Ellipsis and substitution
So do I, I hope not, I think so, didn’t want to.
The rules
- Repeat the auxiliary of the first sentence: "love" (present simple) → "So do I".
- "I hope not" replaces "I hope it is not going to rain".
- "so" replaces the whole clause: "I think (that) I will be there".
- Match the auxiliary: "can’t" → "Neither can I".
- Short answers keep only the auxiliary: "Yes, I have."
- Keep "to" and drop the repeated verb: "didn’t want to (go)".
Examples
- "I love jazz." "So do I."
- "Is it going to rain?" "I hope not."
- "Will you be there?" "I think so."
- "I can’t swim." "Neither can I."
- "Have you finished?" "Yes, I have."
- I wanted to go, but my brother didn’t want to.
Quick check
Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1."I love jazz." "So _____ I."
2."Is it going to rain?" "I hope _____."
3."Will you be there?" "I think _____."
4."I can’t swim." "Neither _____ I."
5.Which short answer is natural?