Ellipsis

[Jonathon]

Pupils don't routinely put them into their school-work or examinations.

Wanna bet? Many of them -- a surprising number, in my experience -- do. I am one of the people who ranks our English placement exams, and I also get lots of emails from  students and potential students. One of the problems seems to be a lack of comprehension (not among all, but among a whole heck of a lot) of what situations constitute "formal writing".

Those statements come from someone who has done actual research on the issue. I haven't read the book, but I wouldn't dismiss Crystal's claims so quickly.

[Noemon]

(Actually, the next time I revise my profile on the dating site I am on (but where I am not currently active) I think I'll put in something about the subjunctive.)

I wish it were already there.

   

[Porter]

At least someone got it!  

[rivka]

Hey, I got it. Had I not, my response wouldn't have made much sense.

[Porter]

Well, I guess I didn't get your response then.