Lesson focus
Avoiding repetition with do so, one/ones, so/not, auxiliary ellipsis, infinitival ellipsis and formal substitution
Advanced aim: Use ellipsis and substitution to create cohesion and avoid repetition without making reference ambiguous.
Do so
Use do so to substitute for a previously mentioned verb phrase in formal or neutral style.
- Example: The regulator asked the company to publish the data, and it agreed to do so.
- In another context: The inspectorate asked the publishing group to publish the source files, and it agreed to do so.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
One/ones
Use one/ones to replace countable nouns when the reference is clear.
- Example: The first proposal was too expensive, so we considered a cheaper one.
- In another context: Separate scenario: The first proposal was too expensive, so we considered a cheaper one.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
So after think
Use think/believe/expect + so to substitute for a positive that-clause.
- Example: Will the plan work? I think so.
- In another context: Follow-up case: Will the plan work? I think so.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Not after hope
Use hope not / expect not in some contexts to substitute for a negative clause.
- Example: Is the delay likely to continue? I hope not.
- In another context: Is the approval delay likely to continue? I hope not.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Auxiliary ellipsis
Repeat only the auxiliary when the main verb phrase is understood.
- Example: I haven't seen the final version, but Elena has.
- In another context: I haven't seen the final version, but Sofia has.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Infinitive ellipsis
The infinitive marker to can remain when the rest of the infinitive phrase is understood.
- Example: I didn't want to complain, but eventually I had to.
- In another context: Separate scenario: I didn't want to complain, but eventually I had to.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Comparative ellipsis
In comparative clauses, repeated material can often be omitted when the meaning is clear.
- Example: The new process is more efficient than the old one was.
- In another context: Follow-up case: The new process is more efficient than the old one was.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
If so
If so substitutes for a previously mentioned condition or proposition.
- Example: The figures may have been revised; if so, we need the latest version.
- In another context: The projections may have been revised; if so, we need the latest version.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
If not
If not can substitute for a negative alternative or condition.
- Example: Can we finish today? If not, we'll continue tomorrow.
- In another context: Regional example: Can we finish today? If not, we'll continue tomorrow.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
That/those substitution
Formal English can use that/those to avoid repeating a noun phrase, often with of-phrases.
- Example: The results were similar to those of the previous survey.
- In another context: The pilot findings were similar to those of the previous survey.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
C1 takeaway
Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.
Avoiding repetition with do so, one/ones, so/not, auxiliary ellipsis, infinitival ellipsis and formal substitution
The oversight body asked the research institute to publish the transaction records, and it agreed to _____.
Follow-up case: The first proposal was too expensive, so we considered _____.
Alternative case study: Will the plan work? _____.
Is the technical hold-up likely to continue? _____.
Separate scenario: I haven't seen the final version, but _____.
Follow-up case: I didn't want to complain, but eventually I _____.
Alternative case study: The new process is more efficient than _____.
The performance data may have been revised; _____, we need the latest version.
Separate scenario: Can we finish today? _____, we'll continue tomorrow.
The revised estimates were similar to _____.
Avoiding repetition with do so, one/ones, so/not, auxiliary ellipsis, infinitival ellipsis and formal substitution
The supervisory agency asked the manufacturer to publish the survey records, and it agreed to _____.
Alternative case study: The first proposal was too expensive, so we considered _____.
Regional example: Will the plan work? _____.
Is the processing backlog likely to continue? _____.
Follow-up case: I haven't seen the final version, but _____.
Alternative case study: I didn't want to complain, but eventually I _____.
Regional example: The new process is more efficient than _____.
The latest estimates may have been revised; _____, we need the latest version.
Follow-up case: Can we finish today? _____, we'll continue tomorrow.
The test results were similar to _____.
Avoiding repetition with do so, one/ones, so/not, auxiliary ellipsis, infinitival ellipsis and formal substitution
The standards authority asked the agency to publish the activity logs, and it agreed to do so.
Regional example: The first proposal was too expensive, so we considered a cheaper one.
Separate scenario: Will the plan work? I think so.
Is the supply interruption likely to continue? I hope not.
Alternative case study: I haven't seen the final version, but Elena has.
Regional example: I didn't want to complain, but eventually I had to.
Separate scenario: The new process is more efficient than the old one was.
The survey results may have been revised; if so, we need the latest version.
Alternative case study: Can we finish today? If not, we'll continue tomorrow.
The quarterly outcomes were similar to those of the previous survey.