Developing cohesion
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Ellipsis | page 8 of 11 |
Ellipsis in non-finite clauses
Ellipsis commonly involves non-finite clauses 
. Typically the subject and the finite part of the verb are ellipsed:
This booklet also describes an individual's right not to be unreasonably excluded or expelled from a trade union if [^] working or seeking work in a closed shop. (Bank of English)
In such cases, the identity of the subject can be understood from the main clause:
This booklet also describes an individual's right not to be unreasonably excluded or expelled from a trade union if [the individual is] working or seeking work in a closed shop.
The subject and the whole of the verb may be ellipsed where the verb would be a form of be:
When [^] in Rome, do as the Romans do. (Proverb)
Here the subject of the main clause you can be recovered as it is implicit in the imperative do:
When [you are] in Rome, [you] do as the Romans do.
Ellipsis in non-finite clauses is very common:
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after conjunctions: I can only remember having to do it four times and on each occasion I was fortunate, since all four authors, though [^] upset, took it on the chin and rewrote. (Bank of English)  The five members of Musical Youth shot to fame while [^] still at school with their hit single "Pass the Dutchie", which went to number one in the British pop charts in 1982. (Bank of English) |
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and in reduced relative clauses : Among those [^] affected by the action in Britain are many Asian businessmen who say they face ruin. (Bank of English) This wishy-washy
approach underlines how little we can trust decisions [^] made in Brussels, where
the spotlight of public debate and scrutiny is firmly switched off, and highlights the
danger of not writing our laws at Westminster, where the issues are debated openly in a
language we can all understand. (Bank of English) |
Introduction
Ellipsis in non-finite clauses
