Substitution and Ellipsis

Substitution and Ellipsis

Substitution and Ellipsis

Substitution and ellipsis are both ways in which to improve your writing style by avoiding the repetition of words previously used in a sentence.

Substitution

With substitution in English grammar, we replace a word previously used with another word. Common words to do this are do/does, one/ones, here, there, that, so, then. Some can place single words and phrases while others may replace clauses. Here are some examples, with the underlined word replaced by the word in red:

Examples of Substitution:A new theme park has opened near me but I've never been there I really loved your biscuits. Can I have another one?

Examples of Substitution in English Grammar

Yes and No We often use the words yes and no instead of long sequences of other words. These are clausal substitutions as they are replacing whole clauses: A: Do you know what you want to watch on TV tonight? B: Yes. (= I know what I want to watch on TV tonight)

Then and At That TimeIn order to replace details about time (adverbials of time), we use words such as then and at that time: He suggested we go at 5pm but I did not want to go then. I prefer going abroad at Christmas time and my friends like to go at that time of year as well.

One, Ones, and The SameThese are often called nominal substitutions as they are replacing nouns in a sentence: Both courses look good, so I'm not sure which one to choose. We've finished this crossword puzzle. Do you want to start another one?

DoThis is often referred to as a verbal substitution as it is an auxiliary verb used to replace verbs or verb phrases: I'm sure you'll get home before I do. We also sometimes combine do with so and the same to make a substitution: He's been exercising every day. You should do the same. Olivia likes pancakes and so does Jane.

So or NotThese two words are commonly used to replace clauses, and they are therefore clausal substitutions. A: Do you think John will pass his driving test first time? B: No, I don't think so OR B: I think not

This and ThatWe use this and that for substitution in English grammar in order to refer to longer pieces of text that can't usually be related to a specific part of the sentence as in the examples above. They would be classed as clausal substitutions as they are replacing whole clauses: There is inflation and rising unemployment in the country. This/That is going to cause problems for the government in the elections. She didn't even bother to thank me, and that's why I won't help her again. This and that are often interchangeable in substitution as in the first example, but we use that to disassociate ourselves from something or someone as in the second example.

Here and ThereWe use words such as here and there as substitution in English grammar to replace details about place. In other words, to replace adverbials of place: John asked me to go for dinner at Toni's Italian, but I didn't want to go there as it's so busy at the weekend. I'm so glad I moved to Australia. I hope you'll visit me here one day.

Ellipsis

With ellipsis, rather than using a new word, the previously used word, phrase or clause, is left out. The context of what is being said or written makes the meaning clear without the words being there.

Examples of Ellipsis:I'm going to eat the spicy food but do you think you should eat the spicy food? They were going to have a big wedding but they've decided not to have a big wedding.

There are two types of ellipsis in English grammar: situational and textual. Situational Ellipsis Situational ellipsis is mainly used in speaking and so is more informal in nature. We use it for leaving out various grammatical words from sentences such as pronouns, articles, and prepositions, and also for shortening answers to questions. Examples: A: [Are] You coming? B: [I] Should think so. A: How are you? B: [I] Can't complain.

Textual EllipsisTextual ellipsis occurs in both speaking and writing, and is more related to specific grammar rules, with the omission of words that are in grammatically predictable sentence positions. Common examples are after the words and and but and for reducing adverbial and relative clauses. After and and but Words in the second clause (i.e. after and or but) can often be omitted because they have been specified in the previous clause: I went to the cinema and then [I went] to dinner. She ordered 8 cartons of milk but they only delivered 4 [cartons of milk]. John wanted a Madras curry and Peter [wanted] a Korma [curry].

Adverbial and Relative ClausesTextual ellipsis is also used after conjunctions such as while, when, after, and before in adverbial clauses. This is done by omitting the subject and the auxiliary verb (a form of the verb be) after the conjunction: When [you are] leaving the dinner table, you should ask to be excused. She was checking her emails while [she was] speaking on the phone.

With defining relative clauses, sometimes the relative pronoun and the form of the verb be as an auxiliary are omitted: The person [who was] arrested is a female aged 23. The photo [which was] taken was stunning.

1- I've never been to Australia, but I'd_________ a)do b)go to c)love to 2- She didn't remember to take the rubbish out, and___________ a)he didn't too b)neither did he c)nor he did 3- If you are not willing to take the risk, I'm sure Sam___________ a)is willing b)is c)does 4- A: 'Did they finally find the keys?' B: 'I__________, because they didn't call asking for help.' a)know so b)guess so c)´m sure of that 5- A: 'Did she get hurt?' B: '___________. I'll call her later to ask.' a)I hope not b)Not c)I´m sure not

6- I've brought cookies. Do you want___________? a)one b)this c)ones 7- We can win this game, but in order to________, we need to believe in ourselves. a)do such b)so c)do so 8- A: 'Are you going to Warsaw for your holiday?' B: 'We_________________, but we're still not sure.' a)will b)do c)might 9- You don't need to come if you don't____________. a)want to b)think so c)do so 10- A: 'Please, be careful.' B: 'Don't worry, I_________________' a)will b)´ll do c)think so

Thank you students! 😊

TEACHER BRENDA RAMÍREZ 👩‍🏫✨

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