Ellipsis
What Is It?
Ellipsis omits predictable words, letting context fill the gap: “CI passed, staging (did) too.”
Why Use Ellipsis?
- Brevity — cuts repetition.
- Rhythm — speeds reading.
- Focus — keeps attention on new info.
When to Choose Ellipsis
Chatops, comparative reports, slides with parallel bullets.
Forming Elliptical Sentences
| Type | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb phrase ellipsis | S + Aux, (S) + (Aux) + V? | “Ops will patch; Devs will (patch) later.” |
| Gapping | S + V + O, (O2) | “Tests pass QA; prod UAT.” |
| Stripping | Clause + conjunction + (one word) | “We shipped, and so.” |
| Null complement | Need/want + Ø | “Deploy if you need.” |
Tips for Writing with Ellipsis
- Ensure antecedent clear.
- Avoid ellipsis across paragraphs.
- Use punctuation consistently; comma before gapping.
- Read aloud to catch ambiguity.
Exceptions & Nuances
Formal docs limit ellipsis; full forms safer for translation.