Substitution and Ellipsis

Substitution and ellipsis are techniques used by writers to avoid repetition and improve their writing style without too much effort.

What is Substitution?

The English language has a number of words that can be used to replace others. They are known as substitutes. Commonly used substitutes include here, there, that, do/does/did, so, then, some, one/ones, etc. Some substitute words can be used instead of individual words or phrases; others can replace clauses.

Examples of Substitution

• I used to go to the bowling alley every weekend, but I never go there now.
• I love fries! Can I have some, please?
• I don’t think you should invest in those stocks, but that’s your decision.
• Susan thinks she’s going to flunk math, but I don’t think so.
• I didn’t think the tortoise was going to win the race, but he did.
• The pastries look yummy; could I have the ones with icing, please?

More Examples of Substitution

1. Yes and No

Yes and no are often used to replace entire clauses and are therefore called clausal substitutes.

• Are you going out this evening?
• Yes (= I am going out this evening.)
• Are we there yet?
• No (=We aren’t there yet.)

2. Here and There

Here and there are commonly used to replace adverbs of place.

• I wanted to go to the class party, but the bullies would have been there too.
• I moved to the Philippines last year. I hope my family visits me here someday.

3. Then and at That Time

Then and at that time are used to replace adverbs of time.

• She invited us to the party at the last moment, but I wasn’t ready to go then.
• I’m going to Hawaii next spring. There’s very little rain at that time of year.

4. One, Ones, and the Same

These words are used to replace nouns and are, therefore, known as nominal substitutes.

• Elsa and Anna are equally pretty. I’m not sure if one is prettier than the other.
• I liked none of the dresses, except perhaps the ones in green and yellow.
• Did you order a hamburger? I think I’ll have the same.

5. Do

Often known as a verbal substitute, do is an auxiliary verb used in place of verbs or verb phrases.

• I’m sure my family loves gardening as much as I do.

Do (or one of its tenses) is sometimes used in conjunction with the same as a substitute.

• We go to the gym every day. You’d be fitter if you did the same.

6. Not and So

Also known as clausal substitutes, not and so are often used to replace clauses.

• Tom – Do you think the Mets will win the game tonight?
• Jerry – No, I don’t think so.
• OR I think not.

7. This and That

This and that are generally used to replace entire clauses that would be too awkward to repeat. They are known as clausal substitutes. These words can be used interchangeably sometimes, but that can also be used to dissociate the speaker from something or someone.

• The country is on the verge of an economic downturn. This is going to cause problems for the Democrats.
• I’m going to host Thanksgiving this year. That’s why I have started cooking three days in advance. I bought an expensive painting at an auction. That’s going to be my birthday present to Mom.

What is Ellipsis?

Unlike substitution, using ellipsis (…) involves doing away with a previously used word, phrase, or clause, allowing the context to make the meaning clear. It is used to weed out extraneous information and keep sentences short.

All striked-out text in the examples that follow can be replaced by ellipsis.

Examples of Ellipses Use

• I’ve done my homework, have you done your homework?
• They were going to host Thanksgiving this year, but then they decided not to host Thanksgiving.
• I went skiing this morning, and I went to the airport to pick up my brother.
• When you are in doubt, think twice.
• The man who is standing next to the President is one of his aides.

Types of Ellipses

There are two kinds of ellipses in English grammar—situational ellipsis and textual ellipsis.

1. Situational ellipsis

This is mainly used in speech and is therefore highly informal. Users of situational ellipsis generally leave out articles, prepositions, and pronouns.

For example:

• Are you coming with us? I don’t think so.
• How are things? Things couldn’t be better.
• When are you taking your vacation? I’m taking it next week.
• Do you want tea or coffee?

2. Textual ellipsis

This is used in both speech and writing and largely involves omitting words that are in grammatically predictable sentence positions.

For example:

• I watched some Netflix and, then, I watched the news.
• I ordered 6 pizzas, but they only delivered 4 pizzas.
• John wanted to watch a Batman movie, but Paul wanted to watch a Spiderman movie.

Aspiring authors need to master both substitution and ellipsis in order to make their writing crisp, succinct, and readable.