learned to do this or if this is proper punctuation in the first place.

Here is my question: Is there a correct punctuation protocol for using "..."? What are those three dots called?

The following three examples are sentences where I have used "..." while posting at DU. Am I using proper punctuation? (I used a heavier font for the ... to make them easier to see.)

#1: The main problem here is that the dollar is in free-fall against the Euro & other currencies. This is happening because we no longer actually manufacture anything here...so there is nothing other countries want from us that require dollars to buy.)

#2: I hate to admit this...but I think I just found the perfect woman for me.

#3: At first I thought this story was good news. Great! We can root out the racists! But if you can find out if someone is a racist, would you also be able to tell if a person felt strongly about a political issue...such as human rights, anti-globalization or Democracy?

Thanks for your input.

[utopian]

1. Ellipsis

are usually used to fill the gap in a sentence where part is omitted. However, I've seen it used your way too. I usually use a dash to signify a pregnant pause. It's really a matter of choice and personal style.

[brainshrub]

5. So in the examples I used:

are they passable?

Would my 7th grade English teacher approve? Or perhaps she is rolling her eyes in disgust at my flagrant refusal to use "-".

[NashVegas]

6. Getting Out the Blue Pencil

#1: The main problem here is that the dollar is in free-fall against the Euro & other currencies. This is happening because we no longer actually manufacture anything here; there is nothing other countries want from us that require dollars to buy.

#2: I hate to admit this, but I think I just found the perfect woman for me.

#3: At first I thought this story was good news. Great! We can root out the racists! But if you can find out if someone is a racist, would you also be able to tell if a person felt strongly about political issues such as human rights, anti-globalization or Democracy?

I'm guilty of overuse as well. :)

[displacedtexan]

2. ellipsis

http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/ellipsis.htm

[DrWeird]

3. They're called ellipses...

I get that it's a pregnant pause, and I'd certainly consider it acceptable usage for this board. But I'm not sure if the Grammar Nazis and their Punctuation SS will agree with me.

[Richardo]

4. What they said.

Ellipsis.