THE INTERPRETIVE ROLE OF ELLIPSIS AS STRUCTURAL GAPS IN CONVERSATION

Abstract

This article looks at how ellipsis works in everyday conversation and  by using examples from real conversations, the study demonstrates how people naturally fill in these gaps and make sense of what is left unsaid. It also shows how ellipsis helps conversations flow more smoothly by making speech quicker and more efficient, especially during turn-taking. The paper highlights that interpreting ellipsis depends not only on grammar but also on context and the listener’s ability to infer meaning.

As a whole, the article argues that ellipsis is not just a structural omission but a meaningful and useful feature of spoken language that supports effective and natural communication.