Guide to English grammar

41 Leaving out the verb

When there are two sentences with the same pattern and the same verb, then we do not need to repeat the verb.
The new warehouse contains furniture and the old one electrical goods. (= ... and the old one contains electrical goods.)
Everton have played ten games but Liverpool only eight. (= ... but Liverpool have/has only played eight games.)
This happens only in rather formal English.

42 Leaving out words at the beginning of a sentence

In informal English we can leave out some kinds of words from the beginning of a sentence if the meaning is clear without them.
-Ready?
-Sorry, no.
-Can't find my car keys.
-Doesn't matter. We can go in my car.
-OK.
-Better get going, or we'll be late.

A practical guide to English grammar 40

“Ready?” means “Are you ready?”, and it is clear that the question refers to the person spoken to. “Doesn't matter” means “It doesn't matter”, and the meaning is clear without it. The same thing happens in informal writing, for example in postcards. • 45(4)

1 Statements

We can leave out the subjects I and it.
Can’t find my keys. (= I can't find ...)
Hope you have a good time. (= I hope ...)
Feels colder today. (= It feels colder today.)

2 Yes/no questions

We can leave out the auxiliary or the ordinary verb be from a yes/no question.
Your problem been sorted out? (= Has your problem ...?)
Everything all right? (= Is everything...?)
We can sometimes leave out both the subject and the auxiliary or the subject and the ordinary verb be, especially if the subject is you or there.
Tired? (=Are you tired?)
Need to borrow money? Just give us a ring. (= Do you need ...?)
Any free seats in here? (= Are there any free seats ...?)

3 Leaving out a/an and the

We can sometimes leave out these words before the subject.
Cup of tea is what I need. (= A cup of tea...)
Television's broken down. (= The television ...)

4 Leaving out an imperative verb

We can sometimes leave out an imperative verb. The verb is usually be or expresses movement.
Careful. (= Be careful.)
This way, please. (= Come this way, please.)