Real Grammar - Susan Conrad, Douglas Biber 2009

Incomplete Sentences
Unit 49 Me too

What have you learned from your grammar textbook?

Sometimes we give a “short answer” to a question. We leave out everything after the auxiliary verb:

A: Tom said he doesn’t like pizza.

B: Yeah, he doesn’t. [Omitted: ... like pizza]

What does the corpus show?

A

In writing, we usually use grammatically complete sentences. But many sentences in conversation are incomplete. These are not errors. Rather, there are particular times when we omit parts of sentences.

B

Minimal Responses: Speakers use simple words or phrases to reply to what somebody else has said.

C

Short Answers: Speakers omit subjects, verbs, and predicates that repeat what the previous speaker said.

D

Shortened Clauses: Speakers also shorten noun clauses that repeat what they have said or what a previous speaker has said. These shortened expressions usually occur after particular verbs.

E

Other types of short responses: Speakers may omit parts of a sentence when the meaning is clear.

Activities

1 Notice in context: Read the two conversations, underline the incomplete sentences.

1. At a Thanksgiving dinner.

Mike: Delicious dinner, Ma!

Ma: Thank you, but 1 had help.

Sue: I don’t know who made what, but everything’s terrific. Except the onions.

Ma: Well, I didn’t actually get to taste them, so I don’t know.

Mike: Dessert, anyone?

2. After a work party.

Jean: Did all the men drive together in one car? I only see Dave’s car over there.

Anna: I guess so. I wonder why. They don’t live near each other.

Jean: Probably because Dave’s really proud of that new car. He wants to show it off.

2 Analyze discourse: Look back at Activity 1 and at each incomplete sentence that you underlined. Write the phrase that has been left out. Draw an arrow between the incomplete sentence and the phrase. Discuss with a partner.

3 Practice the structure: The following dialogues contain some sentences that are too complete for natural conversation. Cross out parts of sentences that are too repetitive and write substitute expressions above them if needed.

Example

1. Getting ready to drive home.

Jenna: I’m really tired, so I think I’m just going to start home now.

Brett: Are you alright to drive? You’re not too tired?

Jenna: I don’t think I’m too tired to drive. I’ll be fine.

2. Talking about a trip to Japan.

John: Did you get my postcard?

Dana: Yes, I did get your postcard. And I was so happy.

John: That’s good that you got my postcard. I told you I’d send you one.

3. At the zoo.

Billy: Wow, the zoo is packed. I wonder why the zoo is packed.

Sami: I don’t know why the zoo is packed, but do you have more money for lunch? It’s really expensive here.

billy: No, I don’t have money for lunch. Maybe we should go somewhere else to eat.

4. At Erin’s birthday party.

Erin: Do you want something to drink, Tracy?

Tracy: Yeah, I do want something to drink. Water’ll be fine.

Erin: Melissa, do you want something to drink?

Melissa: Yes, 1 do want something to drink too. Some water, please.

4 Practice conversation: work with a partner to provide logical responses to the following lines of conversation. Then complete the conversation on your own. Use at least four types of incomplete sentences. Then practice the conversation with your partner.

Making weekend plans.

Stephen: What do you want to do this weekend?

Maria: See a movie or eat out at a restaurant. Whatever.

Stephen: Well, do you have the phone number for the movie theatre?

Maria: ...

Stephen: I thought we could call and see what movies are playing.

Maria: ...

Stephen: ...

Maria: ...

Stephen: ...

Maria: ...