C1 ADVANCED · GRAMMAR · PART 2
Ellipsis and substitution
So, not, do, one(s) and leaving words out – how to avoid repeating yourself.
Finn says
Good writers don't repeat words. Instead, they use small words like so, not, do and one – or leave words out altogether. These little words are perfect Part 2 answers!
Substitution
so / not
after think, hope, expect, suppose, be afraid
Will it rain? I hope not. / I think so.
do / does / did (so)
instead of a verb phrase
She said she'd call, and she did. He promised to help, and he did so.
one / ones
instead of a countable noun
I don't like this shirt – I prefer the blue one.
that / those
formal, instead of "the one(s)"
Prices here are higher than those in Spain.
Ellipsis (leaving words out)
after auxiliaries
repeat only the auxiliary
I haven't finished, but Anna has.
after to
keep "to", drop the verb
I didn't want to go, but I had to.
neither / nor / so
agreeing
I can't swim. – Neither can I.
if so / if not
short conditional
Are you free? If so, come round.
How it comes up in Part 2
In Part 2 you write one word in each gap. No word is given, so you need to know the grammar.
Is Tom coming tonight? – I don't think so.
Think so / don't think so.
He said he would finish on time, and he did.
'Did' replaces 'finished on time'.
Our results were better than those of the other teams.
'Those' replaces 'the results'.
Common mistakes
- ✗ I hope it.✓ I hope so.After hope / think / expect, use so, not it.
- ✗ I don't hope so.✓ I hope not.With hope, the negative is 'I hope not'.
- ✗ She can speak French and also I.✓ She can speak French, and so can I.Agreeing: so + auxiliary + subject.
Finn's exam tip
In Part 2, if the gap comes after think, hope, expect or suppose, try so or not. If it comes at the end of a clause after a subject, try an auxiliary: did, has, can.
Quick check
Write one word in each gap.
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