General English C1 · Lesson 9A

Grammar Bank

The rules behind this lesson — form, use, model sentences and the mistakes to avoid.

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Grammar focus of this lesson

ellipsis

1 structure

Ellipsis (and substitution)
Leaving out what's recoverable, and replacing it with one, do or so.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›Omit repeated subjects/verbs after and, but, or: She wrote and (she) sent it.
- ›Auxiliary alone: I haven't finished, but she has.
- ›Substitution with one / ones, do / did, so / not: I think so. I hope not.
- ›Informal front ellipsis: (Have you) Seen the numbers?
Examples
- “We could postpone, but I'd rather not.”
- “The red folder? I need the blue one.”
- “Will they accept? — I believe so.”
Watch out · Only omit what the listener can reconstruct exactly.
Your own example