Unit 28. I'm not Sure, Not Sure, 'm not Sure.
Ellipsis and 'near ellipsis'
Unit 28; Part A
Important for listening! In spoken English we often leave out words when they are obvious from the context: A: What's the matter? B: Got a headache. ( = I've got a headache.) This process is called ellipsis. Often, however, the words are notomitted completely, but a very short sound from the omitted words isleft behind: 've got a headache. (/vgot.../) We will refer to this as near ellipsis. Being aware of ellipsis and near ellipsis can help you to understandspoken English, and using it can make you sound more natural and fluent. |
Unit 28; Part B
Important for listening! Ellipsis and near ellipsis are common at the beginning of an utterance. Hereare some typical patterns. Examples give the complete (but oftencontracted) form, the form with ellipsis,and the form with nearellipsis.
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Unit 28; Part C
The verbs be and have are often left out between the question word and subject in wh- questions: What are you doing? / What you doing? / What're you doing? What have you got there? / What you got there? / What've you got there? Note: When does follows a wh- word, it can be pronounced /s/ or /z/, but isn't left out completely: What does he do? / What's he do .. .? (not: What he do?) When does it start? I When's it start? (not: When it start?) |
Exercises
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