Substitution (do so, one/ones)

Replacing words to avoid repetition: do so, one/ones, that/those

advanced

When to Use

•Do so: replace verb phrase. If you want to leave, please do so.
•One: replace singular countable noun. I need a pen. Do you have one?
•Ones: replace plural countable noun. These shoes are nice. I prefer the red ones.
•That/Those: replace noun phrase. The weather here is better than that in London.
•So: replace clause. 'Is it raining?' 'I think so.'

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

Substitute word replaces repeated element

Negative (-)

Not do so; not one; not the ones

Question (?)

Same substitutes in questions

💡 One/ones for countable nouns only. Use 'some' for uncountable: 'Do you have any milk?' 'Yes, I have some.'

Examples

✓I asked him to help and he did so.

✗I asked him to help and he did.

'Did so' is more formal; 'did' also works.

✓I like this shirt but I prefer that one.

✗I like this shirt but I prefer that.

'One' replaces 'shirt'.

✓These apples are better than those ones.

✗These apples are better than those.

Both work; 'ones' is optional after 'those'.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Do so: formal substitute for verb phrase.
• One: singular countable (a book → one).
• Ones: plural countable (books → ones).
• Some: uncountable (water → some).

ellipsis this-that-these-those indefinite-pronouns 📝 emphasis-advanced 📝 substitution-quiz

Substitution (do so, one/ones)

Replacing words to avoid repetition: do so, one/ones, that/those

advanced

When to Use

•Do so: replace verb phrase. If you want to leave, please do so.
•One: replace singular countable noun. I need a pen. Do you have one?
•Ones: replace plural countable noun. These shoes are nice. I prefer the red ones.
•That/Those: replace noun phrase. The weather here is better than that in London.
•So: replace clause. 'Is it raining?' 'I think so.'

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

Substitute word replaces repeated element

Negative (-)

Not do so; not one; not the ones

Question (?)

Same substitutes in questions

💡 One/ones for countable nouns only. Use 'some' for uncountable: 'Do you have any milk?' 'Yes, I have some.'

Examples

✓I asked him to help and he did so.

✗I asked him to help and he did.

'Did so' is more formal; 'did' also works.

✓I like this shirt but I prefer that one.

✗I like this shirt but I prefer that.

'One' replaces 'shirt'.

✓These apples are better than those ones.

✗These apples are better than those.

Both work; 'ones' is optional after 'those'.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Do so: formal substitute for verb phrase.
• One: singular countable (a book → one).
• Ones: plural countable (books → ones).
• Some: uncountable (water → some).

ellipsis this-that-these-those indefinite-pronouns 📝 emphasis-advanced 📝 substitution-quiz

Substitution (do so, one/ones)

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

Substitution (do so, one/ones)

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗I need water. Do you have one?

✗The ones red are nice.

✗I told him do so.

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗I need water. Do you have one?

✗The ones red are nice.

✗I told him do so.

💡 Practice Tips

Related