Ellipsis & Substitution

Reference

Common mistakes

1. I have a red car and a blue. → I have a red car and a blue one.
   need substitute "one"
2. A: Is he coming? B: I think. → B: I think so.
   need substitute "so"
3. I don't hope so. → I hope not.
   hope takes "not" directly, not "don't hope so"
4. I wanted to go but I had to no. → I wanted to go but I didn't have to.
   to-infinitive ellipsis ends with "to"

Ellipsis & Substitution — Exercises

Choose the short answer

Circle the correct answer.

1. A: Is it going to rain? B: I think _____. (so / it / yes)
2. A: Will we lose? B: I hope _____. (not / don't / no)
3. I lost my pen. Can I borrow _____? (one / it / ones)
4. These shoes are too small. Have you got bigger _____? (ones / one / them)
5. I haven't finished, but Sam _____. (has / did / is)
6. I wanted to stay, but I didn't have _____. (to / it / so)
7. A: Is he ill? B: I'm afraid _____. (so / yes / it)
8. She didn't come, and neither _____ her brother. (did / was / had)

Complete without repeating

Write one word.

1. A: Is the shop open? B: I don't think  .
2. A: Will it be cold? B: I expect  .
3. I like the red car more than the blue  .
4. You should apologise. I   too.
5. A: Did you enjoy it? B: Yes, I  .
6. A: Is it going to rain? B: I hope  . I want to go out.

Ellipsis & Substitution — Answer Key

Choose the short answer

1. so — think + so replaces the clause.
2. not — hope + not (never "I don't hope so").
3. one — A pen, any pen → one.
4. ones — Plural → ones.
5. has — Ellipsis after the auxiliary → has (finished).
6. to — To-infinitive ellipsis ends with to.
7. so — be afraid + so (bad news: yes).
8. did — neither + did + subject.

Complete without repeating

1. so
2. so
3. one
4. would
5. did
6. not