At an advanced English level, it’s important to work on your fluency, and in this lesson we’re looking at a very useful way to achieve this. We’ll study a few different situations where we can omit words to increase fluency.
Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes.
– James.
Lesson Contents
Omitting verbs using auxiliaries
Our first method is to avoid repeating the verb using an auxiliary or modal to infer the verb’s intention:
Q: Is your name Sandra Smith?
A: It is. (… It is Sandra Smith)
Q: Are you the manager here?
A: I am. (… I am the manager here)
You don’t necessarily have to use this method when answering questions, you can use it in full sentences too:
She asked me to quit smoking, but I already had.
Man U won the matches, but no-one thought they would.
Is this for me? Oh! You shouldn’t have.
Be careful to consider the context of your answer before answering. You don’t simply repeat the previous auxiliary, sometimes you have to change the auxiliary if the tense of the response changes. Look at this example:
Don’t forget to lock the car.
(present simple : auxiliary = do)
I already have.
(present perfect : auxiliary = have)
Complete the sentences using an auxiliary verb or a modal verb. Make the form negative where necessary.
Quiz Summary
0 of 10 Questions completed
Questions:
Information
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You must first complete the following:
Results
Results
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 point(s), (0)
Earned Point(s): 0 of 0, (0)
0 Essay(s) Pending (Possible Point(s): 0)
| Average score |
|
| Your score |
|
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
-
Damn!
It looks like you need to train a little more. Why not go back to the lesson and, when you’re ready, try the quiz again?
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
-
Too Bad!
You came really close to passing that quiz. You can try the quiz again or see where you went wrong first.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
-
Well Done!
You came close to getting 100%! You can try the quiz again to go for a perfect score, or move on to something else.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
-
Congratulations!
You got 100% on that quiz!
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
| Pos. | Name | Entered on | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table is loading | ||||
| No data available | ||||
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- Current
- Review
- Answered
- Correct
- Incorrect
-
Question 1 of 10
1. Question
I tried to repair the computer, but I ... , I didn't have the right equipment.
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 2 of 10
2. Question
A: You look terrible, you should see a doctor.
B: I ... , he gave me some medicine and told me to take a week off.
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 3 of 10
3. Question
A: Have a lovely holiday! Don't forget to take lots of pictures!
B: Don't worry, we ... .
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 4 of 10
4. Question
I met a girl last night, she said we'd met before but I was sure that we ... .
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 5 of 10
5. Question
A: Have you seen Game of Thrones?
B: No, I haven't, but I ... .
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 6 of 10
6. Question
The busses are on strike so ours might not come. If it ..., we'll take a taxi. My treat.
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 7 of 10
7. Question
Sorry, my car's being repaired at the moment so I can't give you a lift. If it ... , I would.
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 8 of 10
8. Question
I'm glad you told her to be quiet, if you didn't, I certainly ... .
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 9 of 10
9. Question
She said yes! I'm so glad she did, I honestly thought she ... .
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 10 of 10
10. Question
A: I think it's about time we went shopping.
B: I ... , didn't you see the stuff in the cupboard?
CorrectIncorrect
So / Neither / But / Though
We sometimes use the determiners THOUGH / NEITHER / EITHER, the conjunction BUT or the adverb SO with the above method to avoid repeating words. The word orders are as follows:
SUJ + AUX + THOUGH
(and) NEITHER + AUX + SUJ
(and) SUJ + AUX + EITHER
BUT + SUJ + AUX
(and) SO + AUX + SUJ
Mark didn’t eat dinner last night. I did though.
Daniel doesn’t like alcohol, and neither do I.
She doesn’t like meat, and I don’t either.
Sam has been to China, but I haven’t.
They enjoyed the evening and so did we.
Complete the halves of the sentences that compare you with friends of yours.
Quiz Summary
0 of 2 Questions completed
Questions:
Information
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You must first complete the following:
Results
Results
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 point(s), (0)
Earned Point(s): 0 of 0, (0)
0 Essay(s) Pending (Possible Point(s): 0)
| Average score |
|
| Your score |
|
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
-
Damn!
It looks like you need to train a little more. Why not go back to the lesson and, when you’re ready, try the quiz again?
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
-
Too Bad!
You came really close to passing that quiz. You can try the quiz again or see where you went wrong first.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
-
Well Done!
You came close to getting 100%! You can try the quiz again to go for a perfect score, or move on to something else.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
-
Congratulations!
You got 100% on that quiz!
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
| Pos. | Name | Entered on | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table is loading | ||||
| No data available | ||||
- 1
- 2
- Current
- Review
- Answered
- Correct
- Incorrect
-
Question 1 of 2
1. Question
Sort elements
- and so have I.
- and so do I.
- and I can't either.
- but I have.
- but I did.
-
Mark has been to China
-
Daniella loves snowboarding
-
Mark can't drive
-
Steve hasn't been to Barcelona
-
Amy didn't watch the match last night
CorrectIncorrect -
Question 2 of 2
2. Question
Sort elements
- and neither am I.
- I don't though.
- but I have.
- and neither do I.
- but I did.
-
Rebecca isn't married
-
Katie comes from a big family
-
Carl has never seen a cricket match
-
Paula doesn't smoke
-
Tim didn't go out last night
CorrectIncorrect
Omitting verbs using reduced infinitives
In certain situations, you can simply say the word to instead of the verb. This method is used when the form of the complete sentences is VERB + TO + VERB.
A: Doesn’t your father drive?
B: No, he never learned to.
(learn to drive)
A: He should take his driving test.
B: Well, he doesn’t want to.
(want to take)
Answer the questions using a sentence with a reduced infinitive.
Quiz Summary
0 of 5 Questions completed
Questions:
Information
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You must first complete the following:
Results
Results
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 point(s), (0)
Earned Point(s): 0 of 0, (0)
0 Essay(s) Pending (Possible Point(s): 0)
| Average score |
|
| Your score |
|
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
-
Damn!
It looks like you need to train a little more. Why not go back to the lesson and, when you’re ready, try the quiz again?
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
-
Too Bad!
You came really close to passing that quiz. You can try the quiz again or see where you went wrong first.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
-
Well Done!
You came close to getting 100%! You can try the quiz again to go for a perfect score, or move on to something else.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
-
Congratulations!
You got 100% on that quiz!
FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPinterestSharing is caring
You are not logged in!
Create an account to save your progress, and to be entered into the leaderboard automatically.
| Pos. | Name | Entered on | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table is loading | ||||
| No data available | ||||
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- Current
- Review
- Answered
- Correct
- Incorrect
-
Question 1 of 5
1. Question
Do you want to come over for some drinks tonight?
-
love -
to -
what a -
idea, I'd -
great
View Answers:
CorrectIncorrect -
-
Question 2 of 5
2. Question
Did you send that email to the bank?
-
forgot -
completely -
to -
oh -
no! I
View Answers:
CorrectIncorrect -
-
Question 3 of 5
3. Question
I can't drive you to the bus station tonight, sorry.
-
to! -
you -
But -
What? -
promised
View Answers:
CorrectIncorrect -
-
Question 4 of 5
4. Question
Were you surprised that England won the rugby game?
-
didn't -
I definitely -
them -
to -
expect
View Answers:
CorrectIncorrect -
-
Question 5 of 5
5. Question
Why did you ignore me yesterday at the shop?
-
to -
mean -
I'm so -
didn't -
sorry, I
View Answers:
CorrectIncorrect -
