Types of elliptical sentences

1. Sentences without a word-form in the subject position.

e.g.: Looks like rain.

Seems difficult.

2. Sentences without word-forms in the subject position and part of the predicate position. In such cases the omitted part of the predicate may be either a) an auxiliary verb or b) a link verb.

e.g.: a) Going home soon?

See what I mean?

Heard nothing about him lately.

b) Not bad.

Free this evening?

Nice of you to come.

Susan’s father?

3. Sentences without a word-form only in part of the predicate position, which may be an auxiliary or a link verb.

e.g.: You seen them?

Everything fixed?

You sure?

All settled.

4. Sentences without word-forms both in the subject and the predicate position. Such ellipses occur in various responses.

e.g.: What time does Dave come for lunch? – One o’clock.

What were you thinking about? – You.

Where’re you going? –- Home.

5. Sentences without a word-form in the predicate position. Such ellipses occur only in replies to questions.

e.g.: Who lives there? – Jack.

What’s happened? – Nothing.

A composite sentence is a sentence which contains two or more subject-predicate units. Subject-predicate units that form composite sentences are called clauses.

A composite compound sentence has two or more coordinate clauses which are equal in rank.

e.g.: You can take a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink (two subject-predicate units, or two clauses)

A composite complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. e.g.: You never know what you can do till you try (three subject-predicate units, or three clauses)

Exercises

Exercise 1. Define the structural type of sentences.

Pattern: “Silence” is a simple one-member, nominal, unextended sentence.

“She came first” is a simple two-member, complete, extended sentence.

1. Autumn. Early Morning. 2. To think of that! 3. The dinner must be ready at ten. Understand, Tom? 4. Everything will be done. 5. When did you see her? – On Monday. –How did she look? – Quite healthy. 6. I shall take my umbrella. Looks like rain. 7. Does she work or study? 8. You like the soup? – It’s delicious. 9. Will you meet him? – No need. All settled. 10. I shall tell you when I am ready. 11. Summer in New York. Heat. Dust. 12. I have two tickets to the concert. – Will you go?

Exercise 2. Point out one-member and two-member sentences. Say a) if they are extended or unextended, b) if the two-member sentences are complete or incomplete.

1. Ben closed his eyes to think clearly for a moment. 2. "Two cups of coffee, please,"...young Flynn timidly ordered. ..."What else do you want?" – "Jam turnover", replied the child. 3. Why are you standing here? – Because of the rain. 4. Freedom! Bells ringing out, flowers, kisses, wine. No! To have his admiration, his friendship, but not at that price. She is a doctor. 7. Birds fly. 8. Frosty! 9. Is she at home? – Naturally. She's asleep. 10. What was she doing? – Reading.

Exercise 3. Define the structural type of sentences

1. He entered the room. Young. Elegant. Self-confident. 2. To tell me such a thing! Could be more polite. 3. I shall be glad to help you. – You sure? 4. He will be a doctor. 5. A big stuffy room. Old furniture. No curtains. 6. Living in such conditions! 7. When did he come? – Late.

8. Ready? It's time to go. 8. You like Mike’s playing the violin? – It is beautiful. 9. I’ll tell you about the route we’ve chosen. 10. To come in such a short dress! 11. Can't believe my eyes! 12. The bell rang and the students gave in their test papers. 13. Will you help me if you have free time? 14. Autumn in Kiev. Warm. Golden. Marvelous. 15. I have invited Mary to the party. – Will you go?

Exercise 4. Point out elliptical sentences and analyze them.

1. He stared amazed at the calmness of her answer. 2. We must go to meet the bus. 3. Obedient little trees, fulfilling their duty. 4. He wants to write a play for me. One act. 5. A beautiful day, quite warm. 6. What do you want? – Bandages, stuff for wounded. 7. How did he look? – Grey, but otherwise much the same. – And the daughter? – Pretty. 8. And then the silence and the beauty of this camp. The mystic shadow water. The wonder and glory, of all this. 9. I'll see nobody for half an hour, Macey. – Understand? Nobody at all. 10. – Mother, a man's been killed. – Not in the garden? – interrupted her mother. 11. Garden at the Manor House. A flight of grey stone steps leads up to the house. The garden, an old-fashioned one. full of roses. Time of year, July. Basket chairs, and a table covered with books, are set under a large yew-tree.