PRONOUNS WITH ELLIPTICAL CLAUSES 1
✓ Useful for Cambridge B2/C1
DID YOU KNOW?
Elliptical clauses are a hallmark of sophisticated English — but only when the pronoun case is right.
An elliptical clause omits words that are implied by context: She runs faster than he [runs]. The case of the pronoun in the elliptical part depends on the omitted verb — which is why She runs faster than him means something slightly different (him runs? no). Cambridge C1/C2 writing and Use of English both test this distinction, and TOEFL sentence correction includes elliptical clause questions at the higher score ranges.
Mastering elliptical clauses signals to an examiner that you control English at a structural level, not just a surface level. This exercise is specifically designed for writers aiming at C2 or TOEFL 28+.
Elliptical clauses are a hallmark of sophisticated English — but only when the pronoun case is right.
An elliptical clause omits words that are implied by context: She runs faster than he [runs]. The case of the pronoun in the elliptical part depends on the omitted verb — which is why She runs faster than him means something slightly different (him runs? no). Cambridge C1/C2 writing and Use of English both test this distinction, and TOEFL sentence correction includes elliptical clause questions at the higher score ranges.
Mastering elliptical clauses signals to an examiner that you control English at a structural level, not just a surface level. This exercise is specifically designed for writers aiming at C2 or TOEFL 28+.
In conversational English, most native speakers will say things like "taller than him" instead of "taller than he". Still, it's important to know the formal way to use pronouns with elliptical clauses.
Choose the correct pronoun to complete each of the following sentences.
1. I see all those people laughing, and I wonder if I'll ever be as happy as _____________.
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2. He talks to me a lot, but he talks to you more than _____________ .
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3. They obviously wanted this victory more than ______________.
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4. My sister is as tall as _____________.
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5. I like pie more than my sister does. = I like pie more than _____________.
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6. I like pie more than I like my sister. = I like pie more than _____________.
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7. I'm taking fewer classes than _____________.
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8. You're not distributing the candy evenly. You gave them more candy than _____________.
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9. No one dances better than _____________.
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10. The news pleased her as much as _____________.
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More advanced English exercises
Pronoun agreement 1
Pronoun case 1
Pronoun case 2
Pronoun reference 1
Pronoun reference 2
Pronouns with elliptical clauses 1
Pronoun case 1
Pronoun case 2
Pronoun reference 1
Pronoun reference 2
Pronouns with elliptical clauses 1
