We often leave out words to avoid repetition, or in other cases when the meaning can be understood without them. This is called ‘ellipsis’.
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In replies we usually avoid repeating information that has just been given. What time are you coming?ellipsis : introduction About ten. (More natural than I’m coming about ten.)
Who said that? ellipsis : introduction John. (More natural than John said that.)
How many chairs do you need? ellipsis : introduction Three. (More natural than I need three chairs.)
She’s out this evening? ellipsis : introduction Yes, working. (More natural than Yes, she’s working this evening.)
2 structures with and, hut and or
Repeated words are often dropped in co-ordinate structures (see ellipsis 2: with and, but and or). a knife and fork (= a knife and a fork)
She was poor but honest. (= … but she was honest.)
3 at the beginning of a sentence
In informal speech, unstressed words are often dropped at the beginning of a sentence, if the meaning is clear. For details, see ellipsis 3: at the beginning of a sentence.
Seen Lucy? (= Have you seen Lucy?)
Doesn’t know what she’s talking about. (= She doesn’t …)
4 at the end of a noun phrase
It is sometimes possible to drop nouns after adjectives, noun modifiers and/or determiners. For details, see ellipsis 4: in noun phrases.
Do you want large eggs? ellipsis : introduction No, I’ll have small. (.= … small eggs.)
My car isn’t working. I’ll have to use Maiy’s. (= … Mary’s car.)
We’re going to hear the London Philharmonic tonight. (= … the London Philharmonic Orchestra.)
Which shoes are you going to wear? ellipsis : introduction These. (= These shoes.)
5 at the end of a verb phrase
Auxiliary verbs are often used alone instead of full verbs. For details, see ellipsis 5: after auxiliary verbs. I haven’t paid. ellipsis : introduction ѓ haven’t either. (=…1 haven’t paid either.)
She said she’d phone, but she didn’t. (= … didn’t phone.)
This type of ellipsis can include words that follow the verb phrase.
I was planning to go to Paris next week, but I can’t.
(= … I can’t go to Paris next week.)
The same structures are possible with non-auxiliary be and have.
I thought she would be angry, and she was.
He says he hasn’t any fiends, but I know he has.
6 infinitives
We can use to instead of repeating a whole infinitive. For details, see ellipsis 6: infinitives.
Are you and Gillian getting married? ellipsis : introduction We hope to.
(= We hope to get married.)
I don’t dance much now, but I used to a lot.
Sometimes a whole infinitive, including to, is left out.
Come when you want. (= … when you want to come.)
Have a good time. ellipsis : introduction I’ll try. (= I’ll try to have a good time.)
7 comparative structures with as and than
We can leave out words after as and than, if the meaning is clear.
The weather isn’t as good as last year. (= … as it was last year.)
I found more blackberries than you. (= … than you found.)
For missing subject or object after as and than (e.g. as was expected], see than and as.
8 question-word clauses
Clauses can be dropped after question words.
Somebody’s been stealing our flowers, but I don’t know who.
(= … I don’t know who’s been stealing our flowers.)
Become a successfid writer. This book shows you how.
9 that
and relative pronouns
In an informal style, the conjunction that is often dropped (see that: omission; object relative pronouns can also be dropped see relatives 2:.4).
I knew (that) she didn’t want to help me.
This is the restaurant (which) I was talking about.
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0 reduced relative structures: the tickets available etc
We can sometimes leave out a relative pronoun and the verb be before participles or adjectives such as available, possible. For details, see relatives 5: advanced points.10. Who’s the girl dancing with your brother? (= … who is dancing …)
Please let me have all the tickets available. (= … that are available.)
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1 be after conjunctions
Subject pronouns with forms of be can be left out after certain conjunctions, especially in a formal style.
Start when ready. {= … when you are ready.)
Though intelligent, he was very poorly educated.
(= Though he was intelligent …)
When ordering, please send Ј1.50 for postage and packing.
Phone me if (it is) necessary. He had a small heart attack while asleep.
I’m enclosing my cheque for Ј50, as agreed. Leave in oven until cooked.
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2 prepositions
In an informal style, prepositions can be dropped in a few time expressions (see prepositions 4: expressions without prepositions).
See you (on) Monday night.
We’re staying here (for) another three months.
Wliat time shall I come? (More natural than At what time …?)
For cases like We need a place to live (in), see place: a place to live, etc.
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3 pronouns after prepositions
In British English, pronoun objects can sometimes be dropped after prepositions. This happens, for example, when have or with are used in descriptive structures.
My socks have got holes in (them).
I’d like a piece of toast with butter on (it).
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4 abbreviated styles
In certain styles, many or all non-essential words can be dropped. For details, see abbreviated styles.
Take 500g butter and place in small saucepan.
Single man looking for flat Oxford area.
WOMAN WALKS ON MOON
For more information consult a good dictionary like Langman, Oxford, Merriam Webster, or Collins.