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Ellipsis and Substitution – Worksheet 1

C1 Advanced WorksheetEnglish

This C1 worksheet practises how advanced speakers avoid repetition through substitution (so, not, one/ones, do so) and ellipsis (auxiliaries, short responses, the bare 'to'). It suits upper-intermediate and advanced learners who want more natural, concise spoken and written English.

items
39
Time
35 min
PDF
5 pages
Answer key
Included
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New to this topic? Read the guide first: Ellipsis and Substitution: Rules, Examples and Common Mistakes

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Type your answers, then press “Check my answers”. Alternative correct answers are accepted.

Exercise 1: Choose the substitute

Complete each sentence with a word or phrase from the box. Use each one once. There are two extra options you do not need.

Example: Is the library open late tonight? I think ___. → so

Word box sonotoneonesdo soneitherthattosuchnone

  1. Is the museum open on Mondays? I'm afraid .

  2. Will the results be published this week? I believe .

  3. These shoes are too tight. Do you have any larger ?

  4. The committee was asked to reconsider its decision, but it refused to .

  5. I don't usually enjoy crime novels, and does my partner.

  6. She told me the deadline had been extended, but I didn't know .

  7. I haven't been to the new gallery yet, but I'd really like .

  8. My old laptop is so slow that I'm thinking of buying a new .

Exercise 2: Ellipsis with auxiliaries

Complete each sentence with the correct auxiliary or modal verb (positive or negative) instead of repeating the verb in brackets.

Example: I can't drive, but my brother ___ (drive). → can

  1. I haven't read the report yet, but Maria (read).

  2. Leo said he would phone back, but he (phone).

  3. I don't eat meat, but my brother (eat).

  4. I can't stand loud music, and neither (stand) my flatmates.

  5. Nadia was invited to the conference, and so (invite) I.

  6. Did anyone remember to lock the door? I think Tom (remember).

  7. They aren't coming to the party, but I suspect their children (come).

Exercise 3: Short responses

Match each remark with the best response from the box. The meaning you want to express is given in brackets. There are two extra responses.

Word box I hope so.I'm afraid not.So do I.Neither have I.I'd love to.I don't think so.So it seems.I hope not.

  1. Is there any milk left? (Unfortunately, there isn't.)

  2. Do you think the weather will be good for the wedding? (You want it to be.)

  3. I really enjoy working from home. (You enjoy it too.)

  4. I've never been to Asia. (You haven't either.)

  5. Would you like to join us for dinner on Friday? (You accept enthusiastically.)

  6. Is the manager in today? (You believe she isn't.)

Exercise 4: Avoid the repetition

Rewrite each sentence using the word(s) in capitals to avoid repeating words. Write the whole sentence.

Example: I wanted to stay longer, but I couldn't stay longer. (COULDN'T) → I wanted to stay longer, but I couldn't.

  1. Anna likes classical music, and Tom likes classical music too. (SO)

  2. Sam wanted to leave early, but his manager didn't allow him to leave early. (TO)

  3. The company promised to cut prices, but it has not yet cut prices. (DO SO)

  4. We might miss the last bus. If we miss the last bus, we'll take a taxi. (IF SO)

  5. I don't like the blue curtains; I prefer the green curtains. (ONES)

  6. She can speak Japanese better than I can speak Japanese. (CAN)

Exercise 5: Find the mistake

Each sentence contains one mistake with ellipsis or substitution. Write the corrected sentence.

Example: I'd like to come, but I can't to. → I'd like to come, but I can't.

  1. I don't know if it will snow tonight, but I don't hope so.

  2. I've never seen the Northern Lights, and neither my sister has.

  3. I haven't visited Rome yet, but I'd really like.

  4. My parents don't speak French, and so do I.

  5. Jo can't swim, but her brother does.

  6. Kate had already eaten, but I haven't.

Exercise 6: Put the words in order

Put the words in the correct order to make sentences. Add the necessary punctuation.

Example: so / I / hope → I hope so.

  1. never / I've / tried / skiing / but / I'd / love / to

  2. not / if / we'll / have / to / cancel / the / trip

  3. so / did / most / of / her / friends / my / sister / passed / the / exam / and

  4. do / you / want / the / large / box / or / the / small / one

  5. he / said / he / would / apologise / but / he / never / did

  6. think / I / don't / so / but / I / may / be / wrong

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About this test

C1 English worksheet on ellipsis and substitution: so, not, one/ones, do so, auxiliaries, neither and to-infinitive ellipsis. Printable, with answers.

Topics covered

Substitution with so and notOne and onesDo soEllipsis with auxiliariesShort responses: so do I / neither have IEllipsis after to

Notes for teachers

Start with the matching exercise as a quick warm-up in pairs, then move on to the controlled gap tasks before the rewriting and ordering exercises. Typical mistakes include 'I don't hope so' instead of 'I hope not', choosing the wrong auxiliary or tense after so/neither, and dropping 'to' in 'I'd like to'. As a follow-up, ask students to write a short dialogue of eight lines that uses at least five of the patterns without repeating any verb phrase.

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