chapter 4 # 21 Moreland

Explain the role of a deletion transformation similar to the ones just discussed in the following humorous dialogue between "two old married folks"

He: Do you still love me as much as you used to?

SHE: As much as I used to what?


In this case the husband deleted the words “love me” at the end of the question. He could have said “Do you still love me as much as you used to love me?” As a result, his wife did not have clarity on what he was referring to. The interesting thing is the answer to her inquiry are also the words at were deleted from the original question.