The Science of Speaking

A very talkative youth wanted Socrates to teach him oratory. He expected the philosopher to work wonders, for in his case the teacher would deal with an exceptionally gifted pupil, with whom talking was second nature. He begged Socrates to hear him speak on some subject. Socrates let him talk as much as he liked and then said, “I’ll have to charge you double, for I’ll have to teach you two sciences: how to speak and how to hold your tongue.”

6. Read the jokes. Analyze the function of the infinitives in them:

1.

“If the Dean doesn’t take back what he said to me this morning, I am going to leave college.”

“What did he say?”

“He told me to leave college.”

2.

A college freshman was being severely criticized by his professor.

“Your last paper was very difficult to read,” said the professor.

“Your work should be so written that even the most ignorant will be able to understand it.”

3.

The professor was delivering the final lecture of the term. He dwelt with much emphasis on the fact that each student should devote all the intervening time preparing for the final examination.

“The examination papers are now in the hands of the printer. Are there any questions to be asked?”

Silence prevailed. Suddenly a voice inquired: “Who is the printer?”

4.

In one of college classes the professor was unable to stay for the class, so he placed a sign on the door which read as follows: “Professor Blank will be unable to meet his classes today”.

Some college lad, seeing his chance to display his sense of humour after reading the notice, walked up and erased the “c” in the word “classes”. The professor noticing the laughter, then walked back, looked at the student, and then erased the “l” in “lasses”.

5.

Prof.: “Never mind the date. The examination is more important.”

Student: “Well, sir. I wanted to have something right on my paper.”

6.

The young lady walked boldly up to a woman whom she took to be superintendent at the hospital.

“May I see Captain Williams?” she asked.

“May I ask who you are?”

“Certainly, I am his sister.”

“Well, well, I’m glad to meet you. I’m his mother.”

7.

She (tenderly): “when did you first know you loved me?”

He: “When I began to get mad when people said you were brainless and unattractive.”

8.

“Why are you going to marry that police captain?”

“It is against the law, to resist an officer.”

The Gerund

7. Introduction

7.1. The Gerund is formed by adding the suffix –ing to the stem of a verb, and coincides in form with Participle I.

7.2. The Gerund has nominal and verbal characteristics. Its nominal properties are as follows:

1. The Gerund can perform the functions of a subject, object and predicative.

Digging is hard work.

Someone suggested going for a walk.

The difficult part was finding the money.

2. The Gerund can be preceded by a preposition.

What’s wrong with borrowing a little money?

It’s just a matter of filling in a form.

3. Like a noun the Gerund can be modified by a noun in the possessive case or a possessive pronoun.

It’s a bit inconvenient your coming in late.

Sarah’s laughing at my accent is getting on my nerves.

The verbal characteristics of the Gerund are as follows:

1. The Gerund can take a direct object.

No one likes washing a car.

2. The Gerund can be modified by an adverb.

We didn’t want to risk completely spoiling the evening.

She burst out crying bitterly.

3. The Gerund has analytical forms expressing tense and voice distinctions.

He’s regretting now having come.

She became conscious of being gazed upon.