Ellipsis and Substitution Worksheets
19 worksheets · Advanced grammar
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Ellipsis & substitution worksheets
19 printable worksheets with answer keys.
About Ellipsis & substitution
Ellipsis and substitution help speakers avoid repetition. Substitution replaces words with a short form such as one/ones, so, not or do so: I need a pen. Do you have one? I hope so. I'm afraid not. Ellipsis simply leaves words out when the meaning is clear: She can swim and so can I. I'd like to go, but I can't afford to.
Although basic forms appear earlier, the topic is usually treated systematically at C1–C2, where cohesion becomes an explicit assessment criterion. Learners tend to repeat whole clauses, use it where so is needed (I think it instead of I think so), or omit the to in I'd love to.
This page provides printable ellipsis and substitution worksheets with answer keys, which can be printed as PDF or completed online via a class link, practicing cohesive devices in both speech and writing.
Teaching tips: Ellipsis & substitution
- Show a repetitive dialogue and ask learners to cut every word they can while keeping the meaning.
- Watch for 'I think it' and 'I don't hope': the natural forms are I think so, I don't think so and I hope not.
- Practice short answers and reply questions (A: I've finished. B: Have you? So have I.) as a speaking drill.
- Highlight the retained to in infinitive ellipsis: I didn't want to go, but I had to.
Questions teachers ask
Which verbs are followed by 'so' and 'not'?
Common ones include think, hope, expect, suppose, believe, guess and be afraid. With think, believe and expect the negative is usually I don't think so, while hope and be afraid use I hope not and I'm afraid not.
Is 'do so' formal?
It is more common in formal and written English (He was asked to leave and did so), while conversation usually uses just the auxiliary or do it.
What is the difference between ellipsis and substitution?
Substitution replaces a word or phrase with a pro-form such as one, so or do, whereas ellipsis leaves it out completely.