Headlinese: the grammar of headlines
Block language decoded: zero articles/be (MAYOR QUITS), present = past, to-infinitive = future, noun pile-ups, comma = and
I can decode headline grammar including noun pile-ups and the to-future.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
STATION CAFE OWNER PIE PRICE PROTEST GROWS - decode: the protest over pie prices is growing.
STATION CAFE OWNER PIE PRICE PROTEST GROWS - decode: the protest over pie prices is growing.
PM TO FACE QUESTIONS, MINISTERS AXED - the to-future and a passive in eight syllables.
PM TO FACE QUESTIONS, MINISTERS AXED - the to-future and a passive in eight syllables.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Headline compression rules:
| Rule | Headline | Means |
|---|---|---|
| present = past | MAYOR QUITS | the mayor has quit |
| to-inf = future | QUEEN TO VISIT CANADA | will visit |
| -ed = passive | TALKS SUSPENDED | have been suspended |
| no articles/be | DOG FINDS OWNER GUILTY-LOOKING | a dog... its owner |
| comma = and | RAIN, WINDS BATTER COAST | rain and winds |
Noun pile-ups read right-to-left: SCHOOL BUS DRIVER PAY ROW = a dispute over the pay of drivers of school buses. Short synonyms rule: probe, bid, axe, vow, oust.
- Headline present read as habitual: MAYOR QUITS = has quit
- Noun piles parsed left-to-right: read from the last noun back
Common Error Patterns
Headline present misread
Present = completed news event
Left-to-right noun pile parsing
Read from the head noun backwards
STATION CAFE OWNER PIE PRICE PROTEST GROWS - decode: the protest over pie prices is growing.
STATION CAFE OWNER PIE PRICE PROTEST GROWS - decode: the protest over pie prices is growing.
A five-noun pile, read backwards from protest.
PM TO FACE QUESTIONS, MINISTERS AXED - the to-future and a passive in eight syllables.
PM TO FACE QUESTIONS, MINISTERS AXED - the to-future and a passive in eight syllables.
to face = will face; axed = have been dismissed.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in C2 course exercises