Substitution and ellipsis

Substitution and ellipsis/ conjunctions

Group: 214 Gulrux, Asem, Bibi

Grammatical devices for avoiding repetition and achieving textual cohesion In speech or writing Substitution: the replacement of an identical item by a substitute.

• Grammatical devices for avoiding repetition and achieving textual cohesion In speech or writing Substitution: the replacement of an identical item by a substitute.

• Ellipsis: the omission of the item or replacement of the item by a zero substitute (leaving out) 

Substitution

• Substitution consists of replacing one word or phrase with another.
• 1.1 nominal substitution
• 1.2 verbal substitution
• 1.3 clausal substitution

Nominal substitution

• If you want a typewriter, they will provide you with one. Nominal substitutes include such items as one, ones, the same, the kind, the sort, and some indefinite pronouns, such as all, both, some, any enough, several, none, many, much, (a) few, (a) little, the other, others, another, either, neither, etc. Slang disappears quickly, especially the juvenile sort. Can you get me some nails? I need some. I don ’ t want any more food. I ’ ve had enough.

Verbal substitution

• The replacement of a verb element by a verbal substitute- do or do so.

A: We all hate hypocrisy. B: Yes, everybody does. (does = hates hypocrisy) A: Have they moved the furniture? B: They have done (=moved) the desks, but that ’ s all so far. A: Does Peter speak French? B: Yes, he does

(= speaks French). No, he doesn ’ t (speak French).

Clausal substitution

• The replacement of a clause by a clausal substitute- so or not, representing a belief, an assumption or an emotion with a tone of uncertainty or tentativeness.

eg: A: Do you think he ’ ll come tomorrow? B: Yes, I think so. No, I think not. They say he will come tonight. If so, the meeting will be held tomorrow. If not, there won ’ t be any meeting tomorrow. A: Are the girls coming to the party? B: I ’ m sure they are / I ’ m sure of it. I doubt if they are / I doubt it. A: Is your brother going with you? B: Perhaps not / Possibly not / Surely not. A: I didn ’ t stop him. B: Why not?

Ellipsis

•  Ellipsis means omission of the item or replacement of the item by a zero substitute. a grammatical device for avoiding repetition and achieving textual cohesion

A: Which do you prefer, the red or the green scarf? B: I ’ d like the red (scarf). I ’ d like the red one.

Types of ellipsis 

• Nominal ellipsis: the head word is left out. There are four flights to New York today. Let ’ s take the earliest. Why give me two cups of coffee? I only asked for one.
• Verbal ellipsis: omission of the main verb, the auxiliary or even the whole phrase. Have you seen him before? Yes, I have
• Clausal ellipsis: omission of the whole clause. Are you felling well? Yes. He promised to be here on time. Yes, I know. I finished the task ahead of time. How? Will it rain tomorrow? Perhaps.

What are conjunctions?

• Conjunctions are words that join two or more words, phrases, or clauses.
• Examples:

- Joining two or more words: The dog scratched and panted.

- Joining two or more phrases: My doctor can choose to measure my height, my weight, or check my temperature.

- Joining two or more sentences: Eric wants to play basketball. Annie wants to play soccer. Eric wants to play basketball but Annie wants to play soccer.

• Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating conjunctions join sentence elements that are the same.
• You can memorize them with the acronym FANBOYS.

-for -and -nor -but -or -yet –so

• Coordinating Conjunctions and Their Meanings:

For – because

And – in addition

Nor – am not, or not, neither

But – opposite difference

Or – choice option

Yet – but

So – consequence result

 

Can you find the conjunctions in the following sentences? Let’s begin!

• The mother bear carried her baby and briefcase.
• Beethoven can play the piano, or compose music in his free time.
• It was snowing outside, so we stayed indoors.
• Our dad checked the grill, but forgot to check the oven.
• I know how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano, yet I don’t know how to play other songs.
• That is neither what I said nor what I meant.
• Sally is intelligent and her younger sister is beautiful.