In contrast to both elliptical and interjectional elements, we encounter truly “stunted propositions” defined by having a form like " ('x', )" or " 'f'( , )", etc., in a system which not only permits, but generally requires " 'f'('x', 'y')". [...] What is thus semiotically “stunted” may receive very different grammatical treatment, depending on the language. In English and German, for example, stunted propositions require a dummy subject 'it', or even a dummy subject plus 'is' ('It rained', 'it’s a boy', 'Es wird getanzt'); but in other cases the stundedness is marked by the subjectless sentence ['There was a raising of eyebrows' = " 'f'( , 'ý')"].
- Weinreich (1963), Pag. 141