Language · 2
What is the term for the omission of words from a sentence that are implied?
Answer
Ellipsis
Ellipsis is a rhetorical and grammatical device in which words that would normally be required for complete grammatical structure are intentionally omitted because they are understood from context. Examples include 'You want coffee?' instead of 'Do you want coffee?' or 'He runs fast, she walks slowly' (omitting the second verb). Ellipsis is common in natural speech and is used stylistically in literature to create economy of language.
💡 Did you know?
Ellipsis is so common in spoken English that 'Do you want a drink?' becomes 'Want a drink?' naturally.
Other options people guess
- Asyndeton
- Polysyndeton
- Zeugma
Topics
- grammar
- stylistics
- rhetoric
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