RULES OF ELLIPSIS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
A. ELLIPSIS (REMOVING UNNECESSARY WORDS)
Ellipsis = Leaving out words that are understood from context.
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| 1. Ellipsis removes repeated words that are not needed. | He can sing, and she can (sing) too. |
| 2. Use ellipsis when the repeated verb is obvious. | I play cricket, and he (plays) football. |
| 3. Use ellipsis when the object is identical. | I like apples and (l like) bananas. |
| 4. Ellipsis commonly follows "and," "or," "but." | She went home and (she) slept. |
| 5. Remove repeated subjects when clear from context. | She opened the door and (she) walked in. |
| 6. Remove repeated auxiliaries. | She has finished, but he hasn't (finished). |
| 7. Ellipsis occurs after modal verbs. | He can dance, and she can (dance) too. |
| 8, Ellipsis can occur after "to." | I want to study, and he wants to (study) too. |
| 9. Ellipsis occurs after "do" used as a substitute verb. | He likes tea, and so do I (like tea). |
| 10. Ellipsis appears in parallel structures. | The rich got richer, and the poor (got) poorer. |
| 11. Ellipsis with "but." | I tried to help, but (l) couldn't. |
| 12. Ellipsis commonly used in everyday conversation. | Coming? (Are you coming?) |
| 13, Ellipsis reduces redundancy in writing. | He went home and (he) cried. |
| 14. Elli psis occurs after qu estion words. | Where are you going? To school (I'm going to school). |
| 15. Ellipsis in wh-questions is common in speech. | *Why not? (Why don't you?) |
| 16. Ellipsis used in short answers. | *Who won? Sam (won). ok |
| 17. Avoid ellipsis when it causes ambiguity. | If unclear -9 He gave me a pen and a pencil. (no ellipsis) |
| 18. Ellipsis occurs in headlines. | Govtto increase taxes. (Govt is going to increase...) |
| 19. Ellipsis is common in notes and messages. | Will call later. |
| 20. Ellipsis creates concise academic writing. | The results improved, and the accuracy (improved) too. |
| 21. Ellipsis in infinitive phrases is common. | I need to pay, and he needs to (pay) too. |
| 22. Ellipsis used after lin king verbs. | I am happy, and she (is happy) too. |
| 23. Ellipsis improves rhythm in writing. |
She cried, he smiled, and we (cried/smiled) |
B. SUBSTITUTION (REPLACING WORDS TO AVOID REPETITION) Substitution = Using simpler words to replace longer expressions.
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| 24. Substitution replaces a word/phrase with a shorter form. | I need a pen. Do you have one? |
| 25. "One/ ones" substitute countable nouns. | I like red apples. Do you have any? (any red apples) |
| 26. "Do" substitutes for verbs to avoid repetition. | She likes tea, and so do l, |
| 27. "Do so" substitutes entire verb phrases (formal). | He told her to leave, and she did so- |
| 28. "Do it" substitutes a specific action. | Finish your work! I'll do it. |
| 29. "Do that" substitutes a previously stated action, | He said he would call, and he did that, |
| 30. "So + auxiliary verb" substitutes affirmative statements. | He is happy, and so is she. |
| 31. "Neither/nor + auxiliary" su bstitutes negative statements. | I don't smoke, and neither does he. |
| 32. "Same" substitutes repeated ideas. | I bought a red one, and she bought the same. |
| 33. "Such" substitutes noun phrases with | She is a genius. I've never seen such talent. |
| 34. "None" substitutes plural/uncountable nouns. | I brought cookies. None left. |
| 35. "Either" and "neither" substitute choices. | There are two pens. Take either. |
| 36. "All," "both," "each," "every" act as elegant substitutes. | We invited all (all people mentioned). |
| 37. Substitution reduces repetition in long sentences. | He wanted success, and he achieved it. |
| 38. use substitution in paragraph linking for cohesion. | Many want change. Few achieve it. |
| 39. Substitution is essential in IELTS writing Task 2. | Many argue X. Others disagree. |
| 40. Substitution avoids redundancy in essays. | The problem is severe. Solving it is urgent. |
| 41. "This/that" substitute entire previ ous ideas. | She quit her job suddenly. This surprised everyone. |
| 42. "So" substitutes a previously mentioned fact. | He may succeed, but I don't think so. |
| 43. "Not" can substitute entire negative ideas. | He may come today, or maybe not. |
| 44. Avoid substitution when it causes confusion. | He met John and told him... |
| (unclear who "him" 'is) | |
| 45. Substitution makes your writing cohesive With out repetiti on. | She wanted to succeed, and she did, |
| 46. "Likewise/Similarly" act as substitutes for repeated comparisons. | He is hardworking, Likewise, his Brother is |
| 47. "These/Those" substitute previously introduced groups. | bought flowers. Theseare for you. |
| 48. Substitution is common in spoken English for speed. | Want some tea? No, thanks. Already had some. |
| 49. Substitution + ellipsis together create native-level flow, | He cant help you, but I can (help you), |
| 50. Mastering ellipsis and substitution makes your English concise, elegant, and nativelike. | Smart grammar smart communication. |