Spoken German constantly leaves out words that the listener can easily supply. These omissions are not careless: they follow clear rules, and knowing them makes your German sound natural.
The most typical spoken ellipsis is topic drop: a pronoun in the Vorfeld that is clear from the context disappears, and the sentence starts with the finite verb.
The rule is strict: only the Vorfeld can be emptied. An object pronoun in the Mittelfeld cannot simply be left out. Hab ich gesehen is fine; Ich habe gesehen as an answer to ‘Have you seen the film?’ is not.
In chats and text messages, the dropped element is usually ich or das: Stehe leider im Stau, komme später. Notice that the verb ending still shows the person.
| Type | Example | Register |
|---|---|---|
| topic drop | Weiß ich nicht. | spoken, chat |
| subject drop (1st person) | Komme morgen später. | chat, notes, informal emails |
| short answer | Wann kommst du? – Um acht. | all registers |
| coordination ellipsis | Priya studiert Medizin und ihr Bruder Jura. | all registers, also formal writing |
| headline style | Brücke gesperrt – Pendler im Stau | headlines, notices |
| fixed formulas | Alles klar? – Kein Problem. – Und jetzt? | spoken |
Short answers repeat only the new element, in the case required by the question: Wem hast du das Geld gegeben? – Meiner Schwester. – Wer hat das Fenster offen gelassen? – Ich.
When two clauses are joined with und, oder, aber, repeated material can be left out. This is standard German, also in formal texts:
A subject can only be left out if it is the same in both clauses and stands in the same case: Ich habe ihn gefragt und er hat nicht geantwortet needs the second er, because the subjects differ.
Topic drop and subject drop are signals of informality. In a formal email, Weiß ich nicht sounds abrupt, even rude; write Das weiß ich leider nicht. In chats with friends, on the other hand, full sentences can sound stiff. Short answers and coordination ellipsis are neutral and suit every register.
A practical exercise: record a short conversation in German, for example from a podcast, and write down every sentence that starts with a verb. Then add the missing word in each case. You will see that it is almost always das, es or ich, exactly as the rules predict. Copy the patterns into your own chats with German friends, but keep your formal emails complete.
| Not quite | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hast du den Film gesehen? – Ich habe gesehen. | Hab ich gesehen. / Ich habe ihn gesehen. | Only the Vorfeld can be dropped; an object pronoun in the middle field must stay. |
| Weiß ich nicht. (in a formal email) | Das weiß ich leider nicht. | Topic drop is informal; formal writing needs the full sentence. |
| Ich habe ihn gefragt und hat nicht geantwortet. | Ich habe ihn gefragt und er hat nicht geantwortet. | A subject can only be left out if it is the same in both clauses. |
1. Hast du den neuen Film gesehen? – Nein, ___.
2. Kennst du Frau Ali? – ___
3. Priya studiert Medizin und ihr Bruder ___.
4. What has been dropped in „Weiß ich nicht.“?
5. Chat message: „___ leider im Stau, komme später.“
6. Wer hat das Fenster offen gelassen? – ___
7. Er bestellte eine Pizza, sie ___ Salat.
8. Which ellipsis is acceptable in formal written German?
Related grammar: Register and grammar, Modal particles in depth, The topological field model.
Back to the grammar reference or to the C2 lessons.
Original practice questions written by the Desi European Tales editorial team; they are not the official exam questions. Checked 1 November 2026.
Related: German grammar reference · German C2 lessons · Register and grammar
