Ellipsis in notes
Notes use a minimum of words for the message to be clear, and this process is called ellipsis.
You can generally omit
- First person pronouns
(I) couldn’t find your keys.
- auxiliary verbs be and have
Richard arriving Thursday. = Richard is arriving on Thursday.
Steven and Sarah’s wedding cancelled! = Steven and Sarah’s wedding has been cancelled!
- Both first person pronouns and auxiliary verbs as long as the meaning remains clear
Sent birthday card. = I have sent the birthday card.
Glad you’ve got here OK! = I’m (or we’re) glad you’ve got here OK!
- We often omit prepositions.
Should arrive Sat pm. = We should arrive on Saturday evening.
!
Careful!
Sent flowers. = I have sent some flowers.
If you mean ‘I have been sent some flowers’ you must write – Been sent some flowers.
- Care must be taken omitting ‘the’ or ‘a’ as this can change the meaning.
Met a vicar on the train. (=any vicar or minister of religion)
Met the vicar on the train.(= the local vicar or minister of religion whom you know).
- You cannot omit modal auxiliary verbs as this will always change the meaning
Might have broken my leg. Can’t be sure. = I might have broken my leg. I can’t be sure.
Have broken my leg. Sure. Would convey a different message!
Can you write out in full this note left for a friend arriving?
Sorry we’re out! Back around 7.
Tomato salad in the fridge. No tea left, but coffee in the cupboard, cake in tin on LH side of kettle. Should be obvious.
Matt rang, wants to meet up Thurs or Fri. Could book table pizzeria, Thurs pm? Must ring back before Wed am.
L x