Verb omission in English. "Enemy down" without any linking verb

Question

Why are there no linking verbs in the following examples?

Shouldn't it be "the enemy is downed" or "the enemy has been downed"?

"the enemy has been downed" vs "enemy down"?

I know about headline style in newspapers but this doesn't seem to be the case.

This terse style of communication is common in radio communication, especially in military, aviation, shipping, etc situations. I recall the book title Enemy Cost Ahead by Guy Gibson, a celebrated British World War 2 air force. It can be used in any situation where brevity is required, not just headlines. — Michael Harvey, Commented Nov 25, 2023 at 15:26
If a military fighter pilot said 'the enemy has been downed' then his commander would say 'that's three words too many'. — Michael Harvey, Commented Nov 25, 2023 at 15:33
Stuff without context like this cannot really be properly answered. Like: feet wet and feet dry. — Lambie, Commented Nov 25, 2023 at 16:35

James K · Accepted Answer · 2023-11-25 19:32:19Z

1

When speaking in situations that require you to be terse, it is common not to use full sentences.

Stop!

Over there!

Wolf!

Ouch!

Enemy down!

I suspect that most other languages allow this kind of utterance.

Many of these can be understood to be reduced from "X is Y" type sentences. For example "Wolf!" would be "There is a wolf!"

The last one would be a communication by a fighter pilot in a dog-fight. And would be understood as "The enemy is down" (another "X is Y" sentence).

You would not normally say "feet wet", though the same principle can apply.

answered Nov 25, 2023 at 17:58

James K

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Thank you James. What can you say about "game over" and "7 left"? What is the full form of "7 left"?
– Petr Vatov
Commented Nov 26, 2023 at 12:19
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The game is over, There are seven left, or "Seven (things) are left.
– James K
Commented Nov 26, 2023 at 12:31
"the enemy has been downed" vs "enemy down"? @James
– Petr Vatov
Commented Nov 26, 2023 at 16:29
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There is a verb "to down", but wielding occam's razor, the simplest understanding is "The enemy is down" or "There is an enemy down". "Down" is an adjective. No need to suppose it is a verb (in some kind of subjunctive?)
– James K
Commented Nov 26, 2023 at 16:33
1

Yes, but using a participle instead of an adjective is common enough. You would need a perfect aspect "An enemy has been spotted (by me)" It is still an "is" type sentence.
– James K
Commented Nov 26, 2023 at 19:40

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