OF THE ELLIPSIS. E' LLIPSIS, as applied to Grammar, is the Omiffion of fome Word or Words which must be fupplied, either to complete the Senfe, or to make out the grammatical Conftruction of the Sentence. The principal Design of Ellipfis is to avoid difagreeable Repetitions, as well as to exprefs our Ideas in as few Words, and as pleafing a. Manner as poffible. In the Application of this Figure, great Care fhould be taken to avoid Ambiguity; for whenever it obscures the Sense, it ought by no Means to be admitted. Almost all compound Sentences are more or lefs elliptical. The The ELLIPSIS of the ARTICLE "A Man, Woman, and Child; i. e "A Man, a Woman, and a Child." "A Father and Son. The Sun and "Moon. The Day and Hour." In all which Inftances the Article being once mentioned, the Repetition of it, unless fome peculiar Emphasis requires it, would be unneceffary. "Not only the Year, but the Day, " and the Hour." In this Cafe the Ellipsis of the laft Article would be rather improper. The ELLIPSIS of the NouN. "A learned, wife, and good Man ; ❝ i. e. A learned Man, a wife Man, " and a good Man.” "A prudent and faithful Wife. The Laws of God and Man. The Safety "and Happiness of the State." In fome very emphatical Expreffions the Ellipfis fhould not be admitted; as," Chrift the Power of God, and "the Wisdom of God." "At Saint Jameses. Here we have a Noun in the geni tive Cafe, and noWord in the Sentence to govern it; the Ellipfis muft therefore be fupplied to make out the Conftruction: And yet, in common Conversation at least, it is much better to say, "I went by Saint Paul's;" than "I "went by Saint Paul's Church.” The ELLIPSIS of the ADJECTIVE. "A delightful Orchard and Garden; "i. e. A delightful Orchard and a de"lightful Garden." "A little Man and Woman. Great "Wealth and Power." In fuch elliptical Expreffions, the Adjective ought to have exactly the fame M fame Signification, and to be quite as proper, when joined to the latter as to the former Subftantives; otherwise the Ellipfis fhould not be admitted. Nor fhould we, I think, apply this Ellipfis of the Adjective to Nouns of different Numbers. "A magnificent House and Gardens." Better ufe another Word, "A magnifi"cent House and fine Gardens." "A tall Man and a Woman.” In this Sentence there is no Ellipfis; the Adjective or Quality respects only the Man. The ELLIPSIS of the PRONOUN "I love and fear Him; i. e. I "love Him, and I fear Him." "My House and Lands. Thy Learning and Wisdom. His Wife and Daughter. Her Lord and Master.” In all these Inftances the Ellipfis may be introduced with Propriety: But if we would be more exprefs and emphatical, it must not be admitted. "My Lord and my God. My Sons "and my Daughters." "This is the Man they hate. These are the Goods they bought. Are "these the Gods they worship? Is "this the Woman you faw?" In fuch common Forms of Speech, the relative Pronoun is usually omitted: Though for the moft Part, especially in complex Sentences, it is much bet ter to have it expreffed. "In the Pofture I lay. In the Way I went. The Horfe I rode "fell down." Better fay, "The Pofture in which I "lay. The Way in which I went. The "Horfe on which I rode fell down." The Antecedent and the Relative connect the Parts of a Sentence together, M 2 |