Think and Speak

These sentences come from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. For each one, say whether it is a statement, a question, an exclamation, or a command, and explain your thinking. Then turn the sentence into one of the other types. For example, She was very kind to me (a statement) might become How kind she was to me! (an exclamation).

Show me how

1. Her nerves were a little shaken.
2. What ought I to do then, Agnes?
3. How vividly I call to mind the damp about the house.
4. Take him away.
5. Will you give me your opinion of it?
6. We shall go by the stage-coach.
7. Uriah Heep gave a kind of snivel.
8. I hope you will forgive me.
9. Have you got your flute with you?
10. How long are the holidays?
11. [Of a house] It’s made out of a boat!
12. Oh, what a writer Mr Tidd is, Master Copperfield!

Join each group of ideas together into one sentence, using the word 'if' (or something similar, such as ‘unless’). You can reconstruct them as radically as you like provided that the meaning stays the same. Remember, there’s no single ‘right answer’: see if you can think of at least two for each group, and then pick the best.

1. I can’t trust you. I have to shoot you.
2. You took the cake out too soon. That’s why it sank in the middle.
3. I’m ready to help. Why don’t you ask?
4. I can’t reach it. I wish I had something to stand on.
5. You told Joe about the house in Brixton. That was stupid. Now we can’t hole up there.
6. I’m expecting Andrew to phone. Has he called yet?
7. Magnolia’s a bit boring. I thought we’d paint it duck egg. Do you mind?
8. You’ve never given me a straight answer before. Why should I believe you now?

The sentences below come from The Secret Adversary (1922) by Agatha Christie. For each one, identify when the action takes place — for example, in past, present, or future time, and explain how you know. Then time-shift the whole sentence into another time. For example: Tommy was annoyed: [past time]; Tommy will be annoyed: [future time].

Show me how

1. I will tell you.
2. You outwitted me.
3. Tommy strolled down to the end of the street.
4. We’re going to shop!
5. What are you doing this afternoon?
6. There aren’t any jobs!
7. Your mother must have brought you up well after all.
8. If you will call upon me to-morrow morning, I will lay the details of my proposition before you.

For each word in italics, substitute a relative clause (i.e. a description typically introduced by who, which or that) with a similar meaning. For example, a lame excuse might be a excuse that didn’t fool us for a minute. Extra credit for creating a whole sentence, double credit for including direct speech.

1. A loud noise
2. A loyal friend
3. A recent employee

Add a circumstance to each of the sentences below. For example, for My ears tingled you might add when the icy wind blew, or after Mrs Pultney boxed them for me.

Show me how

1. My hands trembled.
2. The car swerved.
3. Emily’s phone rang.
4. He crawled.
5. I could not make out his face.
6. Teddy wagged his tail.
7. I can’t advise you.
8. I’d like to have a word.
9. The carriage turned.
10. He was gagged and bound.

Try using one of these words:

1. After.
2. Along.
3. Although.
4. As.
5. Because.
6. Before.
7. Despite.
8. During.
9. If.
10. Into.
11. Like.
12. To.
13. Towards.
14. Unless.
15. Up.
16. When.
17. Whenever.
18. Where.
19. Wherever.
20. With.

Extra credit for a circumstance that is five words or more in length. Tip: it doesn’t have to be added at the end.

Combine each group of ideas into one sentence, in as many ways as you can. You can (and should) change words, structure, anything you like, so long as you keep the basic ideas.

Show me how

1. Your desk is untidy. I know your character.
2. He was late. The evening was pleasant. He strolled on.
3. The door was locked. The key was not in the lock. He looked through the keyhole.

For each of these situations, compose a sentence with There is or There are (or some other variation of them). For example, if you’ve found a foreign body in your food, you might say “There’s a caterpillar in my salad!”

1. You’ve only to wait ten minutes for the next bus.
2. The charge was dropped thanks to a complete lack of evidence.
3. Tuesday was the last day that any rain fell.
4. Suggest looking for beer in the fridge.
5. Tell James that he has to keep buying new slippers only because he doesn’t walk the dog often enough.