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Ellipsis with and, but and or

Various kinds of word left out​

When expressions are joined by and, but or or, we often leave out repeated words or phrases of various kinds.

  • a knife and (a) fork
  • these men and (these) women
  • ripe apples and (ripe) pears
  • antique (furniture) or modern furniture
  • in France, (in) Germany or (in) Spain
  • She can read, but (she) can’t write.
  • The Minister likes golf but (the Minister) hates fishing.
  • We drove (across America), rode (across America), flew (across America) and walked across America.
  • She was poor but (she was) happy.
  • The food (is ready) and the drinks are ready.
  • Jake (washed the dishes) and Sophie washed the dishes.

We can sometimes drop a verb that is repeated in a different form.

  • I have always paid my bills and I always will (pay …).

Word order​

Note that when two verbs, objects, etc are the same, it is not always the second that is left out. We may have to leave out the first to avoid confusion, or to produce a simpler word order and sentence structure.

  • Cats (catch mice) and dogs catch mice. (not Cats catch mice and dogs.)
  • I can (go) and will go.

In informal speech and writing, ellipsis does not usually interrupt the normal word order of a clause or sentence. Sentences like the following are typical of a more formal style.

  • Daniel planned and Megan paid for the trip. (Less formal: Daniel planned the trip and Megan paid for it.)
  • Kevin likes dancing and Annie athletics. (Less formal: Kevin likes dancing and Annie likes athletics.)
  • The children will carry the small boxes and the adults the large ones.
  • Megan went to Greece and Alice to Rome.
  • You seem, and she certainly is, ill.

Other conjunctions​

Ellipsis is not normally possible after other conjunctions besides and, but and or.

  • She didn’t know where she was when she woke up. (not … when woke up.)

However, ellipsis of subject pronouns with forms of be is possible in some cases (e.g. if possible, when arriving), (see here), (see here), (see here).

(and) then​

In an informal style, ellipsis is sometimes possible after then, even if and is dropped.

  • Daniel started first, (and) then Tom (started).
note

For singular or plural verbs after expressions with and or or, (see here).

For singular and plural verbs with neither … nor, (see here).