What's an Ellipsis? Definition and Examples

Do you know how to omit words to make your English sound more natural? Enhance your knowledge with a lesson given below and the grammar explanation to guide you better.

Here are some examples showing how ellipsis is used:

• You can borrow my bike if you need to. [You can borrow my bike if you need to borrow my bike.]

• Looks great! [That looks great!]

• I went to the party but left early. [I went to the party, but I left early.]

Grammar explanation - Ellipsis

In informal conversations, we often leave out words when the meaning is clear. This is called ellipsis. We can use ellipsis in several situations where the missing words are obvious.

1. After linkers

We don’t need to repeat the subject after linkers like and, but, and or.

• We went shopping and [we] had lunch.

• I might go for a run or [I might] stay home.

• If the subject and the verb be are repeated, we can omit both.

• Jack is finishing his homework and [he's] preparing for his presentation.

• She’s been working hard and [she's] feeling tired.

However, ellipsis does not work after linkers such as before, after, because, when, and while.

• We talked after we finished dinner. (Not: We talked after finished dinner.)

2. After to

We often omit part of a verb phrase after to.

• A: Did you go to the gym today? B: No, I wanted to [go to the gym], but I didn’t have time.

• I thought about going to the party, but I didn’t want to [go to the party].

3. After auxiliaries and modals

We can avoid repeating part of a verb phrase after auxiliaries and modal verbs.

• He might have missed the bus, but I doubt he has [missed the bus].

• She promised to call, and she did [call] this afternoon.

4. Omitting subject pronouns

Sometimes we can skip the pronoun when it’s obvious who or what is being discussed.

• [That] Looks great!

• [It] Seems like a good idea.

5. Omitting subjects and auxiliary verbs

We can omit both the subject and auxiliary verb in informal questions, especially with the verbs want and have got.

• [Do you] Want to grab lunch?

• [Have you] Got your tickets for the concert?

6. Omitting auxiliary verbs

In other informal questions, we can leave out the auxiliary verbs be, have, and do.

• [Are] You going out tonight?

• [Have] You seen this movie?

• [Does] He like his new job?

• Not: [Will]You give me a call later?

Note that we cannot omit auxiliary verbs with I or it.

• Have I sent you the email? (Not: I sent you the email?)

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