Revised as of
28 Jan 2023
An elliptical clause can swing both ways: independent and dependent. It is consistent, however, in leaving things out. But it still has to make sense!
As cryptic as this seems, the elliptical clause is frequently used in casual conversation. We’re not even aware of it.
Okay, I tell a small white lie . . . most every time a that is left out of a sentence, you’re creating an elliptical clause. ‘Cause the that is missing.
Grammar Explanations is . . .
. . . an evolving list of the structural rules and principles that determines where words are placed in phrases or sentences as well as how the language is spoken. Sometimes I run across an example that helps explain better or another “also known as”. Heck, there’s always a better way to explain it, so if it makes quicker and/or better sense, I would appreciate suggestions and comments from anyone on an area of grammar with which you struggle or on which you can contribute more understanding.
If you found this post on “Elliptical Clause” interesting, consider subscribing to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this post for future updates.
Return to top
| Elliptical Clause | ||||
Definition: A clause in which some words have been left out, however because of the pattern or logic of the entire sentence, it is clear what the missing words are. In some cases, a comma may be substituted for the missing word to ensure the sentence flows.
|
||||
| Independent Elliptical Clause | ||||
| Definition: An independent clause, i.e., a complete sentence with a subject + a verb, that happens to have left some words out. | ||||
|
Legend:
Lady Mary knew Kenny had five cookies; Helen After the raw stone had arrived, Jerry knew |
||||
| Pronouns with As or Than | Most of the time, we leave words out when using a pronoun in a comparison with as or than, which makes this an elliptical clause.
Rule: Writers must pay attention to which pronouns are being left out, as it can change the meaning of the sentence: |
|||
|
Return to top or post contents |
Legend:
|
He likes you more than he likes me.
He likes you more than I do. He sees you more often than I see you. He sees you more often than he sees me. |
||
| Wrong Pronoun | Correct Pronoun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| He is taller than her.
He’s taller than her is? |
He is taller than she is. | |||
| He is as happy as them.
He is as happy as them are? |
He is as happy as they are. | |||
| Subordinate Elliptical Clause | ||||
| Definition: An dependent clause, i.e., an incomplete sentence, that happens to have left some words out. | ||||
|
Legend:
However slow George cleaned faster than Paul He likes gravy more than I |
||||
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Grammar Explanations by exploring its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Word Confusions, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Elliptical Clause
“Elliptical Clause.” EnglishPlus.com. n.d. Web. n.d. <http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000331.htm>.
“Guide to Grammar and Writing.” Capital Community College Foundation. n.d. Web. n.d. <http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/clauses.htm#elliptical_clauses>.
“Pronouns with Than or As.” EnglishPlus.com. n.d. Web. n.d. <http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000025.htm>.
Pinterest Photo Credits:
Tower Bridge by Steve Collis from Melbourne, Australia, is under the CC BY 2.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons.
