Grammar / C1 Grammar lessons and exercises / Avoiding Repetition in a Text
We can use words such as it, this, these, that, those, such and do so, as well as synonyms, to avoid unnecessary repetition in a text.
The composition of chimpanzee muscle was found to differ from that of humans.
It is the only such golf course in the world.
Some birds can navigate without landmarks, and we still don't know exactly how they do so.
These words can all refer back to something already mentioned, but they are not identical in meaning.
It refers back to something we are already talking about, usually with no special emphasis.
We watched the latest episode last night. It was OK, but not as good as the previous ones.
This and these are more emphatic. They often introduce something new that the writer is about to discuss further.
More funding has been approved for primary schools. This does not, however, solve the problem.
That and those also refer back, but they often create a sense of greater distance.
They're idiots! ... OK, sorry, maybe that was unfair.
In more formal English, that and those can replace a repeated noun phrase.
We compared our experience to that of a group of teenagers.
They obtained better exam results than those of the same year group in other schools.
Those who means "the people who".
Those who are unable to attend are invited to watch online.
In more formal English, such can refer back to a type or kind that has already been mentioned.
Some species of ants navigate by remembering how many steps they have taken. Such navigation methods are fairly basic.
The library is open 24 hours a day. It is the only such library in the city.
The first such meeting will be held in April.
Do so replaces a verb phrase that has already been mentioned.
Our company raised salaries, but few others in the sector did so.
Employees who agreed to work overtime should be prepared to do so this month.
Some people went vegan for health reasons; others reported doing so for ethical reasons.
We can also avoid repetition by replacing a repeated word or phrase with a synonym.
Air pollution is a significant problem in many European capitals. Urgent action is needed on this worrying issue.
Salmon use their sense of smell to return to the river where they were born. These aquatic homing missiles can travel hundreds of miles.
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| it | neutral reference back | It was good. |
| this / these | emphatic, often introduces more info | This is important. |
| that / those | more distant reference | That was unfair. |
| such | of this/that type | the first such event |
| do so | replace repeated verb phrase | They did so. |
| synonym | replace repeated meaning | problem → issue |
❌ We compared our experience to the experience of teenagers.
✅ We compared our experience to that of teenagers.
❌ The library is the only this library in the city.
✅ It is the only such library in the city.
❌ They promised to reduce emissions, but few actually reduced emissions.
✅ They promised to reduce emissions, but few actually did so.
It: neutral reference.
This / these: closer or more emphatic.
That / those: more distant or formal replacement.
Such: "of this or that type".
Do so: replace a repeated action.
Synonyms: keep the text varied and natural.