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English grammar

Leaving words out without losing the meaning

B2 · Upper intermediate Building the sentence Questions 10

The rule

Fluent English leaves out what the listener can supply. After an auxiliary the rest of the verb phrase can go: I have not replied yet, but I will. So and not stand in for a whole clause: I think so, I hope not. Neither and nor invert after a negative: I cannot make Tuesday. — Neither can I. And in a list, repeated words disappear: She applied for two jobs and got both. Recognising ellipsis is a listening skill as much as a writing one — the missing words are what makes fast speech hard.

Pattern

auxiliary alone: … but I will · so / not: I think so, I hope not · Neither / Nor + auxiliary + subject · list ellipsis

Examples

  1. I have not sent it yet, but I will this afternoon.

  2. Will they agree? I hope so, but I doubt it.

  3. I cannot make Thursday. Neither can she.

  4. She wrote twice and rang three times.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: Will they agree? I hope it.

    Right: Will they agree? I hope so.

    so stands for the whole clause after hope, think and expect.

  • Wrong: I cannot come. Neither I can.

    Right: I cannot come. Neither can I.

    neither inverts the subject and the auxiliary.

  • Wrong: She has not replied and I have not replied either too.

    Right: She has not replied and neither have I.

    One negative agreement form is enough.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I said I would look into it, and I am.
    2. I said I would look into it, and I do.
    3. I said I would look into it, and I have looked into it have.
    4. I said I would look into it, and I have.
    Show answer

    Answer: D I said I would look into it, and I have.

    The auxiliary alone carries the rest.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Is it worth appealing? I think that.
    2. Is it worth appealing? I so think.
    3. Is it worth appealing? I think it.
    4. Is it worth appealing? I think so.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Is it worth appealing? I think so.

    I think so substitutes for the clause.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. He has not signed and nor am I.
    2. He has not signed and nor I do.
    3. He has not signed and nor I have.
    4. He has not signed and nor have I.
    Show answer

    Answer: D He has not signed and nor have I.

    nor inverts with the matching auxiliary.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    Are they going to refund it? I hope _____ .

    1. that
    2. so
    3. this
    4. it
    Show answer

    Answer: B Are they going to refund it? I hope so .

    hope so for a positive substitution.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    Will it be delayed again? I hope _____ .

    1. not
    2. it not
    3. not so
    4. no
    Show answer

    Answer: A Will it be delayed again? I hope not .

    hope not for the negative.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    I have never been asked for that. _____ has anybody else.

    1. Neither of
    2. Also
    3. Nor
    4. Either
    Show answer

    Answer: C I have never been asked for that. Nor has anybody else.

    Nor opens a negative addition.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    She said she would ring and she _____ .

    1. does
    2. did
    3. was
    4. has done it
    Show answer

    Answer: B She said she would ring and she did .

    The auxiliary matches the original tense.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    They wanted a written reply and so _____ we.

    1. were
    2. did
    3. do
    4. have
    Show answer

    Answer: B They wanted a written reply and so did we.

    so did we for positive agreement in the past.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. I do not agree and neither do not she.
    2. I do not agree and neither does she.
    3. I do not agree and nor does she.
    4. She does not agree either.
    Show answer

    Answer: A I do not agree and neither do not she.

    neither already carries the negative.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. Do you think it will work? I think it.
    2. Do you think it will work? I think so.
    3. Do you think it will work? I do.
    4. Do you think it will work? I hope so.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Do you think it will work? I think it.

    think so, not think it.

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