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Joy English · Level C1 · Ellipsisjoy-english.com

Ellipsis and substitution

Name:Date:

Avoid repetition with so, not, do so, one/ones, reduced infinitives and auxiliary-only replies.

Choose the correct form

Choose the option that completes each sentence correctly.

  1. Will it rain at the picnic? I hope ___.
    • a) no
    • b) it
    • c) never
    • d) not
  2. I haven't visited Rome, but I'd love ___.
    • a) to
    • b) it
    • c) so
    • d) that
  3. Shall I buy the red apples or the green ___?
    • a) one
    • b) it
    • c) ones
    • d) those one
  4. Anyone who wants to apply for the grant should ___ so before Friday.
    • a) make
    • b) have
    • c) do
    • d) be
  5. Nadia enjoys long-distance running, and ___ her brother.
    • a) so is
    • b) so does
    • c) neither does
    • d) does so
  6. The architect and the engineer worked together; ___ designed the roof, the latter the foundations.
    • a) the first one
    • b) the one
    • c) the both
    • d) the former
  7. I don't think Jamal will agree, but I suspect Tomás ___.
    • a) will
    • b) is
    • c) does
    • d) would so
  8. Is the museum closed on Sunday? I'm afraid ___.
    • a) it
    • b) that
    • c) so
    • d) to

Complete the sentences

Type one word in each gap. Use ellipsis or substitution to avoid repeating words.

  1. Has the lecture been cancelled? Yes, I'm afraid ___.
  2. Will the museum be open on Monday? I don't think ___.
  3. I haven't finished the report, but I intend ___ by Friday.
  4. Her first novel sold far better than her second ___.
  5. Anyone wishing to leave early may do ___ quietly.
  6. These shoes are too small. Do you have a bigger ___?
  7. Ravi hasn't read the book, ___ has Aiko.
  8. She can play the piano, and her sister ___ too.

Answer key

Choose the correct form

  1. d) notAfter hope, the negative reply is not: I hope not.
  2. a) toA reduced infinitive keeps only to: I'd love to.
  3. c) onesThe noun is plural (apples), so we use ones.
  4. c) doThe formal substitute for a verb phrase is do so.
  5. b) so doesAgreement with a positive present simple statement is so + does + subject.
  6. d) the formerThe former refers to the first of two items, the latter to the second.
  7. a) willThe auxiliary will replaces the whole phrase will agree.
  8. c) soAfter be afraid, so replaces the positive clause it is closed on Sunday.

Complete the sentences

  1. soAfter Yes, so replaces the clause the lecture has been cancelled; I'm afraid not would contradict Yes.
  2. soThe usual negative after think is I don't think so.
  3. toA reduced infinitive keeps only to: I intend to (finish it).
  4. didIn the comparison, the auxiliary did replaces the repeated verb sold, and novel is left out after second.
  5. soIn formal style, do so replaces the verb phrase leave early.
  6. pair / one / sizePair or one replaces the shoes without repeating the noun. Size is also correct, although it is not a substitute word.
  7. nor / neitherAgreement with a negative statement uses nor or neither plus the auxiliary and subject.
  8. canOnly the auxiliary is kept: her sister can too.

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