00 / Other
Ellipsis and substitution
Ellipsis and substitution are cohesive devices used to avoid repetition by omitting words or replacing them with shorter alternatives.
B2Upper Intermediate
01 / Overview
Ellipsis involves the deliberate omission of words that are already understood from the context. Substitution replaces a specific word or clause with a 'filler' word like one, do, or so to maintain flow without repeating the same vocabulary.
02 / Common Forms
- Nominal substitution: Using 'one' or 'ones' to replace a countable noun.
- Verbal substitution: Using auxiliary verbs like 'do', 'have', or 'can' to replace a full verb phrase.
- Clausal substitution: Using 'so' or 'not' to replace an entire 'that' clause after verbs of thinking or speaking.
- Ellipsis: Removing the subject, auxiliary, or main verb when it is identical to the previous clause.
03 / Examples
04 / Common mistakes
I need a pen. Do you have one red?
I need a pen. Do you have a red one?
When using 'one' with an adjective, the adjective must come before 'one'.
A: Is he coming? B: I think so it.
A: Is he coming? B: I think so.
The word 'so' replaces the entire clause; do not add an extra pronoun like 'it'.
05 / Ellipsis vs. Substitution
| Feature | Ellipsis | Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Words are removed entirely. | Words are replaced by a pro-form. |
| Example | I ate a pear and [I ate] an apple. | I ate a pear and he did [ate a pear] too. |
06 / Practice
Complete the sentence to avoid repetition: 'I've already seen this movie, but Sarah hasn't...'
Show answer
Answer: seen it / done so
Why: You can use ellipsis (omitting 'seen it') or verbal substitution with 'done so'.
Correct this sentence: 'These biscuits are nice. Would you like some ones?'
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Answer: Would you like some? / Would you like one?
Why: 'Some ones' is incorrect; use 'some' as a pronoun or 'one' for a single item.
Replace the clause: 'A: Is the meeting cancelled? B: I believe that the meeting is cancelled.'
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Answer: I believe so.
Why: 'So' is used to substitute a positive 'that' clause after verbs like believe, think, and suppose.