Talk:Answer ellipsis

Expansion needed

The lede asserts that an answer ellipsis is "a type of ellipsis that occurs in answers to questions," but that characterization is too limited. An answer ellipsis is more generally any implicit part of a reply, whether to a question or to other types of utterances re various moods. E.g.:

• A: Slow down. B: Why [should I slow down]? < Answer ellipsis vis-a-vis imperative mood.
• A: You're going to eat that whole pizza? I wouldn't do that. B: Why [would you] not [eat that whole pizza]? < Answer ellipsis vis-a-vis indicative mood.
• A: Let's go. B: [Let's go] Where? < Answer ellipsis vis-a-vis hortative mood.

Kent Dominic·(talk) 15:01, 11 October 2023 (UTC)

An answer ellipsis also can be a reply to an answer. E.g.:

• A: Yes or no? B: No. A: Why [did you say] no?
• A: Why did you quit? B: It wasn't worth the effort. A: Why [was it] not [worth the effort]?

--Kent Dominic·(talk) 15:18, 11 October 2023 (UTC)