abbreviated styles

Some styles of writing and speech have their own special grammar rules, often because of the need to save space or time.
1 advertisements and instructions
Small ads and instructions often leave out articles, subject or object pronouns, forms of be and prepositions.
Single man looking for flat Oxford area. Phone 806127 weekends.
Job needed urgently. Will do anything legal. Call 312654.
Pour mixture into large saucepan, heat until boiling, then add three pounds sugar and leave on low heat for 45 minutes.
2 notes
Informal notes, to-do lists, diary entries etc often follow similar rules.
Gone to hairdresser. Back 12.30.
Book tickets phone Ann see Joe 11.00 meeting Sue lunch
The same style is common in postcards, short informal letters and emails (see 147).
Dear Gran
Watching tennis on TV. A good book. Three meals a day. No washing-up. Clean sheets every day. Everything done for me. Yes, you’ve guessed – in
hospital!!
Only went to doctor for cold – landed up in hospital with pneumonia!! If you have time please tell the others – would love some letters to cheer me
up. Hope to see you.
Love, Pam
3 commentaries
Commentaries on fast-moving events like football matches also have their own kind of grammar. Auxiliaries and other less important verbs are often
left out. Goal kick … And the score still Spurs 3, Arsenal 1 … that’s Pearce… Pearce to Coates … good ball… Sawyer running wide… Billings takes it,
through to Matthews, Matthews with a cross, oh, and Billings in beautifully, a good chance there – and it’s a goal!
4
titles, notices etc
Titles, labels, headings, notices and slogans usually consist of short phrases, not complete sentences. Articles are often left out, especially in the
names of buildings and institutions.
ROYAL HOTEL INFORMATION OFFICE MORE MONEY FOR NURSES!
5 headlines
News headlines have their own special grammar and vocabulary. For details, see headlines.
RECORD DRUGS HAUL AT AIRPORT: SIX HELD FO UR DIE IN M6 BLAZE
For other rules about leaving words out (‘ellipsis’), see ellipsis 1: introduction-182.
abbreviated styles
• see adverb position 3: end position