Grammar and usage Unit 2 Ellipsis

Unit 2 课件描述： To help students understand in what situations we can use ellipses. To help students use ellipses properly.

Some parts of sentences are left out. We use ellipsis when we do not want to repeat words or phrases that are obvious.

Come here, please. You We often use ellipsis in imperative sentences. Tell me who the director is, please. Write a review of the opera.

— Have you seen this opera? — Yes, I have (seen it). — Will the performance be put off till next week? — I hope (it will) not (be put off till next week). We also use ellipsis in short responses. 1. —When will they arrive? —In about two hours. They will arrive in about two hours.

The emperor finds the deaths of so many men disturbing, and although he would like to, he cannot break his promise. break his promise In infinitive phrases, we can leave out words after to. —Will you join us? —I would like to. join you She didn’t come to the party though she had promised to. come

Ready? Are you We can leave out some words in a sentence in informal English. How about the result? is it Glad to see you. I’m

—Could you water the plants for me? —What about (watering them) after I finish my homework? We can use ellipsis after some prepositions or than. The opera house now looks better than when I visited it last year. it did You arrived earlier than necessary. it was

Puccini wrote Turandot and (he also wrote) Madam Butterfly. We can use ellipsis in two clauses with the same pattern and the same verb. The actor was born in 1961, and his wife in was born He sang and played the guitar. he I haven’t read this book yet but I will later. read it George seemed angry, and Bob certainly was. angry

In some special styles of ellipsis, words are left out to save space and time. These include signs and labels, newspaper headlines, instructions, postcards and diaries, notes, etc.

If (it is) properly treated, waste will do no harm to the environment. We can use ellipsis in adverbial clauses with the same subjects. There are only a few books in our school library, if (there are) any. Given more time, I can do it better. If I am given

Signs No smoking is allowed here. This is a one-way street.

Instructions Put this side up, please. Please handle this with care.

Headlines Houses destroyed in weekend storms. Mayor says he won’t quit. Some houses were destroyed in the storms during the weekend. The mayor says he won’t quit.

Notes These are bright ideas.

Postcards I wish you were here.

Exercise Rewrite the following sentences with ellipses. 1.What about some more coffee for you? 2.Why do you get so upset? 3.Why do you not do it at once? 4.It’s a pity you didn’t get the chance. 5.—Shall I go to play badminton? —If you like, you can go to play badminton. ( ) ()()

6. —When could I start the work? —You may start the work whenever you like. 7. Please pass me one of these oranges, I don’t care which one you pass me. 8. Father will come back, but I don’t know when he will come back. 9. —What do you think about the opera? —I think it is wonderful. 10. —Will we be late? —I’m afraid we will be late. ()() ()() ( ) ()()

11. Shirley will go if Rose will go. 12. You can ask me questions if there are any questions that arise. 13. I would have come yesterday if I had wanted to. 14. When you are crossing the road, you must be careful. 15. Unless I am invited, I won’t go. ( )

Activity Work in groups and think of different ellipses and write them down. Classify them into different groups.