Substitution and ellipsis

3 do so
We can use a form of do so to replace a verb and the word or phrase that follows it to complete
its meaning:
When asked whether they intended to offer holidays in frica, TransWorld Adventures said they
had no plans to do so. (do so = offer holidays in frica)
He planned to go to Australia this year, hut now that he has lost his job he has little chance of
doing so. (doing so = going to Australia)
c We can use do so where the verb describes an action, but avoid it with verbs that describe
g states and habitual actions:
We went down the river by boat, and saw a lot ofwdlife while doing so.
Some people didn't enjoy the hard work, but I did. (not but I did so ...)
Do so is mainly used in formal contexts. Less formally, we use do it or do that with a similar
meaning:
We put up our tents by the side of the river. We did that at aboutfour o'dockevery afternoon. or
formally We did so ...
We use do (rather than do so) in informal English, especially after modals or perfect tenses:
'Do they provide all the equipment?' 'They should (do).'
'Could you have gone to Thailand instead?' Yes, I could have (done).'
A We can often leave out do.

4 Ellipsis: leaving out words after auxiliary verbs and after to

[ START POINT 1
'llave vou decidedyet?''Yes, i huir.' (:= Yes,I have decided.)
A lot of people go to the GreatBarrier Reef when thcy're in Australia. Were you able to':'(= Were you able to go to the
Great Barrier Reef?)
We often leave out or change verbs to avoid repeating them.
(> See Appendix 15.4.)

We can sometimes use to instead of a clause beginning with a to-infinitive when it is clear what
we are talking about:
Fd certainly like to go back to Australia. I hope to next year. (= to go back to Australia)
We can use to or leave it out:
after verbs such as agree, promise, start:
I want to read a lot about Australia befare I go. Pve started (to) already.
(> See Appendix 15.2.)
after most nouns (e.g. idea, opportunity) and adjectives (e.g. frightened, willing) that can be
followed by a to-infinitive clause:
Yve always wanted to go, but Tve never had the chance (to) befare.
I hope they don't ask us to swim ifthere are sharks around. Fd be afraid (to).
(> See Appendix 15.2.)

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 after want and would like in f-clauses and w/i-clauses:
We must talk about it more. You can come over whenever you'd like (to).
We don't use to after like:
You can come over whenever you like.
We can use to but we can't leave it out:
after verbs (e.g. expect, mean, need) which must have a complement:
You can borrow mine ij you need to.
(> See Appendix 15.3.)
after a negative:
You dort have to sail on your own ifyou don't want to.
When have (got) is a main verb in the first clause or sentence, we can often use either have
(got) or do to avoid repetition in the following clause or sentence:
Have you got a sleeping bag? Fm sure you have. (= Fm sure you have got a sleeping bag.) or Fm
sure you do. (= I'm sure you do have a sleeping bag.)
A When have is followed by a noun to describe an action (e.g. have a shower, have a shave,
have a good time) we usually use do:
I wasn't really expecting to have a good time, but I did.
c When we use the verb be in the previous sentence or clause, the to-infinitive form of be is
g repeated in the next:
Tm not a very good swimmer.' You dort have to be.' (not You dort have to.)

Grammar exercises

Read the underlined parts of these dialogues. Cross out the words which can be left out.
1 A: What was wrong with Sue?
B: She was frightened, or at least she appeared to be frightened.
2 A: You should have asked me. I could have given you a lift into town.
B: Thanks, but I didn't like to ask you. I know how busy you are.
3 A: Has Sarah eaten anything today?
B: No, I don't think she has eaten anything today.
4 A: My grandmother would have been shocked by all the changes in the village.
B: Yes, I'm sure she would have been shocked.
5 A: Don't forget we're going out tonight. Can you leave work early?
B: Okay, I'll try to leave work early.
6 A: Jackie's a vegetaran, isn't she?
B: I'm not sure. I think she might be a vegetaran.
7 A: Why don't you come on holiday with us?
B: I can't afford to come on holiday with you.

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 8 A: We could get to the island across the new bridge.
B: But it hasn't been opened yet.
A: I thought it had been opened.
9 A: I hope I get promoted this time.
B: You certainly deserve to get promoted. You work really hard.
10 A: I didn't know you were getting married.
B: Sorry. I thought you did know I was getting married.
Replace the underlined word(s) with one or ones where possible. If it is possible to omit
one or ones, put the words in brackets. /
1 A: Do you want one of these sweets? B: Are there any green sweets left?
B: No, theyVe all gone.
2 A: It's about time we got some new curtains.
B: Okay, well, let's go out and buy some new curtains.
3 A: Which of these dresses do you think I should wear tonight?
B: Actually, I like the dress you're wearing.
4 A: Have you spent all that money? B: What money?
A: The money you were given for your birthday.
5 A: I know it's muddy outside, but shall we go out for a walk?
B: But I haven't got any wellies. A: You can wear my od wellies.
6 A: To get to your house, do I take the first or second turning?
B: You can take either turning.
7 A: Why did you buy those green apples?
B: They were the cheapest apples I could find.
8 Have you seen the car keys? I can't find the car keys anywhere.
9 The mirror is like the mirror my parents have got in their sitting room.
10 This glass has got a crack in it. Have you got another glass?
11 I dropped my brother's mobile phone and had to buy him a new mobile phone.
12 A: Does this button turn the camera on?
B: No, you want the button in the middle.
13 We've got chocolate biscuits or these biscuits. Which biscuits would you prefer?

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Complete the sentences where possible with so, do, do so or so do, using an appropriate
form of do. If it is not possible, suggest an alternative.

1 She stood up slowly, and was obviously in pain as she d.4.so

2 A: Miller played really badly, didn't he?
B: But the rest of the team.
3 A: Incredible storm last night. Look - the wind's blown that od tree down.
B: it has. What a great shame!
4 A: Are you going to Spain again for your holidays?
B: I might , I haven't decided yet.
5 Louise will be meeting us at the airport. At least, I hope
6 A: Apparently, Adam's dropped out of college.
B: Yes, Fd heard , too.
7 A: They say it's going to snow tomorrow.
B: I gather.
8 We do more or less the same job, but he earns much more than I
9 A: I see Jessica's sold her od car.
B: she has. She told me she couldn't afford to run it any longer.
10 A: We can take a short cut if we wade across the stream.
B: What's the point of ? The bridge isn't far.
11 He has yet to win a tournament, but he carne cise to in Monaco.
12 A: Do you really think she'll lend you the money?
B: Fm sure
13 Megan loves horse riding, and Jim.
14 A: Great film, wasn't it?
B: it was.

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