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Latest post Tue, Sep 6 2005 4:08 PM by Philip. 5 replies.
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Anonymous  +  133908 Sun, 04 Sep 05 09:46 PM

Can anyone tell me if, in formal written English, implied pronouns are grammatically correct? Example: Hope that helps. I is implied, as in,"I hope that helps" but is it correct. Not in informal English but in formal written English.

Thanks

Philip  +  133977 Mon, 05 Sep 05 01:57 AM
 Anonymous wrote:

Can anyone tell me if, in formal written English, implied pronouns are grammatically correct? Example: Hope that helps. I is implied, as in,"I hope that helps" but is it correct. Not in informal English but in formal written English.

Thanks

I think it is too informal for good writing.  I'm trying to think of an example where a sentence with an implied subject would be acceptable, besides in an imperative.  Others can help me out here?

Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005
Veteran Member 8,737
At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen
rvw  +  134052 Mon, 05 Sep 05 09:12 AM
I agree with Philip that the use of an implied pronoun is less than choice written English.  However some sentences lacking verbs and nouns or pronouns, called verbless sentences,  are considered choice:

-To all intents and purposes, none.
-Not anywhere near good enough to meet the situation.
-Probably so.
-Music to an author's ears, no doubt, and remembered this quarter century.
-Conversational awareness.
-But not the same.

The above were from a single issue of Harper's Magazine (September, 1950).

(Examples from Understanding Grammar by Paul Roberts.)

It seems that omitting just the pronoun is a faux paus, but omitting more is "choice".  Go figure.
rvw
Joined on Sun, Nov 28 2004
Woodstock, Georgia, USA
Full Member 350
Philip  +  134154 Mon, 05 Sep 05 04:16 PM

 Rvw wrote:
It seems that omitting just the pronoun is a faux paus, but omitting more is "choice".  Go figure.

Interesting way of putting it:  "go figure" (not choice, not a faux pas, but correct because it's an imperative).Wink [;)]

rvw  +  134367 Tue, 06 Sep 05 09:29 AM
Would you believe that I deliberately misspell faux pas as an example of one?
rvw
Philip  +  134490 Tue, 06 Sep 05 04:08 PM

 Rvw wrote:
Would you believe that I deliberately misspell faux pas as an example of one?

I hadn't noticed.  Shame on me!

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