Re: Ellipsis (was: Re: Italian Particles)

Vasiliy Chernov wrote:
> For example, in English, you can't say simply 'Reads' in reply to a
> question like 'What does he do?' (Or at least I was taught you can't;
> L1 speakers may correct me).
Occasionally, "Reads" is possible, but not very often.  I couldn't say
what conditions allow it.  Myself, if someone responded with just one
word, I'd usually interpret it as they're unwilling to speak.

> (can
> you ever say in English simply 'Give!' or 'Take!', I wonder? And why,
> if not?).
"Give!" doesn't work, altho "Give it" or "Give me" is possible, despite
the non-imperative form requiring both objects (He gave me it, not *he
gave me).  "Take!" is possible, however, but it's much "stronger" than
"take it".

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