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Repeating words can often sound clumsy or inelegant.
We try to avoid repeating the same word in a single sentence and also in a response to a previous sentence.
When words are omitted or replaced by much short alternatives, we call this ellipsis
Verbatim recoverability
When we omit words this way, it must be possible for our listener to
reconstruct the full sentence by implication or context.
Sometimes we need to have listen to what was said immediately before the sentence.
Examples
Can you see the different ways that ellipses are used?
- A: Do you think it is going to rain today.
B: No, I don't think so
- A: I dont believe in Father Christmas.
B: Neither, do I.
- A:Can you do that?
B:Yes, I can (do that), 'do that' is ellipted.
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Types of grammatical ellipse
We may have situational ellipsis,
eg. (Is) anything the matter?
Structural ellipsis,
eg. I believe (that) you are mistaken.
Textual ellipsis,
eg. I'm happy if you are (happy) etc.
We also replace certain
noun phrases, adverbials, and even clauses.
Eg. Martin can drive a car, and his sister can, (drive a car) TOO.
- The omission from a sentence or other construction of one or more words
that would complete or clarify the construction, as the omission of 'who are',
'while I am', or 'while we are' from 'I like to interview people sitting down.'
- the omission of one or more items from a construction in order to avoid repeating the identical
or equivalent items that are in a preceding or following construction,
as the omission of 'been to Paris' from the second clause of 'I've been to Paris, but they haven't'.
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