What is Ellipse?

The ellipse is a figure of speech that is in the category of syntax pictures (or construction). This is because it is related to the syntactic construction of statements.

It is used to omit terms in a sentence that are not mentioned above. However, these terms are easily identifiable by the interlocutor.

Example: I ate at my grandmother's restaurant last week.

In the example above, we know that by the conjugation of the verb (first person singular), the omitted term was the personal pronoun (I). This case is called “subject ellipse”.

In addition to the omission of the subject, the ellipse can occur with other terms in the sentence: verbs, adverbs and conjunctions.

We use this figure of speech (or style) daily in informal speeches (oral language).

It is also widely used in texts in order to provide greater textual fluidity, avoiding, for example, the repetition of some terms in sentences. It is important to note that the absence of these terms does not interfere with textual understanding.

In addition to the ellipse, other syntax figures are: zeugma,

hyperbatic, silepsis, asyndeton, polysyndeton, anaphora, anacolutton and pleonasm.

Examples

Check out some examples of ellipse in music and literature below:

  • In the room, only four or five guests.” (Machado de Assis) – omission of the verb “haver”. (In the room there were only four or five guests)
  • The afternoon might be blue, there weren't so many wishes.” (Carlos Drummond de Andrade) – omission of the conjunction “if”. (The afternoon might be blue if there weren't so many wishes)
  • Where does my beloved hide? / Where does my girlfriend..." (song "sad corner” Edu Lobo) – omission of the verb “está”. (Where is my girlfriend...)
  • When you looked right into my eyes / And your look was goodbye, I swear I didn't believe.” (song "Behind the door) – omission of the pronouns “you” and “I” (When you looked me in the eye/And your look was goodbye, I swear I didn't believe it)

Ellipse and Zeugma

THE zeugma, like the ellipse, is a syntax figure. It is considered a type of ellipse.

The difference between them is the identification of the term in the sentence. In other words, in the ellipse, the term can be identified by context, or even by grammar. But, in the ellipse these terms were not mentioned previously.

In zeugma, the terms that were omitted were already mentioned. To better understand, see the examples below:

  • Ellipse: I walked all over the park. (Me)
  • Zeugma: Anne bought bananas, I bought apples. (Bought)

Attention!

When zeugma is used, the use of comma, semicolon, or full stop is mandatory.

Examples:

  • In Alfredo's house there was a jacuzzi; in mine, a swimming pool. (omission of "had")
  • In Maria's house there was an orange tree. In mine, lemon tree. (omission of “there was”)
  • Mariana prefers plastic arts, I prefer cinema. (omission of "prefer")

Curiosities

  • From the Greek, the term “élleipsis” means “omission” or “missing”.
  • In mathematics, the term ellipse defines a type of shape or graph.
  • In astronomy, ellipses designate planetary orbits.

Continue your research on figures of speech. Read the articles:

  • Figures of Language
  • Syntax figures
  • Thought Figures
  • Word Pictures
  • Sound Figures

What is Assonance?

Assonance is a type of figure of speech, called a figure of sound or harmony. It is characterized...

read more

What is Litote?

Litote is a figure of speech, more precisely a figure of thought. It is used to soften an express...

read more

Apostrophe Language Figure

Apostrophe is a figure of speech that is in the category of thought figures.It is characterized b...

read more