Avoiding repetition is very useful in making communication flow better. There are many ways in which repetition can be avoided, such as replacing words with pronouns. Most of what we studied in the previous two quizzes was replacing subjects. There is yet another way of avoiding repetition, which is by omitting certain words or phrases themselves, and this High English grammar quiz will show you how to do it.
Look at this sentence:
‘You ride my bike and I’ll ride Mustaq’s when he returns.’
Here we have omitted the word ‘bike’ when referring to Mustaq’s bike because in the context of the sentence ‘bike’ has been identified and there is no need to repeat it. Here's another example:
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‘Do you visit the gym often?'
'No, I can’t afford to.’
Here we have omitted the phrase ‘visit the gym often’ after ‘to’ in the answer to the question posed. Note that the meaning is clear in both examples even though we have omitted words or phrases.
Omitting words or phrases is useful when we describe something in a single sentence or when there is an answer to a question posed. Since the reference to context is immediate it is easier to omit words or phrases without losing the meaning to be conveyed.
Often, omission is resorted to when we compare two subjects, places, things or ideas. For instance, in this example:
‘They often go to the movies. A lot of people do these days.’
Here ‘go to the movies’ is omitted and ‘do’ is used instead. Note that we are making a generalised statement from information gathered about an activity and it becomes easier to omit certain words or phrases without taking away the meaning.
Avoiding repetition by omitting certain words or phrases is easy when you know how. Just make sure that what you are communicating will not be misunderstood by the listener or the reader! The quiz that follows takes you through the nuances of writing sentences by avoiding repetition.
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1.
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"Did you visit the pet shop?"
"No, I didn't."
Which words have been omitted in the reply to the first sentence? |
|
[ ] |
visit the pet shop |
[ ] |
visit the pet |
[ ] |
the pet shop |
[ ] |
the pet |
|
|
2.
|
"Manish could have gone to the boxing match, but he didn't want to."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentence? |
|
[ ] |
to the boxing match |
[ ] |
boxing match |
[ ] |
could have |
[ ] |
go to the boxing match |
|
|
3.
|
"What should they have done?"
"Told him the truth."
Which words have been omitted in the reply to the first sentence? |
|
[ ] |
What |
[ ] |
They should have |
[ ] |
What should |
[ ] |
They have |
|
|
4.
|
"Has Manav been rowing?"
"No, sailing."
Which words have been omitted in the reply to the first sentence? |
|
[ ] |
has |
[ ] |
Manav |
[ ] |
he has been |
[ ] |
Manav has |
|
|
5.
|
"I can teach you what I learnt."
"You needn't as I am not asking you to."
Which words have been omitted in the reply to the first sentence? |
|
[ ] |
Teach me what you learnt |
[ ] |
Teach |
[ ] |
What you learnt |
[ ] |
Teach what |
|
|
6.
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"Today Virat Kohli is leaving far more balls outside the off stump than he was in the past."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentence? |
|
[ ] |
leaving |
[ ] |
balls outside the off stump |
[ ] |
outside the off stump |
[ ] |
the off stump |
|
|
7.
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"Indians were speaking far less on mobile phones in 2005 than they are now."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentence? |
|
[ ] |
Indians |
[ ] |
Indians were |
[ ] |
speaking |
[ ] |
were |
|
|
8.
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"A study revealed that people now spend more time by themselves than with friends."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentences? |
|
[ ] |
study revealed |
[ ] |
they spend |
[ ] |
people |
[ ] |
more time |
|
|
9.
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"Saurav brought snacks and soft drinks to the party and Anish food."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentence? |
|
[ ] |
to the party |
[ ] |
and soft drinks |
[ ] |
snacks |
[ ] |
brought |
|
|
10.
|
"He'll receive his degree but I don't know exactly when."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentence? |
|
[ ] |
he'll receive his degree |
[ ] |
receive his degree |
[ ] |
don't know |
[ ] |
exactly |
|
|
1.
|
"Did you visit the pet shop?"
"No, I didn't."
Which words have been omitted in the reply to the first sentence? |
|
[x] |
visit the pet shop |
[ ] |
visit the pet |
[ ] |
the pet shop |
[ ] |
the pet |
|
|
2.
|
"Manish could have gone to the boxing match, but he didn't want to."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentence? |
|
[ ] |
to the boxing match |
[ ] |
boxing match |
[ ] |
could have |
[x] |
go to the boxing match |
|
|
3.
|
"What should they have done?"
"Told him the truth."
Which words have been omitted in the reply to the first sentence? |
|
[ ] |
What |
[x] |
They should have |
[ ] |
What should |
[ ] |
They have |
|
|
4.
|
"Has Manav been rowing?"
"No, sailing."
Which words have been omitted in the reply to the first sentence? |
|
[ ] |
has |
[ ] |
Manav |
[x] |
he has been |
[ ] |
Manav has |
|
|
5.
|
"I can teach you what I learnt."
"You needn't as I am not asking you to."
Which words have been omitted in the reply to the first sentence? |
|
[x] |
Teach me what you learnt |
[ ] |
Teach |
[ ] |
What you learnt |
[ ] |
Teach what |
|
|
6.
|
"Today Virat Kohli is leaving far more balls outside the off stump than he was in the past."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentence? |
|
[x] |
leaving |
[ ] |
balls outside the off stump |
[ ] |
outside the off stump |
[ ] |
the off stump |
|
|
7.
|
"Indians were speaking far less on mobile phones in 2005 than they are now."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentence? |
|
[ ] |
Indians |
[ ] |
Indians were |
[x] |
speaking |
[ ] |
were |
|
|
8.
|
"A study revealed that people now spend more time by themselves than with friends."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentences? |
|
[ ] |
study revealed |
[x] |
they spend |
[ ] |
people |
[ ] |
more time |
|
|
9.
|
"Saurav brought snacks and soft drinks to the party and Anish food."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentence? |
|
[ ] |
to the party |
[ ] |
and soft drinks |
[ ] |
snacks |
[x] |
brought |
|
|
10.
|
"He'll receive his degree but I don't know exactly when."
Which words have been omitted in the second part of the above sentence? |
|
[x] |
he'll receive his degree |
[ ] |
receive his degree |
[ ] |
don't know |
[ ] |
exactly |
|
|