The use of a correct form in an unsuitable context, however, can interfere with understandingjust as much as a mistake. To help learners to use language which is appropriate for a given occasion, I have frequently marked usages as formal, informal, literary and so on. | 5 LEAVING OUT AND REPLACING WORDS PAGE 50 4 It this or that can replace a clause. Terry can t get ajob but it doesn t seem to bother him. it that Terry can t get a job I hear the shop is closing down. Who toldyou that that that the shop is closing down 5 The adverbs here there now and then can replace an expression of place or time. I left the bag on the seat and when I got back it wasn t there. on the seat When I was young we didn t have a television. Things were different then. when I was young 45 Special styles In some special styles of English words are left out to save space. 1 Signs and labels A sign or label identifies the thing it is written on or tells us something about it. Meaning On a building Town Hall This is the town hall. On a door Office This room is the office. On a packet Automatic dishwasher This packet contains automatic powder dishwasher powder. On a car For sale This car is for sale. 2 Newspaper headlines Alan and the auxiliary verbs and be are often left out of headlines. Actor dies An actor has died. PM angry The Prime Minister is angry. Six arrested in raid Six people have been arrested in a raid. 3 Instructions The is sometimes left out of instructions. Here is an example from a camera instruction booklet. Open battery compartment cover by pushing in direction of arrow. Open the battery compartment cover by pushing in the direction of the arrow. When an instruction is written on the thing it refers to then there is often no need to use the noun. Handle with care. on a parcel Do not cover. on a heater PAGE 51 45 Special styles 4 Postcards and diaries Some kinds of words can be left out from a postcard or diary to avoid repetition or to save space. They include I and we a an and the auxiliary verbs the verb be and there is are. Arrived safely Saturday. Hotel OK weather marvellous sun shining. Been sunbathing. Lots to do here. Going on excursion tomorrow. 5 Note style English can be written in note style when information must be given as .
