✅ Cose da Sapere dopo il Modulo 4: Emphasis, Cleft
Sentences & Adverbials
✅ Cose da Sapere dopo il Modulo 5: Ellipsis, Substitution & Short Replies
🎯 Goal: Speak and write more naturally by avoiding repetition using ellipsis, substitution,
Module duration: 60 minutes
and short responsive structures like so do I, I hope so, or neither am I.
🧠 1. Grammar to Master
📌 Substitution
📎
Use: Replace repeated words or phrases with a short word to avoid repetition
Common substitution words: one, ones, it, mine, some
📌 Examples:
● “I need a charger. Do you have one?”
● “Are those your boots? No, the black ones are mine.”
● “You can use my laptop. I’ll use mine.”
📌 Ellipsis
Use: Omit repeated or understood words for smoother, more fluent speech or writing
📎 Examples:
● “I went to the concert and she [went] too.”
● “I’ll take the red dress; you take the blue [dress].”
✅ Ellipsis often works hand in hand with substitution for fluency and cohesion.
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📌 Short Replies with so / not / neither / either
Function Structure Example
Agreeing So + auxiliary + subject “I love jazz.” → “So do I.”
Disagreeing Neither/Nor + auxiliary + “I don’t ski.” → “Neither do I.”
subject
Informal neg. Subject + don’t/doesn’t “I don’t cook much.” → “I don’t
either either.”
Short positive Verb + so “Will it rain?” → “I think so.”
response
Short negative Verb + not “Will it snow?” → “I suppose
response not.”
❌ ✅
⚠️ Note: We don’t use so with verbs like know, be sure, or hear.
“I’m sure so.” → “I’m sure it will.”
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💬 2. Key Vocabulary – Avoiding Repetition in Professional English
Context Redundant Phrase Improved with
Substitution or Ellipsis
Formal email “Do you have a suggestion for a venue?” – “Yes, I have one.”
“Yes, I have a suggestion for a venue.”
Office chat “I like the new manager.” – “I like the new “So do I.”
manager too.”
Team “We finished the project quickly, and they “...and they did too.”
discussion finished the project quickly too.”
🗣 3. Speaking & Writing Production
✍️ Writing Task – Informal Email or Social Message
Topic: Giving a recommendation or comparing experiences (e.g., weekend trips, products,
films)
➡ Use: ellipsis and substitution to avoid repeating nouns, and short replies like I think so, I
hope not
📎 Example:
"Have you seen the new film?" — "Yes, and I think you'll like it too. I preferred the first one,
though."
🎙 Speaking Task – Roleplay or Natural Conversation (1–2 min)
✅
Prompt: Talk about a recent experience (trip, task, event), then respond to a partner using:
✅
substitution
✅
ellipsis
short agreement/disagreement responses
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📎 Sample exchange:
A: “I visited Scotland last month.”
B: “So did I! I loved the landscapes. Have you got photos?”
A: “I’ve got some. You can look at mine.”
B: “Great. I don’t have any.”
A: “You’ll want to go back someday.”
B: “I hope so!”
✅ 4. Speaking & Writing Checklist – Can You…?
☐ Use one, it, mine, some correctly to substitute for nouns?
☐ Leave out repeated words using ellipsis confidently?
☐ Respond naturally using so / not / neither / either?
☐ Vary your replies and avoid unnecessary repetition in conversation?
☐ Apply these structures in both formal and informal communication?
📌 Key Skills Strengthened
✔ More natural and fluent speaking & writing
✔ Cohesive, concise communication in all contexts
✔ Accurate use of high-level grammar in realistic settings
💬 Feedback Available!
Submit your writing or short audio for feedback on:
● Correctness of substitution/ellipsis
● Accuracy of short reply forms
● Overall fluency and cohesion
● Appropriacy for tone and context
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+39 067806445 +39 351 6000200