Ellipsis: Concept, Uses and Examples

We explain to you what is the ellipsis and the meaning of this term.Besides, its different uses and examples of this rhetorical figure.

Ellipsis consists in the omission or suppression of part of the content of a sentence.

What is ellipsis?

The term ellipsis comes from the Greek word elleipsis and which translates "omission", and is a rhetorical figure that consists in the omission or suppression of part of the content of a prayer , which, although grammatically necessary, is implicit in the context.This is called elliptical construction.

It can also be used as a narrative resource , to the extent that important portions of the content of a work are omitted (a novel, for example, or a movie), so that the reader can deduce or infer them from what is said.

In fact, in cinematographic language, it is known as ellipsis to the suppression of unnecessary material to tell the story, such as transfers from one stage to another, or everyday sequences that are not indispensable.

Similarly, in the mathematical language the term ellipsis is used to refer to a specific symbol (the ellipsis) that accuses the usually indefinite or eternal repetition of a sequence, a value or a number.

See also: Literary Resources.

Ellipsis examples

Ellipsis can also be used as a narrative resource.

Here are some rhetorical examples of ellipsis:

• Manuel came by car, Miguel by bicycle.(The verb "come" is omitted.)


• Last night we bought pizza and beers too.(The verb "buy" is omitted.)


• In the garden we grow tomatoes, and cucumber too.(The verb "cultivate" is omitted.)


• We will bring the wine, you the bread, they the table.(The verb "bring" is omitted.)


• Last year it rained a lot, however this year not so much.(The verb "rain" is omitted.)


• The roses are red, the blue sky.(The verb is omitted).


• Teresa arrived with her boyfriend, Maricarmen no.(The repetition of “I arrive with her boyfriend” is omitted.)


• Yesterday's movie was boring.Today's too.(The repetition of "I thought it was boring" is omitted.)


• I was never good in sports, but in chess, yes ("I was good" is omitted).


• To enter the toast you must wear a jacket and tie.(The verb “to use” is omitted.)


• We had thirty-three million, and then thirty-five.(The verb "have" is omitted)


• I started to cook, Rodrigo to sweep and Malena to order.("Put to" is omitted.)


• Maximo is a pious lawyer, and an unfortunate professional.("being" is omitted.)


• Libraries are full of books and magazines too (omitted "are full of").


• I will never fly for Avianca again.I will do it for Copa.(The verb “fly” is omitted.)