Language/English/Grammar/Legitimate-Ellipsis-and-False-Ellipsis

Proper Procedure for Omissions (False Ellipsis and Legitimate Ellipsis)

Sometimes, people make statements like “The employees should and have lunched”. That sentence is actually wrong. The sentence is meant to be a combination of the two sentences below:

◇ The employees should have lunched.
◇ The employees have lunched.

However, in combining the sentences, one important word was omitted. The correct sentence is:

◇ The employees should have and have eaten.

However, study the sentences below.

◇ The actress auditioned for this part.
◇ The actress waited for this part.

Joining these two sentences gives two correct forms listed below:

◇ The actress auditioned for and waited for this part.
◇ The actress auditioned and waited for this part.

Definitions Having understood the concept of omission, we must establish the definition of false ellipsis and legitimate ellipsis. Legitimate ellipsis occurs when words that are already implied in a sentence are omitted. False ellipsis on the other hand occurs when an essential word is omitted and therefore the sentence is not clear.

Examples of False Ellipsis The first of every pair of the following sentences is wrong while the second is correct.

◇ Children are as loyal, if not more loyal than adults.
◇ Children are as loyal as, if not more loyal than adults.

◇ The employees are excited and committed to the new project.
◇ The employees are excited about and committed to the new project.

◇ She has and never will waste her money.
◇ She has never and will never waste her money.

Summary This lesson treats the proper procedure for omission, false ellipsis and legitimate ellipsis.