词组 | ellipsis leaving words out introduction |
释义 | Contents overview ellipsis (leaving words out) : introductionas agreedas agreed 275.1110148275 ellipsis (leaving words out): introductionWe often leave out words to avoid repetition, or in other cases when the meaning can be understood without them. This is called 'ellipsis'.1repliesIn replies we usually avoid repeating information that has just been given.'What time are you coming?''About ten.' (More likely than 'I'm coming about ten'.)'Who said that?''Jack.' (More likely than 'Jack said that'.)'How many chairs do you need?''Three.' (More likely than 'I need three chairs'.)'She's out this evening?''Yes, working.' (More likely than 'Yes, she's working this evening'.)2structures with and, but and orRepeated words are often dropped in co-ordinate structures (276).a knife and fork (= a knife and a fork)She was poor but happy. (= … but she was happy.)3at the beginning of a sentenceIn informal speech, unstressed words are often dropped at the beginning of a sentence, if the meaning is clear. For details, 277.Seen Lucy? (= Have you seen Lucy?)Doesn't know what she's talking about. (= She doesn't …)4at the end of a noun phraseIt is sometimes possible to drop nouns after adjectives, noun modifiers and/or determiners. For details, 278.'Do you want large eggs?''No, I'll have small.' (= … small eggs.)My car isn't working. I'll have to use Emily's. (= … Emily's car.)We're going to hear the London Philharmonic tonight. (= … the London Philharmonic Orchestra.)'Which shoes are you going to wear?''These.' (= These shoes.)5at the end of a verb phraseAuxiliary verbs are often used alone instead of full verbs. For details, 279.'I haven't paid.''I haven't either.' (= … I haven't paid either.)She said she'd phone, but she didn't. (= … didn't phone.)This type of ellipsis can include complements that follow the verb.I was planning to go to Paris next week, but I can't. (= … I can't go to Paris next week.)The same structures are possible with non-auxiliary be and have.I thought she would be angry, and she was.He says he hasn't any friends, but I know he has.6infinitivesWe can use to instead of repeating a whole infinitive. For details, 280.'Are you and Gillian getting married?''We hope to.' (= We hope to get married.)I don't dance much now, but I used to a lot.Sometimes a whole infinitive, including to, is left out.Come when you want. (= … when you want to come.)'Have a good time.''I'll try.' (= I'll try to have a good time.)7comparative structures with as and thanWe can leave out words after as and than, if the meaning is clear.The weather isn't as good as last year. (= … as it was last year.)I found more blackberries than you. (= … than you found.)For missing subject or object after as and than (e.g. as was expected), 256.8question-word clausesClauses can be dropped after question words.Somebody has been stealing our flowers, but I don't know who. (= … I don't know who has been stealing our flowers.)Become a successful writer. This book shows you how.9that and relative pronounsIn an informal style, the conjunction that is often dropped (265); object relative pronouns can also be dropped (234.4).I knew (that) she didn't want to help me.This is the restaurant (which) I was talking about.10reduced relative structures: the tickets available, etcWe can sometimes leave out a relative pronoun and the verb be before participles, or adjectives such as available, possible. For details, 237.11.Who's the girl dancing with your brother? (= … who is dancing …)It will not be possible to finish the job in the time available. (= … that is available.)11be after conjunctionsSubject pronouns with forms of be can be left out after certain conjunctions, especially in a formal style.Start when ready. (= … when you are ready.)Though intelligent, he was very poorly educated. (= Though he was intelligent …)When ordering, please send £1.50 for postage and packing.Phone me if (it is) necessary.He had a small heart attack while asleep.I'm enclosing the signed contract, as agreed.Leave in oven until browned on top.12prepositionsIn an informal style, prepositions can be dropped in a few time expressions ( 214.2–6).See you (on) Monday night.We're staying here (for) another three months.What time shall I come? (More natural than At what time …?)For cases like We need a place to live (in), 554.13pronouns after prepositionsIn British English, pronoun objects can sometimes be dropped after prepositions. This happens, for example, when have or with are used in descriptive structures.My socks have got holes in (them).I'd like a piece of toast with butter on (it).14abbreviated stylesIn certain styles, many or all non-essential words can be dropped. For details, 291.Take 500g butter and place in small saucepan.Single man looking for flat Oxford area.DOG FINDS ROMAN TREASUREPrevious Next |
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英语用法大全包含1354条英语用法指南,基本涵盖了全部常用英文词汇及语法点的翻译及用法,是英语学习的有利工具。