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Joy English · Level C2 · Cohesionjoy-english.com

Ellipsis and substitution in discourse

Name:Date:

Avoid repetition with so, not, one, do so and reduced clauses, and know which omissions sound natural.

Choose the correct form

Choose the option that completes each sentence correctly.

  1. Are the results ready? I don't think ___; the lab is still running tests.
    • a) not
    • b) it
    • c) so
    • d) that
  2. Will the funding be approved? If ___, we shall have to cancel the trip.
    • a) so
    • b) not
    • c) it
    • d) neither
  3. The first draft was weak, but the second was far better than ___.
    • a) expecting
    • b) to expect
    • c) expected
    • d) been expected
  4. Kofi's old laptop kept crashing, so he bought a new ___.
    • a) it
    • b) that
    • c) such
    • d) one
  5. She promised to call, but she never ___.
    • a) was
    • b) did
    • c) had
    • d) made
  6. The delegates welcomed the proposal, and ___ did the chair.
    • a) neither
    • b) nor
    • c) so
    • d) such
  7. When ___ about the delay, the manager said she had not been told.
    • a) asking
    • b) to ask
    • c) asked
    • d) being asking
  8. "Would you like to join us?" "I'd love ___ , but I have an exam tomorrow."
    • a) to
    • b) so
    • c) as
    • d) for

Complete the sentence

Type the missing word. Use a single word unless the sentence needs more.

  1. Lena offered to help, and her brother did ___.
  2. Are there any seats left? I'm afraid ___; the hall is full.
  3. The old system was slower than ___ necessary.
  4. You can stay if you ___ to, but nobody expects it.
  5. I wanted to attend the lecture but wasn't able ___.
  6. Ravi booked the larger room; Aiko preferred the small ___.
  7. The committee has not yet met, nor ___ it expected to do so before May.
  8. Some students took notes by hand and ___ typed them.

Answer key

Choose the correct form

  1. c) soAfter think we substitute so for the whole clause, and the negative is formed with the verb: I don't think so.
  2. b) notIf not stands for if the funding is not approved, which makes sense with cancelling.
  3. c) expectedA reduced clause with than uses the past participle: better than expected.
  4. d) oneOne replaces a countable noun that has been mentioned: a new one.
  5. b) didThe auxiliary did stands for the full verb phrase called.
  6. c) soAfter a positive statement we use so + auxiliary + subject.
  7. c) askedA reduced time clause with a passive meaning uses the past participle: When asked.
  8. a) toAfter love, the infinitive can stand without its verb: I'd love to.

Complete the sentence

  1. too / so / as well / likewise / the sameDid too, did so, did as well, did likewise and did the same all replace offered to help.
  2. notI'm afraid not means that there are no seats left.
  3. was / isThan was necessary is the full form of the comparison.
  4. want / wish / like / choose / care / prefer / decide / need / planThe infinitive to stands for to stay; any verb that can be followed by to + infinitive and makes sense here fits, such as want, wish, choose or prefer.
  5. toAfter able, we can leave out the verb and keep to.
  6. oneOne replaces the countable noun room.
  7. isNor is followed by an inverted auxiliary: nor is it expected.
  8. others / some / the rest / the othersSome ... others (or the rest) contrasts two groups without repeating students.

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