9.64 ellipsis in questions

You can often use ellipsis in questions when the context makes it clear what is meant. The question can consist just of a 'wh'-word.

• 'There's someone coming.' --- 'Who?' --- 'I don't know. It's too dark and there's snow falling.'
• 'But I'm afraid there's more.' --- 'What?'
• 'Can I speak to you?' I asked, undaunted. --- 'Why?' --- 'It's important.'
• 'It's opening on the 31st of this month.' --- 'Where?' --- 'At the Railway Hotel.'

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 report verb, especially 'why'.

• I asked why.
• They enquired how.

9.65

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.'
• 'Does she drink? Heavily, I mean.' --- 'Drink? No, she never touches the stuff.'
• '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.'