ELLIPSES

(Version anglaise seulement)

This article deals with an issue related exclusively to the drafting of the English version of legislative texts. The very nature of the article causes it to be available in English only.

The nature of the English language is such that elliptical expressions cannot be completely avoided, but in drafting legislation ellipses should be kept to an absolute minimum, for the reason that readers will not all supply the same missing words. A drafter who relies on absent words to convey the meaning of a provision is inviting ambiguity. Pronouns and verbs that are frequently omitted in ordinary speech or writing should be written into legislation.

Examples:

"a person eligible to apply" (elliptical)

"a person who iseligible to apply" (complete)

Part 4 – Table of contents