Emailing: Missing Words and Abbreviations

Missing Words and Abbreviations Missing or leaving out words is common in emails and informal speech. It happens where the people know each other very well and the situation is relaxed and friendly. The meaning is clear from the context so the full grammatical form is not necessary.Some of the most common cases are:1. The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc.2. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out.3. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out.4. The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well.5. A form of "be" can be left out on its own.6. The word "the" can occasionally be left out.Now, read the following sentences and match them to the descriptions above. (1-6) (That's a) good idea! The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out. The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. (Did you) get my last email? The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. (I) think your idea is great. The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. (It) sounds like fun! The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. (I am) looking forward to seeing you. The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. (I'll) speak to you later. The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. Just read (the) email about relocation. The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. Your suggestion (is) good, but needs clarification. The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. (Are you) coming with us on Friday? The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. (I) hope you're well. The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. (It's) a pity we missed you yesterday. The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. Next week (would be) better than this week. The subject "I" can be left out, especially with mental verbs like hope, think, etc. In a question, the subject "you" and the auxiliary can be left out. The subject "I" and the auxiliary (be, have, will) can be left out The words " That" or "It" can be left out, often with a form of "be" as well. A form of "be" can be left out on its own. The word "the" can occasionally be left out. Latin abbreviations Match the abbreviations with the meanings i.e. (id est) I'm going to explain what I mean using different words. e.g. (exempli gratia) I'm going to give an example. NB (nota bene) I want you to give special attention to this next point. PS (postscript) I'm adding some information at the end that I forgot. Abbreviated forms In some emails you can find many abbreviated forms. The writer wants to write very quickly and the meaning is clear from the context. Notice that the amount of abbreviated content is defined by the relationship between the people involved: the more informal, the more abbreviations. There are three techniques:1. using a letter to stand for a sound ('c' = see)2. making a short form of a common word ('yr' = your)3. writing the first letters of a well-known phrase ('asap' = as soon as possible)For more common abbreviations and business acronyms, visit: Common abbreviations and acronyms The table below shows an email that has missing words and abbreviations. Write the full forms in the box on the right. Don't use contractions. Subject: Thx 4 yr msg Subject: Thanks for your message Re your msg left on my ans machine Regarding your message left on my answering machine Yes, I'm free 4 lunch on Wed next wk. Yes, I am free for lunch on Wednesday next week. Btw, good news about yr interview. By the way, good news about your interview. Tell u about it L8R. I will tell you about it later. Hv 2 work now. I have to work now. CU, Jane. See you, Jane. The table below shows an email that has missing words and abbreviations. Write the full forms in the box on the right. Subject: Options for Tech Help Subject: Options for Technical Help We have a Tech Assistance section on our website We have a Technical Assistance section on our website with an extensive list of FAQs with an extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions. Customers find this v convnt as it is avail 24 Customers find this very convenient as it is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Otoh, if you need to spk to sb in person, you can call during wkng hs On the other hand, if you need to speak to somebody in person, you can call during working hours. Bw, Alan Best wishes, Alan.