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Elliptical Sentence
Elliptical Sentence
INTRODUCTION
One of sentences or constructions which is usually used in everyday communication is elliptical
sentence or construction. It is a kind of construction in which the speaker deletes the item or
items from the construction. However, when he or she wants to delete, he or she has to pay
attention to the rule stated above. The rule is based on both linguistics and non linguistics
context. Here is one example of ellipsis based on linguistics context:
After learning English, I am able to speak it fluently.
After learning English can be made into complete form: After I learned English or after I
have learned English.
Further explanation of it is as follows.
b. Two Negative statements that have same predicate (including object and complement) can
be arranged as follows:
Negative statement, + and + subject + negative auxiliary + either
c. Two positive statements which contain compound verb (auxiliary/modal + verb) can be
arranged by using the pattern in point a.
Here are some examples:
1) He will come here soon. She will come here soon.
He will come here soon, and so will she. Or
He will come here soon, and she will too.
2) Budi can play the piano. I can play the piano.
Budi can play the piano, and I can too. Or
d. Two negative statements which contain compound verb (auxiliary/modal + verb) can be
arranged by using the pattern in point b.
Here are some examples:
1) He cant play tennis. You cant play tennis.
He cant play tennis, and you cant either. Or
He cant play tennis and neither can you.
e. The combination of negative statements and positive statements with the same tense is
arranged by using the conjunction but.
The pattern is as follows:
Subject +
Negative
auxiliary
(modal)
negative
.. + but + subject + auxiliary
(modal)
..
f. The combination of two positive statements which contains verb, noun, etc; in the same
tense is arranged by using the conjunction
Here are some of the examples:
1) I study English. He studies English.
Both I and he study English.
2) Amir was happy. Udin was happy.
Bothand
b. Personal pronouns can always be left out before ordinary verbs, if this leaves the meaning
clear. For examples:
1) Wonder what shes doing.
2) Hope to see you soon.
3) Looks just like his father.
A personal pronoun cannot always be left out before an auxiliary verb. A subject
pronoun before a negative auxiliary verb, and sometimes before a modal auxiliary verb
like must, but the subject before affirmative have, be or will cannot be dropped. For
examples:
1) Cant do it.
2) Havent seen him.
3) Wont work, you know.
4) May see you tomorrow.
5) Must dust.
6) Doesnt know what she wants.
However, it is possible to drop the subject pronoun and the auxiliary, if this
leaves the meaning clear. For examples:
1) See you soon.
2) Coming tomorrow.
3) Forgotten your name.
d. In questions, auxiliary verbs (do, have, be, or will) can be left out. The subject can be
dropped as well if this leaves the meaning clear. For examples:
1) You ready?
2) Ready?
3) Your father got a car?
4) Anybody want more?
5) You be here tomorrow?
e. Ellipsis is very common in sentences that have some sort of tag stuck on the end. For
examples:
a. Cant swim, myself.
b. Dutch, arent you?
c. Going on holiday, your kids?
d. Like my pint, I do.
e. Getting in your way, am I?
Meanwhile, the places of ellipsis in a sentence that are stated by Masud (1998: 297)
are as follows:
1. Ellipsis of subject and (or Auxiliary)/ (Modal).
For examples:
a. Ridwan ate a cheese sandwich and (Ridwan) drank a glass of coffee.
b. Yulia should clean the shed and Amir (should) mow the lawn.
c. The volcano erupted much more violently than (it) was foreseen.
d. Bakri must have been studying English and Farida (must have been) doing her
homework.
4. Ellipsis in dialogue
According to Quirk et al (1973: 305-308), ellipsis in dialogue occurs in three
conditions which can occur in various combinations. The words, phrases, or sentences in the
brackets below can be omitted. The three conditions are as follows:
a. Repetition: The second speaker repeats what the first speaker said.
Examples:
A : Have you spoken to the doctor?
the doctor
spoken to
B : (Yes). I have
him
done so
A : Im studying grammar.
B : Are you (studying grammar)?
A : Hes studying Latin
B : (Hes studying) Latin! He doesnt know his own language.
b. Expansion: The second speaker adds what has been said by the first speaker.
Examples:
A : Will they lose the game?
B : Probably (they will (lose (the game))).
A : Peter will be there.
Peter
(that)
he wont (play)
not
c. Replacement: The second speaker replaces with the new material to what has been said by
the first speaker.
Examples:
A : Who told your father?
my father
told
B : Mary
did (so)
him
the key
tonight.
it
d. Combinations:
1) Including expansion and replacement.
Examples:
A : When did he lose the key?
the key
he
B : Probably
lost
it
did so
what I did
that
than
fifty
that
(for it)