ellipsis

ellipsis (ellipse): the omission of apart of a phrase or a clause, if that part has been stated previously in the context, and for that reason does not need to be repeated. In the following examples the ellipted material is given in brackets. (1) 'Would you like to have dinner with us?' - 'Yes, I'd love to' [have dinner with you]. (2) 'What did she tell you?' - [She told me] 'That she was busy.' (3) I should have finished that paper, but I haven't [finished that paper].