前文出现过的名词可以省略其中心词

中心词是英语名词词组中的重要成分。英语在英语平行的两个名词短语中，后出现的名词中心词往往省略。比如，old men and young men我们可改为old men and young，这时，young后面的men就省略了，这就是名词中心词的省略。

Do you prefer silver rings to gold (rings)? 你是喜欢银戒指，而不喜欢金戒指吗？

We wanted fried fish, but they gave us boiled (fish). 我们要炸鱼，但他们给我们炖鱼。

The second novel she wrote was very different from the first (novel she wrote). 她写的第二部小说和第一部大不相同。（名词中心词novel及其定语she wrote一同省略）

If you need any of that firewood, I can give you plenty (of that firewood). 如果你需要那种柴，我可以给你许多。

Her first (husband) was bad enough, but this second husband is an absolute bore. 她的第一任丈夫已经够坏了，但第二任丈夫简直令人讨厌。（后文将提到husband，这时省略了前文的husband）