You can also do this in conversation.
‘Do you ever visit a doctor?’ I asked her. – ‘No. We can’t afford to.’
Note that there are some verbs, such as try and ask, that are also often used on their own, without to.
They couldn’t help each other, and it was ridiculous to try.
I’m sure she’ll help you, if you ask.
In conversation
10.74
‘He gets free meals.’ – ‘Does he?’
‘They’re starting up a new arts centre there.’ – ‘Are they?’
‘I’ve checked everyone.’ – ‘Have you now?’
leaving words out in questions
10.75 You can often leave words out in questions when the context makes it clear what is meant. The question can consist of just a wh-word.
‘Someone’s in the house.’ – ‘Who?’ – ‘I think it might be Gary.’
‘But I’m afraid there’s more.’ – ‘What?’
‘Can I speak to you?’ I asked, undaunted. – ‘Why?’ – ‘It’s important.’
‘We’re going on holiday tomorrow.’ – ‘Where?’ – ‘To Majorca.’
Note that you can also use why not.
‘Maria! We won’t discuss that here.’ – ‘Why not?’
Note also that you can use a wh-word after a reporting verb, especially why.
I asked why.
They enquired how.
10.76 Other questions can also consist of only a very few words when the context makes it clear what is meant. Short questions of this kind are often used to express surprise or to offer something to someone.
‘Could you please come to Ira’s right away and help me out?’–
‘Now?’ ‘Tonight?’– ‘It’s incredibly important.’
‘He’s going to die, you see.’– ‘Die?’
‘Cup of coffee?’ Lionel asked, kindly.
He drank the water and handed me the glass. ‘More?’ ‘No, that’s just fine, thank you.’
leaving words out in replies
10.77 When you reply to wh-questions, you can often use one word or a group of words rather than a full sentence. You do this to avoid repeating words used in the question. For example, if someone asks What is your favourite colour?, the normal reply is a single word, for example Blue, rather than a sentence such as My favourite colour is blue.
‘What’s your name?’ – ‘Pete.’
‘How do you feel?’ – ‘Strange.’
‘Where do you come from?’ – ‘Cardiff.’
‘Where are we going? – ‘Up the coast.’
‘How long have you been out of this country?’ – ‘About three months.’
‘How much money is there in that case?’ – ‘Six hundred pounds.’
‘Why should they want me to know?’ – ‘To scare you, perhaps. Who can tell?’
Wh-questions are explained in paragraphs 5.21 to 5.34.
10.78 You can often use a sentence adverbial or an adverb of degree rather than a sentence in answer to a yes/no-question.
‘Do you think you could keep your mouth shut if I was to tell you something?’ – ‘Definitely.’
‘Do you think they’re very important?’ – ‘Maybe.’
‘Do you enjoy life at the university?’ – ‘Oh yes, very much.’
‘Are you interested?’ – ‘Very.’
‘Are you ready, Matthew?’ – ‘Not quite.’
‘Is she sick?’ – ‘Not exactly.’
10.79 You can also answer a yes/no-question with a pronoun and a verb phrase that reflects the original question. The absence of not in your reply indicates yes. The presence of not indicates no.
‘Does Lydia Walker live here?’ – ‘She does.’
‘Have you taken advantage of any of our offers in the past?’ – ‘I haven’t.’
Yes/no-questions are explained in paragraphs 5.12 to 5.14. Sentence adverbials are listed in Chapter 9 (9.56 to 9.68). Adverbs of degree are listed in Chapter 2 (2.140 to 2.156) and Chapter 6 (6.45 to 6.52).
leaving words out when you are agreeing
10.80 You often leave words out when you want to show that you agree with something that has just been said, or to say that it also applies to someone or something else. One way of doing this is by using too after an auxiliary or form of be.
‘I like baked beans.’ – ‘Yes, I do too.’
‘I failed the exam.’ – ‘I did too.’
The other way of doing this is to use so followed by the auxiliary or form of be, followed by the subject.
‘I find that amazing.’ – ‘So do I.’
Note that you can also use this form within a sentence to say that someone or something is the same.
He does half the cooking and so do I.
10.81 You can also leave out words when you want to show that you agree with something negative that has just been said, or to say that it also applies to someone or something else. One way of doing this is by using an auxiliary or form of be followed by not and either.
‘I don’t know.’ – ‘I don’t either.’
‘I can’t see how she does it.’ – ‘I can’t either.’
The other way is to use nor or neither followed by an auxiliary or form of be, followed by the subject.
‘I don’t like him.’ – ‘Nor do I.’