内容正文:
A guide for Ellipsis
A: No, I didn’t watch a documentary about environmental protection that explains climate change, wildlife conservation, and actions people can take today.
B: No, I didn’t.
Linguistic waste
Linguistic purity
too long;
unnatural;
repeated
Which one do we usually say in real life?
We use ellipsis to <remove unnecessary words to> reveal clarity.
We sort words to save the reader’s time.
What is missing?
Coming?
Are you coming?
Ready.
I am ready.
Sounds great!
That sounds great!
English speakers leave out words not because they are lazy,
but because the meaning is clear. This is Ellipsis.
Jack and Henry are discussing a documentary on environmental protection.
Identify the problem
and solutions.
Identify the problem
Jack: Hi, Henry! Did you watch the documentary about environmental protection on TV yesterday?
Henry: (1) No, I didn't.
Jack: What a pity! I highly recommend it. (2) You can watch it online if you want to. It's about some of the worst environmental problems we are facing today. Global warming, for example, is a major problem caused by greenhouse gases. It may lead to extreme weather events: droughts, heatwaves and so on. (3) I felt worried when watching the documentary.
Seeking Solutions
Henry: Does it also talk about solutions to these problems?
Jack: Yes. It includes interviews with more than 20 of the world's leading experts on environmental issues. All of them come up with creative ideas on how to solve these problems. (4) Some call for the application of modern technology, and others a change of lifestyle.
Henry: I wish we could also do something to help. (5) Got any ideas?
Jack: What about making a brochure about environmental problems?
Henry: (6) Sounds great! Let's get started after lunch.
Complete the sentences
1. No, I didn't (watch the documentary about environmental protection on TV yesterday).
2. You can watch it online if you want to ( ).
3. I felt worried when ( ) watching the documentary.
4. Some call for the application of modern technology, and others( ) a change of lifestyle.
5. ( ) Got any ideas?
6. ( ) Sounds great!
Discussion: How do these sentences sound if they are not omitted?
They sound long, repetitive, and unnatural.
watch it
I was
call for
Have you
That
Analysis: Short Responses & Infinitive?
Restoring the ecosystem of the sentence
1. No, I didn't [documentary about environmental protection on TV yesterday].
2. You can watch it online if you want to [watch it online].
Insight: In short responses and after infinitives (to...), we cut the repetition to maintain flow.
Analysis: Conjunctions and Context
3. I felt worried when
[I was] watching
the documentary.
Insight: When the subject is the same, we can drop the
pronoun and auxiliary verb after conjunctions like 'when'.
5. (Have you) Got any ideas?
6. (That) Sounds great!
Analysis: Informal interaction
Ellipsis in Infinitives
want
plan
hope
would like
decide
the action
In infinitives, we often keep 'to' and drop the repeated action.
-Will you watch the documentary?
Restored: I'd love to watch the documentary.
-Are you going to protect the rainforest?
Restored: I hope to protect the rainforest.
-I'd love to.
-Yes, I hope to.
DO NOT OMIT "ТО"
I'd love.
I'd love to.
Will you join us?
"He had to finish the report..."
...but he didn't have to.
...but he didn't.
...but he didn't finish it.
Practice: Can we reduce this?
-Will you take part in the environmental protection activity?
-Yes, I'd like to take part in the environmental protection activity.
She wanted to protect the rainforest, but she didn't know how to protect the rainforest.
Practice: Tricky Structures
He tried to solve the problem, but he didn't manage to.
We have to protect the environment,
and everyone knows we have to.
[CANNOT REDUCE]
Reason: "Have to" trap.
[ REDUCE IT]
Result: "...he didn't manage to."
Ellipsis in Adverbial Clauses
(Same Subject) + (Be Verb) = DELETE
The Cleanup Formula
Common with: when / while / if / though / once
When we are cleaning the beach, we should wear gloves.
改写:When cleaning the beach...
If it is possible, we will organize another forest clean-up.
改写:If possible...
When people are walking in the forest, animals can be seen.
不能省(Subject mismatch: People vs Animals).
Though he was tired, he continued picking up rubbish.
改写:Though tired...
(注意:主语为it时,主语不一致也可省略。)
Final Check: Fill in the missing
1. I felt worried when watching the documentary.
2. If possible, protect the rainforest.
3. When finished, the task was handed in.
Full form: ...when [ I was ] watching...
Full form: If [ it is ] possible...
Full form: When [ the task was] finished.
The Logic Trap:
"When walking along the river, many plastic bottles can be seen."
Logic Check: Can bottles walk?
You cannot omit here.
The subjects (We vs. Bottles) are different.
When we are walking along the river...
The Grammar Trap:
When protect the forest, we should work together.
The Problem: There is no 'be' verb (is/am/are/was/were) to delete.
The Fix: Change the verb to a participle (-ing).
When protecting the forest, we should work together.
Is there a Conjunction? (When/If/Though)
Yes
Is the Subject the same as the main clause?
Yes
Is there a 'Be' verb?
Yes
Drop (Subject + Be)
No
Change Verb to
'-ing' or '-ed'
The action
TO
want to, hope to
Subject +Be verb
The conjunction
When cleaning
B1 Find the mistakes and rewrite the sentences using ellipsis.
1. I cannot watch the documentary this weekend, though I would like.
2. Cows live on land, and fish the water.
3. The Amazon rainforest is smaller now than was 50 years ago.
4. He had planned to borrow a book on environmental protection, but he didn't do.
5. When taking photos of wildlife, every effort should be made to ensure that we keep away from the animals.
to
live in
( )
we should
Use ellipsis where necessary. Put brackets around the word(s) that can be left out.
Last weekend, I took part in a forest clean-up activity. It was organized by GreenHope, an organization devoted to protecting forests. At first I didn’t want to take part in the forest clean-up activity, but then I thought, “What if nobody goes?” Our team leader, Joe, took us to a forest outside the city. I was sad to see litter everywhere. There was a “No littering is allowed here” sign at the entrance to the forest, but that didn’t stop people from throwing their rubbish on the ground.
Last weekend, I took part in a forest clean-up activity. It was organized by GreenHope, an organization devoted to protecting forests. At first I didn’t want to (take part in the forest clean-up activity), but then I thought, “What if nobody goes?” Our team leader, Joe, took us to a forest outside the city. I was sad to see litter everywhere. There was a “No littering is allowed here” sign at the entrance to the forest, but that didn’t stop people from throwing their rubbish on the ground.
Use ellipsis where necessary. Put brackets around the word(s) that can be left out.
Joe divided us into two groups: one group cleaned up the north side of the forest, and the other group cleaned up the south side of the forest.We worked for several hours, and we were happy to see that the forest looked cleaner than it had looked before. It was absolutely worth our effort! There’ll be another clean-up activity in the green belt next Saturday. You can find Joe and sign up if you’re willing to help. Everyone who takes part in the activity will receive a medal. I’ll join you too if I have time.
Joe divided us into two groups: one group cleaned up the north side of the forest, and the other (group) (cleaned up) the south side (of the forest).We worked for several hours, and (we) were happy to see (that) the forest looked cleaner than (it had looked) before. It was absolutely worth our effort! There’ll be another clean-up activity in the green belt next Saturday. You can find Joe and sign up if (you’re) willing to help. Everyone who takes part in the activity will receive a medal. I’ll join you too if I have time.
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