English avoids repetition, so words and phrases that have already appeared are often omitted. In highly competitive university entrance exams, students are required to accurately restore and understand these omitted parts.
Basic Rules
Common patterns of ellipsis:
① Ellipsis in comparative constructions: “She earns more than he (earns).” “Tokyo is larger than Osaka (is large).” ← Repeated parts of the comparison are omitted
② Ellipsis after as/than: “He is as tall as his father (is tall).”
③ Ellipsis in if constructions (if any / if ever, etc.): “There is little, if any, evidence for this claim.” (There is almost no evidence, if there is any at all.) ← An abbreviated form of if there is any evidence
④ Omission of subject + be verb in a subordinate clause: “While (he was) working abroad, he learned three languages.” “Though (she was) tired, she finished the marathon.” ← Common when the subject is the same as that of the main clause
⑤ Ellipsis in infinitives (the pro-infinitive): “I don't want to go, but I have to (go).” ← The verb after to is omitted, leaving only to
Understanding the conditions under which ellipsis is grammatically permitted (such as having the same subject as the main clause or having an obvious repetition) makes it easier to notice ellipsis even in an unfamiliar sentence.
The new method is far more efficient than the traditional one (is efficient). (The new method is far more efficient than the traditional one.) ← Ellipsis in a comparative construction
While living in France, she developed a deep interest in linguistics. (While she was living in France, she developed a deep interest in linguistics.) ← While (she was) living
There is little, if any, reason to doubt his sincerity. (There is almost no reason to doubt his sincerity, if there is any reason at all.) ← Elliptical construction with if any
I didn't plan to attend the meeting, but my supervisor asked me to. (I did not plan to attend the meeting, but my supervisor asked me to attend it.) ← Ellipsis in asked me to (attend the meeting)
Points to Note
① Omission of “subject + be verb” in a subordinate clause occurs only when the subject of the main clause and the omitted subject of the subordinate clause are the same. If they are different, omission is not possible, so always check this grammatical condition.
② It is practical to memorize idiomatic elliptical constructions such as if any / if ever / if anything together with their meanings: “if any (if there is any at all),” “if ever (if it has ever happened, though rarely),” “if anything (if anything, or rather).”
③ In comparative constructions, restoring the omitted part makes the comparison clear. If “more than he” does not make clear what is being compared, mentally restore the verb as well.
④ The pro-infinitive (ellipsis that leaves only to) is used not only in conversation and casual writing but also in expository writing. If you fail to notice that the verb after to has been omitted, the sentence may appear incomplete and cause confusion.
- Repeated parts are omitted after comparative constructions and as/than
- The subject + be verb in a subordinate clause may be omitted when its subject is the same as that of the main clause
- if any / if ever / if anything are idiomatic elliptical constructions
- The pro-infinitive (leaving only to) is also used in expository writing
- Restoring ellipsis requires understanding the conditions under which it is grammatically permitted
Practice
- Restore the omitted part in the following sentence: Though exhausted, she continued working until midnight.
- Explain the meaning of if any and create one example sentence.
- Restore the omitted part in the following sentence: His new novel sold better than his previous one.