Questions tagged [conversational-deletion]
is for questions about the omission of some initial portion of a sentence that sometimes occurs in speech and other informal speech-like mediums, for example e-mail and texting.
24
questions
1
vote
2answers
22 views
Is it correct to say “an additional time”?
Suppose you want to ask your boss to give you more time. Is it correct and idiomatic to say
Would you please give me an additional time?
I know that I can say "additional time" without the article....
6
votes
1answer
373 views
Informal question construction: “Anyone know what…”, “Everyone finished?”
I've encountered this slight problem with an informal sentence:
Anyone know what a serrated knife is?
I thought the sentence was incorrect - there's no ·s for the third person singular. However, ...
2
votes
2answers
96 views
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone grammar
A movie line in the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Hagrid):
They're goblins. Clever as they come, but not the most friendly of beasts.
Can anyone help me to give a full sentence of the ...
2
votes
1answer
341 views
Omitting personal pronouns in informal conversation
When chatting informally, either in person or over text, it seems common to shorten the sentences by omitting pronouns:
- Made it home?
- Yeah. Should've taken a bus.
- Hope you don't ...
5
votes
4answers
491 views
Can “because” be followed by an adjective?
I was checking the definition for the word gauche on Cambridge, I found this line:
"awkward and uncomfortable with other people, especially because young and without experience"
My question can we ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Start a sentence with “Just that”
Can I start a sentence with "Just that", like:
It tastes good. (it's) just that it's too expensive.
Can I drop the "it's" at the start? If not, what's a good substitute that sounds casual and ...
0
votes
1answer
58 views
Simply using past participle. Is it right?
I was having a conversation with one of my friends.
And then he started talking about someone I didn't want to talk about.
So I said, "Forget him".
He replied, "Forgotten".
Huh? Like really what does ...
4
votes
2answers
405 views
Can I omit “it” when I say “Sounds good.”?
I'm not sure if it's OK to say "Sounds good" instead of "It sounds good".
If it is so, when can I omit "it"? Can I also say "Will rain", instead of "It will rain"?
1
vote
2answers
772 views
Simple past or past participle in a CV?
On many CVs I see sentences like:
• Achieved this.
• Managed that.
I am assuming this isn't a case of Conversational Deletion and these tenses are past participles.
So if I were to use an ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
Leaving out the “subject” at the beginning of a sentence
Leaving out the "subject" at the beginning of a sentence? I think this mostly concerns spoken English!
Is this considered grammar correct or just a phenomenon that occurs in intimate conversational ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
Help with Nouns vs Verbs
What is the difference between saying "Pleasure to" vs. "Pleased To"
Is it better to use nouns or verbs? What rings better?
4
votes
1answer
106 views
Using adjectives in the place of adverbs
I've heard some sentences which do not really make sense to me regarding the usage of adjectives.
ex)
" It started a bit rocky"
" I grew up bilingual"
Why isn't the fist sentence "It start a bit ...
1
vote
2answers
121 views
Can “Got” be used instead of “Do you have”?
Jeff Kramer: Got any green beans?
Counter Help: Sure do. Nice and fresh. Do you want mashed potato or French fries?
Source.
I guess in the above context "Got" means "Do you have". Am I right? ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
Usage of Simple Present between speakers
Is the use of "Do" in the begining of interrogative sentence necessary? I means, casual conversation.
Does he play tennis?
He plays tennis?
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Omitting the subject from a sentence
I wrote:
Your sentences are almost good, just tried to offer better alternatives.
To mean "I just tried". Does my sentence conveys the subject is "I" in spoken language?
0
votes
3answers
89 views
“OF” at the beginning of the sentence
What does of mean when it comes at the beginning of the sentence, for example:
Of pride of remembrance of the encounter with the bear on that hillside in the early spring.
1
vote
1answer
96 views
Why do we say “seen Jim?” and omit “have you”?
In some sentences we don't use some words. For example, instead of.
Do you want a ride?
we say
Want a ride?
Instead of
I'm just coming, hang on!
we say
just coming, hang on!
Instead ...
2
votes
1answer
317 views
What is the part of speech of the word “ fancy” in the following content?
Recently,i saw a sort of propoganda/advertisement about body-building on a random chap's instagram.
1.OP:"Fancy losing inches off your waist?Flattening your tummy?Fancy winning a waist trainer that ...
1
vote
2answers
119 views
the usage of 'never done' in colloquial English
Dialogues:
Have you been to Paris?
No, never been.
Have you heard John's ex-wife?
No, never heard.
Can I shorten the answers as above in colloquial English?
3
votes
1answer
148 views
“Anyone have an extra apartment there?”
Anyone have an extra apartment there?
This quote is from an English native speaker. Why "anyone have"?
This could be an elliptical question, but I'd expect native speakers to ask a question using an ...
2
votes
1answer
72 views
Lucky, she thought, that he was not aware of it
Lucky, she thought, that he was not aware of it.
This sentence is from a Korean grammar text that I read in my old school days. It’s translation - 그가 그것을 눈치채지 못한 것은 다행이라고 그녀는 생각했다 - is just like this ...
1
vote
3answers
352 views
What does this mean: “Going to be something doing in the >humidity line< to-night”?
There's a line in the "Girl" story of O Henry saying, "Going to be something doing in the humidity line to-night." What does this mean? I didn't get the "humidity line" ...
3
votes
1answer
7k views
“Looking forward to hearing from you” - May I omit “I am” at the beginning?
At the end of a letter, is it correct to omit "I am" in this sentence?
I am looking forward to hearing from you
Then it will become:
Looking forward to hearing from you
3
votes
1answer
161 views
Can 'bit of' be used?
As Harry helped himself to a treacle tart, the talk turned to their families.
"I'm half-and-half," said Seamus. "Me dad's a Muggle. Mom didn't tell him
she was a witch 'til after they were ...
