Levels & career tracks
Curso básico · A1–A2
Nivel A1.1 — IdentidadNivel A1.2 — Rutinas y entornoNivel A2.1 — Contando el mundoNivel A2.2 — Comparando y proyectandoIntermedio · B1–B2
Level B1.1 — Connecting experiencesLevel B1.2 — Narrating and describingLevel B2.1 — ArguingLevel B2.2 — NuanceProfesional / Avanzado · C1–C2
Level C1.1 — PrecisionLevel C1.2 — Register and discourse Current levelLevel C2.1 — StyleLevel C2.2 — Native masteryInglés técnico y especialización
Career Track BusinessCareer Track Economics and FinanceCareer Track Business AdministrationCareer Track Information Systems EngineeringCareer Track Educational SciencesCareer Track Medicine and Health SciencesCareer Track Tourism and HospitalityCareer Track Occupational Health and SafetyCareer Track Legal EnglishNative speakers constantly avoid repeating words that were just said — this is called ellipsis (omitting) and substitution (replacing with a short word like "so" or "not"). Mastering this makes your English sound far more natural and less "textbook."
Why this matters This lesson connects directly to your progress: it covers ellipsis: leaving out repeated verbs; substitution with so and not; more ellipsis and substitution patterns. Mastering this content lets you move forward confidently, and reinforces patterns you'll use again later. Take time to review every example before moving to the assessment — repetition is what actually locks knowledge in long-term.
01
The goals of this lesson.
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You already avoid repetition with pronouns. This lesson teaches ellipsis and substitution — more advanced ways to avoid repeating full clauses ("I can too" instead of "I can swim too").
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Instead of repeating the whole verb phrase, keep only the auxiliary or modal verb — the rest is understood from context.
| Repetitive | Natural (ellipsis) |
|---|---|
| I can play, and she can play too. | I can play, and she can too. |
Examples
04
After verbs like "think," "hope," "believe," and "afraid," use "so" (affirmative) or "not" (negative) instead of repeating the whole clause.
| Repetitive | Natural (substitution) |
|---|---|
| I think it will rain. | I think so. |
Examples
05
Possessive pronouns ("mine," "ours") and short infinitives ("to," without the verb) are two more common ways to avoid repetition.
Examples
06
Read the text and answer the questions. You can try as many times as you want.
"Are you going to the conference next week?" Maria asked. "I think so," Daniel replied. "My manager wanted me to attend, and I agreed to." Maria nodded. "I haven't decided yet, but my colleague has." "Well, if you want to come, you can," Daniel said.
"I hope so — I could really use the networking opportunity." "Will there be enough seats?" Maria asked. "I believe so," Daniel answered. "And if there isn't enough space at our table, we can always find another one."
1. Does Daniel think he's going to the conference?
2. Who wanted Daniel to attend?
3. Has Maria decided if she's going?
4. Why does Maria hope she can go?
5. What will they do if there isn't enough space?
💪 Your speech now flows with real native rhythm. Review this lesson, or keep pushing toward mastery!
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Usa las pistas para completar cada palabra en inglés. Sin calificar — repite las veces que quieras.
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The essentials of this lesson, summarized.
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Key terms to remember.
to perform music or take part in a game or activity
In "and I can too", the verb "play" is omitted (ellipsis) because it's understood from context — a hallmark of natural, economical spoken English.
NeutralCollocations: play the piano, play along, play a role
Synonyms: perform, take part in
to complete something
Ellipsis after "neither did I" avoids repeating the verb "finish", relying on context to fill the gap smoothly.
NeutralCollocations: finish up, finish on time, barely finish
Synonyms: complete, wrap up
to feel strong affection or enthusiasm for something
"I'd love to" is a common substitution pattern where "to" replaces a whole infinitive clause understood from context.
Neutral / informalCollocations: would love to, love it when, love the idea
Synonyms: adore, be keen to
moving toward the speaker, or about to attend
"I think so" substitutes for the whole clause "I think I am coming", a typical example of pro-form substitution in dialogue.
Neutral / informalCollocations: coming up, coming along, coming soon
Synonyms: attending, on the way
water falling from clouds
"I hope not" substitutes for "I hope it will not rain", showing how substitution keeps short answers natural and non-repetitive.
NeutralCollocations: hope it doesn't rain, start to rain, rain or shine
Synonyms: shower, drizzle, precipitation (formal)
desired to do or have something
"So did he" substitutes for "he wanted to leave early too", a common ellipsis pattern for adding agreement without repetition.
NeutralCollocations: wanted to, always wanted, wanted badly
Synonyms: desired, wished to
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Tap the words in the correct order to form the sentence. Ungraded — repeat as many times as you like.
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Tap the correct verb form to complete each sentence. The other options are conjugations from other tenses — on purpose, so you learn to tell them apart.
I've already but he hasn't
A Is she still there B I believe so
You can my pen or you can use your own
I seen the movie but my sister has
A Should we them B I don't think so
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Listen to the full dialogue with the speaker buttons first, then fill in the missing words from this lesson's real conversation. Ungraded — repeat as many times as you like.
I can't it to the tomorrow.
can I. Let's reschedule for
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You need at least 80% to unlock the next lesson. You can retake it as many times as you want — your best score is saved.
1. Select the correct match for: "We could hear the music, but we couldn't see the band."
2. What does this mean: "If you want to go, you can."?
3. Select the correct match for: "You can borrow my pen, or you can use your own."
4. Select the correct match for: "A: Should we invite them? B: I don't think so."
5. Which option matches: "He offered to help, and she agreed to."?
6. Choose the equivalent of: "A: Did they cancel the meeting? B: I'm afraid so."
7. "I haven't seen the movie, but my sister has." — which one is correct?
8. "I'd love to go, but I can't." — which one is correct?
9. What does this mean: "She's not coming, and I'm not either."?
10. Select the correct match for: "He asked me to stay, and I decided to."
Review — Lesson 53 What matches: "Roll out"?
Review — Lesson 53 What matches: "Bring up"?
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You now avoid repetition with ellipsis and substitution. Next lesson: discourse markers for formal argumentation.
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Practice this lesson's vocabulary with a word search and flashcards. Ungraded — play as many times as you like.
Tap the first and last letter of a hidden word to find it. Los términos de varias palabras van sin espacios en el tablero (ej. "give up" aparece como GIVEUP).
Elige la respuesta correcta. Si aciertas, la tarjeta queda lista por hoy; si fallas, vuelve a aparecer pronto para reforzarla. Tu progreso se guarda en este dispositivo.