Ellipsis and substitution
B2 Upper IntermediateEllipsis and substitution are cohesive devices used to avoid repetition by omitting words or replacing them with shorter alternatives.
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.
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.
Examples
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'.
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. |
Practice
Complete the sentence to avoid repetition: 'I've already seen this movie, but Sarah hasn't...'
Show answer
seen it / done so
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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Would you like some? / Would you like one?
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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I believe so.
Answer:I believe so.
Why:'So' is used to substitute a positive 'that' clause after verbs like believe, think, and suppose.