Why do Americans skip the linking verbs in questions containing "how" and "left"?

Question

Hello guys, I'm pretty confused about making questions starting with "how" plus the word "left" that usually comes last. When I speak with American people, they usually say, for example, "How many minutes left?" or "How much money left on your debit card?" and so on.

However, when I tried to check this out in my dictionary(as well as on the internet) and found that all examples of such questions should contain the linking verbs such as "is" since the word "left" carries the meaning of "to remain to be used, sold, etc" (c) Oxford Dictionary and must be used with that verbs. Consequently, the questions I have mentioned above should look like "How many minutes ARE left?" or "How much money is left on your debit card?" or not?

Please help me with that. I know it's a minor problem but I can't get rid of it from my mind :) Thanks!

Answer 1

I am sure most of the situations where you encounter the omission of the linking verb fall into the category of informal, colloquial, conversational.



Americans, whatever the peculiarities of their use of the language, do not leave out the linking verb in formal written communication.

Answer 2

You have made a valid comment on American grammar usage. Grammar has not been taught in our schools for several years and it is becoming quite noticeable in the present generation. Formal English is seldom used in our society. We, as Americans have become quite sloppy when it comes to interpersonal speech.



You are correct.

Answer 3

It's bad grammar. Some Americans are raised like that. Southern people cut syllables out sometimes. I know I do. It all depends on who raised you and where you spent your childhood.

Answer 4

The people are using incorrect grammar. You are correct.



Lots of us Americans are pretty dumb!

Answer 5

It's colloquial talk, meaning slang or non-educated talk to make modern everyday talk easier. Lazy people do that to make living easier. You are correct to use linking verbs in writing, but not necessary in talking when talking to friends.

Answer 6

you are witnessing the dumbing down of a nation.