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  1. #1
    spoon is offline Member
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    Default Ellipsis in Q & A

    Dear teachers,

    Could you please have a look at this question?

    A: "Do you want to play poker?"

    B: "No,__________________.

    In the blank, how many types of responses are possible?

    (a) No, I do not(or don't) want to play poker.
    (b) No, I do not( or don't) want to play it.
    (c) No, I do not( or don't) want to do it.
    (d) No, I do not( or don't) want to.
    (e) No.

    I think those above are correct and possible answers in the blank.
    But how about "No, I don't want to do."? I can't understand why this is not be used instead of "No, I don't want to do it.".

    Could you please give me any grammatical answers about it?

    Always thank you!
    Last edited by spoon; 03-May-2006 at 15:58.

  2. #2
    spoon is offline Member
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    Default Re: Ellipsis in Q & A

    I'm sorry to confuse you!

    I've corrected the sentences. Could you please have a look at them once more?
    Every response assumes that 'I don't want to play'.
    Many thanks.

  3. #3
    Casiopea's Avatar
    Casiopea is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: Ellipsis in Q & A

    OK. And allow me to suggest a correction: there should be just the one "No", not two.

    A: "Do you want to play poker?"

    B: "No,__________________.

    In the blank, how many types of responses are possible?

    (a) No, I do not(or don't) want to play poker.
    (b) No, I do not( or don't) want to play it.
    (c) No, I do not( or don't) want to do it.
    (d) No, I do not( or don't) want to.
    (e) No.
    Choices (a), (d), and (e) are possible answer. (b) and (c) are not. The rule for ellipsis is, never substitute, and that's what's going on here:

    Choice (b) replaces "poker" with "it".
    Choice (c) replaces "play poker" with "do it".

    Moreover, "do" implies work, whereas "play" implies non-work;i.e. fun. Saying, "I don't want to do it" implies that playing poker is a chore.

    ========
    Spoon, please note that, it's fine to edit your post for small things, like grammatical mistakes or typing errors, but try not to edit your examples. Otherwise, the posts that follow yours won't make any sense to the other people who are reading the thread. Post again, next time.

    All the best.

  4. #4
    spoon is offline Member
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    Default Re: Ellipsis in Q & A

    Quote Originally Posted by Casiopea
    OK. And allow me to suggest a correction: there should be just the one "No", not two.
    Choices (a), (d), and (e) are possible answer. (b) and (c) are not. The rule for ellipsis is, never substitute, and that's what's going on here:
    Choice (b) replaces "poker" with "it".
    Choice (c) replaces "play poker" with "do it".
    Moreover, "do" implies work, whereas "play" implies non-work;i.e. fun. Saying, "I don't want to do it" implies that playing poker is a chore.
    ========
    Spoon, please note that, it's fine to edit your post for small things, like grammatical mistakes or typing errors, but try not to edit your examples. Otherwise, the posts that follow yours won't make any sense to the other people who are reading the thread. Post again, next time.
    All the best.
    I see what you mean.And the last on (e) goes with one 'No'. ;) Thank you so much. :)

  5. #5
    Casiopea's Avatar
    Casiopea is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: Ellipsis in Q & A

    You're welcome, Spoon.

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