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VERBS Elliptical Construction

The document discusses elliptical constructions, which are grammatically incomplete phrases used deliberately for concise prose. An example is removing "that" from a sentence without affecting clarity. However, removing elements can compromise clarity depending on the specific sentence. Common elliptical expressions involve omitting verbs when using "and", "too", or "either" to join two clauses about subjects. Examples are provided for different tenses. The reader is prompted to generate their own examples comparing themselves to a classmate.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

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VERBS Elliptical Construction

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Candu

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VERBS -_ ELLIPTICAL CONSTRUCTIONS

Elliptical constructions are grammatically incomplete for the deliberate purpose of concise
prose.

The term “elliptical” comes from “ellipsis” which indicates an omission, something left out.
An elliptical construction delivers its meaning only if the context makes clear what the missing
elements are. For example, the use of the word “that” is often omitted and sometimes even
subjects and verbs are omitted. Here are some examples:

Example: She decided that she would prefer to major in fine art.
She decided she would prefer to major in fine art.

Notice that the clarity of the sentence above is not affected by removal of the word “that.”
However, if you look at the sentence below, you can see that clarity would definitely be
affected.

Example: He knew that her love was true.

He knew her love was true.

The clarity of the second sentence is compromised when “that” is omitted because a reader
could read “He knew her” or “He knew her love” and then on seeing the verb “was,” would
have to go back to the beginning to reread to get the correct meaning.

Here are some other examples of when elliptical constructions occur.

Example: After he takes a refresher course, he will be eligible for a raise.

After a refresher course, he will be eligible for a raise.

Example: Broiled fish tastes better than boiled fish tastes.

Broiled fish tastes better than boiled fish.

Example: I am hungry, and Betty is hungry too.

I am hungry, and Betty is too.
Elliptical Expressions with “and” and “too”

Subject + Verb, and Subject + verb too,

Form Example

Verb “be” I’m hungry, and Betty is too.

Verb “have” I have some money, and he does too.
Simple present I like applies, and he does too.
Simple past Maria had a cold, and her child did too.
Past continuous James was sleeping, and we were too.
Future The will work tomorrow, and we will too.
Present continuous He is listening to music, and she is too.
Present perfect He has smoked for 8 years, and she has too.
Past perfect He had gone to that café for years, and she had too.

Now make some examples of your own about you and a classmate or friend.

1. ________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________________________

7. ________________________________________________________________________

8. ________________________________________________________________________

9. ________________________________________________________________________

10. ________________________________________________________________________
ELLIPTICAL EXPRESSIONS WITH “AND” AND “EITHER”

Subject + Verb, and Subject + Verb either

Form Example

Verb “be” I’m not late, and she isn’t either.

Verb “have” I don’t type, and they don’t either.
Simple present I don’t understand, and he doesn’t either.
Simple past They didn’t leave late, and I didn’t either.
Future I won’t go early, and they won’t either.
Past continuous I wasn’t studying, and they weren’t either.
Present continuous My brother isn’t working, and I’m not either.
Present perfect I haven’t had any food for days, and she hasn’t either.
Past perfect She had not studied the text, and he hadn’t either.