Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Substitute forms 

130b

There are several different types of substitute form. They include indefinite

quantifying pronouns, substitute do, substitute so, and expressions such as the

same

, thus.

Indefinite quantifying pronouns

(a) little

another

all

any

both

each

either

enough

few

248 | Grammar across turns and sentences

Cambridge Grammar of English

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In wealthier countries, people tend to eat more foods like sweets, chocolate,

cakes, crisps and snacks – all foods that are high in 

fat or sugar

, or often 

both. 

A: D’you know a lot of 

people

there?

B: Mm, not many.

A: Do you like the yellow 

roses

?

B: I prefer the red ones, actually.

The substitute verb do

Do

may substitute for a verb and any elements of complementation

accompanying it:

Many of the renewable sources of energy are ‘clean’ sources. They do not 

cause pollution

, as coal, gas, oil and nuclear energy 

do. 

(do substitutes for ‘cause pollution’)

A: Who 

picked her up at the airport

, you?

B: No, Diane did.

(

Û

133 below

)

Substitute so 

So

may substitute for a that-clause complement, especially when it is the

complement of a reporting verb:

A: It’s 

difficult to manage

, isn’t it?

B: Yes, very much so.

A: D’you think 

they’ll be interested

?

B: I would say so, yes.

(so substitutes for ‘(that) they’ll be interested’)

(

Û

134 below

)

Complement phrases: the same, likewise, similarly, thus

The same

, likewise, similarly and thus typically substitute for predicative

complement phrases and clauses:

A: 

Nice to meet you

anyway.

B: Likewise.

It’s just really depressing

you know. For me it is anyway. No, not only for me

really, it is for the rest of the staff as well because everyone feels 

the same.

half

less

many

much

neither

none

one(s)

other(s)

several

some

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Grammar across turns and sentences | 249

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ELLIPSIS VERSUS SUBSTITUTION

131

Often it is difficult to distinguish between ellipsis and substitution, since forms

such as some, any, much can perform both functions (compare ones and none,

which are clearly substitute forms):

A: Do you seek any guidance from me?

B: I ask none, sir. But I have thought it possible that you might have it in your

power, if you should deem it right, to give me 

some.

(none is clearly a substitute for ‘no guidance from you’; some could be seen as a

substitute for ‘guidance’ or as ellipsis of ‘some guidance’)