Developing cohesion
|
Ellipsis | page 4 of 11 |
Ellipsis of whole clauses
Ellipsis of a whole clause is extremely common in conversation after yes and no:
A: And are people who win an exhibition still called exhibitioners? B: Oh yes [^]. (Bank of English)
As the word no on its own is a very direct response to a question and can seem impolite, people tend to respond with the single word no only when talking with friends or when they feel tired, angry or upset:
A: I'm too old to join the civil service. B: You're joking. A: No [^]. (Bank of English)
In other situations speakers normally soften the force of the response by using other words together with no:
A: Do you know when you're going? B: Well no [^]. [^] Not yet [^] because there's a four month delay now.
(Bank of English)
or by avoiding no altogether:
A: Did you enjoy learning it? B: Not really [^]. (Bank of English)
Ellipsis of a whole clause is also common after don't/didn't know and not sure:
But technically she was illegally here when he came in and they didn't know [^]. (Bank of English)
In addition, I asked if Kim's neediness might be in response to an emotional signal she was picking up from Barbara. Barbara said she wasn't sure [^].
(Bank of English)
In conditional sentences, -ing and that clauses may be ellipsed in the main clause:
I mean if this chap can sit down and talk to his daughter in a proper manner and believe what she says, the trust that they could build up means that if she is having sex she will probably stop [^]. (Bank of English)
If I'm prying, tell me [^]. (Bank of English)
Introduction
Ellipsis of whole clauses
