Unit 20

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Unit 6

Substitution and ellipsis

Exercise 1.1 (page 140)

What activities are shown in these pictures?

Answers

1. caving / potholing
2. camping
3. river rafting
4. skydiving
5. (scuba) diving
6. surfing
7. sailing

Listen to the conversation. Which of the items does Alison advise Ben to take with him?

Items

air tanks for scuba diving

insect repellent

plastic trainers

a sun hat

cooking equipment for camping

leather trainers

a sleeping bag

a tent

a face mask

a life jacket

a snorkel

Exercise 1.3 (page 140)

Listen again and change the sentences to show exactly what Alison or Ben said.

Answers

2. One of the local organisers did.

3. They should do.

4. But you don't have to be.

5. Preferably plastic ones.

6. By the and of the holiday I was exhausted but very fit.

7. You'll certainly need some.

8. I don't imagine so.

Becoming more economical

We have talked about writing/speaking more economically, by using participle and to-infinitive clauses.

• Another way of becoming more economical in terms of writing is by using substitutions and ellipsis (leaving out words after auxiliary verbs and the preposition to).
  
  
• This also avoids unnecessary (and annoying) repetition.
  

Using one / ones as a substitution

The words one and ones can replace a noun. It can be used to refer to what has already been said, but doesn’t have to.

• There were a lot of podcasts. I listened to one (= a podcast) about education.
• Bring a couple of trainers, preferably old ones (=trainers).

• We use one and ones with countable nouns or noun phrases. With uncountable nouns we use some or any.
  Don’t forget to bring your sun cream. It’s always a good idea to have some (=sun cream) with you.
  I was looking for clean socks, but couldn’t find any (=clean socks).

Not having tp use one / ones as a substitution

We do not have to use one and ones after which, whichever, either, neither, another, each, the first/second/last, the other, superlatives and colour adjectives.

• I know you like both, but which (one) is your favourite?
  
• If you have to buy a face mask, buy the best (one) you can afford.
  
• Each (one) of you has to hand in their homework before the start of next lesson.
  
• He was the first (one) to reach the finish line.
  
• My brother has two cars, but he often drives in the red (one).

Not using one / ones as a substitution

We do not use the words one and ones when we talk about a specific item:

• Do you know anybody who has a camera? I want to borrow one. (doesn’t matter whose camera it is)
  Do you have your phone with you? Can I borrow it? (specific; your phone)

• I need a screw to tighten this board to the other. Can you hand me one? (any screw will do)
  I dropped the screws. Can you hand them to me? (specific; the screws on the floor)

• However, if we specify items with the word the and adjectives, we can use one and ones.
  Are those your trainers? No, mine are the leather ones.
  There were many offers, but I chose the one that was cheapest.

Using so as a substitute

We can use the word so instead of a clause after certain verbs to do with opinion:

Will I be picked up at the airport? I expect/believe/think/hope/would say/suppose so.

• We can also use it in short, negative replies.
  Do we have to go to English tomorrow? No, I don’t think so.

• You can also use other short, negative replies, that do not contain the word so, but they are more formal.
  Do we need to take a tent with us? I don’t imagine so. → I imagine not.

• We can use so in combination with an auxiliary verb and subject to say that someone does the same thing the speaker has mentioned:
  I always sing under the shower. So do I!

Using do so as a substitute

We can use do so to replace a verb and the word(s) or phrase it follows to complete its meaning.
When asked if they were going to hand in their assignment, the students said they had no plans to do so.

(do so = hand in their assignment)

• Only do this when the verb in the main clause describes an action, not with habits or states:|
  We travelled to Spain by car and saw a lot of small villages doing so.
• Not everybody enjoyed the hard work, but I did. (not did so).

Ellipsis: leaving out words after auxiliary verbs and after to

• We often leave out (or sometimes even change) verbs to avoid repeating information.
  Have you decided what you are going to do? "Yes, I have."
  A lot of people have handed in their essay. Have you?
  Many tourists visit the Colosseum when they are in Rome. Were you able to?

• We can sometimes use to (or even leave out) as a substitute for verbs:
  I want to read a lot of books this year. I have started (to) already. (doing that)
  He wants to go to New-Zealand, but has never had the chance (to) before. (to do that)
  You can come over when you want (to). (we leave out come)

I think I understand how to use substitutions and ellipsis to write more economically.

Yes

Mostly. but I don't need any help.

Mostly, but I still would like some help.

Not at all and need some help.

Continue

In pairs / groups of three:
Continue working on exercises 3.1 - 3.4 on pages 144 - 146.

Check the answers with the key in the back of your book.