The document provides examples of ways to avoid repetition in speech and writing by using words like one, that, so, it, and ellipses. It offers alternatives like one to replace singular nouns, that to replace phrases or clauses, and omitting words that are understood from context.
The document provides examples of ways to avoid repetition in speech and writing by using words like one, that, so, it, and ellipses. It offers alternatives like one to replace singular nouns, that to replace phrases or clauses, and omitting words that are understood from context.
The document provides examples of ways to avoid repetition in speech and writing by using words like one, that, so, it, and ellipses. It offers alternatives like one to replace singular nouns, that to replace phrases or clauses, and omitting words that are understood from context.
The document provides examples of ways to avoid repetition in speech and writing by using words like one, that, so, it, and ellipses. It offers alternatives like one to replace singular nouns, that to replace phrases or clauses, and omitting words that are understood from context.
I ought to choose the I feel like eating? The strawberries but I don’t healthy one or the want to! unhealthy one?
Presentation
To avoid repetition we can use words such as one, that, so
it and so, and ellipsis (leaving out words). Use so after verbs like say, think, hope and expect to one/ones replace a clause, especially a short answer: A: Are we going to have something to eat? • Use one in place of a singular countable noun: B: I think so. (so = ‘we’re going to have something to eat’) ‘Which dish do you prefer?’ ‘The healthy one’. • Use ones in place of a plural countable noun: Ellipsis ‘Can you pass my shoes?’ ‘Are these the ones you want?’ Sometimes we omit words to avoid repetition, when it • Use one with an article, number or determiner and is clear from the context which words we have omitted. an adjective: I’d like the sweet one! We can omit words: I brought some blue ones and some pink ones. • when we have two verbs together, and the second • Use one directly after this, that, these and those verb is to + infinitive, we can omit everything after to: without an adjective: A: Why don’t we just get a burger? A: Which apples would you like? B: I don’t want to [get a burger]. I hate fast food! B: I’ll have those ones. • after verbs and phrases like hope, suppose and be • Use the one(s) with a clause to say which one: afraid, when what comes after is negative, we omit A: Which shoes would you like to try on? everything apart from not: B: I’ll have the ones on the top shelf. A: Are there any strawberries left? B: I’m afraid not. (= there aren’t any strawberries.) that We can also omit a whole clause after a subject and Use that to replace a phrase, clause or sentence. auxiliary or modal verb: Most people like eating fast food, A: If you’re hungry, eat the apple pie in the fridge. but I don’t [like eating fast food]. B: I’ve already eaten that. (that = the apple pie) My brother can cook really well but I can’t [cook really well.] it When the clause that we are replacing contains a verb in the We use it to replace a noun phrase: Who ate my present or past simple, we use a form of do: Magda wanted doughnut? It’s not where I left it. to eat out but we didn’t. (want to eat out.)
Exercises 1 Match the sentences (1–8) to the responses (a–h). 1 Which shirt would you prefer to try on? g a I’m afraid not. I need to get some more. 2 Is there any milk left? b I hope you bought me the right one. 3 Why don’t you go with us tonight? c I don’t want to. I’m really tired. 4 Most people love chocolate. d It’s where you left it! 5 Let’s go and see Star Wars 28 tonight. e I don’t think so. He’s arranged something else. 6 Is Michael coming with us to the cinema? f No, I’ve already seen that – twice! 7 They had three different editions of the book. g The blue one. 8 Where’s my bag? h Well, I don’t. 2 Complete the sentences with the words in the box.
one did ones it don’t that to so
1 My coat is not where I put it.
2 A: Do you think you’ll get lots of presents for your birthday? B: I hope ! 3 I wanted to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower but no one else . 4 A: If your back still hurts, then stretch your body. B: I tried yesterday. It didn’t help. 5 A: Some packages have been delivered for you in reception. B: Great. Those are the I’ve been waiting for. 6 Can you pass me a pen? That blue will do. 7 All my family loves eating meat but I . 8 A: Eat up all the vegetables on your plate. B: I don’t want !
3 Replace the underlined words with one word.
1 We could go to the supermarket at the bottom of the hill or we could go to the other supermarket. one 2 A: Are they going on holiday today? B: I think they are going on holiday today. 3 I had my wallet but now I don’t know where I’ve put my wallet. 4 I ordered some shirts in the post but these are not the right shirts. 5 A: It’s very sunny – do you think the beach will be busy? B: Yes, I expect the beach will be busy. 6 A: When I was young, I had to get up at 4 a.m. every day to help my dad in the shop. B: I bet getting up at 4 a.m. every day to help your dad was tiring.
