39 Avoiding repetition: so, neither, too, etc. We can use the following structures to avoid repeating the same words when we add more information to a statement: ~ so/neither/nor + auxiliary/modal verb + subject: Jan was upset and so was |. Iwas also upset.) can’t sing and neither can Kate. (= Kate can’t sing either.) — subject + auxiliary/modal verb + too: Jake’s taken a year off work and I have too. ~ subject + negative auxiliary/modal verb + either: | won’t come and my brother won't either. We can use these structures to agree with someone: ~ ‘Ive enjoyed myself.’ ‘So have I. / | have too.’ ~ ‘don’t have any money.’ ‘Neither/Nor do |. / I don’t either.’ To answer a question, we can use /’m afraid believe /expect/hope/think + so and I don’t think/expect so or | hope not: ‘Is she very ill?” ‘I’m afraid so.’ ‘Is Helen joining us later?’ ‘Ithink so.’ ‘Will we get paid this week?’ ‘I don’t think so.’ “Has everything been destroyed?’ ‘I hope not.’ To answer questions beginning with Shall we ... ?, we use ‘Yes, let’s. /No, let’s not: “Shall we stop for a meal?” ‘Yes, let's.” We often shorten sentences to avoid repetition: ~ when we ask and answer questions: ‘Have you ever studied abroad?” ‘No, I haven't. Have you?’ (= No, | haven't studied abroad. Have you studied abroad?) ‘Ican't speak Mandarin. Can you?’ (= Can you speak Mandarin?) ~ when we respond to statements, requests, etc.: ‘It must be time for lunch.” 4 think itis.’ (= Itis time for lunch.) ‘Please help yourself.” ‘Thanks, | will.’ (= | will help myself.) ~ in clauses: I said | would finish by nine and J did. (=| did finish by nine) Pd be there if I could. (= if | could be there)92 PRACTICE 39a Complete the conversations. Use one word in each gap. A: Will you be working this weekend? B: | hope (0) . | could do with a rest. @ . could |. Maybe we should go away together for a few days. : Have you seen Axel recently? : Pm afraid (2) | haven't seen him for days. @. ave |. | wonder if he’s avoiding us. ; Do you understand what the boss wants us to do? = | think (4) : Well (5, .». Eleanor. wt and neither (6) ... :, Haven’t we met before? : don’t (7) so. I'm afraid I don’t recognise you. : | haven't seen the new animated film. : | haven't (8) . Shall we go this weekend? : You should try that new Italian restaurant. It’s really good. 16) . We were there at the weekend. P> D> D> PTS POD DP 39b Complete the conversations. Use the words in brackets. 39¢ © A: l’venever been abroad. (either) B; {haven't either. A: | haven’t had anything to eat yet. (neither) A: I'm very fond of Linda. (so) A: | disagreed with her suggestion. (too) : | don’t like the new teacher. (nor) : I'm going to Italy this summer. (so) | don’t like horror movies. (neither) : | couldn’t get in touch with Greg. (either) : I'll order the vegetarian option. (too) oN aueune PPrPPrPrePp PRP Pe eae Cross out the words in italics that are not necessary. Don’t change the meaning of the sentence. © A: Iwish you were here! B: I'd be there if / could be there. 4 A: Have you had lunch yet? _B: No, but /’m going to have lunch ina minute. 2 A: I think we should stop somewhere for something to eat. B: Yes, | think we should stop somewhere for something to eat. A: Please sit down. B: Thank you, / will sit down. She promised she would pick me up at six and she did pick me up at six. | offered to pay for the tickets and I did pay for them. | won't be attending the conference. Will you be attending the conference? aurw