# Is there a nomenclature for dropping "I am" from a statement? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 23, 2023, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460 "2023-05-23T07:33:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Deflagration](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ab097/32.png) [@Deflagration](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deflagration)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460/1 "2023-05-23T07:33:07Z")
I’m not looking for a contraction as in this sentence. But ‘Going to the shop’ instead of ‘I’m going to the shop’. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460/2 "2023-05-23T08:12:03Z")
I don’t know if there’s a specific name for excising ‘I am’, but it could be considered a [conversational deletion.](https://learnenglishwithdemi.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/conversational-deletion) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460/3 "2023-05-23T12:00:09Z")
Understood subject? ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460/4 "2023-05-23T13:12:14Z")
There’s a thing called an “elliptical construction,” in which you leave words out knowing the reader/listener will understand what you mean. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460/5 "2023-05-23T13:34:02Z")
> [@Deflagration](#): > > I’m not looking for a contraction as in this sentence. > > But ‘Going to the shop’ instead of ‘I’m going to the shop’. I would go with “situational ellipsis” or “subject ellipsis.” ETA: See “situational ellipsis” here: > **[Ellipsis](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/ellipsis)** > > Ellipsis - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460/6 "2023-05-23T13:54:20Z")
According to the Yale Grammatical Diversity Project, this is an example of [“null copula”, or “copula deletion”,](https://ygdp.yale.edu/phenomena/null-copula) where the copular - connecting - verb “to be” is omitted. It’s a common feature of African-American Vernacular English, but it shows up in other English dialects, as well. > [@Yale Grammatical Diversity Project](#): > > However, it is worth noting that many other varieties of English, both standard and nonstandard, can omit the copula in a few very specific contexts. One such context is questions like the one in (3), where the first element has been deleted: > > 1. \_\_ You coming to the party? ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460/7 "2023-05-23T13:59:00Z")
But the null copula, as defined in the link, keeps the subject intact. OP omitted it as well as the auxiliary verb. Does that make a difference? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460/8 "2023-05-23T14:09:55Z")
It’s certainly an example of ellipsis, at least. Beyond that, just quibbling about details. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460/9 "2023-05-23T14:12:32Z")
Been there, done that. Happens all the time. No worries. Gone fishin.’ Feels bad, man. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-nomenclature-for-dropping-i-am-from-a-statement/984460/10 "2023-05-23T14:56:44Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > But the null copula, as defined in the link, keeps the subject intact OP omitted it as well as the auxiliary verb. Does that make a difference? My instinct says “no”. But then, I’m not a linguist.