CONNECTORS:

CONTRAST,
ELLIPSIS AND
SUBSTITUTION
Grammar II – Instituto Superior Lenguas Vivas
Before reading the reference
book material bear in mind that:
 COHESION

Grammar II – Instituto Superior Lenguas Vivas

Cohesion occurs where the interpretation of any

item in a text or discourse requires the making of

a reference to some other item in the same text

or discourse. (HALLIDAY & HASAN 1994: 11).

SUBSTITUTION
Substitution as another type of cohesive relation,
or cohesive tie, is the process in which one item
within a text or discourse is replaced by another
(cf. HALLIDAY & HASAN 1994:88).

For example, " I like Italian food and so does my

brother" instead of " I like Italian food and my
brother likes Italian food" .

How would you translate the first sentence into Spanish?

 ELLIPSIS

Grammar II – Instituto Superior Lenguas Vivas

Ellipsis as a type of cohesive relation is very
similar to substitution. While substitution referred to
the replacement of one textual element by
another, ellipsis is simply characterized by “the
omission of an item” (HALLIDAY & HASAN
1994:88).
It is possible to say that “[w]here there is ellipsis, there
is presupposition, in the structure, that something is to
be supplied, or ‘understood’” (HALLIDAY & HASAN
1994: 144). In other words, “ellipsis occurs when
something that is structurally necessary is left unsaid”
(HALLIDAY & HASAN 1994: 144).
For example:

"Mary ate some chocolate chip cookies,

and Robert [blank] some candies"

The theory above is intended to provide supporting theoretical

framework for deeper understanding.
 This week´s
study guidelines:
1. Watch the introductory video on the topic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv6JEFIQMl0&t=1s

2. Read the theory on elements of contrast , substitution

and ellipsis from the "Advanced Learner's Grammar "
book in the English Virtual Library. See pages 306-308
and 328- 330.
3. Do the practice exercises about the topics from pages
309-311 and 332-335 from the book mentioned above.
Remember you have the key to the exercises from page
354 from the book.

4. Participate in the optional forum on the topic.

5. Do the assignment: Practical Work#4- A Quiz on Ellipsis

and Substitution.