Writing Research Reports

ACADENG 210
Lecture 11.3

Academic English Studies

3. Ellipsis & Substitution
3. Ellipsis & Substitution
Ellipsis is when the writer leaves out elements normally
required by the grammar which are assumed to be obvious
from the context and therefore need not be mentioned.

Substitution refers to the words we use e.g. so, one, do, did as
signals to indicate that something has been left out and identify
what kind of information this is.
What information is not stated explicitly in these sentences and paragraphs?

a. The information that is shown in the graph opposite …E

b. If you haven’t got a cover sheet please take one. S a cover sheet
c. Cell phones are not necessarily the same as car phones; that is devices
that are intended for permanent installation in the vehicle. E
d. If you haven’t handed in your assignment yet please do so. S hand it
in
e. The control group made significant progress, as did the experimental
group. S make progress
f. A wharf is a structure along a waterfront that providing a place for ships to
load and unload passengers and cargo. E
g. All students from the school participated in the study. Those [students
who were] missing when the questionnaires were initially administered filled
them in on another day, as did those who spoiled their papers and wanted
another chance to complete them correctly. students
(TB p.176, PDF p.172)
B. Mid-position adverbs
In academic writing adverbs tend to occur within the verb group.

Examples:
… are now published …
… have recently been produced … (note the position of the adverb)
… will be somewhat underrepresented …
… are typically derived …
TASK 1 (TB p.177, PDF p.173)
Find a single adverb to replace the phrase in italics, and then place the adverb in mid-position.

For example:. The provisions of the law must be ^ applied with care. The provisions of the law must be carefully
applied.

1.In Chile, clouds and fog are usually evaporated without any delay by the hot sun.
…are usually immediately evaporated

2.One solution is being tested in the village of Chungungo at this very moment.
…is currently being tested or is being currently tested

3.Water flows into troughs, which must be inspected now and then to make sure they are not obstructed.
…must be periodically inspected Note that must be cannot be split with an adverb.

4.After the water is filtered into underground tanks, it is piped to a 25,000 gallon storage tank as the next step in
this process.
…is then piped

5.The ozone problem has been caused by industrialised countries who carry the main responsibility.
…has largely been caused or has been largely caused

6.The unusual weather patterns currently being experienced around the world are thought to be linked
to global warming to a considerable extent.
to be closely linked

7.The fact that several large icebergs have broken away from Antarctica to float in the southern ocean is also a
bit disturbing.
….is also somewhat disturbing
TASK 2 (TB p.178, PDF p.174)

A. Match the two columns: a-h and 1-8:

a. accordingly 1. as a rule
b. admittedly 2. as an acknowledged fact
c. eventually 3. at regular intervals
d. generally 4. by a considerable amount
e. greatly 5. for the most part
f. mostly 6. for this reason
g. periodically 7. in the end
h. similarly 8. in the same way
TASK 2 (TB p.178, PDF p.174)

A. Match the two columns: a-h and 1-8:

a. accordingly 1. as a rule
b. admittedly 2. as an acknowledged fact
c. eventually 3. at regular intervals
d. generally 4. by a considerable amount
e. greatly 5. for the most part
f. mostly 6. for this reason
g. periodically 7. in the end
h. similarly 8. in the same way