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Grammar reference

Academic Discourse

Ellipsis and Substitution

Avoiding repetition with so, do, one and that.

c2

Explanation

English avoids repeating wording by substituting so, neither, do, one or that. Substitution keeps the reference clear while removing the repetition, and it must copy the auxiliary of the clause it stands in for.

Examples

  • She can drive and so can he.
  • I prefer the blue one.
  • They said the file was corrupt and I think so too.

Common mistakes

  • She can drive and so he can.

    She can drive and so can he.

    Invert after so.

  • I prefer the blue.

    I prefer the blue one.

    Substitute with one, not nothing.

  • They said it was corrupt and I think it too.

    They said it was corrupt and I think so too.

    So substitutes a whole clause.

More Academic Discourse

Nominalisation in Academic Writing

Turning verbs into abstract nouns.

Hedging and Claim Strength

Qualifiers that match evidence to claim.

Cohesion Beyond Connectors

Reference, repetition and parallel structure.