Page 308 - Oxford_English_Grammar_Course_Basic_2015

leaving out words Don't know if she has.

We often use just an auxiliary verb instead of repeating a longer expression, if the meaning is clear. This
happens in question tags, short answers and reply questions (see pages 288-291), and in other sentences too.

'Get up!' 7 am .' (= 'I am getting up.') Come round tom orrow evening, if you can.
I haven't seen th a t film, but m y brother has. (NOT... but m y brother has seen.)
We use do/does/did if there is no other auxiliary verb to repeat.

D avid said he knew the address, but he d id n 't really.

Make these sentences more natural by crossing out unnecessary words.

► You said it wasn't raining, but it is raining.

1 He thinks I don't understand, but I do understand.
2 'You'd better eat something.' 'I have eaten something.'
3 Alice said she would lend me her car, but I don't think she will lend me her car.
4 Eric was sure he would pass his exam. I hope he has passed his exam.
5 'Will you write to me every day?' 'Of course I will write to you every day.'

6 I can't help you today, but I can help you tomorrow.

We often use to instead of a longer expression, if the meaning is clear.

'W ouldyou like to stay w ith us next weekend?' 'I'd love to.' (= 'I'd love to stay with you.')
/ don't play tennis, but I used to. 'Are you going to Scotland this sum mer?' 'We hope to.'

^ Complete the sentences, using the words in the box with to.

I'd like It's starting I'm try in g / I used she didn't want Sorry, I forgot They hope

► 'Can't you go faster?' ..!!^ .^ ...................

1 'Are Cathy and Dave getting married this year?' .................................................
2 I asked her to dance, b u t.................................................

3 I've never learnt to ski, b u t.................................................
4 I don't speak German very well now, b u t.................................................
5 'Did you remember to phone Liz?' .................................................
6 'Is it raining?' .................................................

In conversation, people may leave out 'small words' (for example pronouns, articles, auxiliary verbs)
at the beginnings of sentences.
M ust go now. Can't help you, sorry. D on't know. Car's n o t going well.
Seen Billy? (= 'Have you seen Billy?') Nobody here. (= 'There's nobody here.')

^ Write the complete sentences.
1 Couldn't understand what he wanted from me...............................................................................................

2 Doesn't know what she's doing..........................

3 Bus is late again..................................................
4 Speak French? ..................................................
5 Haven't seen them..............................................
6 Don't think so......................................................

For sentences where we leave out that, see pages 257 and 264.

In some answers, both contracted forms (for example I'm, don't) and full SPOKEN GRAMMAR 293
forms (for example I am, do not) are possible. Normally both are correct.