Elliptical Constructions

Elliptical Constructions is the process of combining two sentences that have

different subjects, but have the same verb and complement. Elliptical
construction can also be interpreted as a sentence formed by removing some
parts of the same sentence. The purpose of omitting some of these sentences is
to make the sentence shorter and more effective.

In the application or example of using Elliptical Construction, there are three

types that are commonly used. Positive elliptical construction (too and so),
negative elliptical construction (neither and either) and contrary elliptical
construction (but/while).

1. Positive Elliptical Construction Too dan So

Too and So are used to simplify positive sentences. Both mean "also" in
Indonesian.

Formula:

S + V/Tobe + O + and + S + Auxiliary + Too

S + V/Tobe + O + and + So + auxiliary + S

Examples of So and Too usage in sentences:

1. I eat fried chicken and she does too.

2. I like this song and you do too.

3. My big brother like to listen music and so do I.

4. I want to eat fried rice and so does she.

2. Negative Elliptical Construction (Either dan Neither)

Either and neither can also be translated as "also" and used in negative tenses.

Formula :

Negative sentence + and + S + negative + either

Negative sentence + and + neither + positive + subject

Example of using Elliptical Construction negative form (Either and Neither):

1. I can’t come to your birthday party and Lisa can’t come either.

2. I didn’t watch the film and you did not either.

3. They don’t finish the homework and neither do we.

4. I did’nt go to office yeserday, and neither did she.

3. Contrary Elliptical Construction (But/While)

But is an elliptical construction used to combine two opposite sentences in English

or contrary elliptical construction.

Formula:

S 1 + V I + but / while + S 2 + do / does + not

S 1 + V II + but / while + S 2 + did + not

S 1 + Aux (verb) + but / while + S 2 +aux + not

S 1 + aux not (verb) + but / while + S 2 + aux

Example sentences of Contrary Elliptical Construction :

1. Amel is clever. Her sister isn’t clever.

-> Amel is clever but her sister isn’t.

2. He does not have a bag. I have a bag.

-> He does not have a bag but I do.

3. Linda can swimming. Rina can not swimming.

-> Linda can swimming but Rina cannot.

Exercise
Fill in the missing sentences below with too, so, either, neither, or but according
to the pattern found in the Elliptical construction.

1. I like banana, _____ Emily don’t. (too/so/but)

2. Catherine didn’t like the movie, and ______ did her friends.
(but/neither/either)

3. Emily loves swimming, and Ernie does ____. (too/neither/so)

4. We aren’t listening to the music, and the children aren’t ______ .

(too/either/neither)

5. Emily went to the museum last week, and _____ did I. (too/so/but)
Thank you. Any Questions?

Translate :
Elliptical Constructions

Constructions adalah proses penggabungan dua kalimat yang berbeda subject,

namun memiliki kata kerja (verb) dan pelengkap (complement) yang sama.
Elliptical construction bisa juga diartikan dengan suatu kalimat yang dibentuk
dengan cara menghilangkan beberapa bagian kalimat yang sama. Tujuan dari dari
penghilangan beberapa kalimat tersebut adalah agar kalimat tersebut lebih
pendek dan lebih efektif.

Pada penerapan atau contoh penggunaan Elliptical Construction terdapat tiga

jenis yang umum digunakan. Positive elliptical construction (too dan so), negative
elliptical construction (neither dan either) dan contrary elliptical construction
(but/while).

1. Positive Elliptical Construction Too dan So

Too dan So digunakan untuk menyederhanakan kalimat positif. Keduanya

memiliki arti “juga” dalam bahasa indonesia.
Rumus dari positive elliptical construction (adalah sebagai berikut :

S + V/Tobe + O + and + S + Auxiliary + Too

S + V/Tobe + O + and + So + auxiliary + S

Contoh penggunaan So dan Too dalam kalimat:

1. I eat fried chicken and she does too. (Aku makan ayam goreng dan dia juga.)

2. I like this song and you do too. (Aku suka lagu ini dan kamu juga.)

3. My big brother like to listen music and so do I. (Kakakku suka mendengarkan

musik dan aku juga.)

4. I want to eat fried rice and so does she. (Aku ingin makan nasi goreng dan dia
juga.)

2. Negative Elliptical Construction (Either dan Neither)

Either dan neither juga bisa diartikan dengan “juga” dan digunakan dalam bentuk
kalimat negative.

Rumus negative elliptical construction (Either dan Neither):

Kalimat negative + and + S + negative + either

kalimat negative + and + neither + positive + subject

Contoh penggunaan Elliptical Construction bentuk negative (Either dan Neither)

1. I can’t come to your birthday party and Randu can’t come either. (Aku tidak
dapat datang ke pesta ulang tahunmi dan Randu tidak dapat juga.)
2. I didn’t watch the film and you did not either. (Aku tidak menonton film dan
kamu juga.)

3. They don’t finish the homework and neither do we. (Mereka tidak
menyelesaikan PR nya dan begitu juga kami.)

4. I did’nt go to office yeserday, and neither did she. (Aku tidak berangkat kerja
kemarin, dan dia juga.)

3. Contrary Elliptical Construction (But/While)

But merupakan elliptical construction yang digunakan untuk menggabungkan dua

kalimat yang berlawanan dalam bahasa inggris atau contrary elliptical
construction.

Formula:

S 1 + V I + but / while + S 2 + do / does + not

S 1 + V II + but / while + S 2 + did + not

S 1 + Aux (verb) + but / while + S 2 +aux + not

S 1 + aux not (verb) + but / while + S 2 + aux

Contoh Kalimat Contrary Elliptical Construction :

1. Amel is clever. Her sister isn’t clever.

-> Amel is clever but her sister isn’t.

2. He does not have a bag. I have a bag.

-> He does not have a bag but I do.

3. Linda can swimming. Rina can not swimming.

-> Linda can swimming but Rina cannot.