.
2. The omission of words which are apparent because of the situation at hand or because of accompanying words. .
-Slow down! .
Classification of Ellipsis.
Now let's find out what exactly can be omitted in incomplete (elliptical) sentences.
It is necessary to mention that ordinary English grammar normally requires the omission of certain elements: .
- definite article not repeated.
ex. He heard the whirr and ^ click of machinery; .
- infinitive marker to not repeated before a second infinitive.
ex. I was forced to leave and ^ give up my work at the hospital; .
- subject not repeated.
ex. I just pick up wood in a leisurely way, ^ stack it and ^ slowly rake the bark into heaps;.
- infinitive implied though omitted.
ex. Knowledge didn't really advance, it only seemed to ^. .
In such circumstances insertion of the missing elements is not entirely ruled out if some degree of emphasis is required, but in ordinary declarative or narrative prose ellipsis is normal. .
There are many other types of ellipsis. The nature of what can safely be left to be understood is at the heart of the problem. The basic rules allow for a reasonable amount of flexibility in the imaginary wording of the understood parts: .
- adjustment of thought to think after the auxiliary didn't .
ex. 'And you thought I was not honest when I talked to you?'.'No, I didn't ^'; .
- adjustment of felt to feel in the ellipsis.
ex. She hadn't felt fraudulent about it. Nor had there been any reason to ^.
Unacceptable types. .
Unacceptable difficulties arise in various circumstances, e.g. if two auxiliary verbs that operate in different ways are placed together. One should not say or write No state has or can adopt such measures. Idiom requires has adopted or can adopt such measures. When a change of grammatical voice is involved, ellipsis spells danger. A reader cannot be expected to make the necessary adjustment from the active voice to the passive and supply an omitted part of the passive form.