Guide to English grammar

3 We can use a personal pronoun or possessive pronoun instead of a noun phrase.
When Monica got the invitation, she felt pleased.
I forgot my invitation, but Monica remembered hers.

4 It, this or that can replace a clause.

Terry can’t get a job, but it doesn't seem to bother him. (it = that Terry can't get a job)
I hear the shop is closing down. -Who told you that? (that = that the shop is closing down)

5 The adverbs here, there, now and then can replace an expression of place or time.

I left the bag on the seat, and when I got back, it wasn't there. (= on the seat)
When I was young, we didn't have a television. Things were different then. (= when I was young)
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45 Special styles

In some special styles of English, words are left out to save space.

1 Signs and labels

A sign or label identifies the thing it is written on or tells us something about it.

On a building On a door On a packet On a car

Town Hall Office Automatic dishwasher powder For sale

Meaning This is the town hall This room is the office This packet contains automatic dishwasher powder This car is for sale

2 Newspaper headlines

A/an and the, auxiliary verbs and be are often left out of headlines.
Actor dies (= An actor has died.)
PM angry (= The Prime Minister is angry.)
Six arrested in raid (= Six people have been arrested in a raid.)

3 Instructions

The is sometimes left out of instructions. Here is an example from a camera instruction booklet.
Open battery compartment cover by pushing in direction of arrow. (= Open the battery compartment cover by pushing in the direction of the arrow.)
When an instruction is written on the thing it refers to, then there is often no need to use the noun.
Handle with care. (on a parcel)
Do not cover. (on a heater)

4 Postcards and diaries

Some kinds of words can be left out from a postcard or diary to avoid repetition or to save space. They include I and we, a/an and the, auxiliary verbs, the verb be, and there is/are.
Arrived safely Saturday. Hotel OK, weather marvellous/marvelous, sun shining. Been sunbathing. Lots to do here. Going on excursion tomorrow.

5 Note style

English can be written in note style when information must be given as briefly as possible. This information is about Edinburgh University.

WHAT IT'S LIKE

Large and diverse university set in heart of historic city. Separate science campus with regular (free) minibus service. Buildings range from historic to high-tech. Main accommodation in central Halls with wide range of renovated houses and
student flats. Accommodation situation improving.
(from K. Boehm and J. Lees-Spalding The Student Book)

The words left out here are a/an and the, the verb be and there is/are.

We can also use note style when writing down the important parts of what is said, for example at a lecture or meeting.

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