莎士比亚曾经说过：Brevity is the soul of wit. （言以简为贵）。为了使话说得简明扼要,英语句子中某个单词、短语甚至从句或主句都可以省去。这种省去句子某些成分而保持句子意思不变的现象,称为省略（ellipsis）。
一、 省略的目的
省略多见于非正式的文体,尤其在对话中,省略是一种十分普遍的现象。英语中的省略一般说来有三个目的：
A． 避免重复,减少累赘。
省略的主要目的是避免重复,去掉不必要的累赘和繁琐。
Mike said that he would come to school to see me the next day, but he didn't come to school to see me the next day. 迈克说他第二 天要来学校看我,但是第二天他并没有来学校看我。
-- Mike said that he would come to school to see me the next day, but he didn't. 迈克说他第二天要来学校看我,但是他并没有来。(省掉最后九个词,句子简洁多了)
— What did he want yesterday 他昨天要了什么？
— An apple. 一个苹果。（如果回答时说出全文“He wanted an apple yesterday”,便显得别扭,不自然）
B． 连接紧密,结构紧凑。
省略也是使上下文紧密连接的一种修辞手段。
John was the winner in 1994 and Bob in 1998. 约翰是1994年的获胜者,鲍勃是1998年的获胜者。（Bob后省略了was the winner,句子结构显得比较紧凑）
In some places we stopped in tents for the night, in other places in caves. 我们在有些地方住在帐篷里过夜,在有些地方住在山洞里。（in other places 后省略了主语和谓语we stopped for the night,上下文连接更加紧密）
省略：
回答问题要简洁,并列重复需省略。祈使主语常省略,比较than后需省略。宾从表从that勿省略。前后出现同一词,习惯表达需省略。
C．强调重点,突出信息。
省略的另一作用是突出新的信息。
Truth speaks too low, hypocrisy too loud. 真理讲话声太低,虚伪讲话声太高。（后一分句省略谓语speaks,突出了too loud）
— Have you told him that 你把那告诉他了吗？
— Not yet. 还没有呢。(= I have not told him that yet. 强调not yet )
二、 可省略的成分
省略大致可归纳为功能词的省略和语法结构上的省略两种。在很多情况下,这两种省略存在着交叉的关系,即有时既是功能词的省略,同时又是语法结构上的省略。
A． 功能词的省略
功能词指的是没有完整意义,但有语法意义的词,如冠词、介词、助动词等。英语句子结构的简洁,首先表现在功能词的省略上。
1．冠词的省略
They elected John (the) monitor of the class. 他们选约翰当班长。
A man and (a) woman are talking in the office. 办公室一男一女正在谈话。
He could not understand why there was no noise coming from the house, not even the sound of the radio or (the) television. 他不明白为什么从屋子里一点响声也没传出来,甚至连收音机和电视机的声音也没有。
提示：
在英语新闻标题、告示中,经常省略冠词。
Chinese President Stresses Role of Working Class 中国国家主席强调工人阶级作用 （新闻标题 = The Chinese President Stresses the Role of the Working Class）
People Rebuild Homes After Flood 洪水退后人民重建家园（新闻标题 = The People Rebuild Their Homes After the Flood）
DO NOT SPEAK TO DRIVER WHILE BUS IS IN MOTION 汽车在行驶时请勿和司机讲话。（告示 = Do not speak to the driver while the bus is in motion）
2．代词的省略
I went to the market, (I) bought something useful, and (I) returned home within an hour. 我去了市场,买了点有用的东西,一小时之内就回来了。
They didn't like it, yet (they) said nothing. 他们并不喜欢它,可是什么话也没说。
(It) Doesn't matter. 这不碍事。
(You) Had a good time, didn't you 玩得开心,是吧？
I like your two small bottles, but I don't like the smallest (one). 我喜欢你的两只小瓶子,但我不喜欢最小的那一只。
3．连词的省略
We are delighted (that) you can come. 你能来,我们很高兴。
I believe (that) you will succeed．我相信你们会成功的。
It's a pity (that) he's leaving. 他要走,真遗憾。
4．关系词的省略
I'll give you all (that) I have. 我要把我所有的一切都给你。
He read the book (which) I got yesterday. 他看过我昨天买的书了。
It wasn't I (who) let him in. 不是我放他进来的。
It happened on the day (when) we first met. 这发生在我们初次见面的那一天。
There is a man (who) wants to see you. 有个人想要见你。
5．助动词的省略
(Does) Anyone want a drink 有谁要喝一杯吗？
Who (do) you think you are 你以为你是谁？（在特殊疑问句中,当主语是第二人称时,助动词do可省略）
I (have) got to go now. 我得走了。
6．不定式符号的省略
I hope to finish my job and (to) go back home. 我希望做完事回家。（当几个不定式并列时,一般只需在第一个不定式前用to）
What we could do was (to) get away. （主语从句中含有do,那么作表语的动词不定式往往省略to）
We did not dare (to) speak. 我们不敢说话。（dare作行为动词用时,否定式可省略to）
There is nothing to do but (to) obey the orders. 除了服从命令之外,我们别无他法。（介词but前如有do,but后可省略to）
注意：
当两个并列的不定式在意义上表示对比关系时,后面的不定式一般不省略to。
To be or not to be, that is the question. 活着还是死亡,这就是问题所在。（莎士比亚）
It was better to laugh than to cry. 笑比哭好。
7．介词的省略
He went (in) that way. 他往那边去了。
The two boys are (of) the same age. 这两个男孩年龄一样大。
I am in doubt (about) whether this is right or not. 我拿不定主意这对不对。
You may come to see me (at) any time between 4 and 5. 你在4点到5点之间随时都可以来见我。
She must have stayed here (for) a long time. 她在这里一定呆了很久了。
必背：
在下列结构中,介词in常常省略。
be busy (in) doing sth. 忙于做某事
spend time (in) doing sth. 花时间做某事
waste energy (in) doing sth. 浪费精力做某事
have difficulty (in) doing sth. 做某事有困难
have a good time (in) doing sth. 某事做得非常愉快
have a hard time (in) doing sth. 某事做得很艰难
take turns (in) doing sth. 轮流做某事
It is no use (in) doing sth. 做某事没有用
It is no good (in) doing sth. 做某事无益
There is no hurry (in) doing sth. 不必着急做某事
There is no point (in) doing sth. 做某事无意义
There is no use (in) doing sth. 做某事没有用
8．引导词there的省略
(There) Ought to be some coffee in the pot. 壶里应该有些咖啡的。
(There) Must be somebody waiting for you. 肯定有人在等你。
B． 句子成分的省略
为了避免重复,或者为了使某一内容显要注目,可以省略某些句子成分而保持句子原意不变。
1．省略主语
Hope so. 希望如此。（= I hope so.）
Beg your pardon. 请你原谅。（= I beg your pardon.）
Take care! 当心！（= You take care.）
Looks as if it will rain. 看起来像要下雨。（= It looks as if it will rain.）
Serves you right. 你活该！（= It serves you right.）
注意：
祈使句主语通常省略（如Take care! 当心！）。但有时为了明确对方,可加上主语。
You feed the bird today, will you 今天你喂鸟,好吗？
Somebody answer the phone, please. 请来个人接一下电话。
2．省略谓语
Anything the matter？要紧吗？（= Is anything the matter）
Who next 该谁了？（= Who comes next）
Just a moment, please. 请等一会儿。（= Just wait a moment, please.）
The river was deep and the ice thin. 河很深,冰很薄。（= The river was deep and the ice was thin.）
We'll do the best we can. 我们将尽力而为。（= We'll do the best we can do.）
What we can't get seems better than what we have. 我们得不到的似乎要比我们已经得到的要好。（= What we can't get seems better than what we have got.）
3．省略表语
Are you ready Yes, I am. 你准备好了吗？ 我准备好了。（am后面省略了表语ready）
He is a lover of sports as he was in his youth. 他还是像年轻时那样,是一位运动爱好者。（was后面省略了表语a lover of sports）
China has been, and still is, the most populous country in the world. 中国过去是,而且现在还是世界上人口最多的国家。 （= China has been the most populous country in the world and still is the most populous country in the world.）
4．省略宾语
We have to analyze and solve problems. 我们必须分析问题解决问题。（analyze后省略了宾语problems）
I struck match after match, but could not light. 我划了一根又一根火柴,但一根也没划着。（light后省略了宾语a match）
Let's do the dishes. I'll wash and you'll dry. 让我们洗碗吧,我来洗,你来揩干。（wash和dry后面省略了宾语dishes）
5．省略定语
He spent part of the money, and the rest he saved. 他花了一部分钱,其余的他都存了起来。（the rest后面省略了定语of the money）
6．省略状语
(Even) The wisest man cannot know everything. 即使最聪明的人也不能无所不知。
Mary spoke (rudely), and John answered rudely. 玛丽说得粗鲁,约翰答得也粗鲁。
He was not hurt. (How) Strange! 他没有受伤,真奇怪！
三、 省略在句子中的运用
在一个句子中,省略可分为依赖上下文省略和不依赖上下文省略两种。前者省略的部分可在句子中找到,但后者可能找不到。
A． 简单句中的省略
1．依赖上下文的省略,在对话中最为常用。
Like more beer 再要点啤酒吗？（= Would you like more beer）
— Would you mind if I used your telephone 用一下你的电话,你介意吗？
— Not at all. 一点也不。（= I do not mind at all.）
— Will he pass this examination他这次考试会通过吗？
— Probably. 大概会的。（= He will probably pass the examination.）
提示：
被省略的部分一般可以根据上下文在句子中补上,但有时省略结构已经定型,如果把省略部分补上,反而显得累赘或不合乎习惯。
An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening. 一日之计在于晨。（在two后补上hours显得罗嗦。）
It is now ten to seven. 现在七点十分。（如说It is now ten minutes to seven o'clock. 显得累赘）
No parking. 禁止停车。（= No parking is allowed here. 告示用语,补上不合乎习惯。）
2．不依赖于上下文的省略。
All aboard! 请上船。（=All go aboard. 省略谓语）
What exciting news! 多么令人激动的消息啊！(= What exciting news it is! 省略主语+谓语)
Sounds like a good idea. 听上去是个好主意。(= It sounds like a good idea. 省略主语)
Everybody appears well prepared. 看起来大家都准备好了。（=Everybody appears to be well prepared. 省略不定式to be）
B． 并列句中的省略
并列句中如果前后分句有相同的部分,常常可以省略掉,以避免重复。通常被省略的可以是主语、谓语、谓语动词、宾语或其它成分,或句子成分的一部分。
1．省略出现在后一分句。
John likes collecting stamps but (John) hates listening to music. 约翰喜欢集邮但不喜欢听音乐。（省略主语）
Some books are to be tasted, others (are) to be swallowed, and some few (are) to be chewed and digested. 有些书是应当尝尝滋味的,有些书是应当吞食下去的,有少数书是应当咀嚼和消化的。（省略谓语）
I have been to Beijing and (I have) seen the Great Wall. 我到过北京,见到了万里长城。（省略主语+助动词）
I asked him to see the film, but he didn't want to (see the film). 我请他去看电影,但他不想去。（省略作宾语的不定式）
注意：
为了避免重复,不定式可以省去与句子前面重复的动词原形,但不定式符号to必须保留（详见第5章）。
—Will you join in the game 你愿意参加这项活动吗？
—I'd be glad to (join in the game). 我很乐意参加。
I didn't want to go there, but I had to (go there). 我不想去那里,但没办法。
2．省略出现在前一分句。
We can (win tomorrow's match), and certainly will, win tomorrow's match. 我们能够,而且一定会在明天的比赛中获胜。（前一分句省略谓语+宾语）
I wished (to find him), yet feared to find him. 我又想找到他,又怕找到他。
3．前后两个分句都出现省略。
They can (pay the full fee) and (they) should pay the full fee. 他们能够也应该支付全部费用。
I'll fly to (Guangzhou), but (I'll) drive back from Guangzhou. 我将飞往广州,但开车回来。
C．复合句中的省略
在主从复合句中,省略的现象是很普遍的。
1．省略主句的句首部分。
(I'm) Sorry I couldn't go. 很抱歉,我不能去。
(Is there) Nothing more you want to say 你没什么要补充吗？
2．省略整个主句或主句的一部分（回答问题时常用）。
(It is a ) Pity he's failed. 很遗憾,他失败了。
If he says he'll come, he will (come). 如果他说来,他就一定会来。
What (will happen) if it's raining 如果天下雨怎么办？
— Where is it 那东西在哪里？
—(It is) Where you left it. 就在你放的地方。
— How are you getting on with your English 你的英语学得怎么样？
— (I'm) Not (getting on) so well as I expected.没有我预计的那样好。
— Will you go abroad soon 你很快要出国吗？
— (I'll) Not (go abroad) until I graduate from the college next summer. 要到明年夏天大学毕业后才走。
3．在一些状语从句中,如果谓语动词是be,主语又和主句的主语一致,或者主语是it,常常可以把从句中的主语和be省略掉。
①以when, while, once, until等连词引导的时间状语从句
When (you are) in Rome do as Rome does. 入国问禁,入乡随俗。
Whenever (it is) possible, you should speak English as much as you can. 在任何可能的时间,你应多讲英语。（省略的主语it并不和主句的主语一致）
Please come as soon as (it is) possible. 请尽快来。
注意：
由连词before和after引导的时间状语从句,如省略了主语和be之后,before和after就成了介词。
The old machine must be checked before it is used. 这台旧机器在使用前必须检查。
【误】The old machine must be checked before used. （动词的-ed形式不可做介词的宾语）
【正】The old machine must be checked before being used.
He told me the truth after he was asked three times. 问了他三遍他才告诉我真相。
【误】He told me the truth after asked three times.
【正】He told me the truth after being asked three times.
②以as if, as though等连词引导的方式状语从句
She lay there, as if (she was) dead. 她躺在那儿,好像死了。（省略的主语和主句的主语一致）
He opened his lips as if (he were going) to say something. 他张开嘴唇,好像要说什么话似的。
③以if, unless等连词引导的条件状语从句
We shall start at eight, if (it is) convenient. 如果方便的话,我们八点钟出发。
Correct the mistakes in the following sentences, if (there are) any. 如果下面句子中有错,请加以改正。
English words are easily forgotten unless (they are) constantly repeated. 英语单词不经常重复是很容易忘记的。
④以even if, even though, though, although, whether等连词引导的让步状语从句
Frost is possible, though (it is) not probable, even at the end of May. 甚至在五月底下霜也是可能的,虽然可能性不太大。
Whether (it is) difficult or not, we will try our best to complete the task. 不管任务是否艰巨,我们都要尽力去完成。
Whatever the cause (may be), the result is certain. 不论原因是什么,结果是确定的。
Though (he is) young, he knows a lot. 他虽然年轻但懂得很多。
提示：
在这类从句中,如果be是助动词,后面跟着现在分词或过去分词,只要主语和从句中的主语相同,也可以把从句中的主语和助动词be省略掉。
He hurt his leg while (he was) riding a horse. 他在骑马时伤了腿。
When (you are) cycling, don't forget the traffic lights. 骑车时,不要忘记看红绿灯。
Once (it is) seen, it can never be forgotten. 一旦看见,就永远不会忘记。
If (it is) burnt, rubber can give off a poisonous gas. 橡胶如果燃烧起来,会发出有毒气体。
4．在比较从句中通常把和主句重复的部分省掉。
①省略谓语的全部
James enjoys the theatre more than Susan. 詹姆斯比苏姆更喜欢戏剧。（Susan后省略了enjoys the theatre）
Tom has as many books as Jack. 汤姆有跟杰克一样多的书。（Jack后省略了has many books）
②省略主语和谓语的一部分
Brown speaks French as fluently as English. 布朗说法语和英语一样流利。（as后省略了he speaks）
She was more angry than frightened. 与其说她害怕,倒不如说她生气。（than后省略了She was）
③省略表语部分
Mrs White is not so young as she looks. 怀特夫人没有看上去那样年轻。（looks后省略了young）
The situation is much more delicate than it seems. 情况要比表面上看起来微妙得多。（seems后省略了delicate）
④省略主语和谓语的大部分,保留状语
He is working harder than before. 他现在工作比过去努力多了。（than后省略了he worked hard）
There are as many students in our school as in their school. 我们学校的学生和他们学校的学生一样多。（as后省略了there are many students）
⑤省略主语
He drank a little more than was good for him. 他喝酒稍有一点过量。（than后省略了it）
⑥省略宾语
You spent more money than I had expected. 你花掉的钱比我预料的多。（expected后省略了that you should spend）
I was able to borrow as many books as (what) I asked for. 我想要的许多书如数借到。
⑦省略从句的全部
You are getting slimmer. 你越来越苗条了。（slimmer后省略了than you were before）
It is not only blind men who make such stupid mistakes. People who can see sometimes act just as foolishly. 不仅仅只是瞎子才犯如此愚蠢的错误。有时候,眼睛看得见的人也做出同样的蠢事。（foolishly后省略了as blind men act）
注意：
在这类句子中,被省略的部分大多数是不表示出来的。如果把省略部分补上,反而不合乎习惯。
He is taller than I am. 他比我高。（am之后省略tall,补上不合习惯）
5．主句和从句中可同时省略一些成分。
The sooner (this is done), the better (it will be). 越快越好。
(If you take) No pains, (you will make) no gains. （谚）不劳则无获。
C． 使用替代词的省略
我们在省略句子某些成分时,有时还必须加上适当的替代词,如do, so, one等,以保持句子意思的完整。
1．do
do用来代替动词或动词加其他成分。
I know you better than he does. 我比他更了解你。（he does等于he knows you）
--- Have you finished your work
--- Yes, I did yesterday. （did替代finished my work）
2．so
so在expect, think, imagine, hope, suppose, believe等词后面,代替单词、词组或句子。
She became a loyal friend to me and remains so. 她成了我的一个忠诚的朋友,而且一直如此。（so替代a loyal friend）
--- Has she ever been to London 她曾到过伦敦吗
--- I don't think so. 我想她没去过。（= I don't think she has been to
London.)
提示：
也可使用do so, do that来代替动词加宾语。
He said he would make the bed for me but he didn't do so. 他说他帮我整理床铺的,但是他没有这样做。（do so代替make the bed for me）
They played cards after supper and I watched them do that. 他们晚饭后打牌,我在一旁观看。（do that代替play cards）
3．not
not代替否定的句子,用法和so相似。
--- Will it rain tomorrow 明天会下雨吗
--- I hope not. 我希望不会。（= I hope it won't rain tomorrow.）
--- Can you come next week 你下星期能来吗
--- I'm afraid not. 恐怕我不能来。(= I'm afraid that I can not come.)
4．the same
the same可代替词组或从句。
The mother swept the floor and her child did the same. 母亲扫地, 孩子也跟着干。（the same代替swept the floor）
Kate ordered two fried eggs. I ordered the same. 凯特点了两个煎鸡蛋,我也点了同样的菜。（the same代替two fried eggs）
These oranges are just as sour as the last ones we had. They taste the same. 这些桔子和我们上次吃的一样酸。他们味道一样。（the same代替as sour as the last ones we had）
5．one
one是不定代词,常用来代替可数名词。其复数形式是ones。
I haven't got any books; can you lend me one 我没有书,你能借我一本吗
The white dresses go with the hat better than the blue ones. 白色套装比蓝色套装更配这顶帽子。
必背：
口语中常用的省略句。
Up to you！你说了算！
Believe me. 相信我。
Give me a hand. 帮我一下。
Doesn't matter. 没关系。
Me too. 我也一样。
Not yet. 还没有。
Too bad! 太糟糕啦！
Mind you！当心！
Where to 要去哪儿？
Sure, no problem. 当然,没问题。
That much 太贵了吧？
Get lost! 滚开！
So that explains it. 原来如此
Too strange to be true! 太奇怪了,不真实。
See what I mean 了解我的意思吗？
