Vianu - English For Everyone

Lidia Vianu
English for Everyone
CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE PRESS Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur Bucureti 2011
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.
ISBN: 978-606-8366-04-3.
Lidia Vianu.
Tehnoredactare: Lidia Vianu Corectur: Lidia Vianu, Silvia Bratu

Dactilografiere: Raluca Mizdrea, Anca Pavel. Postare: Cristina Petrescu. Publicitate: Ruxandra Cmpeanu.
Aceast carte de exerciii de traducere a fost iniial publicat, ntr-o form foarte diferit de cea actual, sub titlul Engleza cu cheie, de Editura de Vest n anul 1992 i sub titlul English with a Key, de Editura Teora ntre anii 1994 i 2010. Versiunea de fa, English for Everyone, este amplu revizuit i adugit.
Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur
Contemporary Literature Press
Lidia Vianu
English for Everyone

Exerciii de traducere
Bucureti 2011
Tabla de materii
Cuvnt nainte. p. 10
Partea ntia: Traduceri
p. 12
I. Timpurile verbului
1. The Present 2. The Present Perfect
13
13 17
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 3. The Past Tense 4. The Past Perfect 21 26
5. The Present. The Present Perfect. The Past Tense. 29 The Past Perfect (1) 6. The Future 7. The Future Perfect 8. The Future-in-the Past 31 33 35
9. The Present. The Present Perfect. The Past Tense. 37 The Past Perfect (2) 10. The Past Tense. The Past Perfect. The Future-in- 39 the-Past 11. The Conditional Present 12. The Conditional Past 41 43
II. Corespondena timpurilor
13. Consecinele folosirii unui timp trecut n propoziia principal 14. Subordonatele temporale 15. Subordonatele condiionale 16. Recapitulare
45 51 55 64
III. General usage

17. ntrebri directe 18. ntrebri indirecte 19. Diateza pasiv 20. Aspectul continuu 66 75 81 88
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 21. Subjonctivul 22. Verbele modale 23. Verbe modale folosite pentru a traduce Trebuia 95 106 128
24. Verbe modale folosite pentru a traduce Mai bine 131 25. Traducerea timpurilor romneti n limba 134 englez 26. Accusative with Infinitive. Nominative with 141 Infinitive 27. Substantivul 28. Adjectivul 29. Diferene de folosire: It i There 30. Causative Have 31. Traducerea lui de temporal n limba englez 32. Traducerea adverbului mai n limba englez 145 150 154 159 161 163
IV. Traduceri literare
166
33. Mircea Eliade: fragmente din n curte la Dionis, 1977 34. Camil Petrescu: fragmente din Ultima noapte de dragoste, ntia noapte de rzboi, 1930
166
181
35. Camil Petrescu: fragmente din Patul lui Procust, 190 1933 36. Marin Preda: fragmente din Cel mai iubit dintre pmnteni, 1980 200
Partea a Doua: Cheia exerciiilor

I. Timpurile verbului
1. The Present 2. The Present Perfect 3. The Past Tense 4. The Past Perfect
209 210 210 214 218 223
5. The Present. The Present Perfect. ThePast Tense. 226 The Past Perfect (1) 6. The Future 7. The Future Perfect 8. The Future-in-the Past 228 230 232
9. The Present. The Present Perfect. The Past Tense. 234 The Past Perfect (2) 10. The Past Tense. The Past Perfect. The Future-in- 236 the-Past 11. The Conditional Present 12. The Conditional Past 238 240
II. Corespondena timpurilor
13. Consecinele folosirii unui timp trecut n propoziia principal 14. Subordonatele temporale 15. Subordonatele condiionale 16. Recapitulare
242
249 253 263
III. General Usage

17. ntrebri directe 18. ntrebri indirecte 19. Diateza pasiv 20. Aspectul continuu 21. Subjonctivul 22. Verbele modale 23. Verbe modale folosite pentru a traduce Trebuia 265 275 281 288 295 307 329
24. Verbe modale folosite pentru a traduce Mai bine 332 25. Traducerea timpurilor romneti n limba 335 englez 26. Accusative with Infinitive. Nominative with 342 Infinitive 27. Substantivul 28. Adjectivul 29. Diferene de folosire: It i There 30. Causative Have 31. Traducerea lui de temporal n limba englez 32. Traducerea adverbului mai n limba englez 346 352 356 361 363 365

33. Mircea Eliade: fragmente din n curte la Dionis, 1977 34. Camil Petrescu: fragmente din Ultima noapte de
368
368
385
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. dragoste, ntia noapte de rzboi, 1930 35. Camil Petrescu: fragmente din Patul lui Procust, 1933 36. Marin Preda: fragmente din Cel mai iubit dintre pmnteni, 1980 395
405
Partea a Treia
1. Verbe i adjective cu prepoziii obligatorii 2. Verbele neregulate
415
415 432
Cuvnt nainte
English for Everyone a fost la vremea ei o carte de sertar. Greu de explicat de ce o carte de exerciii pentru nvarea limbii engleze a petrecut muli ani n ateptarea unei publicri care s-a realizat de abia dup 1990. Volumul acesta fusese scris tocmai n ideea c, dac altceva autoarea lui nu putea publica la editurile comuniste, mcar tiprirea unor propoziii de tradus n limba englez pentru elevi i studeni de toate vrstele nu va fi o problem. A fost. i ntr-un fel e un lucru bun c English for Everyone nu a ieit de sub tipar ca manual comunist.
English for Everyone este un manual de predare a limbii engleze prin traduceri. El se adreseaz elevilor, studenilor care frecventeaz seminarii de curs practic de englez (la faculti filologice i nefilologice), dar i tuturor celor care doresc s-i formeze o baz gramatical pentru conversaie sau coresponden, s scrie i s vorbeasc ntr-o englez corect. Manualul poate fi de folos i vorbitorilor de limba englez care doresc s nvee limba romn. Volumul are la sfrit o list a verbelor i adjectivelor cu prepoziii obligatorii folosite n manual, precum i o list de verbe neregulate. Cine folosete acest manual trebuie s corecteze fiecare propoziie cu varianta din cheia exerciiilor. Corectura trebuie fcut imediat dup traducerea unei propoziii, pentru a evita repetarea aceleiai greeli de mai multe ori la rnd, ntruct fiecare problem de gramatic este tratat ntr-un numr variabil de propoziii consecutive. Cartea cuprinde i liste de cuvinte. E de dorit ca orice cuvnt necunoscut s fie cutat n dicionar. Desigur, utilizatorul mai grbit poate lsa spaii libere, pentru
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. ca apoi s descopere rezolvarea n cheie. n cazul n care va traduce a doua oar acelai grup de propoziii, cuvintele i vor fi deja cunoscute. Traducerile de texte literare adaptate din finalul volumului nu ofer unica variant posibil. E de dorit sprijinul unui profesor care s explice sau s accepte i alte variante corecte.
English for Everyone este o carte conceput special pentru a fi publicat online i a ajuge astfel rapid i gratuit la toi cei care au nevoie de ea. Dar ea nu est e menit s fie citit pe ecran. nvarea unei limbi strine se face cu hrtie i creion. Internetul are aceast calitate miraculoas, c aduce librria i biblioteca n orice odaie n care exist un computer conectat. Computerul singur, ns, nu este
suficient. Pentru a v putea folosi cu adevrat de acest volum, este recomandabil s imprimai pe hrtie paginile pe care avei intenia s le traducei.
Bucureti, 18 octombrie 2011
Lidia VIANU
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Partea ntia
Traducere
12
I. TIMPURILE VERBALE
1. The Present
1. Deseori ncep cte o carte i o las apoi neterminat, fiindc trebuie s lucrez mult la englez i seara, cnd m apuc s citesc un roman ori o carte de nuvele ori ce altceva mai gsesc, sunt obosit. 2. Vecinul meu pariaz rareori pe cai, aa c nu cred s iroseasc vreodat muli bani, cu toate c muncete mult i ctig bine. 3. Ciobanul pe care-l cunosc i leag din cnd n cnd calul de copacul acela i vine s-mi bat la u, fiindc mai ntotdeauna l poftesc s intre i-i ofer un pahar cu limonad. 4. Ceaua bcanului nu muc mai niciodat pe cei care se apropie de magazin, fiindc bcanul are ntotdeauna nevoie de clieni i i leag ceaua cu un lan n fiecare zi dis-de-diminea. 5. Piticul sparge n fiecare zi un pahar, doar ca s se asigure c e nc destul de fioros s-i nspimnte pe cei ce intr vreodat n odaia lui, iar paharele pe care le sparge sunt cel mai adesea mai scumpe dect i pot permite s cumpere mai toi ceilali oameni. 6. De obicei sngerezi cnd te tai la deget, iar dac sora vitreg a prietenului tu nu sngereaz deloc, atunci se vede c e extraterestr i mai bine ai cerceta chestiunea nainte s fie prea trziu. 7. Cunosc un ceretor care se preface cnd i cnd c e orb i nu vede absolut nimic, dei adesea l vezi urmrind un film i apoi cerind bani, fiindc e veteran de rzboi i chiopteaz ru. 8. Ori de cte ori pisica mea arde pe foc prnzul pentru motan, nu se necjete; pur i simplu l ntreab dac are bani s-o duc s mnnce n ora, iar dac acesta refuz, se duce singur i-l las s flmnzeasc. Asta d ntotdeauna rezultate. i d o lecie. Data urmtoare cnd i arde prnzul, poate fi sigur c o s-o duc s
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. mnnce n ora fr s fie rugat. 9. Oricine aduce ghete noi la reparat e precis trsnit. Dar cizmarul are simul umorului: pur i simplu izbucnete n rs i-i cere individului un pre pe care o s-l in minte ct triete. 10. Pe oriunde trece, o omid mnnc tot felul de frunze i face guri uriae, pe care le poi recunoate vrndu-i inelarul i asigurndu-te c gaura nu e mai mare dect att. 11. De obicei iarna construiete case, dar anul acesta n ianuarie face o cltorie n strintate i habar n-are ct o s dureze pn se ntoarce i pn construiete coliba pe care atepi tu s-o construiasc. 12. Are de gnd s te ntrebe dac mnnci ceva, iar eu intenionez s-i spun c un adevrat vntor nu mnnc niciodat altceva dect vnat, ceea ce sunt sigur c nu are i nici nu va putea face rost, chiar dac-i spui c mori de foame. 13. Nu vorbi aa de tare: tocmai prind cel mai mare pete din ru i nu vreau s-l pui pe fug, aa c ncearc s citeti ori s te uii la cer pn-s gata, iar dup aceea poi s i cni, dei eu unul nu prea cred c tii s cni aa grozav. 14. i tot spun c pierzi avionul pentru Australia, aa c rupe-o la fug dac nu vrei s rmi s atepi aici nc trei sptmni, pn pleac avionul urmtor. 15. Dac pisoiul se aga de piciorul tu, e pur i simplu neastmprat, fiindc sunt prea muli musafiri n cas, iar el vrea s-i dm atenie i s ne jucm cu toii cu el ct suntem aici. 16. De obicei la aceast or din noapte doarme adnc i viseaz frumos, dar dac tu zici c danseaz nebunete, nu vreau s te contrazic, dei pot s jur pe tot ce am mai scump c nu face niciun zgomot i nu deranjeaz pe nimeni. 17. Ai grij c uii de excursia la munte, ceea ce nseamn c nici mcar nu te duci ntr-acolo, ci mergi de fapt cu maina la mare, unde tii c prietenii ti nu te pot nsoi fiindc nu au voie s fac plaj. 18. Directorul st de vorb chiar n aceast clip cu adolescentul acela neobrzat i sper c-l pedepsete aspru pentru c a spart toate ferestrele din clasa lui. 19. Cumnata ta vine mereu dis-de-diminea la mine acas i-mi cere s-i repar frigiderul, cu toate c tie ct se poate de bine c nu m pricep deloc la aa ceva i tot ce pot face este s pun pe cineva ntr-adevr priceput s-l repare. 20. Strbunicul nostru deseneaz mereu portrete de-ale prietenilor lui mori, ne spune povestea vieii lor, iar apoi se ateapt s fim fericii i recunosctori, ceea ce
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. m tem c nu putem fi, mai ales c face acest lucru atunci cnd ne ntoarcem acas dup opt ore de munc, nu glum. 21. Cnd i se arat o carte nou de ctre viitorul tu socru, trebuie s pari intelectual i s nu-i nchipui c i se ofer o main nou i c i se cere s mergi cu ea pn-n Delta Dunrii, unde poi fi singur i unde nu eti silit s faci nimnui pe plac. 22. Ori de cte ori i este promis un inel de ctre noul ei logodnic, ea i arat inelarul i se asigur c are mrimea exact, iar apoi i spune c-i pcat dac inelul e dat napoi dup ce a fost cumprat. 23. Unei soacre i se refuz de obicei afeciunea soiei fiului ei dac nu-i n stare s se-mpace bine cu ea, aa c nu-i sili fiul s se nsoare, dect dac simte el c n-are ncotro. 24. n acest birou sunt n curs de a fi desenate castele n folosul celor pe care-i intereseaz s cumpere unul i s locuiasc n el cu copiii, prinii, socrii, nepoii, nepoatele i toate celelalte rude. 25. Se sap anuri pe toat ntinderea acestui cmp, cu scopul de a gsi rmiele unui ora vechi i, dac se va gsi ceva, i se vor arta toate descoperirile. 26. Chiar n aceast clip se alege o actri pentru rolul Ofeliei i urmeaz s i se ofere o sum mare de bani ca s-l joace, dar trebuie s-i fac singur costumul. 27. Se aduc azi creioane noi n acest ora i sunt toate cumprate de colarii care sunt trimii de nvtorii lor s cumpere orice pot gsi la papetrie. 28. Pacientul e n curs de a fi operat de un chirurg vestit, al crui nume poate fi gsit n cartea de telefon, fiindc numrul lui este trecut acolo. 29. Maimua este privit de ctre toi arhitecii care viziteaz grdina zoologic, ncercnd s se relaxeze dup o sptmn de munc pe brnci la antierul unui castel pentru vrjitorul din Oz, pe care-l nal ei. 30. Doctorul este chemat n fiecare sear, dar azi e hotrt s apuce s doarm nainte de a merge, ca de obicei, s flecreasc cu btrna doamn, care se plictisete de singurtatea ei cnd se ntunec i trimite dup el de ndat ce apune soarele. 31. 32. 33. Cnd i aduc de obicei prinii ti vitregi sticlele la umplut? Ce faci cu calul pe care clresc eu de obicei pn la trg? De ce crezi c desenez cinele acesta, dac nu ca s-o sperii?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 34. Nu tiu ct de des despic el copacii din pdure, dar presupun c o face mai des dect i spune ie, aa c mai bine fii cu ochii pe el pn nu-i prea trziu. 35. Ce arde acolo, c miroase aa urt?
36. De ce sunt mereu trimis tocmai eu s caut rme n grdin cnd mergem la pescuit i nu e nimeni altcineva dispus s o fac? 37. Ct i nchipui c poate cere pentru un bilet n plus, cnd tii doar c preul lui se ridic la foarte puin, ori e cu adevrat nemernic i recurge la orice dac e s scoat bani? 38. M intereseaz foarte tare s aflu cnd anume ndoi bare la circ, ci ani ai, cum te cheam, cu ct eti pltit, care-i sunt prietenii i ce crede directorul despre tine. 39. Cnd m duc s vorbesc cu el despre afaceri, mnnc tot timpul, aa c azi stau acas; n-are dect s se trasc la picioarele mele nainte s m mai duc eu s-l vd la ea acas, ori nu m crezi? 40. Tocmai se taie pinea felii, aa c, dac-l ntrebi pe naul tu de ce tot arunc pinea veche la gunoi, spune-i i c ginile noastre mor de foame dac nu le hrnim.
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2. The Present Perfect
1. Rareori am but ceva mai cumplit dect ce mi-ai dat aici i chiar cred c precis ai s otrveti pe cineva cu marfa asta ntr-o zi. 2. Niciodat-n viaa mea n-am condus un autobuz cu vitez aa de mare, drept care nu trebuie s te mire dac nu respect semnele de circulaie. 3. Sora ei vitreg tocmai a czut de pe o stnc i s-a lovit la cot, dar a i sosit un doctor s-o ngrijeasc. 4. Mai niciodat n-am locuit ntr-un apartament att de luxos, cu ap curent i nclzire central i care a fost deja pltit de cineva de care nici n-am auzit. 5. N-am mncat nuci de cocos niciodat, din cte in eu minte, aa c, ntruct tocmai m-ai ntrebat ce-mi place i ce nu-mi place, pot s-i spun c nu tiu dac-mi plac nucile de cocos, fiindc nc nu le-am gustat. 6. N-am hrnit cprioarele, fiindc am fost prea ocupat azi.
7. N-am avut niciodat niciun regret c am renunat la chimie. Am studiat fizica i am ajuns fizician priceput, ori cel puin aa sper. 8. Cei care au dus multe lupte la viaa lor au neles deja ce vreau s spun cnd zic c am avut noroc c am trit la adpost, lipsit i de invidie i de mndrie. 9. nc n-am gsit busola, rigla i compasul i, ntruct pn acum nu le-am pierdut niciodat pe toate, mi-e team s-i spun vrului meu c a vrea s le iau cu mprumut pe ale lui pn o s pot eu cumpra altele din salariul meu, care a crescut n ultima vreme. 10. Nu-i face griji, vrjitoarea tocmai a fugit ntr-o alt pdure i, ntruct n-a lsat pe nimeni aici care s ne amenine, putem vna lupi n linite, far teama c o s-o ntlnim. 11. Cocoatul arunc cu scrumiere n sprgtorul de banc de dou ore ncoace, dar sprgtorul de banc a stat neclintit n tot acest timp, privindu-l drept n ochi. 12. Rndunica zboar de dou zile ncoace i nc nu a ajuns la cuibul ei, dei tie c perechea ei a ateptat-o n tot acest timp.
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13. De la o vreme ncoace brutarul uit cam multe i a nceput s umble cu un creion i un carnet, ca s noteze tot ce trebuie s-i amintesc eu s fac. 14. Sora medical a plns din nou fiindc de cteva sptmni ncoace e prea obosit, iar doctorul tocmai a refuzat s-i dea un concediu medical de o sptmn. 15. Portarul nghea de atta vreme nct s-a hotrt s-i schimbe slujba i s lucreze ca mecanic la nclzirea central, aa c tocmai a fcut o cerere s i se dea slujba aceea, dar i s-a refuzat mrirea salariului, pe care, de asemenea, a solicitat-o de curnd. 16. De cteva ore ncoace gospodina i vinde bibliotecarului cri pe care acesta le nghesuie n geanta lui i se ntreab doar cine l-a trimis la ea i dac o s nceteze vreodat s-i mai cear. 17. Fulgarinul farmacistului atrn n spatele uii de dou zile ncoace, dar el n-a venit s-l ia, ceea ce nseamn c nu l-a folosit n aceste dou zile, dei a plouat cu gleata. 18. Gospodina a ascuns o mulime de secrete de soul ei, care e gunoier i care a dezamgit-o crunt, dei el nu i-a dat nc seama de acest lucru. 19. Copilul ine n mn pachetul de ciocolat de jumtate de or ncoace; nu-i de mirare c pachetul s-a topit i acum copilul plnge c nu mai are ceea ce tocmai i-a cumprat. 20. Prietenul tu, lingvistul, i-a pstrat taina prea mult vreme; nu tiu de ce a fcut-o, dar sunt sigur c i-a venit foarte greu s-o fac, tiind ce vorbre e din fire. 21. La aceast crcium se beau buturi alcoolice i nealcoolice din anul grevei mturtorilor, cam de cnd o ocoleti tu, zicnd c ai renunat s mai iei seara n ora. 22. Mesajul omului de afaceri a fost primit azi, iar directorul acord acum o audien partenerului omului de afaceri, care e de mai mult vreme n ora, de la cea mai fierbinte zi din iulie ncoace. 23. Maina modistei n-a mai fost condus de un timp necrezut de lung, fiindc i este fric s intre n ea din seara aceea cnd a gsit un leu dormind pe scaunul din spate. 24. Casa zarzavagiului n-a fost locuit de la cutremur, de att de mult vreme nct majoritatea oamenilor au uitat deja c e un castel i se duc acolo cnd ies la iarb verde.
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25. Budinca buctarului a fost deja mncat; a fost incredibil de gustoas i toi musafirii au afirmat c de ani de zile n-au mai mncat o budinc aa de bun, poate chiar de cnd se tiu. 26. Tocmai a fost gsit acul custoresei acolo unde este din ziua inundaiei i, ntruct s-a putut muta napoi acas, ea a spus de curnd c e nespus de fericit c -l poate iar folosi. 27. Croitorului i-a fost ghicit viitorul de ctre ghicitor i a aflat c nevasta mcelarului a gsit o comoar pe care are de gnd s-o mpart cu el, fiindc ea consider c el e de prea mult vreme prea srac. 28. Cizmarul acesta n-a fost niciodat uitat de clienii lui, fiindc a fcut ntotdeauna papuci minunai i niciodat n-a cerut mult pe ei, cu toate c muli l-au considerat prea costisitor. 29. Femeia care muncete cu ziua tocmai a fost prsit de al cincilea brbat al ei, care a jurat c n-are de gnd s se mai nsoare, fiindc a avut o experien foarte trist cu femeia cu ziua i s-a sturat cu totul de nsurtoare. 30. Fetei noastre n cas i s-au dat migdale i, cum ea n-a mai vzut aa ceva, tocmai a venit la bunicul s afle ce sunt. 31. De cnd nghea contabilul i de ce nu i s-a dat nc haina pe care i-a cumprat-o nora lui? 32. Habar n-am de ce a mcinat morarul atta fin; presupun c i s-a dat mai mult gru dect de obicei i poate c a auzit c vrei s i-l iei ca s-l semeni. 33. L-am ntrebat adesea pe dirijor de ce au crescut fiii lui att de nali, dar el a evitat mereu s-mi rspund la ntrebare, aa c am dedus c nu-i prea mndru de nlimea lor anormal. 34. Nu m ntreba de ce lampa ta cea nou atrn de atta vreme de tavan, pentru c eu nici n-am pus mna pe ea i sunt sigur c a stat acolo pn acum doar fiindc proprietreasa n-a observat-o nc; oricum, fr suprare, e prea hidoas ca s fie inut ntr-o cas de oameni. 35. Unde i-a ascuns dirijorul peruca i de cnd ine el publicul s-l atepte?
36. mi pot nchipui de ce l-a lovit azi giuvaergiul pe borfa i, dac ai furat i tu vreodat ceva de la el, mai bine te-ai ascunde n pivni i ai zvor ua pn nu vine s te loveasc i pe tine.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 37. De ce este avocatul inut n aceast celul de atta vreme i de ce a fost silit nepotul lui s ngenuncheze n faa temnicerului s cear libertate pentru ei doi, cnd tim cu toii c n-au fcut nimic ru i c nimeni n-a meritat mai mult dect cei doi s fie liber? 38. Acest pulover gros i aceste mnui cu un deget au fost tricotate pentru soldaii care de dou sptmni lupt cu lcustele care ne-au invadat toate recoltele. 39. N-am nici cea mai vag idee de ce tocmai i s-a cerut locotenentului s pun masa, fiindc vede toat lumea c masa a fost deja pus i soldaii lui au fost chiar dui n formaie acolo s-i ia cina. 40. De ce a fost lsat singur judectorul, dac nu s hotrasc dac e vinovat sergentul ori nu i s-l ntrebe pe acesta dac a minit tot timpul ori chiar a spus adevrul?
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3. The Past Tense
1. oferul de autobuz, oferul de taxi i oferul de camion au mprumutat bani de la un cmtar i nu i-au napoiat niciodat, dar aceasta a fost demult i de atunci cmtarul i-a lsat n pace, cu toate c ei se temeau la nceput de nchisoarea datornicilor. 2. Redactorul ef i-a mprumutat vizitatorului propriul lui exemplar din revista de sptmna trecut, zicnd c sper c vizitatorul o s i-l napoieze cnd n-o s mai aib nevoie de el, dar pn acum redactorul ef a ateptat zadarnic, ntruct acel vizitator anume a plecat i nu s-a mai ntors. 3. Vrstnica dactilograf aprinse o lumnare i ncepu s bat la main nuvela prietenei ei despre un sprgtor de banc; acesta sttea n fiecare diminea n pat pn la zece, apoi se scula i telefona la poliie, ca s fie sigur c se tie c el e acas. 4. Lptarul pierdea de obicei jumtate din sticlele pe care le lua de la ferm, aa c fermierul se hotr s-l concedieze, fiindc se temea c n ritmul acesta va da faliment. 5. Chirurgul inteniona s spun c pacientul nu are nevoie s fie operat, fiindc e perfect sntos, dar rudele pacientului erau att de hotrte s-l pun pe chirurg s-l opereze pe srmanul om, nct chirurgul renun s mai zic ceva i pur i simplu iei din odaie. 6. Zise c e doctor, dar de medicin general de fapt i nu poate vindeca o persoan n vrst de reumatism, c tot ce poate face e s-i prescrie un medicament s-i uureze durerea. 7. Poliistul i rtci revolverul i ncepu s-l caute n main, dar, ntruct nu-l putu gsi, recunoscu c e vinovat: nu tia unde este i merita s fie pedepsit. 8. Chelnerul a fost indus n eroare de hainele scumpe ale clientului lui i i-a ngduit s plece i s se ntoarc cu banii pentru not mai trziu, ntruct cel din urm i-a explicat c portofelul lui se afl n camer la hotel; clientul a plecat i pn n ziua de azi chelnerul nici c l-a mai vzut. 9. Directorul colii l-a confundat pe portar cu gunoierul, i-a dat coul de hrtii i i-a cerut s-l goleasc, dar portarul a fost att de jignit de greeal, nct i-a naintat demisia pe loc.
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10. Cnd directoarea colii l-a neles greit pe elevul pe care l-a gsit n grdin i a fost sigur c vrea s chiuleasc, grdinarul a asigurat-o c nu e adevrat, c elevul e nepotul lui i vrea s-l nvee grdinritul. 11. nvtorul cosea pe cmp atunci cnd elevii lui au venit i i-au spus c exagereaz de-a dreptul muncind din zori pn-n sear, aa c nvtorul s-a aezat s se odihneasc n timp ce elevii au cosit n locul lui. 12. Proprietreasa auzi fr s vrea ce-i spunea chiriaul ei soacrei lui, care deja mpacheta, hotrt s plece din cas i s nu se mai ntoarc niciodat, ceea ce a i fcut n cele din urm, spre marea uimire a ginerelui ei. 13. Mecanicul de locomotiv i plti unui adolescent s-i spele locomotiva i s-o fac s strluceasc, n timp ce el bea o bere i vorbea despre cai la crcium, dar adolescentul porni locomotiva n lipsa lui, n-o mai putu opri i iei din gar. 14. Bibliotecarul fcea ordine ntre cri cnd intr cineva i ceru viaa lui Napoleon, pe care bibliotecarul nu i-o putu da, fiindc tocmai o citea primarul oraului. 15. Dramaturgul repeta mereu glume vechi, ceea ce-i plictisea de moarte pe toi prietenii lui i-i fcea s-l ocoleasc ori de cte ori puteau. 16. Directorul fabricii suna la u, dar nu deschidea nimeni, fiindc nu era nimeni acas i, n vreme ce el continua s sune, a venit un vecin i i-a spus c nu-i nimeni acas. 17. Pe cnd funcionarul alerga s prind autobuzul, i tie drumul un biat cu bicicleta, se ciocnir i czur amndoi, fur dui la spital i azi tocmai li s-a ngduit s plece acas. 18. Vnztorul ambulant vindea scoici unei fetie cnd un cine ddu nval, ltr la amndoi i-i sperie pn o luar la fug, dup care se apuc s mnnce salamul din sacul vnztorului ambulant. 19. Doctorul a trimis dup sor n vreme ce tu cumprai medicamentul, fiindc a zis c nimeni nu tie s fac o injecie aa de bine ca sora. 20. Zidarul cumpra crmizi cnd l-am ntlnit i mi-a spus c are nevoie de ele ca s-i construiasc o csu la ar, unde sper s se mute cu familia pe timpul verii. 21. Haina instalatorului a fost cusut de buctar pe cnd cel dinti repara chiuveta; dup aceea instalatorul a pus-o pe el i a mncat ceva, n vreme ce buctarul se plngea c mnnc prea mult.
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22. Pescarul a vzut c barca i e cltinat de vnt, aa c a intrat n colib i a rmas acolo, ateptnd s se domoleasc furtuna, numai c barca lui a fost mpins de vnt ctre mare i s-a scufundat. 23. Avionul pilotului s-a defectat cnd acesta ncerca s decoleze, aa c a trebuit s mearg pe jos dou zile, pn a ajuns la satul cel mai apropiat i de acolo a telefonat familiei lui s dea de tire c e teafr. 24. Seminele cumprate de cioban au fost semnate n grdina lui toamna trecut i de atunci el tot sper s vad plante crescnd, dar seminele nu erau bune, aa c ginerele lui le-a semnat degeaba. 25. Dentistul a fost ateptat la gar deunzi, cnd a venit un chirurg n locul lui i a comunicat c dentistul e reinut la clinic, unde are mai muli pacieni dect poate trata. 26. Cnd i s-a vorbit regizorului, actorii au amuit i publicul nu nelegea ce se ntmpl, cine se adreseaz regizorului n mijlocul spectacolului i de ce. 27. Regizorul de film a fost confundat cu un actor i i s-a dat un costum rou s se costumeze ca mscrici, ceea ce el a refuzat s fac, deoarece tia c nu e rolul lui. 28. S-a rs de criticul literar cnd a fcut o greeal gramatical n eseul lui, iar el s-a nfuriat, fiindc greeala era de fapt o greeal de tipar i redactorul nu voia s recunoasc. 29. Romancierul a fost plmuit de omul cu barb roie a crui via a povestit -o n romanul lui, fiindc cel de-al doilea era un gangster vestit, care detesta publicitatea. 30. Savantului i s-a permis s mture podeaua bibliotecii, fiindc a zis c are nevoie de micare i nu poate lucra ntr-o odaie murdar, iar bibliotecarul era prea ocupat ca s-o curee el. 31. Se splau ferestrele i se tergea tabla, fiindc directorul colii era ateptat s inspecteze clasa i nvtorul voia s i se acorde o mrire de salariu. 32. Se construiau noi teatre i erau chemai muli actori s joace acolo, ntruct oraul urma s devin un centru cultural important, cel mai bun loc pentru un dramaturg. 33. Se deschideau toate uile i oamenii nvleau n strad s vad elefantul care era dus napoi la circ.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 34. Se ncuiau porile parcului i erau izgonii toi vizitatorii, fiindc era noaptea trziu i portarul era ngheat, flmnd, pica de somn i voia s plece acas. 35. Se trgeau toate perdelele la o parte, fiindc toat lumea voia s vad dulgherii traversnd strada n ir indian, fiecare innd un scaun n mini i apoi aruncndu-l ntr-o grmad de gunoi. 36. Cnd a sosit casierul la banc, se frecau podelele cu spun i ap, se descuiau uile i se deschideau ferestrele. 37. Suflerul i sufla nasul chiar cnd se ridica cortina i publicul a nceput s rd cnd a auzit zgomotul i n-a vzut pe nimeni pe scen. 38. Gravorul era condus n formaie la nchisoare mpreun cu ucenicul lui, care striga ct l inea gura c sunt dui la nchisoare tocmai cnd termin ifonierul mpratului. 39. Tablourile pictorului erau privite cu interes de vizitatori, care erau condui prin muzeu de un savant mai n vrst cu ochi albatri i crora li se spunea c acelea sunt cele mai bune picturi din lume. 40. Crainicul spuse c se cur toate courile i coarii contemplau ideea unei greve generale, fiindc pretindeau c e prea mult de munc. 41. De ce vrsa lacrimi secretara cnd i-a spus eful ei c trebuie s bat din nou tot textul la main, cu toate c strlucea soarele i ea tia c el se duce la pescuit? 42. De ce a intrat tricoul att de mult la ap cnd l-a splat i de unde l-ai cumprat? Are de gnd s-l duc napoi acolo i s-i recupereze banii, aa cum a fcut ntotdeauna. 43. n ce trgeai deunzi cnd m plimbam prin pdure i era ct pe ce s m omori cu puca? 44. Cnd a fost asasinat deinutul evadat i de ce n-a trimis poliia cini s-i miroas urmele acum mai multe sptmni, cnd a nceput s jefuiasc locuinele de la ar i s nspimnte copiii? 45. Ce pastile de dormit ai luat i de ce n-ai dormit deloc azi-noapte, dei erai obosit mort? 46. A cui main mergea cu vitez spre sat acum o sptmn, pn ce a lovit o vac i a nceput s se nvrt ca un titirez? 47. De ce scriai mereu cas cu C mare cnd am studiat engleza mpreun?
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48. De ce-i vrsa laptele la dou zile i de ce-i arunca brnza din dou-n dou sptmni cnd era fermier? 49. Ce carte te atepi s aduc de vineri ntr-o sptmn i de ce nu mi-ai spus mai devreme c vrei s vin la coal ntr-o zi cnd m ateptam s fiu liber? 50. Ale cui etichete le lipeai cnd a trebuit s te nep ca s te fac s nelegi c sunt acolo i am de gnd s-i pun cteva ntrebri personale, la care m temeam c s-ar putea s nu-mi rspunzi?
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4. The Past Perfect
1. Regele i regina erau cstorii de mult cnd biatul pe care-l vezi acolo s-a nscut i a fost botezat. 2. Abia lovise ministrul cinele cnd s-a ivit proprietarul lui i ministrul s-a simit obligat s-i cear scuze i s-o rup la fug. 3. De abia jurase preedintele c a spus adevrul i numai adevrul cnd un ceretor a intrat ano n sala de ntruniri i l-a acuzat c a minit tot timpul. 4. De abia vzu ceasornicarul balonul umflat c i ncepu s deseneze un ceas pe el, pn cnd mpunse cauciucul i balonul se sparse. 5. De abia i-a terminat milionarul zahrul c i i scoase hainele i trecu not rul ca s mai comande. 6. Omului de afaceri i se predase chineza n copilrie, dar uitase limba i o nva din nou. 7. Antropologul suferise o operaie care-l fcuse s arate ca o maimu i acum nu mai putea de nerbdare s se studieze. 8. Omul de tiin purtase cma cenuie cu mult nainte s ajung la mod i fu amrt cnd toi ncepur s poarte i el trebui s-o schimbe, ca s arate altfel dect ei. 9. Fizicianul ctigase deja premiul Nobel cnd s-a retras din grupul vostru, fiindc lucrai la ceva ce dura de prea mult vreme. 10. Matematicianul tocmai i ntorsese ceasul i era gata s plece-n ora cnd gsi un juctor de fotbal alergnd prin grdin i clcndu-i n picioare straturile de flori. 11. ngrijitorul dormea. Dormea de cteva ore cnd veni directorul i afirm c e hotrt s-l concedieze, fiindc nu face niciodat nimic i e un pierde-var. 12. Paznicul de noapte cutreiera curtea cu repeziciune de cnd auzise zgomote ciudate n mansard. 13. Marinarul lipsea de doi ani de acas i cutreierase toate mrile i oceanele
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. pmntului. 14. Potaul ducea scrisori de o zi ntreag cnd veni un domn btrn s-l ntrebe de ce nu i-a primit nc ziarul, iar potaul obosit se nfurie de-a binelea. 15. Cura couri de la vrsta de apte ani i mereu i spunea c a fost tras pe sfoar, fiindc el vrusese s se fac poliist. 16. Houl fura ceasuri de aur de mai bine de un an cnd a fost prins i condamnat la doi ani de temni. 17. Borfaul ne spunea de mult vreme c fosta lui soie e mn-n mn cu bcanul, care-i nela clienii cnd cumprau trabucuri, i de aceea fur din casa bcanului de cnd l-a prsit nevasta. 18. Piratul cutreiera oceanele de un an cnd s-a ntlnit cu preotul, cruia i-a mrturisit c ntotdeauna a tras ma de coad i a sperat s se mbogeasc. 19. Episcopul a afirmat c vizita de o lun inutul cnd prietenul lui i-a dat de tire c a intrat la ap, i-a neglijat ndatoririle i avea s fie pedepsit pentru aceasta. 20. Iluzionistului chiar i prea ru c a tot spus c e ca i fcut, ntruct era convins c nu poate scoate la iveal porumbei din joben dect dac fuseser pui acolo dinainte; greise cnd se ludase c e magician. 21. 22. Aligatorul fusese vzut n ru cu mult nainte s sosim noi. Ursoaica fusese vnat pentru blana ei minunat.
23. Ursul fusese reperat zece kilometri la sud de sat, dar nimeni nu ndrznise s se duc s-l vneze. 24. Ursul polar fu acoperit de zpad pe cnd dormea de o zi i o noapte.
25. Lupul fusese gonit din codru pe cnd ncerca s ucid o cprioar pe care o prinsese. 26. Lupoaicei i se dduser zece pui de animale slbatice i avea grij de toi de parc erau ai ei. 27. Vulpoiul fusese trimis la grdina zoologic dup ce fusese prins ncercnd s fure pui din coteele stenilor. 28. Vulpoaica fusese adus din vizuina ei ca s fie artat copiilor, care nu vzuser niciodat-n viaa lor o vulpoaic.
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29. Rsul nu se temuse niciodat de niciun animal pn ce vzu o pum doar la mic deprtare de el. 30. Leopardul nu mai fusese niciodat silit s sar peste o colib, dar n timpul unui safari travers un sat de btinai i sri peste tot ce-i iei n drum.
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5. The Present. The Present Perfect. The Past Tense. The Past Perfect (1)
1. Dac a pierdut plria directorului, nu vreau s fiu n pielea lui, fiindc plria zcea de ani de zile pe scaun pn s-o gseasc el, iar directorul nc n-a descoperit c lipsete. 2. Dac crezi c nu e n apele lui azi, ntreab-l ce s-a ntmplat, fiindc era foarte bine dispus nainte s-o vad pe sora ta vitreg, care-l atepta de dou ore nainte s se ntlneasc ei doi. 3. Habar n-am avut de necazurile motanului tu pn acum, dar, cnd socrii ti mi-au spus c zace de sptmni de zile n pat i c pleci n Australia ca s fie operat, m-am hotrt pe dat c trebuie s vin s v vd pe amndoi, aa c iat-m. 4. ntotdeauna pltesc eu oalele sparte, de aceea refuz s te ajut s jefuieti banca, n ciuda faptului c m-ai rugat de mult s-o fac i tiu c promisesem, dar m-am rzgndit. 5. Nu i-a venit s cread cnd a aflat c socrul lui cumpr oi i a strigat c n-a ngrijit niciodat niciun animal, ceea ce e adevrat i a rmas adevrat pn-n ziua de azi, dei familia lui are acum o turm uria. 6. A spus c-i ajunge ct a muncit, c tunde iarba din fraged copilrie, c vrea s vad lumea, aa c a plecat ntr-un tur al lumii i acum viziteaz Frana. 7. Eram sigur c e pus pe rele, aa c am ncercat s m-neleg cu el, dar el a plecat ieri trntind ua de perete i zicnd c n-a fost niciodat aa de stul de toate. 8. A fcut o mare greeal atunci cnd a mrturisit c fur stilouri de ani de zile i c a fost prins de poliie cam din dou n dou luni, dar acum nevasta lui l-a iertat i l-a fcut s promit c nu mai fur i se poart frumos.
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9. Cnd i-am descoperit otia, a fost derutat, fiindc o pregtea de zile ntregi i nici acum nu-i vine s cread c l-am mpiedicat s dea foc acelei grmezi de hrtii care lui nu-i trebuiau, dar de care noi aveam mare nevoie. 10. A fost ultima pictur: cnd a spus c se plimba de cinci ore n timp ce noi i fceam temele, tatl lui l-a luat la btaie i acum el e sigur c n-am fost niciodat de partea lui.
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6. The Future
1. Pantera de la grdina zoologic e n libertate acum i sunt sigur c va fi foar te greu s-o prindem iar. 2. Am s cumpr o zebr pentru fiica fratelui tu vitreg, care a cerut una acum cteva zile; tocmai i-am promis c o s-i aduc una mic de tot. 3. O s dea voie cuiva tigrul i tigroaica s se apropie de puii lor?
4. Leul i leoaica n-au s stea la grdina zoologic; e pcat s-i duci acolo, fiindc au nevoie de libertate nainte de toate. 5. Mine pe vremea asta acest elefant se va plimba pe strzile Londrei i va fi admirat att de copii, ct i de oamenii mari. 6. 7. Nu v suprai, rmnei mult vreme la noi? Am s plec n curnd dac dihorul acela e bine zvort pe undeva.
8. N-am s te mai deranjez, dar trebuie s gsesc nevstuica mai nti , fiindc e a vrului meu, care va fi foarte amrt dac-i spun c am pierdut-o. 9. 10. O s m joc cu un hrciog cnd o s m duc s-mi vd bunicii. Popndul o s sar peste tot dac nu-l iei odat de aici.
11. Iepurele de cmp va fi vndut la trg, fiindc vntorul are nevoie de bani s-i cumpere gloane i o puc nou. 12. 13. 14. O s i se dea un iepure de cas, ca rsplat pentru purtarea frumoas. obolanul are s fie cumprat ntr-o zi de o pisic. Chiar va fi trimis oricarul acesta n Japonia?
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15. 16. 17.
Al cui celu va fi adus nuntru pentru a fi examinat mai nti? Unde va fi gsit pisicua care a fugit? Cnd va fi cumprat pentru ferm un cine ciobnesc?
18. Crui fel de buldog i va fi ngduit s intre n curte ct sunt eu acolo ? Eu de obicei m tem de cini i cred c am s-o iau la goan de ndat ce se ivete. 19. 20. Cnd va fi cinele de paz lsat n libertate? Ai s cumperi vreodat cini de vntoare ca s m nvei s vnez?
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7. The Future Perfect
1. Pn cnd ai s-i spui c ai vrea ca el s spun lucrurilor pe nume, el i va fi spus deja tot ce a fcut i-i vei da seama c mai bine nu-i spunea nimic. 2. nainte s zici c e de ajuns pentru ziua de azi, fostul tu so va fi btut la main toate scrisorile i va fi stenografiat discursul pe care tocmai ai refuzat s-l asculi. 3. Pn la urmtoarea voastr ntlnire el va fi dezvluit taina ta tuturor celor care te cunosc i vor rde cu toii de tine, iar tu nu vei mai putea spune c eti cel mai bun. 4. Presupun c o fi terminat de fcut temele i precis c s -a dus n ora, fiindc voia s vad un film i chiar m ntrebase dac tiu ce ruleaz. 5. Nu vinde castravei grdinarului: va fi aflat tot ce e de tiut nainte s ai tu cea mai mic ans s ncerci s-i ascunzi adevrul, aa c mai bine ai fi cinstit i i -ai spune c ai vndut papagalul lui preferat. 6. nainte s ajungi s m cunoti, el i va fi spus c una gndesc i alta vorbesc; te avertizez c aa face mereu i nu vreau s existe vreo nenelegere. 7. Pn s-mi spun el c prea ntind coarda, l voi fi rugat s-mi mprumute o sum mare de bani i, dac am noroc, o s mi-o dea pe loc. 8. nainte s-i spun ie c poi folosi expresia nu strica orzul pe gte, eu o voi fi folosit deja n eseul meu. 9. Nu-i spune s nu-i fac ochi dulci, fiindc i va fi uitat sfatul pn ce o va vedea. 10. A plecat, aa c presupun c o fi neles c ea nu vrea ca el s-i in de urt.
11. Sptmna viitoare pe vremea asta se va fi aflat n spital de o lun, de cnd a ncasat-o, fiindc n-a ascultat de ordinele directorului de a nu juca fotbal n timpul orelor. 12. L-am luat pe nepus mas: tocmai i-am explicat c luna viitoare voi fi lucrat de douzeci de ani n acest birou, aa c mai bine nu m-ar nva el pe mine cum se
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. procedeaz. 13. Voi fi splat vasele de o or la zece fr un sfert i, cum sunt grbit, a vrea s vii i, dac nu te deranjeaz, s termini tu treaba n locul meu. 14. La anul pe vremea asta voi fi studiat de doi ani trei limbi strine deodat, dar trebuie s mrturisesc c nu voi ti niciuna la perfecie. 15. Voi fi cutat sptmni de zile potcoave de cai mori nainte s-mi spun el c nu-s pe drumul cel bun. 16. Va fi prins asupra faptului nainte s-l poi preveni c nu trebuie s se alture acelui grup, fiindc au de gnd s jefuiasc o giuvaergerie. 17. Motanul va fi vndut la negru nainte s ai vreme s-l gseti, dac-l lai s ias noaptea singur-singurel. 18. Ceaua va fi lovit cu piciorul de poliist pn s traversezi tu strada s-o iei, fiindc mereu zgrie cizmele poliitilor. 19. Pn ce ai s cumperi cursa de oareci, oarecele va fi mncat de pisic, aa c mai bine nu te grbi. 20. Broasca va fi fost pn mine nlocuit cu o broasc rioas dac nu -i aduci o broasc estoas paznicului de noapte de la grdina zoologic; animalele lui favorite au fost ntotdeauna broatele estoase, dar, din nefericire, le-a pierdut pe toate n decursul vremii.
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8. The Future-in-the-Past
1. M-a prevenit c o s fac o greeal dac o s cumpr mtura aceea costisitoare, dar n-am vrut s-l ascult i tocmai am cumprat-o la licitaia de azi. 2. A ameninat c o s dea taina n vileag dac n-am s-i pltesc o sum mare de bani, dar, din nefericire, aceasta se ridica la mai mult dect mi puteam permite. 3. Mi s-a spus c va fi ieftin ca braga, dar se nelau cu toii; un ceas de aur e ngrozitor de scump, aa c n locul lui am cumprat o brar. 4. N-am crezut c ai s ai ndrzneala s-i spui c scumpul mai mult pgubete, fiindc toat viaa lui a cumprat lucruri ieftine i niciodat nu i -a dat seama c n felul acesta a cheltuit mai mult. 5. Mi-am nchipuit c o s-i dreag glasul nainte s anune pe toat lumea c a fost numit director. 6. Era sigur c fata lui va ajunge departe, fiindc era muncitoare i ambiioas.
7. Nu i-am spus eu c generalul se va ascunde sub scaun cnd ai s-i spui c a fcut cteva greeli n raport? 8. Eram sigur c, mai devreme sau mai trziu, foarfeca are s-i prind bine, fiindc era croitor i nu se putea s n-aib nevoie de ea. 9. A mrturisit c o s renune imediat dac o s-i tot gsesc nod n papur.
10. Mama lui vitreg a promis c va trece la subiect de ndat ce va sosi toat lumea, dar nu nainte, fiindc nu voia s trebuiasc s spun aceleai lucruri de dou ori. 11. 12. 13. Doctorul a hotrt c va locui n Frana n urmtoarele cinci sptmni. Arheologul a afirmat c va lucra ca profesor universitar tot restul vieii lui. Marinarul a jurat c va naviga spre Spania n timpul taifunului.
14. Mcelarul a declarat c va vinde cotlete de porc a doua zi toat ziua, aa c va fi prea ocupat ca s vin la petrecere.
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15.
Zarzavagiul spera c o s sape toat ziua n grdin duminic.
16. Credeam c arpele va fi trimis la grdina zoologic aa cum promiseser, dar l-au dus la munte i de atunci e liber. 17. M temeam c arpele boa o s fie fcut bucele de dinii crocodilului i nc de atunci tot ncerc s-i in departe unul de cellalt. 18. Strbunicii lui au prezis odat c arpele va fi surghiunit din rai fiindc nu fcuse niciun bine nimnui. 19. mi nchipuisem c arpele cu clopoei are s fie filmat de cercettorii aceia, dar mi dau acum seama c m nelam, nu voiau dect s se uite la el. 20. M ateptam s fie prins cobra nainte s intru n odaie i pot spune c am fost ngrozit s-o gsesc vie i n libertate, ateptndu-m.
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1. Cred c citete, fiindc tiu c citete n fiecare sear la ora asta i nu vreau s-l deranjez pn nu termin pagina i nu m cheam. 2. Am terminat de citit romanul ieri, pe cnd tu notai, fiindc afar era foarte cald i am ateptat pn te-ai ntors de la bazin ca s i-l napoiez. 3. Ce fceai cnd te-am sunat i n-ai vrut s vorbeti cu mine?
4. Ascult concertul acesta de cnd a nceput s ning, de la apte, i sunt sigur c emisiunea muzical a nceput de mult, dar n-am avut timp s deschid radioul pn acum, fiindc trebuie s exersez zilnic la pian. 5. Dac n-ai vzut nc piesa aceea, du-te ct mai curnd. George a vzut-o alaltieri i zice c erau acolo o mulime de oameni i c n-a mai vzut o pies aa de bun. 6. Cnd te-ai ntors de la gar? Atept aici de mai bine de o or i nu te-am vzut venind. Te ntorci deseori aa de trziu acas cnd te duci acolo? 7. Ce tii despre dramaturgul care a sosit asear de la Londra i care, dup cte tiu, a scris mai multe piese dect toi dramaturgii din lume? 8. Ai auzit buletinul meteorologic? Dac o s plou azi, trebuie s-mi iau umbrela, dar mereu o uit, aa c, te rog, adu-mi tu aminte. 9. L-ai cunoscut pe actorul cu care vorbeam i care l-a jucat ieri pe Hamlet, mpreun cu actria care o interpreteaz azi pe Ofelia? 10. Mereu ceri de la oameni bani cu mprumut! N-ai muncit niciodat pn acum ori ai cheltuit averea tuturor rudelor i acum caui alt surs? 11. Am i uitat ce m-ai rugat s in minte, aa c, te rog, amintete-mi ce mi-ai spus ieri, cnd m-ai rugat s nu uit i eu nu in minte despre ce era vorba. 12. Ce-ai fcut ieri nu trebuie s se mai ntmple. Sora ta n-a fcut niciodat asemenea lucruri i doar a fost crescut de aceiai prini ca i tine.
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13. Degeaba caui; houl a furat toate hrtiile ieri, cnd ai lsat ua descuiat, aa c nu poi gsi dect ce-a uitat el s ia. 14. Fceam scufundri de dou ore i jumtate cnd a venit i ne-a interzis s mai plonjm, fiindc era prea trziu i voia s ne ducem acas. 15. Mnnc de cnd ai plecat i mncam de ceva timp chiar i nainte s pleci, aa c presupun c doctorul are dreptate s spun c n-am s pot slbi niciodat dac nu pleci mai rar i nu eti cu ochii pe mine. 16. Deseneaz case de cnd era copil; de fapt, tot timpul deseneaz, chiar i cnd vorbeti cu el. Cnd l-am cunoscut, lucra ca arhitect din ziua cnd a absolvit liceul. 17. Nepoata ei trguia cnd s-au ntlnit; ea nsi a mrturisit c i-a cheltuit toi banii, dar acum m tem c s-au apucat s fure din magazin, fiindc niciuna din ele nu mai are bani i totui trguiesc n continuare. 18. l cunoti pe instalatorul care ne-a reparat cada? A plecat asear la Londra, fiindc fusese chemat acolo cu mult timp nainte, i nc nu s-a ntors. 19. Copiii se jucau. Se jucau de cnd ieiser din cas i n-aveau de gnd s se opreasc pn la lsarea ntunericului. 20. Patina de cnd rsrise soarele; gheaa s-a topit i el a czut n apa ngheat. A venit direct acas, dar de atunci are pneumonie i nu pot dect s sper c acum se simte puin mai bine.
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10. The Past Tense. The Past Perfect. The Future-in-the-Past
1. Am sosit sptmna trecut, cnd el nota, iar tu tocmai i pierdusei geanta i o cutai, fiindc portarul i spusese c ai s-o gseti. 2. Nu tiam c ai s te ntorci, fiindc crezusem c ai plecat de tot.
3. Cnta la pian. Cnta de dou ore i nu se mai oprea, dei spusese c e obosit i o s se culce dac rmn eu s te atept. 4. Am neles c ai cumprat castelul i ai s te lupi cu fantoma care -l construise cu un secol nainte i care-l bntuia n fiecare iarn de atunci. 5. Am vndut acum doi ani maina pe care o voiai i persoana care a cumprat-o nu tie c i-o promisesem i am neles c n-o s i-o dea niciodat. 6. De cnd am venit se tot spune la radio c ningea de o lun n ziua cnd a nceput greva i cnd li s-a spus gunoierilor c vor fi dai afar. 7. De ce zmbeai cnd i-am explicat c mi s-a terminat zahrul i am venit s te rog s-mi dai mierea pe care ai cumprat-o? 8. Fusese ntrebat cine este i rspunsese c nu-i aduce aminte, a uitat de cnd e n spital i c va pleca dup ce se va nsntoi. 9. Am fost trimis la brutrie i mi s-a spus c o s mi se arate cea mai mare pine din lume dac promit s-o mnnc. 10. I se promisese premiul cel mare, dar l refuzase, fiindc era bogat i pleca mereu n strintate, aa c nu avea timp s vin s-l ridice. 11. Mi-ai explicat c plteti de mult la casa n care te vei muta, dar nu te -am crezut cnd ai zis c i-ai cheltuit toate economiile i vei merge la cerit. 12. Se uita la televizor. edea acolo de dou zile, nici la birou nu se dusese, fiindc era sigur c o s vad meciul, dar se nela. 13. A afirmat c muncete de o lun i s-a sturat, vrea s plece i chiar o s plece din ora far s ntrebe pe nimeni, ceea ce a i fcut.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 14. Nu credeam c o s faci ce-ai zis c vrei s faci, dar n-am vzut niciodat pe cineva aa de hotrt s dea pe degeaba tot ce are. 15. M plimbam cnd ai sunat la u. Nu tiam c ai s vii att de curnd, de aceea nu te-am ntmpinat la gar, cum i promisesem. 16. Cnd ai trimis dup mine tocmai bteam un cui i l bteam degeaba de dou ore; nu reueam s termin treaba, fiindc tot suna telefonul. 17. Unde ai vzut-o i cu cine se plimba asear? De ce nu i-ai spus c o atept de o or i c am plecat fiindc n-a venit? 18. N-am tiut c i-a ajuns cuitul la os cnd mi-a cerut ajutorul, aa c i-am spus c n-am s-i mprumut bani, fiindc sunt sigur c niciodat n-o s mi-i dea napoi. 19. L-a luat gura pe dinainte cnd i-a spus poliistului toate secretele lui, ntruct nu tia c poliistul acela l caut de doi ani i c-l va trimite la nchisoare ct ai clipi din ochi. 20. I-am spus chelnerului c a ncrcat nota i a zis c n-a fcut n viaa lui aa ceva i nici n-o s fac, fiindc se teme c au s-l bat clienii.
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11. The Conditional Present
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Strbunica lor ar arta mai tnr dac n-ar purta ochelari. Soacra ta te-ar ajuta mai mult dac ai invita-o mai des pe la tine. Mama ei vitreg s-ar purta mai blnd dac n-ar munci att. Strbunicul nostru ar pleca n Africa dac l-ai ruga s-i aduc banane. Socrul lor ar fi mai puin singur dac ei i-ar ine mai des companie. Cumnatul lui nu te-ar ocoli dac nu te certai cu toat familia. Cine ar ajuta-o pe sora ta vitreg dac n-a fi eu? i-a da caracati dac ai fi obinuit s-o mnnci. Racul n-ar merge napoi dac ar putea merge nainte. Ai mnca homar dac a comanda o porie? N-ar cere luna de pe cer dac nu i-ai da absolut tot ce vrea. i-ar tia craca de sub picioare dac ar recunoate c e vina lui. Acum te-ai plimba prin Paris dac plecai ieri cu avionul.
14. Nu i-ar fi de niciun folos dac ai ncepe s te plngi efului c ai fcut greeli de dactilografiere. 15. Dac i-ai pune prea multe ntrebri personale, sunt sigur c i-ar spune foarte curnd c cine tie multe mbtrnete repede. 16. Te-a mini dac i-a spune c iretlicul tu n-a prins.
17. N-ar face sluj acum n faa ei dac nu se nsura cu ea n ciuda sfaturilor tuturor. 18. Tigroaica ar dansa acum cu lupul pn n-ar mai putea dac ar fi venit lupul
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. cu ea la petrecere. 19. 20. 21. Acum ar citi eseul dac-l scriai ieri, cum ai promis c ai s faci. Cine ar mtura acum strzile dac toi mturtorii se lsau de slujb? Crabul ar fi fotografiat dac ar fi necesar.
22. Steaua-de-mare ar fi lsat n pace n acvariu dac profesorul le-ar cere elevilor s n-o necjeasc. 23. Balena ar putea fi gtit pentru masa de sear dac stpnul vasului ar ordona echipajului s-o prind. 24. 25. Rechinul ar fi arestat de poliia maritim dac ar amenina viaa cuiva. oprla ar fi urmrit de portarul grdinii zoologice dac ar lua-o la fug.
26. Melcul ar rmne n urm dac iepurele s-ar lua la ntrecere cu el pn la copacul acela. 27. 28. Melcul fr cas ar fi strivit dac ar cdea mingea peste el. Scoicile ar fi vndute la pia dac te-ai hotr s te despari de ele.
29. Meduza ar fi scoas din apa mrii dac ar fi att de proast nct s noate atunci cnd plaja e plin de copii. 30. S-ar mnca stridii n acest restaurant dac ar fi vreun client.
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12. The Conditional Past
1. Delfinul ar fi notat o distan mai lung dac nu era mpiedicat de brcile pescarilor. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Pinguinul ar fi ngheat dac iarna era prea grea. Unde se ducea foca dac era izgonit de pe plaj? De ce ar fi mers morsa atta drum dac nu ca s gseasc hran? Ce-ar fi fcut nurca dac nu era pescarul care a hrnit-o? Ai fi folosit lipitori dac nu puteai gsi un doctor destul de repede? Ce fcea crocodilul dac ncercau pescarii s-l vnd unui circ? Unde s-ar fi dus cobaiul dac era liber? Vipera te muca dac o atingeai. Cum traversa cmila deertul dac nu era arabul? Cangurul ar fi mncat ieri toat ziua dac avea destul hran. Antilopa ar fi alergat toat noaptea dac nu se plictisea leul s fug dup ea.
13. Bursucul ar fi stat ascuns sub pat toat ziua de ieri dac nu promitea bufnia c are grij de el. 14. Veveria ar fi mncat nuci pe cnd o cutai dac nu s-ar fi temut c s-ar putea s-o auzi. 15. 16. Cprioara dormea toat noaptea dac n-o trezea greierele. Renul ar fi fost trimis n Finlanda dac era prins cu minciuna.
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17. 18. 19. 20.
Cerbul ar fi fost fotografiat dac ar fi stat locului. Porcul mistre ar fi fost vnat ieri dac vntorul ar fi avut puc. Calul ar fi fost nsoit la trg de iap dac fermierul se hotra s-i vnd. Armsarul ar fi fost mncat de balaur dac nu-l scpa Ft-Frumos.
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II. CORESPONDENA TIMPURILOR
13. Consecinele folosirii unui timp trecut n propoziia principal
1.
A recunoscut c face ntotdeauna ceai sau cafea cnd n-are altceva de fcut.
2. Le spuse judectorilor c vrjitoarea nu face bine niciodat, dar nici ru nu face, aa c nu vede de ce s fie izgonit. 3. A protestat c habar n-are ce a greit i, dac nu-l credem, a zis c n-o s mai ncerce niciodat s fac ce trebuie. 4. Adolescentul obiect c-i face ntotdeauna datoria dar, ntruct nu-i de datoria lui s fac paturile, pur i simplu n-o s-o fac, orice ar spune profesorul de biologie. 5. Alb-ca-Zpada spuse din nou c nu-i face niciodat temele dimineaa, dar bunicul nu voia s-o lase s-i bea laptele dac nu le face mai nti. 6. Soldatul mrturisi c nu se ateapt de la nimeni s-i fac vreo favoare.
7. Cnd i s-a spus fetei n cas s fac curat n camer, ea a protestat c e i aa prea ocupat. 8. Declar c i-ar place s fac focul i de obicei nu face niciun zgomot cnd face focul, aa c putem dormi linitii i o s aib el grij de toate. 9. Mi se adres, zicnd c vrea s ne mprietenim, ntruct a neles c nu i-am mncat eu budinca i, oricum, vrea s fie n relaii bune cu toat lumea. 10. Pretinse c nu i-a fcut niciodat dumani, fiindc e bun cu toi cerbii care-i cer sfatul i mprumut ntotdeauna bursucilor orice-i cer.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 11. Recunoscu c se coafeaz i nu poate deschide ua i ne ddu de tire c am face bine s ateptm afar pn ce o s termine i o s ne poat primi. 12. colarul mrturisi c se ascunde n cmar fiindc a luat o not rea i se teme c mama lui va afla de ea. 13. A anunat c regele face legi pentru supuii lui i nu trebuie deranjat pn nu va termina. 14. Cineva a afirmat c publicul i bate joc de actori, iar regizorul nu ia nicio msur. 15. O prieten de-a mea pretinse c lucreaz i n-o s mearg acas pn nu apare vrjitorul care face minuni, s arate el dac poate face mai mult ca ea. 16. Burlacul dezvlui c face afaceri cu fata btrn i sper s scoat o groaz de bani, ceea ce-i va permite s se nsoare, mai devreme ori mai trziu. 17. Regina dezvlui c un instalator repar baia regal i ea nu va putea asista la parad pn nu pleac el. 18. Martorul a depus mrturie c acuzatul face un drum la Londra n ziua aceea, ceea ce nu nseamn deloc c este vinovat. 19. Vorbitorul recunoscu c a fost o greeal s se adreseze mulimii aceleia, dar fusese ncolit de primar i nu putuse refuza. 20. Frizerul a exclamat c nu ine niciun discurs, c i-a spus doar clientului lui c ar face bine s-i lase musta. 21. Cntreaa de oper a strigat c de o bun bucat de vreme i ctig traiul cntnd imnuri naionale i n-are deloc chef s renune. 22. Chelnerul a ipat c a fcut deja cteva ncercri s fie pe placul acelui domn, dar n-a reuit i e dispus s ias la pensie. 23. Portarul rcni c n-a amenajat nc nimic pentru copii ca s se joace n parc i, ntruct primise instruciuni s menin aleile curate, nu va permite nimnui s aduc nici cini, nici biciclete. 24. Juctorul de fotbal rcni c arbitrul s-a strmbat la el i c n-are de gnd s mai joace n echipa aceea pn nu-i va cere cineva scuze mai nti. 25. Homeopatul a strigat c a fcut tot ce-a putut, iar dac n-a reuit s-i vindece pacientul de amigdalit, aceasta este doar fiindc omul a refuzat s fac operaia.
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26. Antreprenorul de pompe funebre i ncheie discursul zicnd c decedatul a fcut cinste familiei, ceea ce era n parte adevrat, fiindc, dei btrnul fusese oaia neagr a familiei, ctigase un mare premiu pentru neruinare. 27. Povestitorul conchise c a fcut cinste colegilor lui scriitori cnd i-a publicat autobiografia, unde a descris viaa literar a anilor 1930 i a repovestit vieile tuturor prietenilor lui. 28. Cosmonautul le-a explicat extrateretrilor c el s-a decis s ias la pensie i c acum va atepta s vin extrateretrii n vizit la el. 29. Soprana a confirmat c a ales, pleac la Cairo i i-a i mpachetat lucrurile, aa c ar fi inutil dac cineva ar ncerca s-o mpiedice s plece. 30. Vrjitorul mrturisi c a fcut o gaf cnd a prefcut funinginea n zahr i era dornic s-i ndrepte greeala, dar Prinul Fericit l mncase deja. 31. Magicianul reflect c oarecii i-au btut joc de el cnd au nceput s ias unul cte unul din gurile lor i, uitndu-se la ceas, i ddu seama c-i mncau brnza de o or, ceea ce-l fcu s se team c n-au s-i mai lase nimic s mnnce n seara aceea ori a doua zi de diminea. 32. Clientul avocatului i ddu seama c de trei ore se face de rs, de cnd a intrat n biroul avocatului i a nceput s-i spun c s-a hotrt, a fcut deja prea multe greeli, e hotrt s divoreze, chiar dac nevasta lui e siren. 33. Minerul presupunea c se plimb cam de dou ore i jumtate dar, dei tare ar fi luat un autobuz, hotr c nc n-a slbit destul i fcu tot drumul pn acas pe jos. 34. Surugiul i ddu seama c e singur pe peron de cnd a plecat trenul.
35. Colegul meu nelese c bat de atta vreme strzile fiindc nu vreau s vin la lucru i strig de departe cnd m vzu c o s-mi fac el toat treaba, dac am s intru cel puin n cldire. 36. Filatelistul se tngui c de trei minute ies n ir indian de la pot surorile lui vitrege i c sunt duse n formaie la nchisoare, fiindc toate ase au ncercat s fure mrci preioase pentru colecia lui vestit i bineneles c au fost prinse asupra faptului. 37. Comandantul se plnse c un individ suspect se plimb nervos pe trotuar prin faa postului de poliie cam de mult, aa c se duser civa poliiti narmai s vad ce se ntmpl.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 38. Compatriotul lui zise blbindu-se c pea uor pe covorul curat de cnd a intrat n odaie, fiindc se teme c ar putea lsa urme. 39. Concurentul mormi c cineva a btut cuie n tavan alturi toat noaptea i nu s-a putut odihni, deci s-a hotrt s nu participe la ntrecerea care urma s aib loc a doua zi. 40. Reclamantul bolborosi c struul umbl ano prin curte de cnd s-a ntors el acas i zgomotul pe care-l face pasrea l mpiedic s scrie scrisoarea pe care a nceput-o cu dou zile mai nainte. 41. Compozitorul a murmurat c a fost ntrebat ct vreme a cntat la pian n toat viaa lui, fiindc dirijorul a spus c muzica pe care o compune nu-i bun de nimic. 42. Spionul a repetat c nepoatele lui au fost trimise n absena lui la coal, exact aa cum a zis nora lui. 43. Rzboinicul scnci c a fost forat s atace satul i nu l-ar fi cucerit niciodat dac stenii nu semnau cu toii gru pe cmp la ora aceea. 44. Contrabandistul zise n oapt c ceasurile de aur pe care ncearc s le introduc pe furi n ar de sptmni de zile au fost descoperite la vam. 45. Bolnavul i ddu surorii medicale de tire c a fost operat i c s-a nsntoit aproape de tot, aa c foarte curnd poate pleca acas. 46. Pucriaul recunoscu c a fost ntemniat fiindc a fost prins jefuind o banc i a fost mai nti judecat cinstit. 47. Victima admise c a fost btut de doi hoi i a fost lsat far niciun ban.
48. Poliistul fu de acord c a fost nelat de brutar, care i-a vndut chifle vechi n loc de pine proaspt, iar el tia c brutarul vinde de dou ore pine veche, dar nu putuse lua nicio msur. 49. Caporalul pretinse c de dou zile este inut n arest, fiindc a fost confundat cu un vagabond. 50. Sergentul mrturisi c i s-au oferit dou ngheate dac promite s nu spun nimic despre ceea ce tocmai a vzut. 51. Ziaristul a spus autoritilor c nimeni nu va face cale-ntoars dup ce vor ajunge n ara Fgduinei.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 52. Mesagerul promise c o s mearg pe vrfuri pn la fotoliul btrnului i o s-i opteasc la ureche mesajul. 53. Medicul jur c va atepta pn-n zori i va trezi pe toat lumea imediat dup ce va auzi c a cntat cocoul. 54. Curtenii afirmar c se vor furia cu toii n odaia grdinarului i-l vor felicita la cea de-a aizecea aniversare. 55. Creditorul o amenin pe sopran c se va mpiedica de prag i-i va frnge gtul dac n-o s-i napoieze banii, ceea ce s-ar fi i ntmplat dac ea n-ar fi fost precaut. 56. Arcaul amenin c o s calce-n picioare toate jucriile copiilor dac se mai strmb copiii la el. 57. Beivul i avertiz c fiica lui, pe care a lsat-o singur acas, o s descuie ua buctriei, o s aprind un chibrit i o s dea foc ntregii cldiri. 58. Clientul a prezis c fiul n vrst de doi ani al vnztoarei o s se trasc pn la tejghea i o s strice porelanurile pe care tocmai le-a cumprat ea, aa c vnztoarea promise c-i va trimite copilul la grdini. 59. Ucigaul a afirmat c, atunci cnd va ajunge la ru, o s se blceasc n el n picioarele goale, amintindu-i de copilrie, aa c complicii lui n-au s aib de ce se teme dac l vor ntovri. 60. Ciclistul a declarat c va trebui s-o ia pe jos pn la stadion, ntruct i-a uitat bicicleta acas i n niciun caz n-o s se ntoarc s-o ia. 61. 62. 63. 64. zile. Cinicul prezise c o s facem o lung drumeie. Albanezul a menionat c va locui un an la Paris. Australianul se temea c vor trebui s alerge nc dou ore. Austriacul susinu c sportivii vor avea voie s bea vin n urmtoarele cteva
65. Belgianul i-a spus c dumanul va traversa n curnd lacul i a scos sabia din cingtoare. 66. 67. Brazilianul rspunse c nu va merge cu autobuzul a doua zi diminea. Bulgarii pretinser c rivalii lor i vor conduce singuri maina.
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68. Canadianul a anunat c va conduce locomotiva n urmtoarele dou sptmni. 69. Chinezul a replicat cum c va naviga spre China de ndat ce va avea un vas pregtit. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. Chinezii spuneau c vor zbura spre capital dac au s poat gsi bilete. Danezul rspunse c va fi primit de primul-ministru. Egipteanul a declarat c prietenul lui va fi trimis acas cu trsura. Englezul i englezoaica afirmar c au s fie iertai dac au s se cstoreasc. Finlandezul pretinse c va fi dat afar dac o s fac ceva nechibzuit. Francezul ndjduia c i se va preda engleza.
76. Neamul era convins c o s i se ofere o mare sum de bani dac o s plece n ziua aceea. 77. 78. 79. vor. 80. Grecul se ntreb cui o s i se decerneze n acel an premiul Nobel. Olandezul conchise c olandezii vor prsi oraul dac vor fi ameninai. Ungurul hotr c toi compatrioii lui vor avea voie s cumpere cte stafide
Italianul deduse c i se va oferi o slujb dac se va purta cum se cuvine.
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14. Subordonatele temporale
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Indianul i va cutreiera ara cnd o s ctige destui bani. Japonezul va va face turul oraului cnd are s ajung la Londra. Mexicanul o s porneasc la drum cnd are s-i gseasc coul. Norvegianul are s plece ntr-o cltorie cnd i va putea lsa fiul singur. Polonezul are s mearg ntr-un safari cnd va ti drumul spre Africa. Portughezul are s mearg n pelerinaj cnd va fi destul de btrn. Spaniolul are s se stabileasc n satul lui natal cnd o s ias la pensie. Suedezul o s fac autostopul pn la Stockholm cnd se va grbi. Elveianca are s traverseze strada cnd o s vad c stopul e verde. Turcul o s dea ocol casei cnd o s stea ploaia. Am s plec n recunoatere dup ce-ai s te ntorci. Are s dea trcoale casei dup ce o s-i cumpere binoclul. i va chema papagalul la telefon dup ce ai s vezi tu tot ce e de vzut. Am s m opresc dup ce vei cumpra ce ai spus c ai cutat i n-ai gsit. Au s se plimbe agale bra la bra dup ce n-are s mai ning.
16. Are s hoinreasc agale pe strada Oxford dup ce o s termine de scris la main scrisorile acelea. 17. Copiii au s-o ia la sntoasa dup ce li se va da voie s plece acas.
18. Am s-mi scot maimua la plimbare dup ce am s nv s m descurc prin ora.

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19. Iepurele de cmp va trage un pui de somn dup ce va goni toi cei apte pitici i pe Frumoasa din Pdurea Adormit. 20. 21. Barza are s plece la patinaj dup ce are s-i fac temele. Spuse c regina o s intre majestuoas n odaie cnd are s fie gata.
22. Catrul se gndi c are s se furieze n grajd cnd o s plece fermierul de la ferm. 23. Cimpanzeul se plnse c o s trebuiasc s se trasc atunci cnd ngrijitorul o s-i ascund mncarea n beci. 24. Hiena era sigur c o s se poat strecura n spltorie cnd o s i se murdreasc prea tare blana. 25. Hipopotamul se temu c va fi ruinos s plece pe furi din jungl cnd o s sece rul. 26. 27. Maimua se lud c o s se duc la un concert cnd o s apun soarele. Ursul hotr c are s doarm n frigider cnd o s vin vara.
28. Boul tia sigur c vaca i vielul au s dea trcoale grdinii pn ce au s afle cum s intre. 29. Taurul se temea c o s piard crua cu coviltir atunci cnd o s mearg la cmp. 30. Bivolul spera c o s ajung la mlatin cnd se vor ivi zorile.
31. Dromaderul a afirmat c n-o s nchid un ochi pn n-o s fure coroana de aur care zcea n nisip. 32. acalul a replicat c n-o s plece din jungl pn ce cprioarele n-au s fug cu toatele. 33. Ariciul promise c n-o s ias din vizuin pn ce porcul i scroafa n-au s prseasc locul. 34. Liliacul spera c n-o s trebuiasc s doarm n copac pn ce se va lsa noaptea. 35. apul era sigur c n-o s se ascund capra n hambar pn ce cumnata
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. fermierului n-o s ncuie poarta. 36. Capra neagr spera c n-o s nceap s chiopteze pn ce vntorul n-o s plece din pdure. 37. Iedul nelese c girafa nu va merge n patru labe pn ce nu va ajunge la oaz. 38. Crtia medit c n-o s se urce pn-n vrful dealului pn ce n-o s plece ariciul de acolo. 39. Renul se temea c elanul n-o s se mpiedice de butean pn n-o s bea o sticl de whisky. 40. Puma era absolut sigur c n-o s ias castorul din cas cltinndu-se pn ce nu va bea toat limonada. 41. Oile se ntrebau cnd o s se apuce ciobanul de fcut brnz.
42. Berbecul nu tia cnd l va vinde proprietarul lui la trg, cum spusese c va face de ndat ce berbecul e destul de gras i cnd o s gseasc un client. 43. Mielul habar n-avea cnd o s-l mute cinele pe strinul care ddea de dou ore trcoale fermei. 44. Buldogul ar vrea s tie cnd au s vin prietenii lui s-i fac o vizit.
45. Salamandra ncerca s afle cnd o s plou, fiindc vremea era de dou luni uscat i nu putea gsi nimic de mncare. 46. Rinocerul era curios cnd vor nceta s se team de el animalele mai mici, ntruct i nchipuia despre sine c e o fiin foarte blnd, care a fost ntotdeauna bun cu toi. 47. Foca se ntreba cnd au s se nclzeasc apele mrii, fiindc rcise i nu voia s fac pneumonie. 48. Ursul cenuiu nu nelegea cnd se va topi zpada, fiindc de mult era var, dar vrful muntelui nc era acoperit cu zpad i ghea. 49. Vidra voia s ntrebe cnd au s ajung la o nelegere animalele pdurii, fiindc mereu se temea c vreun animal mai mare o s-o atace. 50. Gazela voia s tie ct vreme va trebui s alerge.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. Cnd i va vinde negustorul toat marfa i va iei la pensie? Cnd o s-i pedepseasc decanul pe studenii care au chiulit azi de la ore? Cnd o s aranjeze decoratorul vitrina? Cnd se vor ntoarce la ei n ar cei nvini? Cnd va fi sclavul eliberat din sclavie? Cnd vor ncheia pace bogaii cu sracii? Cnd vor fi ajutai s-i fac temele cei napoiai la minte? Cnd o s se ntoarc delegatul de la edina la care i s-a spus s se duc? Cnd se va purta mai bine delincventul? Cnd va elibera piticul prinesa din ghearele balaurului?
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15. Subordonatele condiionale
1.
Adam te va ajuta, dac ai s-l rogi i dac n-o s fie ocupat mine.
2. Adrian n-o s mai mint, dac ai s-i explici c prinii lui nu mineau niciodat cnd erau de vrsta lui. 3. Agata o s mnnce cpuni, dac ai s-i aduci i, dac or s-i plac, o s mai cear. 4. Agnes o s bat iar scrisorile la main dac n-o mai pisezi.
5. Dac Alan o s plece n strintate la sfritul sptmnii, cine o s mai aib grij de pisic? 6. Ce-o s fac Albert dac au s-i ia permisul de conducere i n-o s mai poat merge cu maina la mare, cum sperase c va merge? 7. Unde o s-i ascund Aldous bijuteriile, dac au s afle hoii de ele i au s se hotrasc s-l jefuiasc? 8. M va nsoi Alexandru pn la pot, dac am s-i spun c nu tiu drumul i nu vreau s m rtcesc? 9. Dac Alfred o s-i dea hainele lui cele bune, ia numai haina i d-i o pereche de pantaloni n locul ei. 10. Dac Alice o s se ntoarc trziu de la petrecere, am s-i art c sunt suprat i am s fac ceea ce n-am fcut niciodat pn acum: n-am s vorbesc cu ea dac n-o s cear s fie iertat mai nti. 11. Amelia se plnse c va slbi dac o s alerge aa de iute.
12. Amy a afirmat c o s numere pn la un milion, dac instalatorul o s-i dea un pachet de ciocolat. 13. Andrei ne ddu de tire c n-o s se ntoarc niciodat ntr-un loc, dac nu va fi silit s-o fac. 14. Angela nu nelegea c nu-i va trece examenul, dac nu va lucra foarte serios, ceea ce nu era pregtit s fac.
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15. Ana se temea c-i vor scpa gleile, dac o va lua la fug la vale, aa c merse ct putu de ncet, ca s evite ce i se ntmplase fratelui ei, care czuse de zeci de ori 16. Anabela era de prere c nu va putea nva japoneza, dac nu va avea cri i profesor. 17. 18. Antoniu spera c va fi promovat dac va munci ct trebuie. Archibald i nchipui c i se va spune adevrul dac se va purta bine.
19. Arnold a afirmat c o s se fac doctor, dac o s reueasc s-i treac celelalte examene la fel de bine cum l trecuse pe primul. 20. Artur voia s spun c va deveni campion mondial, dac se va antrena regulat. 21. Audrey s-ar ntoarce pe bjbite napoi n curte, dac nu s-ar teme c ar putea s cad. 22. Barbara s-ar duce la u pe bjbite, dac ar crede c o poate deschide cu cheia ei. 23. 24. Vasile ar trece rul prin vad, dac s-ar grbi. Beatrice ar urca scara, dac s-ar atepta s gseasc ceva interesant acolo sus.
25. Benjamin ar escalada muntele acela, dac regizorul i-ar oferi o sum mare de bani. 26. Bernard s-ar lua la ntrecere cu tine pn la papetrie, dac ai vrea s cumperi un stilou i hrtie s-i scrii scrisori unchiului tu. 27. Bertram nu s-ar duce nici n ruptul capului la coafor, dac ar ti c-l ateapt nevasta lui acolo. 28. Elisabeta ar lua-o la goan, dac ar afla c chelnerul are de gnd s-i aduc viel n loc de porc. 29. Dac Brian i-ar da seama ce face mama lui vitreg, ar certa-o i ar ncuia-o n odaia ei. 30. 31. Dac ar ti Carolina cu cine vorbete, ar grbi pasul i te-ar lsa n urm. Ecaterina ar fi strbtut n grab tot oraul s caute apte trandafiri albi, dac
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. ar fi tiut c e ziua ta i i plac att de tare trandafirii albi. 32. Dac Cecil nu s-ar fi grbit cnd i-am spus c-i vremea s plece, pierdea avionul spre China i ar fi trebuit s rmn aici. 33. Carol ar fi intrat la crcium, dac ar fi nceput s plou i n-ar fi avut umbrel. 34. Dac Cristofor n-ar fi alergat pe fundtura aceea urmrind o pisic de pripas, nu-l prindea poliia i nu-l ntemnia. 35. Clara nu s-ar fi npustit afar din pod fr s spun o vorb, dac n-ar fi auzit zgomote ciudate n pivni i nu s-ar fi temut c vreun borfa va fura veveria pe care a ascuns-o acolo. 36. Dac Clarence nu s-ar fi npustit n salon cu puca n mn, oaspeii nu s-ar fi speriat de moarte i n-o lua nimeni la fug. 37. Clive ar fi traversat rapid camera ca s nhae pantalonul care zcea pe pat, dac era sigur c e msura potrivit i-l poate purta. 38. Dac Conrad se npustea afar din clas cu o bucat de cret n mn, a fi zis c ncearc s gseasc alt tabl. 39. Constana n-o tergea aa, pe nepus mas, dac-i ddea cineva mai mult osteneal s-o liniteasc i s-i explice c nasul ei nu are nimic, i trebuie doar o operaie ca s fie scurtat. 40. Dac Daniel nu pleca aa n grab, prietenii lui nu s-ar fi gndit niciodat c ar putea fi vinovat c a furat diamantul uria care fusese cu cteva zile nainte expus la muzeu i care dispruse fr s tie nimeni nici cum, nici unde. 41. De l-a vedea pe David plutind n aer la cellalt capt al odii, a crede c e o fantom i a iei n grab din cas. 42. Dac Richard n-ar fi de acord s i se spun Dick, prietenii lui nu i-ar da seama c motivul mpotrivirii lui este c strbunicului lui i se spusese la fel i acela trise pn la o sut cinci ani. 43. Dac Donald ar fi neatent cnd vorbeti, ar fi uor de neles c nu-i place prelegerea i c se ateapt s vorbeti despre altceva. 44. Dac Doris i-ar lua tlpia dup ce s-ar termina baletul, logodnicul ei ar fi foarte mhnit c e lsat singur i n-ar mai iei niciodat cu ea n ora.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 45. Dac Dorotea i-ar vedea cinele lund-o la sntoasa, ar ti c e vina ei, ntruct srmanul animal nu suport s vad cotoiul care tot d trcoale casei cnd i fac ei plimbarea de sear. 46. De-ar trece Douglas drumul n goan ca nebunul, toate mainile ar trebui s se opreasc i poliistul l-ar amenda c nu e atent la stop. 47. Dac ar pleca Edgar la nceputul primului act al operei, a ti precis c merge la crcium i, dac te-ai duce dup el acolo, l-ai gsi discutnd despre cursele de cai. 48. De-ar disprea Edit de-ndat ce-l vede pe dirijor, a fi sigur c nu-i plac concertele i, dac-a fi n locul tu, nu i-a mai cumpra bilete niciodat. 49. De s-ar nvrti Eduard ca un titirez n mijlocul slii de concert, ar fi dat afar din cldire i sftuit s mearg la un doctor. 50. De-ar sri Ella peste gardul acela, ar ctiga premiul cel mare, care a fost oferit odat, dar n-a mai fost ctigat de atunci, fiindc nimeni n-a putut niciodat s sar aa de sus. 51. S fi srit Emilia peste an, ar fi fost felicitat de toi sportivii care au ncercat, dar n-au reuit s-o fac. 52. S fi srit Ema n picioare cnd a intrat el n camer, el ar fi fost foarte surprins i ar fi dispreuit-o. 53. S fi dansat Eric tot drumul spre cas, prinii lui ar fi fost ngrijorai i ar fi trimis dup psihiatru. 54. S se fi ndreptat Ernest ctre garaj, ar fi fost mpiedicat s intre de nevasta lui, care-l cura i care lucra acolo de cteva ore bune. 55. De-ar fi condus Estera maina ei cea nou peste un cmp, ar fi fost observat de departe i toi copiii ar fi alergat s-o ntmpine. 56. Dac fcea Ethel focul n cada de baie, proprietreasa ar fi fost foarte iritat i i-ar fi spus c trebuie s se mute. 57. Dac nu adormea Eugen aa de trziu, se scula n zori i ajungea la muzeu, unde-l atepta pictorul de dou ore. 58. Dac se ascundea Eva n dulap, fotograful nu putea s-o fotografieze i n-ar fi acum pe prima pagin a tuturor ziarelor.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 59. Dac se strecura Evelina printre oamenii adunai n faa bcniei, i-ar fi vzut cinele mncnd carnea mcelarului. 60. S fi intrat Fanny cu fora n odaia surorii ei, gsea odaia goal, fiindc sora ei fugise cu un marinar. 61. Ferdinand n-ar refuza s mearg la coal, dac profesorul nu s-ar fi strmbat la el. 62. Florena i-ar face acum loc cu arma n bibliotec, dac-i aduceai ieri o puc, aa cum te-a rugat cnd v-ai ntlnit mai deunzi. 63. Geoffrey nu i-ar face drum cu coatele s ias din curtea colii, dac nu-l certai cnd se atepta cel mai puin. 64. 65. George ar orbeci acum prin dormitor, dac i-ai fi stins lumina. Ar colinda mrile, dac n-ar fi cumprat ferma aceasta.
66. Gerald s-ar rostogoli acum n zpad, dac nu-i interziceau prinii lui s ias din cas. 67. Gertrude ar citi acum Biblia, dac se gndea preotul s i-o dea atunci cnd i-a spus ea c nu mai crede n nimic. 68. 69. Gilbert ar lua-o pe jos, dac ar fi pierdut trenul. Godfrey ar fi acum la u deja, dac l-ai fi chemat.
70. Grace ar umbla toat ziua s te caute, dac nu-i spuneai c o s pleci dou sptmni. 71. Grigore n-ar fi dat n cele din urm, din ntmplare, peste drumul cel bun, dac n-ar fi un pitic norocos. 72. Harold s-ar fi luat la ntrecere pe biciclet cu o main, dac fratele lui n-ar avea mai mult minte dect el i nu-l mpiedica s-o fac. 73. Harieta ar fi ipat la noi c nu-i place s fie zorit, dac nu s-ar teme mereu c prinul s-ar putea supra. 74. Henric ar fi ras prul de pe coada cotoiului care a zbughit-o din baie, dac n-ar ti c i aparine. 75. Harry i-ar fi spus tot, dac nu s-ar gndi c l-ai putea bnui pe el c a ascuns
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. manuscrisul lui James Joyce. 76. Elena ar fi clrit mgarul pn la birou, dac tu n-ai prefera s mergi pe jos.
77. Herbert ar fi nvat s umble de cnd era mic, dac mamele n-ar avea ntotdeauna prea mare grij de copiii lor i taii nu le-ar interzice s fac tot felul de lucruri. 78. Hugh se ducea de mult la gar, dac nu i-ai spune zilnic c din vina lui a luat trenul oarecele din pod, fiindc a ipat la el c i-a mncat ultima bucat de brnz. 79. 80. Humphrey ar fi pus piciorul n barc, dac ar fi destul de viteaz s-o fac. Ida ar fi plecat la oper cu o vecin, dac copiii ar putea fi lsai singuri.
81. Irene ar mnca miel la grtar, dac i-ai explica tu c n felul acesta va ctiga premiul pe care-l vrea. 82. Jack ar mrlui treizeci de mile, dac ar ti cine-i ordon s-o fac.
83. Iacob i armata lui ar bga n speriei pe toi poliitii, dac ar ti unde e oraul pe care l caut de dou luni ncheiate. 84. James ar fi dus direct la nchisoare, dac n-ar spune cine e, ce a fcut i cine i-a spus s fac aa. 85. Jane ar atepta zi i noapte pe peron, spernd c el va veni, dac n-ar ti c el nu mai vrea s-o vad. 86. Jennifer ar face o plimbare clare nainte de masa de prnz, dac i s-ar spune cnd o ateapt familia s se napoieze. 87. Ieremia s-ar juca acum de-a v-ai ascunselea, dac nu i s-ar tot spune c e prea mare pentru asta. 88. Jerome n-ar merge cu autobuzul circului, dac i-ai explica de unde poate lua metroul. 89. Jessie ar da maina pe degeaba, dac ar ti cte accidente se petrec zilnic aici.
90. Ioana ar intra cu maina chiar pn la ua din fa, dac n-ar ti c nu-i place s fac aa. 91. Ion ar fi fcut nconjurul lumii anul trecut, dac-i spunea oferul lui c vrea s-i ia liber un an.
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92. Jonathan ar ti c lumina are vitez mai mare dect sunetul, dac profesorul lui de englez nu-i spunea c nu-i adevrat. 93. Corabia lui Iosif ar fi intrat n port, dac nu credea cpitanul c a fost avariat dup ce s-a ciocnit de o stnc. 94. Corabia lui Iosif ar fi plecat n ziua cnd a urcat el la bord, dac echipajul lui nu se hotra c o s fac grev de ndat ce se ndeprteaz corabia de rm. 95. Jude s-ar fi mbarcat spre New York, dac nu-l nspimnta un marinar c va fi jefuit oriunde se duce. 96. Iudit ar fi condus motocicleta, dac nu i se spunea tatlui ei c toate oselele sunt pzite de cimpanzei. 97. Laura ar fi purtat haine bieeti, dac ar fi fost avertizat c o s fie lun plin n noaptea cnd se duce la petrecere. 98. Laureniu o vedea pe duces intrnd majestuos n camer, dac tia c ea va veni i dac atepta sosirea ei. 99. Leonard ar fi fost dus cu avionul la Paris, dac nu-i spunea pilotului c are la el o puc mitralier. 100. Lewis s-ar fi dus s vad vitrinele de pe strada Oxford, dac nu i se spunea c va fi vndut ca sclav ceretorului din col, atunci cnd se vor deschide magazinele. 101. Liliana se ntreba dac marinarul s-ar fi stabilit ori nu n oraul ei dup ani de cutreierri, dac-i spunea c i-a vndut papagalul la trg. 102. Lionel nu era sigur dac fratele lui ar fi stat n codru pn la vremea cinei, dac ar fi tiut c ursul n-a mncat nc de prnz. 103. Luiza ar fi vrut s tie dac cinele ei s-ar fi rtcit sau nu, dac-i cerea s duc o scrisoare la Haga. 104. Lucia vrea s tie dac ne-ar fi ajuns banii s facem o excursie pe Lun, dac ne nteam n familia unui miliardar. 105. Mabel nu tie dac a fi studiat alchimia dac m-ar fi rugat, fiindc nu i-am spus niciodat ct de tare in la ea. 106. Margareta vrea s tie dac raele ar mai nota pe lac, dac ar exploda o rachet n mprejurimi.
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107. Marta a ntrebat dac a sri n ru ori nu, dac a vedea un pete de argint notnd n el. 108. Martin se ntreab dac ar ncerca ori nu broasca estoas s zboare, dac ar vedea pescrui plannd n albastrul cerului. 109. Maria habar n-are dac ar fi fericit s gteasc o diminea-ntreag, dac ar avea musafiri ntr-o zi cnd vrea s se odihneasc. 110. Matei se ntreba dac-l va deranja pe naul lui dac el o s-i schimbe numele n Isaia. 111. ias. Maud ieea din odaie la fel de iute cum a intrat, dac nu era mpiedicat s
112. Mauriciu fugea pn nu mai putea fi vzut, dac nu ddea peste un sac plin cu monede de aur. 113. Mihai nu drma casa, dac nu era scit de nevasta lui.
114. Miranda ar fi murit de fric, dac ar fi vzut umbre furindu-se de-a lungul mesei lungi de lemn. 115. Muriel s-ar fi distrat de minune dac s-ar fi dat pe tobogan toat ziua.
116. Nancy l-ar fi comptimit pe vrul ei, soldatul, dac ar fi tiut c ntotdeauna i ncepe naintarea trndu-se pe burt. 117. Nancy i-ar fi curmat zilele dac ar fi trebuit s cnte la vioar vulturilor din dou n dou zile. 118. Nelly i-ar fi explicat hrciogului cum s se dea de-a berbeleacul, dac acesta ar fi vrut s nvee. 119. Dac Nicolae i-ar fi artat norii cum trec pe cer, ea i-ar fi cerut s-i cumpere pentru colecia ei. 120. Dac Norman n-o tra napoi, ea i-ar fi petrecut toat noaptea bnd pe malul mrii. 121. Dac Oliver chiar tia adevrul, nu trebuia s-l ascund de rudele lui.
122. Dac Pamela chiar ar vrea s fie actri, ar fi citit pn acum mai multe piese de teatru.
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123. Dac Patrick chiar s-a furiat afar din odaie cnd te-a vzut, nseamn c era grozav de stnjenit. 124. Dac Paul a venit pe furi lng tine la cin cum zici, exist o singur explicaie, i anume c-i era foame. 125. Dac Penelopa a fost ntr-adevr prins uitndu-se la vulpi cum se trau n vizuin, va trebui s recunoasc faptul c a fost iar n codru. 126. Dac iar l-ai vzut pe Percy trndu-se ca melcul ieri, spernd c o s curee altcineva cmara pn ajunge el acas, trebuia s-l plmuieti i s-i spui c e un pierde-var. 127. Dac Petre chiar a afirmat c simte cum se adun anii peste el, n-avea rost s-l contrazici; oricum nu te-ar fi crezut. 128. Dac Filip a fost prins de poliie, trebuia s-l ajui, fiindc el nici n-ar fi furat tramvaiul, dac nu erai tu. 129. Dac Ralph nu se nela, atunci arpele chiar se tra pe podeaua din buctrie i ar fi putut s mute pe oricare dintre noi. 130. Dac Rebeca n-a vzut pe nimeni cnd a tras cu ochiul afar, precis s-a crezut n siguran i a ieit pe furi n drum.
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16. Recapitulare
1. A replicat c nu tie, c muncete din greu i n-are de gnd s ngduie nimnui s-l ntrerup. 2. A replicat c a uitat pe cine ateapt de dou ore.
3. A rspuns c nu ne va mai cere niciodat ajutorul i, chiar i fr el, tot se va plimba prin Roma a doua zi. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. ani. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Mnzul va alerga ctre pdure cnd ai s-i dai drumul. Mgarul are s-i care bagajul dup ce vei cumpra o a. A mrturisit c se va rzgndi de ndat ce i se va plti. I s-a spus c va absolvi dup ce va lua toate examenele. ntreab cnd am s-i napoiez revistele pe care mi le-a mprumutat acum doi
Se ntreab cnd vei nceta s mprumui bani de la toat lumea. i-a luat libertatea de a ntreba cnd vom vizita Podul Londrei. A ntrebat cnd o s nceap vidra s nvee pentru examene. Cnd va uita bijutierul ce s-a ntmplat acum dou sptmni? Am s cumpr roiul, dac am s merg la trg joi. A recunoscut c va fura bijuteriile cavalerului, dac va avea nevoie de bani. A hrni mgarul, dac ar fi al meu. Clovnul ar fi dat cu piciorul n asin, dac nu era att de scund. A scrie acum eseul, dac mi-aduceai ieri stilou i cerneal. Nu te-ar fi trdat, dac nu l-ai amenina mereu c-l trimii n China pe via.
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19. Te-ar ajuta, dac i-ai explica de ndat ce intr cine eti, ce vrei i ce te atepi s fac el pentru tine. 20. Bursucul o lua la fug, dac tia c vrei s-i faci o injecie.
21. Contabilul vrea s tie dac te-ai duce ori nu, n caz c i-ar da un bilet, iar eu nu tiu ce s-i spun. 22. Gunoierul a ntrebat dac l-am fi nsoit, dac tiam c merge la o petrecere, iar sora ta vitreg a replicat c nu s-ar fi dus cu el nicieri, nici dac-i purta hainele lui de duminic. 23. Dac chiar tiai c e la ananghie, de ce nu l-ai ajutat?
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III. General Usage
17. ntrebri directe
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Exist n pdurea aceasta vnat din abunden? S-a abinut de la butur ct a fost doctorul n odaie? Ai dat vreodat socoteal cuiva de purtarea ta? Chiar fusese melcul acuzat de jaf nainte s plece din ar? O s-mi spui vreodat dac i-e cunoscut opera lui T.S. Eliot?
6. Va fi pltit el mobila pn disear ori va atepta s-i adaugi tu economiile la suma aceea? 7. 8. Ai fi de acord cu mine, dac i-a spune c greeti? Ar fi fost de acord cu ideea mea, dac propuneam s mergem la vntoare?
9. inteti n cuiburile acelea fiindc n-ai nimic mai bun de fcut ori chiar vrei s omori biata pasre care st pe ou? 10. Ascultai ce zice atunci cnd a fcut aluzie la prinii mei, c ar fi fost jefuitori de banc n tineree? 11. Te uii de mult la televizor? tirile alterneaz de obicei cu concerte, aa c, dac eti aici de destul de mult vreme, poate c ai observat. 12. i spunea de mult vreme c suma se ridic la foarte mult atunci cnd am venit eu s-l contrazic? 13. Ai s te ii dup mine atunci cnd am s m duc s-i cer scuze c am spart vaza?
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14. Vei citi oare romanul meu de mult vreme atunci cnd dumanul meu va veni s-i spun c nu-i surde ideea de a-l citi i vei reui tu s-l convingi s-l citeasc? 15. Ai mai lucra aici, dac-i cereai directorului tu s-i mreasc salariul i el te refuza? 16. L-ai mai fi ajutat toat ziua cnd a jefuit banca, dac te ntreba dinainte dac eti de acord cu planul lui? 17. 18. 19. Te tocmeti deseori cu negustorii la pre? Se mai plimb ori a ajuns la brutrie? Ceri vreodat zahr cnd i se termin?
20. Te mai gndeti la ziua n care a recunoscut fa de tine c aspir la titlul de conte? 21. 22. Eti de acord cu ce sugereaz croitoreasa ori vrei s-o concediez? Tot se mai plnge c fiii lui se nhiteaz cu hoi?
23. ncerci s spui c m poi asigura de bunele tale intenii dup ce ai intrat cu fora n casa mea i mi-ai furat seiful? 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. Cum se ispete o crim ca asta? Se ocup psihiatrul de tine ori se ocup de problemele altcuiva? Atribuie cineva piesa aceasta vreunui nceptor? Latr cinele la cineva ori m nel? i face deseori semn s pleci de acolo? Se lfie pisica la soare ori discut despre mod cu un obolan? ncepi de obicei prin a spune cine eti? A aparinut vreodat cartea aceasta vreuneia din rudele tale? Ai fost vreodat lipsit de banii ti? Chiar i-a lsat milionarul averea acelui ceretor de la colul strzii?
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34. 35. 36.
Ai dat vreodat vina pe nevasta ta pentru ceva ce ai fcut tu? Te-ai gndit vreodat s dai vina pentru eec pe propria ta neglijen? Ai clipit des ctre mine n tot acest timp ori am vedenii?
37. Ascult el de dou ore ncoace la radio piesa aceea n care Prinul roete la cuvintele Frumoasei din Pdurea Adormit, iar ea nu se simte ctui de puin ruinat? 38. 39. 40. 41. ct? S-au ludat furnicile n ultima vreme cu strmoii lor? A nvat purcelul n ultima vreme cu ce ri se nvecineaz Anglia? Discui de dou minute ncoace despre faptul c o s mprumui bani de la el? Meditase el la plecarea ei brusc i reuise oare s gseasc un motiv ct de
42. inuse el la prietenii lui, dei l prsiser cu toii cnd avea mai mare nevoie de ei? 43. Fusese el preschimbat n pitic n fraged copilrie i nu mai crescuse de atunci? 44. Fuseser ei acuzai de crim cnd au declarat c nu sunt vinovai i judectorul nu era sigur dac s-i trimit la nchisoare? 45. Flecrise buctreasa cu fata n cas ct fusesem eu plecat din ora i o mpiedicase s-i fac treaba? 46. M mbrbta maimua de mai mult dect cteva ore atunci cnd a venit potaul i a zis c am o telegram? 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. Rsese bcanul de tine ori de vestea c ziua lui de natere coincide cu a mea? Colabora cu tine de mult vreme cnd a fost promovat? Chiar buse toat ziua i pierduse avionul care s-a ciocnit cu un alt avion? Comenta de mult vreme vestea cnd ai ajuns acolo? S te compar cu un trandafir?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 52. 53. 54. Te iei la ntrecere cu mine? Ai s te plngi de oprle profesorului lor? S-i ascund incidentul?
55. Ai s te concentrezi asupra temelor atunci cnd ai s vezi pianjenul dansnd pe tavan? 56. 57. 58. 59. Va ncheia el cu cteva cuvinte n japonez? Ai s-i aperi la tribunal sptmna viitoare? O s se mai ncread pescruul n porumbel vreodat? O s plecm devreme mine diminea?
60. Va confisca poliia ceasuri de la contrabanditi n tot cursul dimineii de mine? 61. 62. Se va conforma cineva vreodat regulilor acestei case nainte s i se spun? l vei fi confundat cu altcineva nainte s apuci s-l vezi?
63. l vei confrunta pe ho cu poliistul nainte ca cei doi s aib timp s ajung la o nelegere? 64. Vei locui aici de douzeci de ani atunci cnd te voi felicita c mplineti douzeci i unu de ani? 65. 66. Vei fi consimit la cstoria lor nainte s vin s te roage? Va citi el nuvela de mult vreme cnd am s vin eu s-i spun n ce const?
67. Va numra paginile de mai mult de o or nainte s-i spun din cte capitole const cartea? 68. Vor conspira mpotriva reginei de mai puin de un an luna viitoare pe vremea asta? 69. Te va consulta n diverse probleme nainte s afle c nu eti expert n nimic?
70. O s poarte cravata stacojie de mult vreme pn s-i dea seama c nu se asorteaz cu haina?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 71. 72. 73. Ar fi un pgn convertit la catolicism, dac ar tri n Anglia? Ai contribui la sum, dac te-a ruga? Ar fi mcelarul nchis, dac i-ar fura pendula?
74. Ai mai fi convins de vinovia sopranei, dac i-ar jura c n-a mai cntat niciodat pe scen? 75. Ai colabora cu el s scrie un roman poliist, dac i-ar plti o sum mare de bani? 76. 77. M-a repeta, dac i-a spune c nu fac fa acestei situaii? Ai rde de mine, dac i-a spune c petrecerea a culminat cu o ceart?
78. Tot ai mai zice c eti cel mai bun doctor, dac i-a spune c nu tii nici mcar s vindeci un copil de pojar? 79. Ai mai edea cu braele ncruciate, dac i-a spune despre cine c s-a npustit la u i a disprut? 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. Te-ai uita la mine, dac a ncepe s-i spun despre ce trateaz romanul? i-ai fi dat seama c libelula a mai fost pe aici? Te hotrai s alegi o pedeaps, dac ceasornicarul era vinovat? Ar fi fost acest roman dedicat amintirii buldogului tu francez, dac-l scriai? l aprai de dumani, dac era singur? l predai poliiei, dac-l prindeai asupra faptului?
86. Mai citeai n tihn toat noaptea, dac tiai c prinesa trebuie scpat din ghearele vrjitorului? 87. i-ai mai fi irosit vremea n ora, dac i se spunea c se bizuiau pe sosirea ta devreme acas? 88. Ar mai fi dormit instalatorul cnd au venit ei, dac ar fi bnuit c-l vor deposeda de toate uneltele? 89. Mai jucai fotbal n loc s-l ajui pe avocat, dac i-ar fi spus c se ateapt s fii devotat prietenilor ti?
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90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97.
L-ar fi jelit mult vreme ciuperca pe cerb, dac murea de pneumonie? Cine spune c rezultatul acesta difer de al tu? Cine cufund copilul n ap? Cine n-a fost de acord cu tine? Cine zicea c va disprea el din ora? Cine a dezaprobat ideea ta? Cine i-a spus c trebuie s ne lipsim de cadouri Crciunul acesta? Cine o s mpart pinea n apte pri egale?
98. Cine o s descopere de ce a fost rzboinicul deposedat de toat gloria cnd a ieit la pensie? 99. 100. 101. 102. 103. 104. 105. 106. 107. 108. 109. 110. 111. Cine ar trimite la nchisoare un om cinstit? Cine s-ar fi prpdit cu firea dup un motan fr coad? Cnd visezi s te duci n Congo? De ce se laud cameleonul c e nzestrat cu ureche muzical? Cum ar dezvolta oare veveria un subiect cum ar fi politica internaional? Unde se duce un castor cnd evadeaz din pucrie? La ce exceleaz nurca? Ce va lua cmila n schimbul crii aceleia? Cu ce se hrnete calul? n cine trage soldatul? n geamul cui arunci cu piatra aceea? Ce plutete pe ru, lng ascunztoarea oprlei? Pentru ce anume se agit arpele?
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112.
Ce contempl lupul de cnd sunt eu plecat n ora?
113. De ce i-a aruncat iepurele de cas o privire grdinarului atunci cnd mnca morcovii pe care acesta i plantase n grdin cu o sptmn n urm? 114. 115. 116. 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 123. 124. 125. 126. 127. 128. 129. 130. 131. 132. 133. Pe cine deplnge capra de cnd a venit la ferm? La cine rnjete iapa de cnd am intrat n odaie? Despre ce subiect vorbete liliacul fr ncetare de la ora apte? De cine a ascuns bcanul cntarul? De ce e canarul privit int de cnd a nceput s vorbeasc n chinez? La ce tot face aluzie iepurele de cmp de cnd a nceput s discute cu iapa? Ce ai sperat pn acum? De ce tnjea crtia s-l zreasc, dac tia c el nu vrea s-o vad? n ce a fost implicat eful ei? Cte reguli i s-au impus? De ce nu se dormise niciodat n patul din buctrie? La ce se gndea salamandra atunci cnd s-a pornit furtuna? Ce deduci din povestea pe care tocmai ne-a spus-o nevstuica? Ce cuta zebra atunci cnd s-a mpiedicat de un butean? Cnd a solicitat nevstuica slujba aceea? Ct de des l-ai informat pe aligator despre ceea ce se petrece? De cte ori i-a cerut crocodilul scuze marinarului? De ce insistasei s m duc acas nainte s spun c vrea s plec? Pe povestea cui se baza cartea lui Anthony Burgess? Cine i-a spus vulpii c ne ntrebm cu toii cui i aparine cartea de pe masa
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. ei? 134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142. 143. Cu ce ziceai c se laud elefantul? Ce l-a determinat pe cangur s se apuce de englez? De cte ori i vrse pisica nasul n ce fceau oarecii de un an? Cu cine i se fcuse cunotin renului? Cnd o s-l nvei s nu deranjeze pe nimeni dac nu e invitat? Ct vreme fusese izolat de compatrioii lui? De ce se amestecase n discuie, dac-i detesta pe cei doi tinerei? Cnd o s sar cinele la omul care a dat n el cu piciorul? De ce bate pantera la u cnd poate suna la sonerie? De cine rde foca de jumtate de or ncoace?
144. O s se sprijine veveria de braul tu mine, cnd o s vin de la doctor, dup ce i-a rupt piciorul? 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. 151. 152. 153. 154. De ce se sprijinea morsa de perete de cinci ore? n ce ar pleac balena? Cu ce ri se nvecineaz Ungaria? Ce concert asculta elanul cnd a sunat telefonul? O s triasc gorila cu ceai i pine timp de doi ani? n ce va fi preschimbat prinul? La ce ai vrea s m uit? De ce crim a fost acuzat girafa dup ce a fost gsit n deert? De ce anume ziceai c se plnge? Cu cine l-ai confunda, dac n-ai ti cine e?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 155. 156. 157. De care dintre arici i-ai bate joc, dac nu i-ar fi team c o s te nepe? Dac ai nmuli apte cu apte, mi-ai spune rezultatul? L-ai mai sci acum, dac te-ar fi lsat n pace?
158. Unde ai negocia cu hiena, dac n-ar cunoate Londra i n-ar reui s gseasc locul de ntlnire? 159. Al cui discurs l-ai mai nota acum, dac ar fi surdo-mut i n-ar putea scoate un cuvnt? 160. vor? 161. 162. 163. 164. 165. 166. 167. 168. 169. 170. La ce ai mai obiecta, dac acalii nu i-ar mai cere prerea i ar face exact ce
De ce mi-ar fi trecut prin cap c erai ocupat? De ce ar mai fi fost operat, dac ar fi fost sntos? Pentru ce anume ne felicitase jderul? De cine te despreai ieri, dac vidra se hotra s mai rmn o lun? La ce spectacol ai fi participat, dac berbecul nchidea teatrul? Cte jucrii ai fi putut plti, dac te ruga furnica s le cumperi pe toate? Din ce temni vor evada albinele de miercuri ntr-o sptmn? Pe ce ar fi stat crat corbul, dac scena era goal? La ce ziceai c poate s spere un fluture? De ce anume ziceai c a fost pedepsit vielul?
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18. ntrebri indirecte
1. 2.
Pe cine a zis Rhoda c o s ntrebe unde i-a pierdut fratele ei ghiozdanul? Cine voia s tie unde o s m duc cnd o s se termine coala?
3. Richard m-a ntrebat la ce m-am referit n scrisoare i dac am de gnd s-i spun adevrul. 4. Robert m-a ntrebat de cine mi amintete faa lui i am zis c nu in minte pe nimeni care s semene cu el. 5. 6. 7. Roger se ntreba n ce e bogat inutul, fiindc el vedea doar pietre. Ronald vru s tie ce tot spune cimpanzeul. Se ntreba la ce se holbeaz btrnul de aptezeci de ani cu barb alb.
8. Rosemary voia s tie de ce sufer unchiul meu i i-am rspuns c habar n-am. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Rupert m-a ntrebat pentru care din faptele lui i mulumesc. Ruth tocmai a aflat n ce limbi a fost tradus Biblia. Cu ce ziceai c s-a obinuit Samuel? Sebastian a afirmat c habar n-are pe cine ateptam cnd l-am ntlnit. Shirley habar n-avea la ce m gndesc. Silvia descoperise ce caut de dou zile i jumtate. Spune-i lui Simon cu cine stai de vorb i n-o s te mai ntrebe. Sofia m-a ntrebat ce filme am mai vzut. Toma a ncercat s afle ce locuri am mai vizitat. Timothy m-a ntrebat cte trabucuri am fumat.
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19. Veronica m-a ntrebat ci bani am cheltuit i cine o s plteasc bicicleta care a fost furat pe cnd eu fceam cumprturi. 20. Victor habar n-avea cum a fost vremea.
21. Victoria nu-i putea aduce aminte cte vacane a petrecut n strintate n ultimii ase ani. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. Vinceniu se ntreba de cnd locuiesc n actuala mea cas. Habar n-aveam cum s ajung acolo. Violeta nu tia pe care s-o cumpere. Nu vd cum l pot opri. Virginia nu tia dac s mearg mai departe ori s se ntoarc. N-o s m cread nimeni ce lung e romanul lui David Lodge. M ntreb de ce n-a venit condorul. Te rog, spune-mi unde vrei s mergi. Nu tie nimeni a cui e. Nu neleg de ce a plecat fr s-i ia rmas bun. M ntreb ce este obiectul acesta. Trebuie s decid tribunalul cui i aparine motenirea. Ne ntrebam dac s ne ducem. mi poi da o idee unde s pun pensula? Puini tiu ce mult muncete. Nu tiu ci sunt. Cnd pleac trenul am s ntreb unde e racul. Poi s-mi spui ce-i obiectul acesta caraghios?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. ntreab-l unde a pus-o. Vinceniu l-a ntrebat pe fratele lui cnd se va ntoarce. ii minte ce nlime are? Violeta m-a ntrebat cine sunt i de unde am atia bani. Virginia se ntreba cnd o s vin potaul i dac o s-i aduc vreo scrisoare. Walter a vrut s tie unde e hotelul i de unde vorbesc.
46. Wilfred ntreb cnd am s m ntorc i cum l cheam pe fratele meu mai mare. 47. Wiliam ntreb de ce n-am cerut trei pantaloni i cine o s poarte rochia pe care am cumprat-o. 48. Democratul ntreb ce mai face regina i dac am dori o ceac de ceai.
49. Pictorul se ntreba ct va petrece pe drum i cine o s vin s-l ntmpine la gar. 50. Dermatologul ntreb unde locuiesc, ci ani am, ce studiez, ce sunt prinii mei, ce slujb voi avea i ct voi ctiga. 51. Proiectantul m-a ntrebat de ce va trebui s plece n Anglia dac nu tie englezete. 52. Detectivul m ntreb dac am aflat unde e foarfeca i ce tiu despre croitorul care a furat-o. 53. Ambasadorul se ntreba pe cine am invitat la el acas i cnd o s ncetez s invit oaspei. 54. 55. Diplomatul ntreb cum se simte sora medical i dac va fi dus la spital. Directorul ntreb cnd am s plec i dac n-a vrea s-l ajut.
56. Discipolul lui se ntreba unde locuiesc, ci ani am, cine sunt, ce studiez i ce prieteni am. 57. 58. Dulgherul ntreb dac i-a fi citit sau nu romanul, dac mi-l aducea. Scafandrul ntreb ce ai vzut la grdina zoologic i cu cine erai cnd te -ai
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. ntlnit cu mine. 59. Donatorul de snge ntreb unde e casa, cnd va fi drmat i dac o voi reconstrui 60. 61. 62. 63. La ce ziceai c se uit cnd te-ai dus s-i napoiezi banii? Cine ai zis c era de dou ore cu ea cnd v-ai ntlnit asear? Despre cine crezusei c vorbesc cnd te-am ntrebat cnd o s-l revezi? Unde i-ai spus c locuiesc cnd te-a ntrebat unde s-mi aduc maimua?
64. Cu ce ziceai c o s te duci la gar, dac n-o s vin niciun autobuz pn o s se fac vremea s plece trenul? 65. Cu cine credeai c vorbete cnd i-ai telefonat i suna ocupat?
66. De cine-i nchipuiai c ai s-i bai joc cnd piticul o s se fac marinar i o s plece pe mare? 67. La ce-i nchipuiai c se gndete cnd te-a ntrebat dac ai s te ntorci i a adugat c vrea s te revad? 68. 69. 70. 71. L-am ntrebat la ct s-ar ridica suma, dac a plti-o pe loc. Ce a spus c-l intereseaz? De ce zicea c insist s accepi banii pe care i-i oferea? Unde credea c insistm s se duc dup ce va termina liceul?
72. A insistat s i se spun cnd o s cumpr foarfeca i de ce nu am cumprat nc pantalonul. 73. A fi vrut s aflu la ce se gndete cnd lucreaz la piesa pe care tocmai o ncepuse. 74. Eti bun s-mi spui unde este cntarul pe care l-am cutat toat ziua i pe care nc nu l-am gsit? 75. I-a fi spus cum l cheam pe ucigaul de care se teme, dac tiam.
76. M credeai, dac-i spuneam c habar n-am cine o s vin s te ntmpine la aeroport?
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77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95.
Ai s mai vorbeti cu el dup ce o s te ntrebe ci ani ai i ci bani ctigi? Tocmai m-a ntrebat la ce m uit. Vrea s tie cnd am s vin. M ntreb unde m duc. Vru s tie ce am cumprat. M ntreb de ce nu scriu tot. M ntreb ce tiu despre universitatea din Torino. Am ntrebat cnd o s revin. Vru s tie cnd am terminat. Nu tia unde vreau s m duc. Se ntreba de ce n-am neles lecia. Habar n-avea cine sunt, ci ani am i unde locuiesc. M ntreb ce vreau s cumpr. Nu-i amintea unde a pus cartea. Nu nelegeam ce caut. Se ntreba cnd va fi operat. Ce ai de gnd s faci cnd o s se ntoarc i o s te ntrebe cui ai dat banii? Cine a zis c astronautul s-a dus la mare? Pe cine credeai c ai s gseti acolo?
96. Nu tiam unde ai s te duci dup ce el te va sftui s renuni la e xcursia pe care o plnuieti de un an. 97. Nu se gndise cum va reaciona el cnd va afla cu cine i-a petrecut ea vacana.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 98. Nu-i spuneam ce m-ai ntrebat, dac mi spuneai c nu vrei s tie de ce pui tuturor aceeai ntrebare. 99. 100. Ci ani ziceai c are? Pe cine a zis directorul c va promova dup alegeri?
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19. Diateza pasiv
1. Un bun mblnzitor de animale este ntotdeauna ludat pentru munca lui susinut. 2. Arhitectul este mpiedicat s prseasc spitalul, fiindc nc nu s-a nsntoit. 3. 4. Albina este aprat de vrjitoare de ctre un robot. Taurul are de toate, nu e nevoie s-i faci griji.
5. Magazinul acesta e bine aprovizionat cu unelte, n caz c vrei s cumperi vreuna. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Un borfa este ntotdeauna pedepsit, mai devreme sau mai trziu. Se recurge la for atunci cnd cioara nu poate fi convins s-i fac temele. Un delfin curajos este de obicei rspltit pentru vitejia lui. Dac mgarul va fi desprit de prietenii lui, va studia mai mult. n astfel de cazuri se trimite dup doctor. Ferestrele se spal cnd nu este zidarul acas. Se cur camera, fiindc se ateapt musafiri. Se mtur strzile, fiindc n-a plouat de o bun bucat de vreme. Se deschid uile, ca s intre vizitatorii. Toi roii mai mari de zece ani sunt trimii la mare. i se ofer o ngheat; de ce n-o iei? I se arat oimului o tapiserie foarte interesant.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. Se es covoare pentru palatul care tocmai a fost construit. Se scriu scrisori tuturor participanilor la congres. Se trimit bani tuturor broatelor din lume. Cnd s-a tras n gsc? I s-a zmbit barmanului i asta nu i-a plcut. Elefantul a fost adulmecat de cine. Nu i-am putut face semne cu mna fiindc mi se vorbea. I-ai spus ieri vulturului c e urmrit? tii cumva de ce era musca privit fix? De ce era bnuit gina? Pentru ce i s-a mulumit hipopotamului? Pe scndura aceea s-a clcat ieri i n-a pit nimeni nimic. Bufnia a fost ateptat dou ore asear. Spltoria se ncuia, ca nu cumva s fure oarecii ceva n timpul nopii. I se fcea ursului o injecie care avea s-l adoarm. Pivnia era n curs de a fi decorat cu tablouri pentru expoziie. Se distrugea vechiul gard. Se drmau case srccioase i se construiau grajduri pe acelai loc.
36. I se puneau profesorului ntrebri de ctre elevi cnd s-a deschis ua i a intrat ano un stru. 37. 38. 39. Mi se arta casa cnd s-a stins lumina. Se fcea focul n timp ce Cenureasa sttea acolo n picioare i tremura. Dirijorul nu tia ce se putea face n legtur cu oarecii.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. Se gtea gsca, aa c gnsacul a trebui s aduc poliia. Nu pot s neleg de ce a fost acuzat leopardul. mi poi spune la banii cui a fost adugat aceast sum? Habar n-am de cnd i cunoti pe aceti scriitori. A fost ochit o pasre, dar a fost mpucat un urs. Tocmai s-a fcut aluzie la scrisoarea mea ctre coaforul tu. nc nu i s-a dat o bucat de zahr, de aceea a ieit trntind ua dup el. Acea chestiune mrunt a fost deja rezolvat. Romanul vizitiului a fost atribuit unui romancier.
49. I s-a fcut adesea semn s plece antrenorului de cnd lucreaz aici, fiindc apare ntotdeauna cnd nu trebuie. 50. Niciun negustor cinstit nu a fost niciodat lipsit de marfa lui, dac n-a ncercat s-o vnd la negru. 51. Albatrosul e vzut zburnd de trei zile i trei nopi.
52. Barza a fost trimis de aici de proprietreas, care nu vrea ca ea s se ntoarc la cuibul de pe acoperiul casei ei. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. Bufnia a fost prins dnd trcoale stejarului la miezul nopii. Cintezoiului i s-a promis o rsplat, dac o s cnte la petrecere toat noaptea. Cioara a fost gonit, dar precis se va ntoarce. Ciocnitoarea a fost prevenit s nu deranjeze oamenii noaptea. Ciocrlia a fost fotografiat pe cnd se nla spre soare. Clotii i s-a spus de ctre coco s nu zic hop pn n-a srit. Cocorul a fost primit n odaie, fiindc stpnul casei iubete psrile. Codobatura a fost ameninat c se va trage n ea, dac va mai veni aici.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 61. Am crezut c a fost de mult hrnit corbul, dar ngrijitorul uitase i mi-a spus c va trebui s-o fac eu, dac nu vreau s moar corbul de foame. 62. Coofana era sigur c a fost nelat, dar nu voia s dezvluie faptul nainte de miezul nopii. 63. tiam c a fost invitat cucul la bal mascat, dar credeam c se va costuma n stafie, nu n zn. 64. Curcanul fusese ales spre a fi vndut, iar curca era att de trist nct fermierul a hotrt pn la urm s-i pstreze pe amndoi. 65. L-am ntrebat pe juctorul de bridge de ce a fost nvinuit i mi-a rspuns c ia fost pus n crc ceva ce n-a fcut niciodat. 66. Cartea pe care o citeai fusese mprumutat de la o bibliotec vestit, care nu ddea cri cu mprumut mai mult de zece zile. 67. Pacientul fusese bine ngrijit, dar se plngea c nu-i place salonul i vrea s plece din spital ct mai curnd, chiar nainte s se nsntoeasc. 68. 69. Nu-mi puteam aduce aminte n ce a fost preschimbat veveria. i-a spus de ce a fost nvinuit nainte s te cunoasc?
70. Nuvela fusese pe larg comentat de muli critici literari, care o citiser i o gsiser a fi cea mai slab pe care o scrisese vreodat autorul ei. 71. Cu cine va fi comparat cnd prinii lui vor afla c a spart cu mingea de fotbal fereastra unui vecin i a furat batistele unei btrne? 72. De cine va mai fi ascuns adevrul dup ce ea se va ntoarce de la birou i i va spune c tie totul de la prietenii ti? 73. Nimeni nu tia de fapt la ci ani de temni a fost condamnat, aa c i s-a spus c i va petrece acolo tot restul vieii, dac n-o s-i aminteasc de ce crim a fost acuzat. 74. i vor fi confiscate putile, dac ai s ncerci s le vinzi poliiei.
75. Cu cine vei mai fi confundat dup ce frizerul o s-i rad barba i o s te tund? 76. Nu tiu cu cine va fi confruntat, dar cel puin o pot sftui s nu sufle o vorb nainte s-i consulte avocatul.
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77. M ntreb de ce vei fi felicitat, ntruct toat lumea tie c n -ai primit premiul pe care te ateptai s-l primeti. 78. 79. Va fi consultat doctorul n aceast chestiune i sper c va ti ce este. Dac nu ncetezi s furi, vei fi n curnd ntemniat pentru furt.
80. O s se vindece judectorul n scurt timp de oreion ori va trebui s stea mai multe sptmni n cas? 81. Poemul va fi fost discutat n aceast revist literar nainte s trebuiasc s-l analizezi pentru examen. 82. Pedeapsa va fi fost hotrt pn vin martorii s depun mrturie.
83. Va fi fost dedicat o carte amintirii lui nainte s se scurg zece ani de la plecarea lui n insulele Hebride. 84. Va fi fost aprat de toi dumanii nainte s cear ajutor.
85. Va fi fost predat poliiei cu mult nainte s reueasc s-i fure inelul cu diamant. 86. Zna va fi fost salvat din ghearele vrjitorului pn cnd ajunge acolo FtFrumos. 87. Zarzavagiul va fi fost antajat de ani de zile atunci cnd se hotrte s mearg la poliie. 88. Ppua va fi fost muiat n ap nainte s aib fetia timp s-i cheme mama.
89. Prada va fi fost mprit n ase pri nainte s apar al aptelea borfa s-i cear partea. 90. 91. 92. 93. mpratul va fi fost deposedat de toat gloria pn s ias la pensie. Familia ta a spus c ideea ta va fi dezaprobat, aa c mai bine te-ai rzgndi. Judectorul a prezis c asasinul va fi sortit temniei, dac nu se ndreapt. Eram sigur c toi vor visa o reuit pn nu le spui de eecul tu.
94. Speram c subiectul va fi tratat pe larg cnd va veni lectorul strin, dup ce -l vei schia tu mai nti.
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95. Era sigur profesorul c manualul minerului va fi schimbat pe un pachet de ciocolat, dar nu-l putea mpiedica pe miner s fac ce-i place. 96. 97. Fermierul se temea c-i va fi hrnit calul cu pine de secar. Vntorul prezise c se va trage n vulpe i nu va fi nimerit.
98. Hamalul se temea c se va arunca cu pietre n el, dac nu va cra valizele tuturor pictorilor. 99. L-a asigurat pe vduv c nevasta lui va fi jelit cum se cuvine.
100. M-au avertizat c lumea va rnji la mine, dac voi intra n odaia aceea far s bat la u. 101. Dac am avea multe prjituri, toate ar fi ascunse, fiindc moaa trebuie s slbeasc i mnnc tot timpul dulciuri. 102. Dac n-ai fi lsat s-i faci temele, muzicianul care face acest lucru ar fi pedepsit. 103. Nu s-ar face aluzie la vorbele tale, dac le-ai spune prietenilor c nu vrei s i se menioneze numele. 104. S-ar spera la un succes n cazul tu, dac nu cumva ai face tot ce poi s nu reueti. 105. Le-ar fi impus regula aceea, dac ar fi fost inventat.
106. Nu i s-ar spune c e lene, dac n-ar amna mereu s-i pun hotrrile n practic. 107. S-ar deduce o mnie ntemeiat din vorbele lui, dac l-ai auzi vorbind dup ce-i spui c nu a ctigat meciul. 108. Aerul ar fi infestat de mirosul de gunoi, dac gunoierii n-ar veni s-l ridice din dou n dou zile. 109. Ar fi rnii muli oameni nevinovai, dac li s-ar permite psihologilor s aib la ei puti ncrcate. 110. Ar fi el informat despre ce se petrece, dac directorul ar vrea ca el s nu tie nimic?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 111. Ar fi fost instigat la aciune, dac era considerat capabil s se ridice i s lupte pentru drepturile lui. 112. ea. Nu i s-ar fi fcut cunotin cu tine, dac se gndea cineva c ai s te ceri cu
113. Ai fi fost luat n rs de toi chirurgii care locuiesc la periferia oraului, dac ziceai c oraul se limiteaz la strzile lui centrale. 114. Profesorul ar fi fost ascultat, dac pe elevi i interesa despre ce vorbete.
115. Fratele tu vitreg ar fi fost considerat la, dac n-am ti ce curajos a fost cnd a trebuit salvat un arici din prpastie. 116. Ai fi oare batjocorit de toi cei care te aud, dac ai declara c nvei engleza de mai mult de o zi? 117. Ar fi fost spionat zi i noapte, dac se nsura cu femeia de care s-a ndrgostit nainte s te cunoasc pe tine. 118. Ar fi fost el operat, dac nu-l cunotea chirurgul?
119. Casa era de mult pltit, dac omului care a cumprat-o i trecea prin cap c vrei toi banii ct mai curnd. 120. Ar fi fost convins de sinceritatea mea, dac i explicam c n-am putut s-mi amintesc data, fiindc eram somnoros cnd am discutat-o.
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20. Aspectul continuu
1. Nu pot prsi tufiul acesta, fiindc urmresc o vulpe cum se strecoar n vizuin. 2. Dac ntr-adevr vrei s tii ce face, pi tocmai alunec pe scri, fiindc s-a lovit la cot i i-a scpat bastonul. 3. Ateapt o clip, trage haina pe el i vine cu tine.
4. Exploratorul pe care l-ai ntlnit acum mai multe sptmni nainteaz cu greu prin zpada adnc i nebtut. 5. E n vacan i colind toat ara pe jos.
6. Strinul pe care l-ai invitat n cas asear urc apsat scrile, aa c mai bine te-ai duce dup el i i-ai spune c i se ntorc prinii i nu-l mai poi adposti. 7. Oaspeii pe care-i atepi vin mine dis-de-diminea, dar acum presupun c nainteaz cu greu prin deert. 8. De cinci minute ncoace ncerc s-l opresc, dar vorbete la telefon i nu m aude. 9. Maina rsturnat s-a trt pe strad ct s-a trt, iar acum se oprete n faa unui poliist uluit. 10. l urmresc de ceva vreme ncoace: precis e orb, fiindc bjbie cu mna dup mnerul uii. 11. 12. E absent de la biseric fiindc i se nmneaz un premiu pentru patinaj. Se redactilografiaz cartea pe care ai cumprat-o acum o sptmn.
13. n general sunt obinuit s citesc pn noaptea trziu, dar ast sear sunt trimis devreme la culcare, fiindc mine m duc la pescuit cu strbunicul meu, care se scoal cu noaptea-n cap. 14. Dac n-a folosit niciodat pn acum patinele pe care i le-ai druit de ziua lui, motivul este c abia acum i se arat cum s patineze.
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15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
Se spal cearafurile i se terge mobila de praf. Ce anume se face pentru cei bolnavi i sraci? Se trimit cri tuturor celor care sunt dispui s citeasc. Se cur covoarele cu aspiratorul. Se repar televizorul fiindc bancherul vrea s vad un film disear.
20. Banii lui sunt cheltuii de prieteni, care se opun cu toii dorinei lui de a economisi ct poate de mult. 21. L-a speriat pe acrobat intenia ta de a vinde casa, fiindc locuia n ea i nu voia s i se mreasc chiria. 22. Zicea mereu c le-a luat-o nainte colegilor i c n curnd va fi cel mai bun dintre toi. 23. Individul care era rud cu ea i tria picioarele n vreme ce atepta.
24. i tria papucii pe podea i nu voia s nceteze cu zgomotul acela, dei i se spusese c toi dorm. 25. Petii se zbteau neputincioi pe mal, uitai acolo de pescarul care-i prinsese cu nvodul. 26. Se trntise n hamac fr o vorb i sforia tare, n vreme ce veveriele i mncau toate alunele. 27. Se luau la ntrecere pentru cup doar apte cai, dei prietenul meu mi spusese c va paria pe al optulea. 28. O feti se lua la ntrecere cu un bieel pn la un copac de la captul aleii, n vreme ce prinii lor ateptau s vad cine va ctiga. 29. Pilotul mergea cu maina n vitez prin ora, spernd c o s fie amendat.
30. Comandase o main i se grbea ctre sat, ca s-l gseasc pe chelner i s-l fac s-i napoieze revistele. 31. 32. Se deschideau prvlioare n tot lungul strzii nguste. Se scriau, se publicau i se vindeau multe cri noi pentru papagali.
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33. zi. 34.
Se lustruiau cizmele stpnului, ntruct avea s mearg la vntoare a doua
Se vindeau ziare n tot oraul i erau comentate n toate crciumile.
35. Se cumprau cri de istorie i geografie de ctre toate bufniele care nu nvaser niciodat s citeasc. 36. Se construia un teatru nou, pentru ca actorii s-i interpreteze rolurile pe o scen modern. 37. 38. Se transmitea un concert de Mozart, aa c nchise radioul i adormi. Se trimiteau flori doamnelor mai n vrst din sat.
39. Portarul era certat pentru ce a fcut, iar tatl lui i spunea c e suprat pe el c a fugit cu buctreasa. 40. Se retipreau cri care fuseser scrise odat cu cartea ei, aa c atepta cu nerbdare s-i vad iar trilogia n librrii. 41. Merg cu vitez de ctva vreme, recunosc, dar am s ncetinesc de ndat ce voi vedea o main a poliiei. 42. De dou zile ncoace m ntreb de ce a luat-o chiriaul tu la fug n sus pe scri cte dou trepte deodat cnd te-a vzut. 43. M tot poticneam prin holul ntunecos de jumtate de or i credeam c n-am s mai pot gsi drumul s ies, cnd mi-a venit coarul n ajutor. 44. Cur pivnia de ore ntregi; sunt murdar, fiindc m-am mpiedicat, am zcut o clip ntins pe jos, iar apoi m-am ridicat i am venit direct aici. 45. Automobilistul acela beat tot iese cltinndu-se din main de zece minute ncoace, iar poliistul l ateapt rbdtor. 46. Ultimii dansatori istovii stau de o or de vorb n faa cldirii, n vreme ce portarul a adormit, aa c acum n-are cine s ncuie ua. 47. 48. 49. Mingea se rostogolete pe podea de cnd i-a scpat. Cinele se tvlete n noroi de cnd ai dat n el cu piciorul. Beivul se clatin pe strad din zorii zilei.
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50.
Vasul se leagn de cnd s-a pornit furtuna.
51. Cnd sosi, i ddu seama c servitorii intrau i ieeau de ore ntregi, ngrmdind mncare pe mas. 52. 53. 54. De cnd deschiseser poarta, japonezii nvleau nuntru. Avionul zbura deasupra insulei de ore ntregi. Cinele zburda de cnd plecaser dentitii de acas.
55. Ploua. Ploua cu gleata de ore ntregi cnd a venit brutarul acas, unde-l atepta nevasta lui nc din zori. 56. Fazanul zbura de zile ntregi peste vrfuri de muni cnd a reperat gaia ntr-un copac. 57. Gtele l urmaser toat ziua pe gnsac, cnd o gsc s-a oprit brusc i a hotrt c mai departe nici c o s mearg. 58. Lebda nota din zori i nu gsise ce cuta.
59. Canarul ciripea de o bun bucat de vreme, cnd a srit pisica la colivie i l -a scos din mini de fric. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. Mierla recunoscu c de o sptmn ntreag zboar i se simte puin obosit. Pajura se va roti deasupra casei ct vreme ai s-i ii puca ascuns. n curnd papagalul o s te imite, dac o s te aud att de des. Punul o s doarm toat ziua, dac ai azi oaspei. Punia o s cloceasc ou luna viitoare pe vremea asta. Pelicanul va pleca n curnd spre Polul Nord. Pescruul va zbura n larg de ndat ce se va face vremea bun.
67. Pitulicea va mnca firimituri de pine de secar la ora cnd ai s treci pe aici mine diminea. 68. Piigoiul va pleca n curnd de la tine din grdin, dac te apuci s dobori copacii.
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69. Porumbelul va duce disear mesajul tu, aa c n-o s poi avea un rspuns pn nu se va ntoarce. 70. Porumbia va mnca semine mine toat ziua, fiindc e aici cumnata ta i ea i d semine ntotdeauna. 71. ani. Luna viitoare pe vremea asta, prepelia va fi trit pe acest cmp de peste doi
72. Privighetoarea va fi cntat de cinci ani la tine n grdin pn s te mui tu n alt cas. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. Pupza va fi clocit ou de dou sptmni pn s-i gseti cuibul. Rndunica va fi cltorit timp de o lun cnd va ajunge aici la primvar. Vrabia se va lfi la soare de mai multe ore cnd va veni pisica. Raa va alerga prin curte mult vreme pn s nceteze cinele s-o fugreasc. Roiul va fi cutat raa o sptmn ncheiat nainte s afle ce s-a ntmplat. Sitarul va dormi de dou ore cnd ai s te trezeti tu.
79. Struul se va juca de o jumtate de or cu copiii atunci cnd va veni ngrijitorul s-i izgoneasc pe copii. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. oimul i va fi ateptat de opt zile stpnul mine pe vremea asta. Vulturul ar zbura n jurul crestei, dac acolo n-ar fi un vntor. Bibilica s-ar grbi spre cas, dac n-ar ploua aa de ru. Cioara ar vorbi englezete, dac ar avea creier de om. Potrnichea ar fugi din locul acesta, dac ar ti ce ai de gnd s faci. Sturzul ar locui acum aici, dac nu-i distrugeai anul trecut cuibul. N-ar zbura uliul de aici, dac nu l-ai fi ameninat tu cu puca. Turtureaua ar face ou, dac ar fi destul de cald. Soul surorii tale nu s-ar plnge la toat lumea c ea nu-i d niciodat nimic
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. de mncare, dac ea nva s gteasc. 89. 90. i-ar drege vocea acum, dac-l rugai s-i cnte. Balaurul ar izbucni n lacrimi, dac vrjitorul l-ar preschimba n oarece.
91. Dramaturgul ar fi scris ieri toat ziua, dac nu i se spunea s vin s-l ntmpine pe regizor la aeroport. 92. Negustorul de stofe i-ar fi numrat banii pn noaptea trziu, dac nu-l ntrerupeai. 93. Croitoreasa ar fi cusut toat noaptea, dac nu s-ar teme c s-ar putea s orbeasc. 94. Farmacistul ar fi but pn-i cheltuia toi banii, dac nevasta lui nu l-ar fi trt acas. 95. oferul de autobuz ar fi ateptat n garaj pn noaptea trziu, dac mecanicul nu-i repara mai curnd autobuzul. 96. Toboarul ar fi btut toba tot drumul, dac prietenii lui nu-i legau cu nelepciune minile dinainte. 97. Ducele i-ar fi clrit calul din zori i pn-n sear, dac n-ar fi refuzat calul s-l duc. 98. Expertul ar fi inut o prelegere despre Shakespeare cnd ai sosit, dac n-ar fi fost rugat s-i aleag alt subiect. 99. Dac nu-l prindea poliia la vreme, delapidatorul ne-ar fi cheltuit toi banii atunci cnd ateptai tu s ni-i napoieze. 100. Emisarul ar fi dormit atunci cnd l-ai cutat, dac nu pleca cu cinci zile n urm, cum i spusesei. 101. De obicei e un copil bun, dar acum e zgomotos, fiindc se uit toi la el.
102. Se tie c mpratul e foarte vorbre, dar acum tace, fiindc nc nu vrea s-i afle mscriciul toate secretele. 103. Gravorul e un om harnic i, dac e lene n acest moment, nseamn c i-a terminat treaba pentru azi. 104. Biologul tie s rspund la orice ntrebare, ns acum e n curs de a fi
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. examinat de un coleg biolog, care e hotrt s arate c e incompetent. 105. Cavalerul rtcitor e viteaz ntotdeauna, dar n clipa aceasta e fugrit de albine i fuge mncnd pmntul. 106. Nu poi vorbi cu directorul, fiindc acord o audien cuiva important.
107. Strinul se gndea la o modalitate de a ajunge la gar mai curnd, ntruct nu voia s piard trenul care avea s-l duc la Londra. 108. Examinatorul pune mereu ntrebri la care studenii lui nu pot s rspund, indiferent ct de mult ar fi lucrat pentru examen. 109. Clul se spal pe mini tot timpul i cere oamenilor s-i mprumute bani.
110. Biatul bcanului mnnc tot timpul dulciuri dis-de-diminea, motiv pentru care s-a i ngrat.
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21. Subjonctivul
1. E ciudat c arhiepiscopul cumpr doar lucruri ieftine, cnd tie c scumpul mai mult pgubete. 2. E ciudat c-i drege glasul tocmai cnd sora lui trebuie s vorbeasc publicului. 3. 4. E firesc c a fcut carier, ntruct tim cu toii c e foarte ambiios. E de necrezut c citea cnd trebuia s lucreze la teza de doctorat.
5. E firesc c ncearc s mearg la Universitate, fiindc altfel nu i-ar fi dat nimeni o slujb. 6. Pare puin probabil ca ea s cear luna de pe cer, cnd tie c nu i-ar putea-o nimeni da. 7. Era normal c i-a ajuns cuitul la os dup ce a muncit luni de zile dousprezece ore pe zi i a avut cte o zi liber doar din dou n dou sptmni. 8. E de necrezut c vindea vin cnd i-ai fcut o vizit la cinci dimineaa.
9. E recomandabil s treci la subiect, fiindc toi ateapt s aud ce crezi despre ce s-a ntmplat aici deunzi. 10. E de necrezut c plnge, cnd tie c nu se mai poate schimba nimic, ntruct greeala pe care a fcut-o a ajuns cunoscut tuturor. 11. Pare puin probabil s-o fi luat la goan; e mult prea detept s fac aa ceva, dac nu e ncolit. 12. E interesant c se plimbau cnd te-ai ntlnit cu ei, fiindc au zis c niciodat nu vor merge la plimbare pe vreme ploioas. 13. E de dorit s nu ntinzi coarda prea tare; e o persoan nervoas i s-ar putea s te bat, dac-l irii. 14. Nu i se pare anormal c patineaz cnd e vreme frumoas i patinoarul e nchis?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 15. Nu era ciudat c vasul a ieit din port cnd nu trecuser nici dou zile de cnd a ancorat? 16. E remarcabil c ei lucrau de dou ore i terminaser treaba cnd ai sosit.
17. Zise c i se pare ct se poate de normal s mearg cu trenul, cu avio nul, cu autobuzul, cu tramvaiul ori cu taxiul atunci cnd nu poate merge pe jos. 18. Am recunoscut c mi se prea neateptat ca potrnichea s se joace n prezena mea, dup ce i-am spus clar s se duc s-i fac temele. 19. Mi s-a prut cam ciudat c s-a dus clare la petrecerea de la castel.
20. N-aveam idee dac ei i se prea alarmant c umblam n patru labe atunci cnd ne-am ntlnit. 21. 22. Nu i-ai dat seama c o s par ciudat c majordomul a fost concediat? Nu i-ai dat seama c-i normal s-i slbeasc vederea la optzeci de ani?
23. De ce i s-a prut neateptat c bancherul a refuzat s triasc desprit de familia lui? 24. Lsnd la o parte ce am auzit, mi se pare puin probabil ca pescarul s se fi luat la ntrecere pn la poart cu un biat tnr, cnd tiu c a mplinit de mult nouzeci de ani. 25. Nu i se pare greu de crezut c aceast carte a fost scris n Evul Mediu?
26. M ateptam de la el s aleag s stea n Monte Carlo, chiar dac tim cu toii c s-a nscut n Grecia. 27. Presupun c i s-a prut destul de neobinuit c a orbit deodat, exact cnd te-a vzut traversnd drumul spre el, s-i ceri s-i napoieze banii pe care i-a mprumutat de la tine cu trei sptmni nainte. 28. E surprinztor c fiul chelnerului dormea pe un scaun n vreme ce tu ateptai s-i aduc cineva supa. 29. Mi se pare o neruinare s-mi spui c banca poate da oricnd faliment, cnd tii c toi banii mei sunt depui acolo i, dac-i pierd, trebuie s m mut din casa aceasta costisitoare i s i-o las ie. 30. Nu e nspimnttor c se joac cu un schelet pe care l-a gsit n curtea din spate i care trebuie c a fost ngropat acolo acum o mie de ani?
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31. E firesc c arcaul a fost dus la nchisoare dac a omort apte uri ntr -o singur zi. 32. E foarte trist c actria a ipat tot timpul ct ai ateptat tu acolo, dar trebuie s-o ieri, fiindc se vede c avea motivele ei s se poarte aa. 33. Nu i se pare de necrezut c s-a stricat untul aa de curnd?
34. I-am spus c e normal s doarm cnd o s vin eu, fiindc aveam de gnd s m ntorc foarte trziu i nu-i cazul s stea treaz s m atepte. 35. I-am explicat c e firesc s se sperie cnd o s vad vrjitoarea, dar vrjitoarea aceea nu avea mtur fermecat, aa c nu putea s-i fac niciun ru. 36. Nu e ciudat c vasul trgea la mal cnd l-ai vzut? Credeam c e n Oceanul Pacific i nu trebuia s se ntoarc dect dup o lun. 37. Presupun c pare imposibil s nu m in de cuvnt, dar am s-o fac: nu-i pot cumpra toate jucriile pe care i le-am promis. 38. Nu ti se pare ciudat c ngenuncheaz n faa ei, cnd, oricum, precis c o s-l refuze? 39. Pot s-i spun c e puin probabil s fi umblat zvonul c a fugit cu un marinar, fiindc s-a mritat luna trecut cu un funcionar de la banc. 40. Oricui n afar de tine i se pare firesc c profesorul vorbete despre gramatic de o or i jumtate. 41. Propun ca barza s studieze aritmetica i atunci o s tie c apte i cu apte face paisprezece. 42. Insist s te dai la o parte, fiindc stai n drum.
43. Detectivul a cerut ca melcul pe nume Jackson s fie urmrit de poliie, fiindc fugise cu cheile mainii senatorului. 44. Zarzavagiul ne ndemn s mncm mai multe legume, fiindc era clar pentru toat lumea c sunt foarte sntoase. 45. Brutarul ceru ca toate broatele estoase apte pentru sport s mnnce o chifl nainte de curs. 46. Cpitanul ordon ca soldaii lui s-i poarte uniformele i s nu le fie
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. niciodat ruine s fie vzui cu puca. 47. Directorul colii ceru ca maimuele s fie trimise ntr-o excursie la Mediterana.
48. ntruct stridia era departe de cas, ea ceru s i se trimit bani din care s triasc. 49. Avarul ndemn ca toi cei care sunt nclinai s cheltuie bani s i-i dea lui.
50. Generalul a insistat ca toi cei care nu-i vd defectele s vin la o petrecere pe care o ddea, unde aveau s aib toi mncare i butur din belug. 51. Corabia care pleac n Turcia va porni azi, ca s poat s se ntoarc pn la sfritul lui iunie. 52. Croitorul e ocupat cu munca lui, dar vine ca s-i dai materialul, fiindc ai zis c vrei s-i faci un costum. 53. Adolescentul e incapabil de crim i vor fi adui martori, ca s depun mrturie pentru nevinovia lui. 54. e el. 55. 56. Dansatorul e sigur de reuit i are de gnd s danseze ca s vad toi ce bun
Homarul se pricepe la toate jocurile, aa c va juca orice i ceri. Leul era fermecat de zebr i a invitat-o s vin la ru, ca s stea de vorb.
57. Casa era aproape de parc i viperele s-au dus la plimbare, pentru ca portarul s se sperie i s-o ia la sntoasa; ntotdeauna vruseser s fie singure ntr-un parc. 58. Psihologul a explicat c el cunoate o mulime de avocai care munceau ca s poat nevestele lor s-i cumpere haine de nurc. 59. Porumbia se trezi n zorii zilei, ca s-i fac porumbelului pe plac.
60. I-am spus nottorului c am vrut dintodeauna s vd Monaco, pentru ca el s-mi spun tot ce tia despre acel loc. 61. Sirena a dormit pe plaj, ca nu cumva s-o urmeze marinarul n larg i s se nece. 62. Am s-l avertizez c sunt contient de toate implicaiile hotrrii lui, ca nu cumva s se atepte s-l urmez n ncercarea pe care a pus-o la cale.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 63. Lingvistul inuse o prelegere ieit din comun prin originalitatea ei, ca nu cumva studenii lui s cread c nu tie mare lucru despre materia pe care o pred a de o via. 64. Lcusta nelese c trebuie s ridice o cas, ca nu cumva s-o atace furnicile pe cnd doarme. 65. Castorul a recunoscut c a fost contemporan cu Chaplin, ca s nu ne nchipuim c ncearc s ne fac s-l credem mai tnr. 66. Rsul a replicat c e mulumit cu soarta lui, ca s nu ncerce fratele lui mai mare s-l fac s-i schimbe casa. 67. Nu i-am ascuns modistei c hotrrea ei mi contrazice ateptrile, ca s nu se duc s spun c a avut ncuviinarea mea. 68. Crtia l-a prevenit c o s fie foarte costisitor pentru el s stea peste o lun sub pmnt, ca s nu se atepte s-l gzduiasc ea. 69. Caracatia ncepu prin a mrturisi c nu e familiarizat cu acea perioad anume a literaturii engleze, ca nu cumva s descopere profesorul i s-o trimit acas, n ocean. 70. i-am spus c pinguinului i place foarte tare muzica, tocmai ca nu cumva s-i aduci de ziua lui cri n loc de compact discuri. 71. 72. Scorpionul se poart cu sora lui vitreg de parc i-ar fi duman. Melcul fr cas mi zmbete, ca i cum n-a ti c detest matematica.
73. Lebda este ncntat de ideea de a merge la mare, de parc n-ar ti c-i prea frig acolo. 74. Poliistul l apra pe borfaul condamnat, ca i cum acesta tocmai primise Premiul Nobel. 75. 76. Electricianul se uita la noi de parc nu pricepea ce i cerem s fac. Zarzavagiul se uit la tabloul cu roii de parc ar vrea s le mnnce.
77. Vntorul se poart ca i cum ar vrea s ne conving s-l ajutm s vneze ursul polar. 78. Chitaristul l ascult pe violonist de parc ar auzi concertul acela pentru prima oar.
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79. mi spunea c satul e foarte departe de mare, de parc nu tia c am hotrt s plec dis-de-diminea. 80. Bcanul amui, de parc nu avea atta ncredere n mine nct s-mi spun cine este. 81. tare. Ziaristul i ceru scuze, de parc greise pur i simplu fiindc se grbise prea
82. Inventatorul era dornic de prieteni noi i se purta de parc nu l-ar fi dezamgit nimeni niciodat. 83. Tocmai a venit la cin, de parc nu i-a fi spus c nu-mi plac cei care vin prea devreme i m deranjeaz din somnul de dup-amiaz. 84. Munii se afl la nord de oraul meu, iar el se uita la sud i se prefcea c-i vede, de parc nu i-am fi spus c nu-i poate vedea n direcia aceea. 85. Dac ar fi uor pentru tine s rezolvi acest exerciiu, n-ai plnge de parc ai fi ncercat i n-ai fi reuit. 86. Dac bibliotecarul i nevasta lui ar fi aa de sraci cum zic ei c sunt, nu s-ar ascunde de parc ar fi ncercat cineva s-i antajeze. 87. Era absorbit n munc de parc ar fi promis s termine eseul pn la sfritul sptmnii. 88. Cnd s-a logodit cu el, era aa de fericit de parc nu mai fusese logodit, ceea ce nu era cazul. 89. A recunoscut c fusese entuziasmat de idee, dar se purtase de parc nu i s-ar fi spus nimic. 90. Eti invidios pe norocul ei, de parc ar fi ctigat o mulime de bani i ar fi refuzat s-i dea i ie. 91. Magicianul ar vrea s fie cunoscut n toat lumea.
92. Ar vrea s-i plteti o sum echivalent cu aceea pe care a cheltuit-o el pe dicionarul pe care l-a cumprat. 93. A fi vrut s-i pot spune c va fi primit n curnd de Regina Angliei, dar nu puteam.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 94. 95. Filozoful ar fi vrut s tie cine l va ntmpina la Monaco, dar nu tia. A vrea ca pediatrul s nu-i mai trateze cinele ca i cum acesta ar fi retardat.
96. A vrea ca mecanicul s tie c nevasta lui n vrst de nouzeci de ani i -a fost ntotdeauna credincioas. 97. A fi vrut s nu afli c moaa i-a minit prietenii, dar se pare c tii.
98. A fi vrut s nu ncerce s m ntrebe industriaul dac mi surde ideea s triesc o lun cu banane. 99. lui? 100. 101. N-ai vrea s n-ai de a face cu fratele giuvaergiului, care e vestit pentru otiile
N-ai vrea s nu fie casa aa de departe de brutrie? Hangiul ar da orice s ocoleti prpastia aceea, fiindc a fost fatal multora.
102. Zidarii ar fi vrut foarte mult ca primarul s primeasc favorabil iniiativa lor de a tia toi copacii din pdure i de a construi un aeroport. 103. Ce n-ar fi dat magistratul s nu mai spunem tuturor c nu-i bun de nimic.
104. Ce n-ar da romancierul s nu mai bea cacao pisica lui, fiindc e prea gras i tare-i place s mnnce. 105. Medicul ar da orice ca vrul lui de-al doilea s studieze mai mult, fiindc nu-i deloc bun la fizic, dei e fizician. 106. Ce n-ar da ortopedul ca socrul lui s fie mai recunosctor pompierilor c l-au ajutat cnd era la ananghie. 107. Clugria ar da orice s nu-l mai ceri pe fratele ei, fiindc de obicei eti prea sever cu el. 108. Fotograful ar vrea foarte tare s priceap doamna din faa lui c n-o poate face s arate ca Alb ca Zpada ct vreme poart salopet. 109. Ce n-ar fi dat ca meteorologul s-i spun adevrul, fiindc fusese nvat s fie cinstit n toate. 110. 111. Ce n-a da s-l lai n pace pe lptar, dar nu nelegi de ce, nu-i aa? N-ai vrea ca ppua ta s fi fost identic cu a ei?
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112.
N-ar vrea ca prinii lui s fi ignorat mprejurrile?
113. Ar fi vrut s se fi dus acolo mai devreme, ntruct era absolut necesar ca cineva s se duc s-l ajute pe elefant. 114. A vrea ca morarul s nu-i fi dat seama ct de puin m-au impresionat cunotinele lui. 115. Vrjitoarea din Salem ar fi vrut ca tu s nu fi ncercat s vizitezi castelul acela, ntruct tia c e inaccesibil cltorilor. 116. Am vrea ca tu s te fi simit mai ndatorat ngrijitorului de la grdina zoologic atunci cnd te-a salvat de leul care era n libertate. 117. El ar vrea ca tu s nu fi fost att de indignat de tirea c s-a nsurat cu logodnica ta tocmai cnd te ateptai mai puin. 118. A vrea ca tu s nu-l fi chemat pe instalatorul acela, fiindc nu este la fel de bun ca omul pe care-l chem de obicei cnd am nevoie de un instalator n cas. 119. A fi vrut ca porumbeii s fi venit pe rnd, dar erau ntodeauna nedesprii.
120. N-ai vrea s nu fi spus clugrul nimnui c l urti fiindc a studiat mai multe limbi dect tine? 121. 122. A prefera s-i spui despre prelegere; l intereseaz foarte tare astronomia. A prefera ca fizicianul s nu mai descopere nimic; a fcut destul ru i aa.
123. Ursul polar ar prefera s cumperi mnuile acelea groase, cu un deget, indiferent de pre. 124. Ai prefera s nu mai fie gelos pe tine, nu-i aa?
125. Chirurgul plastician ar prefera ca pacienta lui s nu se fi dus la alt doctor, nu-i aa? 126. Dramaturgul ar prefera s nu fi ctigat tu atia bani i s nu te fi nsurat cu fata de care era ndrgostit. 127. Detectivul particular ar prefera ca tu s nu fi avut atta noroc la cri ieri, cnd i-ai lsat pe toi fr o para. 128. Psihiatrul ar prefera s nu fi spus nimnui c tot aude o sopran care -i spune
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. s se spele pe mini. 129. 130. nu? 131. 132. 133. 134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. tale! 140. 141. 142. 143. 144. 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. A prefera ca mpratul s fi avut mil de prizonieri. Radiologul ar prefera s-i fi cerut o radiografie mai degrab dect o ecografie,
Mcar de-ar fi casa reporterului mai aproape de staia de autobuz! Mcar dac ochelarii mei nu le-ar fi necesari hoilor i mi i-ar napoia! Mcar dac n-ai sta lng un borfa! Mcar dac ar respecta regulile! Mcar dac i ddea seama cercettorul c ateapt avionul la gar! Mcar dac i era clar marinarului c trebuie s cumpere o cas! Mcar dac nu se opunea oricrei schimbri! Mcar dac nu sttea fa-n fa cu tine n tren! Mcar dac ciobanul nu intra n panic atunci cnd a auzit toate minciunile
Mcar dac aveai mai mult rbdare cu ea pe cnd tria! Dac cumva nu vine acas atunci cnd a zis c o s vin? Dac cumva uit cu totul de subjonctiv nainte s-i ia examenul? Dac am lsa-o cu toii singur cnd are mai mare nevoie de noi? Dac cumva croitorul refuz s-i fac un costum? Dac cumva vine trziu i las ua descuiat? Dac cumva oferul de taxi avea un accident? Dac refuza antropologul s se ntoarc din Africa? Dac fcea ucenicul o hain mai bun dect croitorul nsui? Dac juca i nu ctiga nimic?
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150. 151.
Dac atletul nu era n stare s completeze formularul? E vremea s termini de citit cartea.
152. E vremea s nelegi de ce au oamenii prejudeci mpotriva jefuitorilor de banc. 153. 154. 155. 156. 157. 158. E vremea ca brutarul s se hotrasc s slbeasc. E vremea s angajezi pe cineva calificat. Era timpul ca frizerul s emigreze la Haga. E vremea s fi fcut ce i-a spus s faci, indiferent de consecine. E timpul ca apicultorul s-i fi dus stupii n munii Himalaia. Era vremea s fi fost tras la rspundere pentru toate greelile tale.
159. Ar cam fi vremea s i se fi spus c inutul e bogat n vnat, dar nu are voie s -i foloseasc puca. 160. Era vremea s-i fi spus cineva c erai nepoliticos cu ceretorul care ncerca si explice de ce n-ai dreptate. 161. 162. 163. 164. 165. 166. 167. Triasc burlacii! S trieti mult i s fii fericit! Fie ce-o fi, am s am grij ca el s fie la adpost de urmritorii lui. Atunci aa s fie! Am s spun doar c episcopul s-a mniat. S trieti pn la vrsta strbunicii tale. Orice-ar fi, trebuie s afle adevrul.
168. Departe de mine gndul s-i stric plcerea, dar n-ar trebui s-i bai joc de un plrier. 169. Triasc cei ce sunt stui de dulciuri i le dau copiilor!
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 170. Orice s-ar ntmpla, motelul acesta va trebui drmat.
171. Oricine ar fi la poart, spune-i c-mi pare ru c am ntrziat si c, dac m primete, promit c n-o s se mai ntmple. 172. 173. tine. 174. Orice ai spune, n lucrarea ta e loc i de mai bine. Oricnd ai veni, sunt sigur c nu va avea nimic mpotriv s stea de vorb cu
Orice ar face n clipa aceasta, trebuie s se opreasc i s mearg la culcare.
175. Oriunde ar atepta, nu uita c nu-i obinuit s stea prea mult vreme n picioare. 176. 177. Orice i-ar fi spus, pentru noi e vital s ne ducem. Oricine te-ar fi njurat, trebuie s m crezi c eti binevenit aici.
178. Oricnd ar fi ipat la tine, trebuia s-i spui c greete n legtur cu o mulime de lucruri. 179. 180. Orice ar fi gtit mcelarul cnd ai sosit tu, trebuia s-i dea o porie. Oriunde s-ar fi dus, trebuia s se ntoarc acas la sfritul lui august.
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22. Verbele modale
1. E un ticlos destrblat i va trebui s mearg la nchisoare, fie c -i recunoate vinovia sau nu. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. N-ai s ai voie s te duci la Polul Sud, oricte motive s te duci ai gsi. S scriu eu rezumatul sau l scrii tu? S dau atenie cuvintelor lui ori vrei s m prefac c n-am auzit? Cnd s-o trimit la coafor? S-l spionez eu ori l spionezi tu? S-i spun motivul real al hotrrii mele ori i spui tu? S-i ascult discursul ori pot pleca atunci cnd ncepi? S-l pedepsesc ori crezi c-i va recunoate greeala i-i va cere scuze? S-i mai pun ntrebri ori te exaspereaz? M-a ntrebat ce s fac s-o ajute. Nu tia dac s-l bat sau s-l laude pe boxer. Vrjitorul se ntreba dac s-i dea prinesei banii lui. Savantul habar n-avea unde s-i in urmtoarea prelegere. Mecanicul de locomotiv habar n-avea unde s opreasc. Pianistului i-ar fi plcut s i se spun ce s cnte. Cntreaa de oper nu tia a cui ofert s-o accepte.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 18. 19. 20. 21. ta. Fotograful voia s tie dac s fac una sau dou fotografii. Cercettorul se ntreb dac s-i ia o vacan. Proprietarul prvliei ntreb cnd s-o deschid. Ar trebui s pstrezi castanul acela, fiindc e cel mai frumos pom din grdina
22. Mahonul era lemnul lui preferat i zise c dulgherii ar trebui s-l foloseasc ori de cte ori au prilejul. 23. Cuta un afin i i-am spus c ar trebui s plece acas, fiindc se ntunec i n orice caz nu va gsi niciunul n zona aceea. 24. 25. 26. 27. Ar trebui s fie un agri pe aici, dar nu tiu eu s-l gsesc. Se gndi c ar trebui s se urce n nuc, dac vine vreun urs. Nu mi-a zis niciodat c n-ar trebui s caut un arbore de pine n Frana. Arinul ar trebui lsat n pace, fiindc e btrn i ine umbr vara.
28. nelese c nu trebuie s distrug arari, dar nu se putea mpiedica s doreasc s-i taie. 29. Le-am spus c ar trebui s tie cum arat bambusul i mi-au rspuns c niciodat-n viaa lor n-au vzut un astfel de copac. 30. Ar trebui s-i spui bieelului acela dac dai peste vreun bananier, fiindc i plac grozav bananele i, dac s-ar urca n el, n-ar mai lsa nici mcar o singur banan. 31. Veveria n-ar trebui s sar dintr-un brad n altul, fiindc e primejdios.
32. Dac stai n cais toat dimineaa, bunica ta o s te gseasc i o s-i spun c n-ar trebui s mnnci attea caise nainte de prnz. 33. N-ar trebui s te holbezi la castanul acela de parc ar fi cel mai mare pom din lume. 34. Ar trebui s caui un castan comestibil, dac vrei s-i mnnci fructele.
35. N-ar trebui s taie ramuri din castanul acela slbatic, fiindc la primvar oamenii vor vedea ce a fcut i va fi pedepsit.
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36. Ar trebui s-i spun fiicei ei o poveste despre un lptar, dac vrea ca ea s adoarm. 37. N-ar trebui s se uite la cpun de parc ar vrea s ia chiar acum toate cpunele, fiindc nu-i aparine i fermierul s-ar putea supra. 38. Ar trebui mai bine s desenezi un crng de cedri, dect s mzgleti pe foaia aceea de hrtie. 39. Ar trebui s-i laude chiparoii lui; sunt absolut minunai.
40. N-ar trebui s mnnci attea ciree ntr-o zi ca asta, chiar dac cireul tu e ncrcat de fructe. 41. Trebuia s-i faci temele cnd ai spus c ai s le faci i s le ari profesorului de geografie, ca s-i dea o not bun. 42. Modista trebuia s renune la plrii, dac houl a ameninat-o c o s-i dea foc prvliei, dac nu-i d tot ce a ctigat n ultimii ase ani. 43. Nu trebuia s-i spui s nu se lege la cap dac nu-l doare, dac ntr-adevr voiai s fac tot ce poate s te ajute s iei din ncurctura n care ai intrat. 44. Nu trebuia s-l mini, dac chiar tiai c i-a fost totdeauna prieten bun i nu te-ar fi nelat niciodat. 45. Trebuia s-o concediezi cnd i-ai dat seama c nu se pricepe deloc, dup ce i-a spus c n-are atta nevoie ca tine de banii aceia. 46. Trebuia s tii c mai devreme sau mai trziu o s spun c nu-i pierdea averea, dac erai de acord s fii cu ochii pe el. 47. Trebuia s scape de tine n doi timpi i trei micri, dac ntr-adevr a bnuit c ai minit tot timpul, n vreme ce toi fuseser convini c ai spus adevrul despre sora ta, c s-a mritat cu un cavaler. 48. Trebuiau s-l lase s se lupte singur cu uriaul, fiindc, atunci cnd fuseser ei la ananghie, el zisese Scap cine poate i nu micase un deget s ajute pe nimeni. 49. Trebuia s ncepi s lucrezi dis-de-diminea, dac ai fi vrut s termini pn la amiaz, fiindc, dup cum tii, cine se scoal devreme departe ajunge. 50. Nu trebuia s neleag pn acum c nu poate s mpace i capra i varza?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 51. Zarzavagiul trebuia s vnd legume n loc s se tocmeasc la pre, cum l -am gsit asear, cnd o mulime de oameni stteau la coad s cumpere conopid. 52. Frizerul trebuia s-i brbiereasc clientul cnd a btut ceasul ora opt.
53. Mecanicul trebuia s-mi repare maina asear cnd am plecat, dar eram sigur c o s-i pun costumul i o s se duc la crcium. 54. Care dintre voi zicea c gunoierul ar fi trebuit s munceasc duminic toat ziua? 55. De ce a spus tuturor c coaforul trebuia s bea cafea cnd a intrat ea n odaie, cnd tie c eful lui l concedia, dac-l gsea fcnd aa ceva? 56. Ce crezi c trebuia s fac croitorul cnd ai sunat la u?
57. Croitoreasa trebuia s coas cnd a intrat clienta ei, dac ar fi vrut ca cea din urm s cread c nu are nicio clip liber. 58. Custoreasa tie c trebuia s doarm la miezul nopii, cnd am gsit-o muncind de zor, dei i pierduse cu o zi nainte ochelarii i far ei abia dac putea s vad. 59. Mcelarul ar fi trebuit s-i curee podelele prvliei la opt seara, dac nu nchidea de la cinci. 60. Cizmarul trebuia s repare pantofi cnd ai intrat, dar era obosit i se ntinsese o or, spernd c o s se simt mai bine dup va trage un pui de somn. 61. Judectorul atepta cu nerbdare vizita mamei lui, ntruct credea c aceasta ar trebui s vin cndva la sfritul sptmnii. 62. Cred c n-ar trebui s existe niciun motiv de ngrijorare, dac nu faci n absena mea nimic nechibzuit. 63. Scuzele lui ar trebui s fie ndeajuns, dei n-ai s mai gseti niciodat un canar ca acela pe care l-a pierdut. 64. Fata n cas ar trebui s fie unde a zis c se duce, dac nu cumva s-a rzgndit i s-a dus mai degrab la teatru. 65. Nluca ar trebui s fie rezultatul imaginaiei lui bogate, fiindc sunt convins, cum e toat lumea, c astfel de lucuri nici nu exist. 66. Cererea ar trebui s fie unde ai zis c ai pus -o, doar dac n-ai rtcit-o, i n
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. cazul acesta persoana care ateapt la u va trebui s-o bat din nou la main. 67. 68. 69. ar. 70. 71. 72. 73. Arestarea borfaului ar trebui s fie cunoscut tuturor n ora. Cearta lor vine probabil mai mult din ncpnare. iretenia lui cred c e vestit, ntruct a reuit s nele pe toi escrocii din
Cred c ingeniozitatea lui ar trebui s-l ajute grozav. De ce s m fac pictor, dac n-am chef i n-am putut picta nimic de cnd sunt? De ce s-l ajui, dac nu te roag? De ce s locuim tocmai la mansard cnd parterul e mult mai comod?
74. De ce s-i in prelegerea n sala cea mare, dac nu-i nimeni acolo i el nsui a zis c mai bine s-ar duce acas? 75. De ce s predic cumptarea unei persoane care cheltuie banii tuturor i nu i-a ctigat traiul niciodat de cnd este? 76. De ce mi-ar plcea baladele? l-am ntrebat, tiind c lui i plac grozav.
77. De ce s cumprm doar o singur pnz de tablou, cnd ne trebuie mult mai mult? 78. 79. are? 80. De ce s m spl n lighean, n loc s folosesc cada? De ce s-l mpute pe dansator, dac acesta le d din proprie iniiativ tot ce
De ce s schimb eu becul, cnd n aceast cas sunt cincisprezece chiriai?
81. Dac s-ar ntmpla s-l gsesc pe cardiolog locuind ntr-o colib, l-a lua cu mine. 82. Dac s-ar ntmpla s dea peste telegrama pe care i-ai trimis-o sptmna trecut, ar fi grozav de amrt, aa c am ascuns-o de el i sper c n-o s afle niciodat ce s-a ntmplat cu adevrat. 83. Dac s-ar ntmpla s se ntlneasc ntr-o cafenea, i-ar vedea toat lumea mpreun i oamenii ar ncepe s brfeasc.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 84. Dac s-ar ntmpla s-mi pierd aparatul de fotografiat, ar trebui s-l iau cu mprumut pe al tu. 85. Dac s-ar ntmpla s se strice bidonul, sergentul ar ipa la toi soldaii lui.
86. Dac s-ar ntmpla ca numele ei s fie scris cu litere mari, ai ti c interpreteaz un rol principal n pies. 87. Dac s-ar ntmpla s cumpere o rulot, ar putea s mearg la munte i s doarm n pdure. 88. Dac s-ar ntmpla ca motocicleta lui s fie oprit, l-ar bate pe cel care-l mpiedic s ajung n sat la vreme. 89. Dac s-ar ntmpla ca ea s aduc garoafe, el s-ar simi teribil de ruinat c primete, n loc s ofere flori. 90. Dac s-ar ntmpla s m uit la desene animate cnd vine, ar nchide televizorul i m-ar trimite dup chibrituri. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. Pot s-i promit c n-am s uit niciodat un vechi prieten! Eti bun, te rog, s descrii personajele principale ale romanului? Fii bun i cere-i mai puin dect celorlali clieni. F bine i du-te chiar acum la farmacist! Ua cmrii nu se se deschide i pace. Dac anestezistul ine s-i sparg toate porelanurile, de ce s nu-l lai? Dac ii s fumezi trabuc, nu vd de ce m-a opune eu.
98. Dac arhitectul ine s se logodeasc cu o barz, nimeni nu-l poate mpiedica s-o fac. 99. 100. 101. 102. F bine i fii politicos cu cei mai n vrst! Dac oprla vrea s mearg la universitate, cred c ar trebui ajutat. Presupun c fata de acolo o fi sora lui vitreg. Dac ine s fac naveta, habar n-am cum poate fi convins s n-o fac.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 103. 104. Dac ii s cumperi o busol, cel puin ar trebui s alegi una bun. Dac vrei s te duci la lucru n starea aceasta, te privete.
105. mi nchipui c dirijorul o fi vrul ei, ori n-ar fi discutat ea astfel de chestiuni intime cu el. 106. Zarva tot nu nceteaz, dei le-am spus tuturor c m ateptam s petrec o dup-amiaz linitit n casa lor. 107. Motorul pur i simplu nu funcioneaz, fiindc mecanicul a uitat s-l repare.
108. Crtia aceasta este singura ei mngiere, aa c f bine i nu mai spune c ai s-o dai afar din cas! 109. 110. 111. 112. 113. 114. 115. Copiii tot copii rmn. Cnd pisica nu-i acas, joac oarecii pe mas. Da, aa face el, cumpr toate mrfurile care i se ofer. Avea mare grij de tenul ei cnd era tnr. Astrologul venea s ne viziteze numai cnd simea c e calm. Mnca o mulime de dulciuri cnd era copil. i ocolea pe burlacii nrii cnd locuia la noi n ora.
116. Ori de cte ori l ntlnea pe vrjitor, prezictoarea invoca toate spiritele bune ale pmntului. 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 123. Funcionarul i uluia toi profesorii cnd era mic. Petrecea zile ntregi n ser cnd era liber. Cnd era primar, chibzuia totul cu mare seriozitate nainte s ia vreo hotrre. Aa face el, e mereu grijuliu cu doamnele mai n vrst. Nici n-a vrut s se gndeasc la ideea de a fi consecvent cu sine nsui. Nici n-a vrut s aud s ia lecii de la un pictor desvrit. I-am oferit un exemplar vechi, dar n-a vrut s-l ia.
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124. L-am ntrebat dac se pricepe la literatur universal i n-a vrut s recunoasc faptul c n-a studiat-o niciodat. 125. 126. Caporalul n-a vrut s asculte de superiori, dei tia c va fi concediat. Sfatul ei era bun, dar dirijorul n-a vrut s asculte ce zice ea.
127. I s-a spus s cumpere smntn, dar n-a vrut s se duc la pia i a cumprat n cele din urm fric de la o cafenea. 128. I-am spus coarului c prietenul lui a fost obraznic, dar n-a vrut s m cread pe cuvnt. 129. Contabilul n-a vrut s foloseasc valut, fiindc se temea c i se va cere s plteasc prea mult pentru ce voia el s cumpere. 130. 131. 132. 133. 134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142. 143. I-am artat vidra, dar n-a vrut nici mcar s se uite la ea. N-am de unde s tiu de ce e perdeaua rupt; poate c este veche. Nu faci tu asta unui vechi prieten! Nu te duci tu la gar n miez de noapte! Nu m mini tu pe mine, sunt sigur. Ai putea, dac ai vrea. A zis c ar fi fericit dac a vrea s-l ajut. N-am de unde s tiu ce poate aduce aceast nou lege. Nu mergi tu atta drum pentru o pine! Nu-l refuzi tu tocmai pe tatl tu! Dac ai vrea s-mi mprumui covorul tu fermecat, i l-a da napoi. Ar trebui s-i spun c era exact ce merita. Ar trebui s m duc ntr-un loc prsit i s m instalez acolo. Ar trebui s ajui un om nevoia care-i cere o felie de pine de secar.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 144. 145. 146. tu. Castelul lui Ft Frumos ar trebui s fie renovat i deschis pentru vizitatori. Crile de telefon n-ar trebui vndute celor care nu tiu s numere. Ar trebui s te ocupi de chestiuni economice, n loc s rezolvi exerciiile fiului
147. Dac ai fi nelept, ar trebui mai degrab s-i economiseti banii pentru o excursie n strintate, dect s-i cheltui pe fleacuri. 148. Redactorul n-ar trebui s fac corectur cnd are attea alte lucruri de fcut.
149. Un raport minuios asupra problemei ar trebui s se ocupe de incidentele care s-au petrecut asear, dup ce s-au nchis porile grdinii botanice. 150. Ar trebui s vnd legume i fructe proaspete n acest magazin, dac ar vrea s mai vin oamenii i s devin clieni obinuii. 151. Ar fi trebuit ca cele dou bufnie s se logodeasc de mult, dar cameleonul nu a fost de acord cu cstoria lor. 152. Aceast fermectoare barz ar fi trebuit s ias Miss Univers anul trecut, dac nu avea attea rivale. 153. Molima ar fi trebuit sugrumat cu luni de zile n urm, dac ar fi fost destui doctori disponibili. 154. Ar fi trebuit s-i mrturiseti n cele din urm c i-ai furat ceasul fiindc nu tiai niciodat ce or este. 155. Nu trebuia s se duc la un profesor exigent s fie examinat, dac tia c nu este bun la limba olandez. 156. Trebuia s te uii la televizor cnd am intrat, dac i se prea aa de interesant.
157. Ursul trebuia s alerge cnd m-am ntlnit asear cu el, fiindc doctorul i spusese c are nevoie de micare. 158. Nu trebuia s-i opteti la ureche cnd erau oameni de fa, fiindc n-a putut niciodat s in un secret. 159. Liliecii ar fi trebuit s asculte prelegerea asear.
160. Nu trebuia s vorbeasc despre averea lui cnd era acolo poliistul i asculta fiecare vorb care se rostea.
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161. Presupun c ar trebui s aib un bilet n plus, dac fosta lui nevast nu poate veni. 162. Zise c el crede c probabil sunt foarte risipitor, dac-mi cheltuiesc toi banii pe daruri pentru prieteni. 163. Mi-a explicat c presupune c polonicul e chiar ieftin, dar c nu vrea s-l cumpere ct vreme nu are destui bani. 164. 165. 166. 167. 168. 169. 170. 171. 172. 173. 174. 175. Vulturul ar fi trebuit s-i cumpere cas n munii Himalaia. Am rspuns c eu cred c melcul ar trebui antrenat pentru jocurile olimpice. Li se spuse celor doi prini c trebuie s pun capt vrajbei. I-am explicat de ce trebuie s-l intereseze n primul rnd proza. A replicat c trebuie s aib grij de silueta ei. I-am spus c nu trebuie s se hotrasc pe loc. Nu tiam c trebuie s pltesc amend dac-mi parchez maina aici. Vino neaprat s-mi faci o vizit cnd ai s fii n Belgia! Nu se poate s nu rmi la mas! Neaprat s-mi ari crile de Tarot despre care a scris T.S. Eliot! Trebuie s te ajute ciocnitoarea s-i faci temele, sunt mult prea grele. Neaprat s-mi spui de unde ai cumprat nuvela!
176. Precis c nota aceea de plat este falsificat, dac o folosete poliia ca dovad mpotriva lui. 177. E precis la birou i completeaz formulare, cum face zilnic.
178. Trebuie s i se spun greierelui chiar azi c nu li se va face niciodat cunotin n mod oficial. 179. 180. E precis foarte curajos, dac a salvat o tnr din ghearele balaurului. Ce vezi acolo trebuie c e un spiridu i n-o s-i fac niciun ru, dac-l lai n
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. pace. 181. Trebuie c obolanul vorbete despre coala pe care tocmai a absolvit-o.
182. Precis caut argumente n sprijinul teoriei lui i sunt sigur c le va gsi, dac nu va fi deranjat de albina aceea. 183. Precis ncearc s stea de vorb cu redactorul ef, dac ateapt de atta vreme n faa biroului lui. 184. 185. Precis cnt la muzicu, dac copiii au nceput deja s danseze n jurul lui. Nu-l vd pe aici, trebuie c joac baschet pe undeva.
186. Dac a refuzat s vorbeasc cu tine, precis caut pe cineva mai omenos, care va fi dispus s-i adposteasc cei nousprezece cini i o pisic. 187. Dac l-a auzit pe critic zicnd c nu i se poate acorda niciodat Premiul Nobel pentru Literatur, precis c turbeaz de mnie. 188. Precis c se gndete s scrie un roman, dac i-ai spus c nuvelele lui recente sunt proaste. 189. 190. 191. Nu e acas; precis colind strzile n cutarea strbunicii lui. Precis minte, dac i-a spus c are oreion. Se vede c i s-a spus c va fi trimis la Varovia.
192. Se vede c a fost ludat pentru ingeniozitate, altfel n-ar sta de vorb cu socrii lui despre toate aparatele electrocasnice pe care le-a descoperit pn n prezent. 193. Se vede c elveianul l-a clcat pe degetele de la picior; nu va putea merge pe jos, va trebui s fie dus n brae acas. 194. 195. Trebuie c cicatricea aceea a fost o ran grav mai demult. Se vede c bursucul a fost dus la spital cu salvarea.
196. Se vede c judectorul l-a declarat vinovat, iar el a fugit din tribunal, spernd s scape nepedepsit. 197. Se vede c a fost istovitor s citeasc o carte n limba finlandez, aa c nu cred c ar fi dispus polonezul s-o ia de la nceput.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 198. Trebuie c s-a furat banca de la intrarea n parc, fiindc n-o mai vd unde era de obicei. 199. fel. 200. Se vede c a mncat linte i acum ncearc s ne conving s facem i noi la
Se vede c leprosul a fost izgonit din sat.
201. Se vede c-i numra banii cnd am intrat i i-am spus c ar fi foarte generos din partea lui s mi-i mprumute mie. 202. Se vede c spaniolul studia la bibliotec atunci cnd l cutai.
203. Cnd ne-am ntlnit, se vede c danezul ncerca s-i gseasc permisul de conducere, pe care l-a pierdut acum mai multe sptmni. 204. Dac regina s-a ridicat i a plecat brusc, bag mna-n foc c suedezul i recita Kipling. 205. Trebuie c ai vorbit cu un portughez, dac i-a spus c, n Portugalia, luna strlucete ziua-n amiaza mare. 206. Se vede c turcul ducea un trai mbelugat cnd v-ai mprietenit, altfel n-ar fi putut s-i dea n dar un inel de aur. 207. Arabul mnca, se vede, o pricomigdal, fiindc prjitura era fcut din nuci i prea gustoas. 208. Se vede c fierul de clcat era stricat, iar laponul fcea tot ce putea s repare ce se stricase. 209. Se vede c directorul citea o revist cnd a btut ceasul ora dousprezece, fiindc a uitat s-i comande prnzul. 210. Se vede c le scria prinilor lui despre Laponia cnd ai intrat n odaie i el nu te-a auzit. 211. 212. 213. Copiii nu trebuie s vorbeasc cu primarul cnd e ocupat. Nu trebuie s iei niciun medicament fr sfatul doctorului. Nu trebuie s vorbeti despre propriile amintiri cnd oamenii-s plictisii.
214. Nu trebuie s nmuleti ase cu apte, dac nu te atepi ca rezultatul s fie patruzeci i doi.
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215.
Un orator bun nu trebuie s se blbie.
216. Ungurul va trebui s-i certe naul c a venit acas dup miezul nopii, cu toate c de fapt lui nici nu-i pas. 217. M-am gndit c o s-l linitesc dac am s-i dau de tire c nu va trebui s predea statuia mai devreme dect se ateptase. 218. Dac mi-ai impune regulile tale, presupun c ar trebui s le respect.
219. De dou ore sunt silit s ascult povetile lui interminabile, dar n-am de gnd s mai tolerez acest lucru. 220. Olandezul a declarat c a trebuit s vorbeasc cu nevasta lui despre schimbarea slujbei, fiindc ntrziase de prea multe ori. 221. 222. 223. Urmeaz ca neamul s se ntoarc n curnd n ara lui. Manualul urmeaz s ias de sub tipar ct de curnd posibil. Cehul urmeaz s apar ntr-o clip n faa publicului.
224. Acest rol urmeaz s fie jucat de un actor vestit, pe care -l cunoate toat lumea. 225. E interzis s stai de vorb n limba arab cu vreunul dintre bieii care au spart fereastra aceea. 226. 227. 228. Urma s plteasc drumul spre India pentru el i nevasta lui. Spectacolul urma s aib loc n ziua cnd se deschidea teatrul. Urma s cumpere benzin nainte s plece la munte.
229. Expresia urma s fie explicat n clas, dar profesorul pare s fi uitat cu totul de ea. 230. 231. 232. 233. Doctorul urma s vin la apte, dar se vede c a uitat. Profesorul de istorie urma s fi vorbit despre cium, dac nu s-ar fi rzgndit. Urmau s se fi ntlnit pe peron, dac n-ar fi fost aa de aglomerat. Politica acelei ri urma s se fi schimbat nainte de sfritul lui mai, anul
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. trecut. 234. Sunt convins c urma s te fi culcat devreme, dac nu te-ar fi mpiedicat finlandezul. 235. nchisoarea aceea urma s fi fost bombardat acum trei zile.
236. De-ar fi ca irlandezul s se declare chinez, ar trebui s cunoasc limba chinez. 237. De-ar fi ca franuzoaicele s mnnce-n fiecare sear sparanghel, n-ar mai avea nevoie s gteasc. 238. De-ar fi s se schimbe regulile acestei coli, majoritatea elevilor ar pleca n Islanda. 239. 240. 241. 242. 243. De-ar fi s-i aduc srbul un dar, cu siguran c ea ar uita s-i mulumeasc. De-ar fi s-i fure hamalul bagajele, poliistul l-ar gsi imediat. Ziarul poate merge la tipar aa cum e acum. Poi ncerca s nu-l deranjezi cnd doarme? Nimeni nu se poate purta ca o doamn la fel de bine ca ea.
244. Directorul de coal pur i simplu nu poate nelege de ce nu vine nimeni la cursuri duminica. 245. 246. 247. 248. Pot s ncerc s-i citesc eseul, dar nu sunt sigur c o s-mi plac. Aceasta este o mas veche, pe care n-o poate nimeni ridica. Poi s-mi spui pe litere numele suedezului? Nu pot face un avion dintr-o hrtie mototolit.
249. Portughezul nu tia s noate, aa c, atunci cnd s-a scufundat vasul, s-a necat. 250. 251. 252. Dac ai ti s aduni doi i cu douzeci, n-ai mai fi fost nelat de chelner. Nu ai dreptul s intri; cldirea aceasta este proprietate privat. Strinii nu au dreptul s intre n aceast zon fr permis special.
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253. 254. 255. 256.
Cei care nu-s membri ai clubului n-au dreptul s intre. Nu ai dreptul s vinzi ce nu-i aparine. Nu are dreptul s-i spun ceea ce au hotrt socrii lui c el nu trebuie s tie. Nu poate fi actor dac nu-i poate nva rolurile pe dinafar.
257. Privelitea de la fereastr nu poate fi frumoas, fiindc odaia aceea d spre o mlatin. 258. Publicitatea nu poate fi bun pentru un ho care nu vrea s fie prins de poliie.
259. Nu-i cu putin s ctige vietnamezul cursa, fiindc e de departe cel mai slab dintre concureni. 260. 261. Nu-i cu putin ca aceast oglind s fie nou; este plin de zgrieturi. E cu putin s se joace cnd i-am spus s-i fac mai nti temele?
262. E cu putin s vorbeasc la telefon n vreme ce eu sun la u de jumtate de or ncoace? 263. 264. 265. 266. 267. 268. Nu-i cu putin s cumpere televizorul chiar acum cnd se nchide magazinul. Nu se poate ca fratele ei s vorbeasc chiar acum cu ea. Nu-i cu putin ca chirurgul s-l opereze pe pacient chiar acum. Nu-i cu putin ca polonezul s fi fost dus la Kln fr un motiv ntemeiat. Nu se poate s fi uitat cu totul rudele lui de el. Nu se poate ca japonezii s se fi bucurat s afle c ea i-a rupt un picior.
269. Nu se poate s te fi hotrt s stai peste noapte la Bruxelles atunci cnd toat lumea te atepta n Cipru. 270. 271. Nu se poate s se fi refugiat ntr-o prvlie aglomerat din Belgrad. Nu se poate s fi dormit toat ziua cnd ai fost tu acolo.
272. Nu putea s spun c are nevoie de odihn cnd i-ai spus c vrei s vin cu tine la plimbare.
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273. Nu putea s se apuce iar s citeasc n vreme ce tu-l ateptai s te nsoeasc la dentist. 274. Idila lui cu bufnia nu poate s fi durat mai mult de o lun.
275. Nu-i cu putin s fi fost drmat crciuma aceea, fiindc arabul zice c se duce zilnic acolo. 276. Era imposibil ca modista s fi cusut de cinci zile ncheiate atunci cnd a fost arestat pentru crim. 277. Nu-i cu putin ca cizmarul s fi dormit n patul lui pe cnd sirenele l cutau pe fundul lacului. 278. Nu-i cu putin s fi cntat croitorul la miezul nopii, cnd tia c toi ceilali dorm. 279. Nu pot s cred c zarzavagiul mnca ridichi cnd ai intrat n prvlie.
280. Nu pot s cred c mcelarul se lupta cu taurul cnd l ateptau clienii s le vnd carne de porc i de vac. 281. el. 282. i vei putea afla planul, dac ai s-o ntrebi pe nevasta lui ce haine i-a luat cu
Omul de tiin a spus c tie s numere de foarte mult vreme.
283. Rusul spuse c va putea s se mpace cu dumanul lui, dac acesta va spune tuturor c rusul i-a salvat viaa. 284. 285. Te vei putea stabili la Alger dup ce vei nva araba? Niciodat n-am fost n stare s in minte fraze lungi.
286. Zise c ceretorul e o persoan foarte ocupat, dar poate ncerca s vorbeasc cu el. 287. 288. Zise c-mi poate da vin, dac mi-e sete. Credeam c poi cumpra buturi spirtoase oriunde n Noua Zeeland.
289. Olandezul i nchipuia c poate schimba starea de spirit a surorii lui vitrege spunndu-i glume.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 290. Am sperat c pot merge pe jos pn la gar, dar m-am oprit la o staie de autobuz. 291. 292. 293. 294. 295. 296. 297. 298. Dac ai vrea s vii cu mine la Varovia, m-a simi mult mai n siguran. Ai putea citi ziarul acum, dac ai avea abonament. Ar putea lucra ca profesor suplinitor azi, dac i-ar fi terminat facultatea. Nu i-a putea tolera purtarea nepoliticoas, dac n-ai fi tu la mijloc. Ai putea s scrii un rezumat, dac nu ai vreme s rescrii tot textul. N-a putea sprijini un om care a fcut o crim i nici ea n-ar putea. Te-ai putea plimba n Copenhaga acum, dac ai fi venit ieri cu avionul. Incidentul care l-a indispus ar putea fi de maxim importan.
299. Ai putea s te duci cu metroul, dac te-ai grbi, dar, dac a fi n locul tu, a lua un taxi. 300. L-ar putea ajuta un meditator, dac nu nelege deloc fizica.
301. Aceast chestiune fundamental ar fi putut s fie trecut cu vederea, dac n-o menionai. 302. Ar fi putut s se aeze pe un scaun gol, dar a preferat s stea n picioare.
303. Era vestit pentru vitejia lui i ar fi putut s-o elibereze pe prines din castelul vrjitoarei, dac ar fi fost implorat. 304. Traducerea ta ar fi putut s fie corect, dac-i ddeai osteneala s caui cuvintele necunoscute. 305. Ar fi putut pleca, dar a rmas acolo i i-a ascultat discursul pn la sfrit.
306. Cnd ei i s-au umplut ochii de lacrimi, el ar fi putut s-o consoleze, dar n-a fcut-o. 307. Instalatorul ar fi putut s rd n vreme ce ei i iroiau lacrimile pe obraji, fiindc o prevenise c o s sfreasc ru, dar n-a fcut-o. 308. Puteau s se holbeze orict, tot n-ar fi putut s observe ce se petrece nuntrul casei.
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309. 310.
Ar fi putut s-i fac doar cu ochiul i ea l urma oriunde. Puteai s te uii pe gaura cheii, dac erai aa de curios.
311. Cnd o s te ntrebe dac are voie s intre, uit-te mai departe int-n ochii lui i nu spune nimic. 312. 313. 314. 315. Am voie s ridic din sprncene cnd pun o ntrebare? Vrea s tie dac are voie s te lege la ochi ct atepi. Pot s te ajut cu ceva? mi permii s te ajut?
316. Poate c o s pun ochelari cailor cnd o s se duc mine la trg, dar m ndoiesc c o va face. 317. O fi i ho, eu habar n-am.
318. Mine, cnd o s te vad, poate c o s i se uite drept n ochi, dar nu trebuie s te sperii. 319. 320. Poate tu te miri de purtarea lui, eu, ns, cunosc motivul tristeii lui. Poate c e adevrat: poate c-l minte pe oferul de taxi, dar ce pot eu s fac?
321. Se poate s fac ochii mari cnd te va vedea, dar nu te sinchisi: ntotdeauna se preface c nu tie nimic. 322. 323. 324. Poate c ambasadorul se plimb prin grdin; habar n-am unde e. Poate c spune adevrul; mai bine ai asculta ce are de spus. Poate c vorbete cu un client; n-o deranja nainte s termine.
325. Poate c alearg n jurul cldirii, aa c, dac atepi aici, poi s-l vezi din clip n clip. 326. Poate c arheologii sap ca s gseasc comoara, ntruct nu tiu c nu e nimic de gsit. 327. Poate c tnrul de optsprezece ani citete un eseu; mai bine ai atepta i i-ai da compasul dup ce l va termina.
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328. Poate c oferul de autobuz merge la garaj; mai bine am cobor i am merge pe jos pn la Podul Londrei. 329. Poate c arhitectul face adunri i scderi; n-ar trebui ntrerupt.
330. Poate c bijutierul se tocmete la preul perlelor i, n cazul acesta, o s-i ia mult vreme s-i vnd colierul. 331. Poate c actria i-a lsat ochii-n jos cnd te-ai holbat la ea, dar asta nu nseamn c i e ctui de puin ruine de ce a fcut. 332. Poate c te-a privit drept n ochi, mai ales dac se atepta s lai ochii-n pmnt i s-i ceri iertare. 333. Poate c te-a cercetat cu coada ochiului, fiindc e prea timid s se uite int la cineva. 334. Poate c i-a fcut vrabiei cu ochiul; vrabia e foarte drgu i poate c a vrut s-o invite la o petrecere disear. 335. Poate c ariciul i-a ters ochii cnd i-ai promis c n-o s-l mai bai, dar se va teme ntotdeauna de tine de acum nainte. 336. Poate c bibliotecarul a citit toate crile din bibliotec, ns n-a fost niciodat vzut citind de cnd a venit la Haga. 337. 338. Poate c i-o fi aintit ochii asupra gulerului tu, dac era murdar. Poate c-i umbrea ochii cu palma pe cnd te atepta, fiindc btea soarele.
339. Poate c i-a acoperit ochii cu palmele ca s nu vad cum dai cu piciorul n pisic. 340. Poate c dulgherul a cscat atunci cnd s-a terminat discursul, fiindc fusese foarte lung i l istovise. 341. Poate c-i trgea sufletul cnd v-ai ntlnit, fiindc alerga de o or dup oprla ei. 342. Poate c-i inea rsuflarea pe cnd asculta discuia voastr din odaia alturat, ca nu cumva s descoperi c e acolo i s-l dai afar. 343. Poate c, ntr-adevr, chirurgul cnta n vreme ce-l opera pe balaur.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 344. Poate c-i fremtau buzele de emoie cnd a auzit c va avea voie s mearg cu balena la pescuit. 345. Poate c brutarul fcea o prjitur atunci cnd ai sunat tu i nu i-a putut deschide ua. 346. Poate c broasca estoas era bosumflat ieri, fiindc se dusese fratele ei la cinema i refuzase s-o ia i pe ea. 347. Poate c mcelarul rnjea pe cnd omul i tia porcul, fiindc se gndea la preul bun pe care-l va obine de la clienii lui. 348. Poate c raa plngea cu sughiuri cnd ai gsit-o singur n cas, fiindc nu fusese niciodat lsat singur i se temea de ntuneric. 349. Poate c sughia pe cnd vorbeai cu el, dar nu trebuia s te superi aa de tare, fiindc nu era vina lui. 350. Poate c steaua de mare n vrst de apte ani sufla greu pentru c urcase pe scri n ziua cnd fusese liftul defect. 351. Poate c-mi voi fi terminat lucrarea pn vii tu s m ajui.
352. Poate c-mi voi fi cumprat i eu o caracati nainte s te hotrti s mi-o dai tu pe a ta. 353. Poate c melcul fr cas s-a grbit s ajung la teatru, dar i-au trebuit cinci ore i, cnd chiar a ajuns, plecaser deja toi actorii. 354. 355. 356. 357. 358. 359. 360. 361. Poate c iapa va fi absolvit pn vei trece tu examenul de intrare. Poate c hoii vor fi plecat din cas pn ce va chema rechinul poliia. A zis c pot s merg cu el, dac mai vreau. M-am gndit c s-ar putea s plou, aa c mi-am luat umbrela. I-am explicat c se poate duce la ru, dar n-are voie s noate n el. S-au gndit c poate ninge n Laponia i au venit cu o sanie. I-am spus c n-are nimeni voie s intre-n camera mea cnd dorm. S-ar putea s tueasc, dac a rcit.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 362. 363. 364. S-ar putea s-i trimit o zebr, dar nu sunt sigur c o va face. S-ar putea ca oarecele cu coad roie s-i scoat limba, dac-l mai ceri. S-ar putea ca fluturele s-i mute limba, dac vorbete cnd mnnc.
365. S-ar putea ca pianjenul s fac ce l-ai rugat, dar e posibil s ajungi s-i par ru c l-ai rugat. 366. 367. 368. 369. 370. 371. Dac te duci la mare pentru o lun, mi-ai putea cumpra o perl. L-ai putea ajuta s-i duc geanta, dac-l vezi gfind. Ai putea s-o lai n pace, dac vezi c vorbete-n oapt cu altcineva. Ai putea s-i dai un os cinelui, dac se linge pe bot cnd mnnci. Ai putea s ncetezi cu fluieratul, dac i dai seama c o irit. Puteai s-i mprumui nite bani, dac chiar tiai c e srac.
372. Puteai s cumperi o pine pentru girafa aceea care nu se poate duce la brutrie. 373. Puteai s-i spui adevrul cnd ai vzut c e ct pe ce s pedepseasc un arpe care nu-i vinovat. 374. Puteai s alegi o main mai bun; aceasta nu face doi bani.
375. Putea s-l nsoeasc pe strin pn la staia de autobuz, ca nu cumva s se rtceasc. 376. E nevoie s vin azi la bibliotec ori poate atepta pn mine?
377. Nu cred c e nevoie s cumpere pantalonii aceia scumpi; mai bine ar cumpra un dicionar n locul lor. 378. 379. 380. 381. Mi-a spus c nu-i nevoie s m duc la mare dac nu vreau. Nu era nevoie s vin aa de curnd; puteam atepta. Nu era nevoie s cumpere ea plria; avea el de gnd s i-o cumpere. Precis c morsa citete.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 382. 383. 384. 385. Probabil c mielul citete, ori cel puin aa cred. Nu e exclus ca crabul s citeasc. Poate c citete, habar n-am. S-ar putea s citeasc, cine tie?
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23. Verbe modale folosite pentru a traduce Trebuia
1. Nu trebuia s-o faci s se nroeasc spunndu-i c tii adevrul, fiindc oricum avea de gnd s i-l mrturiseasc. 2. Nu trebuia s vii atta drum numai ca s-i aduci o revist pe care a citit-o deja. 3. Nu trebuia s-i dai atta osteneal; gsea poliia houl mai devreme ori mai trziu. 4. Nu trebuia s munceasc att; nu i-a cerut nimeni s aduc lucrarea mai curnd dect i se spusese la nceput. 5. 6. Nu trebuiau s alerge pn aici; puteam s atept orict de mult. Nu trebuia s facem attea prjituri; cioara prefer igrile dulciurilor.
7. Nu trebuiau s cumpere flori; grdina noastr are o mulime de trandafiri care puteau fi tiai pentru a srbtori evenimentul. 8. 9. Nu trebuia s-i ascund adevrul; l tia deja i nu-i psa ce s-a ntmplat. Nu trebuia s curee singur apartamentul; puteam s-o ajut cnd m ntorc.
10. Nu trebuia s-i dai n vileag taina; nu-i psa nimnui c judectorul a fost criminal n adolescen. 11. 12. 13. Trebuia s nelegi c e mbujorat fiindc te vede. Trebuia s-i ascund faa n fusta mamei i-l ierta. Trebuia s-mi spui c alearg broasca rioas dup tine de o or.
14. Trebuiau s cear scuze iepurelui de cmp atunci cnd au auzit ce i s-a ntmplat din cauza neglijenei lor. 15. Viespea trebuia s se nroeasc pn-n vrful urechilor cnd i-a spus c eseul ei a fost cel mai slab dintre toate.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. Gorila trebuia s-l tearg pe copil la nas nainte s intre cu el n odaie. Trebuia s te prefaci c nu l-ai vzut pe pitic cum i sufla nasul. S-l fi auzit pe cangur ipnd! Nu trebuia s-l mngie pe hipopotam n faa judectorului. Jaguarul nu trebuia s se scobeasc n dini n or. Trebuia s-o ieri cnd ai vzut ce ru i pare. Trebuia s-mi arate drumul cnd i-am spus c nu tiu pe unde s-o iau.
23. Trebuia s-i dea mai muli bani narului cnd acesta i-a spus c n-are haine i mncare. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Milionarul trebuia s-l ajute pe ceretor, dar n-a fcut-o. Trebuia s tii c n-o s fac ce voiai tu. Dat fiind c era aa de trziu, trebuiau s se grbeasc. Trebuia s-o ierte pe crti. Trebuia s-mi spui cine eti nainte s ncep s m laud cu strmoii mei.
29. Trebuia s-i spun ct de trziu va veni, dac chiar voia ca ea s nu se necjeasc. 30. Trebuia s-mi explici mai curnd ce vrei, n loc s m faci s-mi pierd vremea.
31. Nu trebuia s-l indispui pe gnsac, fiindc i s-a urcat sngele la cap i a nceput s njure. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. Trebuia s-o plmuiasc atunci cnd a aflat despre ce e vorba. Trebuiau s se spele zilnic pe dini, dac detest s mearg la dentist. Nu trebuia s-i scoi dintele acela. Jderul trebuia s termine la vreme de scris raportul. Trebuia s cumpr casa nainte s-o ia gndacul de buctrie.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. Nu trebuia s lai struul singur n cas noaptea. Trebuiau s traverseze rul not nainte s nceap furtuna. Nu trebuia s cumpere attea dulciuri i s le mnnce. Trebuia s aleag inelul cu diamant; era mult mai frumos. Zise c trebuie s-l duc ntr-o odaie cald, fiindc i clnneau dinii. Vrjitoarea din Oz mi-a spus c nu trebuie s blestem pe nimeni. Zise c trebuie s am grij de urs, fiindc i curge snge din nas.
44. mi zise c nu trebuie s m fac c nu vd atunci cnd m ntlnesc cu un mgar. 45. 46. I-am zis curcanului c nu trebuie s vorbeasc pe nas. Broasca zise c nu trebuie s-o mngi sub brbie, dac nu vreau s-o enervez.
47. I-am spus nevstuicii c trebuie s clatine din cap ori de cte ori nu e de acord cu ceva. 48. Mi-a explicat c trebuie s dau din cap c da de fiecare dat cnd sunt de acord cu ce spune. 49. 50. I-am spus c nu trebuie s se scarpine n cap n faa clasei. I-am spus c nu trebuie s-i plece capul, fiindc n-a fcut nimic ru.
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24. Verbe modale folosite pentru a traduce Mai bine
1.
Mai bine i-ar ine soldatul capul sus i ar fi mndru de ce a fcut.
2. Mai bine ar descoperi alchimistul un mod de a preface apa n aur, altfel regele o s-l decapiteze n curnd. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Mai bine l-ai trage de urechi cnd mai face aa data viitoare. Mai bine i-ai ciuli urechile i ai asculta cu atenie. Mai bine ar lua bursucul de-o ureche i l-ar izgoni din odaie. Mai bine nu i-ar opti la ureche cardiologului atunci cnd nu sunt singuri. Mai bine nu s-ar prui cnd se ceart. Mai bine l-ai trage de pr, dac nu se tunde azi.
9. Mai bine i-ai spune episcopului s nu-i mai treac degetele prin pr cnd e nervos. 10. Portarul ar face mai bine s nu se mai ncrunte atunci cnd vrea s aud mai bine. 11. 12. Mai bine ai nota dect s dormi ntr-o zi aa de cald. Cprioarele ar face mai bine s alerge, dac vor s le fie cald.
13. Diplomatul ar face mai bine s se uite la televizor, dac a terminat de citit presa. 14. 15. Mai bine ai pleca, dac vrei s ajungi acolo la vreme. Buctarul ef ar face bine s scrie acum eseul, dac vrea s ia examenul.
16. Casierul ar face mai bine s munceasc n acest moment, altfel nu va termina la vreme. 17. Atletul ar face bine s exerseze la pian, fiindc a mai rmas puin vreme
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. pn la ziua cnd va avea loc concertul. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. Mai bine ar dormi, e mult prea obosit s fac altceva. Mai bine ai studia olandeza, dect s pescuieti n lac. Mai bine ar pleca, altfel o s ntrzie la spectacol. Era mai bine dac redactorul alegea s se fac acrobat. Harpistul fcea mai bine dac-i cumpra o tob.
23. Egiptologul consider c mai bine nu te-ai arunca de gtul lui la ora patru dimineaa. 24. El consider c ar fi mai bine dac soprana nu i-ar drege vocea nainte s stea de vorb cu cineva. 25. Ea crede c mai bine nu l-a apuca pe urs de beregat, fiindc e mai puternic dect mine. 26. 27. 28. Cred c mai bine nu i-ai terge minile pe or. Cred c mai bine n-ai mai aplauda. Ea consider c ar fi bine s nu ssi cnd vorbeti.
29. Zarzavagiul se gndete c mai bine nu-i ddeai o trompet fiului lui de cinci ani i jumtate. 30. Guvernatorul se gndete c mai bine n-ai cnta la chitar n timpul discursului lui. 31. Bcanul i spune c mai bine l-ar fi luat barza de bra cnd se plimbaser mpreun. 32. 33. 34. Dac e dup mine, mai bine nu-i fceai semn s plece. Dac e dup mine, mai bine nu-i fceai semn bcanului s se dea deoparte. Dac e dup mine, mai bine nu te gsea plimbndu-te cu minile la spate.
35. Preotul se gndete c mai bine nu era gsit cu minile mpreunate n rugciune.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 36. 37. 38. 39. Dac e dup mine, mai bine nu-i fceai minile plnie la gur i nu urlai. Chitaristul i spune c mai bine nu era niciodat trimis n Congo. Sora medical se gndete c mai bine nu-i fceai semn s se dea la o parte. Doica crede c era mai bine s nu-l arate copilul pe pitic cu degetul.
40. Dup prerea polonezului, mai bine nu-l artam noi cu degetul cnd am fost ntrebai cine a furat inelul. 41. Mai bine ar nva irlandezul s cnte la flaut.
42. Mai bine n-ar pocni spaniolul din degete, dnd ordine fostei lui neveste n acest moment. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. Pisica fcea mai bine dac zgria obolanul care a furat brnza. Mai bine te plimbai la ora cinci, cum ai zis c o s faci. Mai bine nu i-ai face griji n legtur cu avansarea lui. Mai bine nu cura camera; o fac eu mine. Mai bine nu te-ntorceai aa devreme. Mai bine nu studiai cnd am venit; era mult prea trziu.
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25. Traducerea timpurilor romneti n limba englez
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
Laponul m bate adesea pe umr. Turcul citete i nu poate s vin chiar acum. l cunoti de mult pe elveian? l atepi de mult pe suedez? Spaniolul a zis c o s vin dup ce o s termine. Arabul a zis c citete de mult. Rusul a zis c tie. Portughezul a zis c citete. Polonezul vine mine. Norvegianul a zis c o s vin cnd o s aib chef. Te duci i te culci. Aa fac copiii. E ciudat c japonezul pleac azi. Irlandezul se atepta s tii. Ungurul simea c nu-i adevrat. Olandeza mi strngea mna cu putere. Grecul venea adesea s ne vad mai demult. Neamul se ducea acolo destul de des. Hai s ne jucm. Tu erai tata i eu eram mama.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. Franuzoaica nu tia ce am de gnd s fac. Finlandezul zise c citete de ore ntregi. Ploua. Ploua de zile ntregi. Dac egipteanul era srac, nu avea bani. Dac voia, danezul i ntindea mna vrului lui de-al doilea. Mcar dac se inea chinezul strns de balustrad. Mai bine sttea albanezul acas. Trebuia s faci cum a zis algerianul. Urma ca argentinianul s vin azi. Voiam s-i cer o favoare. Ai venit ieri? Armeanul a zis c a uitat. Ai citit ultima carte a australianului? Am auzit c tii englezete. Ei, gata, eu am plecat la banc. Austriacul n-a observat-o ani de zile. E ciudat c a plecat belgianul aa de curnd. Se zice c brazilianul ar fi ho. Se zice c bulgroaica lucreaz azi pn noaptea trziu. Canadianul ar veni, dac ar fi rugat. A veni, dar nu pot. Se zice c cehul ar pleca mine. Englezoaica vorbete de parc ar ti tot.
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43. 44. 45. 46.
N-ar trebui s-l priveti pe eston cu coada ochiului. Se zice c etiopianul ar ti ceva despre piramida aceea. Se zice c finalndezul ar fi nfcat tot ce era pe mas. Grecu tia, dar nu mi-ar fi spus, dac n-a fi insistat.
47. Dac indianul ar fi tiut, i-ar fi mngiat obrazul i n niciun caz nu te-ar fi lovit. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. Italianul ar fi venit, dac ar fi vzut c-i freci minile. Mcar dac ar fi venit japonezul de ieri! Nu trebuia s-i mai frngi minile. Se zice c ar fi luat-o de mn pe leton. Libanezul vine adesea s ne vad, dar azi citete i nu cred c va veni.
53. Vine lituanianul mine? A zis c vine, dar cnd l-am auzit, am fost sigur c o s se rzgndeasc. 54. 55. Norvegianul a zis c habar n-are; citete i nu pleac nicieri. E normal c srbul a refuzat s munceasc, dac nu-i pltit ca lumea.
56. Algerianul citete de la ora patru i tocmai a terminat o carte pe care eu n-am vzut-o pn acum. 57. 58. 59. 60. Congolezul a zis c citete astrologie de foarte muli ani. E ciudat c etiopianul nu vrea s plece n Africa. Credeam c libianul tie de mult engleza. Marocanul a zis c scrie i nu vrea s fie deranjat.
61. Plec zilnic de acas la ora apte. De ce pleci aa trziu azi? Azi nu lucrez. 62. Nu tiam c nigerianul o ateapt de o or i c ea n-are de gnd s vin.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 63. E neateptat c-l caui pe somalez dup ce i-a furat cartea de credit.
64. tiai c afganul are permis de conducere de o lun i i conduce singur maina de o sptmn? 65. Nu m ateptam s te necjeasc vorbele mele, dei tiam c nu trebuie s-i spun asta, fiindc nu am dreptate. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. tine. E de necrezut c m rogi s te ajut cnd tii c sunt suprat pe tine. Indonezianul se atepta s tii de cstorie. Iranianul a propus s plecm, fiindc eram prea muli. Dac tiam cine eti, te ddeam afar. Mereu vine coreeanul i-mi pune ntrebri dis-de-diminea. Da, aa face mongolul: cumpr toate ppuile pe care le gsete. Aa fac brbaii. De obicei e un copil bun, dar acum e rutcios fiindc e lume n jur. Cum o vzu, arabul o apuc de mn i dui au fost. N-auzi c pierzi trenul? Sirianul citea cnd l-am sunat. Vietnamezul venea dimineaa i pleca seara. Albanezul citea deseori pn-n zori i nu se putea duce la birou. Veneai, dac tiai? Armeanul citea de dou ore cnd l-am chemat. Leul se juca. Se juca de mult vreme cnd s-a pornit ploaia. N-am fi aa de sraci, dac n-ai cheltui tot ce ctigi. Veneam cu tine, dac tiam ce atepi pe peron atunci cnd m-am ntlnit cu
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 84. De cnd lucra la garaj lituanianul atunci cnd l-ai chemat s vin cu tine la crcium? 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. A tiut cubanezul ce l-ai ntrebat? Mexicanul vedea c a greit, dar nu voia s recunoasc. nottorul nu nelegea ce am de gnd s fac. Ce fceai, dac te acuzau de furt? Supraveghetorul zicea c o s vin, dar era o minciun. Agentul de burs simea c ceva nu e n ordine, dar n-avea idee ce. Stenografa ntreba pe cine ntlnea i nimeni nu-i putea rspunde. Spionul mergea zilnic la pescuit vara. Ce tia proorocul tiam i eu, dar credeam c nu-i de ajuns.
94. Spadasinul vorbea de parc tia engleza de cnd era copil, dei uitase mult de cnd fusese n Anglia. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. 101. 102. 103. 104. 105. Mcar dac venea croitorul mai devreme! Dac pierdea tehnicianul trenul i petrecea o noapte n gar? Mai bine veneai cu noi, nu-i aa? Nu era nevoie s te grbeti, puteam atepta. Trebuia s te grbeti, dac voiai s-l prinzi asupra faptului. Se mplineau n curnd cinci ani de la sosirea lui. Am auzit c tocmai a terminat facultatea. Chelnerul zicea c a uitat. De ce i-ai mucat unghiile? Citesc de ieri romanul lui Joseph Conrad, dar nc nu l-am terminat. N-ai vzut niciodat un urs viu?
138
106. 107. 108. 109. 110. 111.
Ai veni, dac ai gsi bilete? Ai vzut vreo siren? Or fi fiind ele multe, dar eu nu le vd. Dac am pleca cu toii? Mai bine ai veni i tu. De-ar fi s fie adevrat, m-a duce. De-ar ti el, pariez c n-ar veni.
112. Se zice c rzboinicul ar fi scriind o pies, dar eu l tot vd plimbndu-se prin parc. 113. Gimnastul vorbete de parc ar ti tot, iar ea l ascult de parc n-ar crede nicio vorb. 114. 115. 116. 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 123. 124. 125. 126. Mcar dac ai pleca mai curnd! Ce n-a da s reueasc! N-ar trebui s-l contrazici. Se zice c pleac mine la Kln. Mai bine te-ai tunde. Se zice c a terminat de construit coliba. Mcar dac nu-i ghiceai n palm! Urla de parc-l mucase un cine. Ginecologul se luda c a ascuns comoara n grdina ta. O fi tiind el ceva, astfel nu-i spunea. Ziceai c menajera a scris o nuvel anul trecut, nu-i aa? Trebuia s-l nelegi i s-l ajui. S m cread prost sau mi se pare?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 127. 128. 129. 130. 131. 132. 133. 134. 135. S rd sau s plng? Habar n-am. S plec ori pot rmne? M-a ntrebat ce s-mi dea. S fac el una ca asta! S-l fi auzit cum ipa! Orice-ai zice, nu vreau s cred. Trebuia s-l nvei minte. S tot fie apte ani de atunci. Se vede c a uitat.
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26. Accusative with Infinitive. Nominative with Infinitive
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
A vrea s-i tai unghiile. I-am ordonat s dea mna cu judectorul. tiu c regele e indulgent. mi nchipui c ddaca studiaz. tiu c a paznicul de noapte a dat cu pumnul n mas. Presupun c sora medical era la spital atunci cnd a plecat trenul. Clugria ateapt ca el s-o cear de nevast. I-am vzut minile tremurnd i l-am auzit dnd cu pumnul n tabl. Am s-o pun s-i fac semn cu cotul cnd intr clugrul. Nu-l lsa pe oftalmolog s te fac s-l ajui s fure foarfeca soacrei lui. I se permite s stea cu braele ncruciate? Se tie c oratorul s-a ntors azi. Se zice c pictorul patineaz, dar m tem c de fapt noat. Se pare c cititorul n palm a colindat strzile cu minile-n olduri. Din ntmplare filantropul se plimba bra la bra cu ea cnd ne-am ntlnit. Filozoful a fost vzut c o mbrieaz, iar ea a fost auzit c plnge. Fotograful a fost fcut s-i suflece mnecile. Se raporteaz c pilotul ducea dicionarul sub bra. Se pare c i-a dat braul piratului.
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20. 21.
E puin probabil ca poliista s-i fi ntins braele. Se pare c l-a luat de bra pe instalator n cele din urm.
22. Din ntmplare se sprijinea de braul politicianului atunci cnd a aprut nevasta lui. 23. A ieit la iveal c hamalul i fcea loc cu coatele afar din odaie atunci cnd l-a nfcat un poliist. 24. Din ntmplare potaul se sprijinea n coate pe mas atunci cnd a nvlit ea n odaie. 25. 26. 27. E posibil s-o fi rugat pn a zis da. S-a dovedit c sttea culcat pe spate cnd a sunat telefonul. Se pare c a plmuit-o pe harpist, ceea ce a nfuriat-o.
28. Se zice c s-a ridicat n capul oaselor cnd a auzit c o s intre un hipopotam n odaia lui. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. Preotul a fost vzut cum fur batista unei btrne. Se tie c prinesa a mblnzit o cprioar. Se zicea c un fugar a dat foc hambarului. Se pare c primului-ministru i s-a terminat zahrul. Din ntmplare judectorul a fost instalator n tineree. S-a dovedit c houl a spus adevrul. tim cu toii c a fost campion mondial. Ne ateptam ca psihiatrul s fi sosit asear. mi nchipuiam c ai cumprat demult casa aceea. N-a vrea ca psihanalistul s fi plecat singur de acas. N-am s permit nimnui s m bat.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. i ordon s pleci chiar acum. Cred c radiologul s-a nsurat de mult. mi nchipuiam c tii mai bine ungurete. tiam c arbitrul nc n-a plecat. N-am s tolerez s ipi la noi. Nu-l lsa pe reporter s te fac s m vezi c citesc. L-am auzit pe cercettor c alearg i l-am vzut c-i arunc apca. Ajut-m s ridic masa. Credeam c revoluionarul citete de mult, dar abia ncepuse. Atept s pleci. Se zice c s-a ntors alergtorul din strintate. Se tie c neleptul a cumprat o main. Marinarul a fost vzut cum culege ghiocei. Sergentul fusese auzit c sparge pahare. Omul de tiin fost fcut s plece pe dat. I s-a ordonat fizicianului s uite tot ce a vzut. Se credea c doctorul a cumprat un papagal. Din ntmplare sculptorul nc n-a sosit. Ai cumva vreo carte s-mi mprumui? E puin probabil ca secretara s fi citit n timp ce i vorbeai. Senatorul pare s nu fi mplinit nc patruzeci de ani. Cu cine se zice c seamn ciobanul? Cnd se crede c s-a ntors cntreaa?
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63. 64. 65.
De ce se zice c actorul e ho? Cui ai ordonat s cumpere ceasul? Cine e mai des vzut c citete?
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27. Substantivul
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
Pantalonul lui e pe pat i e foarte murdar. Salopeta lui zcea pe podea i era veche. Compasul lui e rou i e fcut din fier, pe cnd busola ta e verde. Unde e cletele i de ce nu l-ai adus? Adu-mi trei foarfece i pune-le acolo. Informaiile lui erau interesante. L-am ntrebat dac banii mei sunt buni. L-am ntrebat dac mobilele lui sunt scumpe. M-a ntrebat ce cunotine de greac am. D-mi un sfat! Am trei veti pentru tine. Cte feluri de unt cunoti? Oreionul e o boal i pojarul e o boal, dar popicele sunt un joc. Echipajul lucreaz de la ora patru. Din ci membri const echipa ta? l caut poliia de un an. Bogaii nu sunt aa de muncitori ca sracii. Ci peti ai? Cte feluri de pete ai cumprat?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. Am trei crapi, un pstrv, dou cprioare i o oaie cu pduchi. Am cumprat dou specii de plante, fiindc o specie n-ar fi fost de ajuns. Familia lui locuiete aici de douzeci de ani. Pojarul e o boal primejdioas, dar oreionul e i mai ru. Pantalonul lui e mult mai vechi dect al tu. Cumpram cinci compasuri, dac tiam c le vrei. O busol nu e la fel de bun ca un compas, dar e mai bun dect nimic. A zis c ortul lui nu e destul de lung i n-o s-l poarte.
28. Dup ce va termina de examinat specia aceea de insecte, am s-i mai aduc dou specii de la muzeu. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. Dac vedeam seria aceea de filme, n-a fi uitat-o. Cunotinele lui de japonez sunt destul de bune, dar ale tale sunt cam slabe. M-a ntrebat unde sunt bagajele mele. Dac arunca zarurile, ctiga o foarfec. Dac ai s te trti pe podea cutnd doi cleti, ai s gseti doar oareci. M-a ntrebat cnd mi-am vndut boii.
35. Dac cunotinele lui de finlandez sunt destul de bune, le va putea folosi cnd se va duce acolo. 36. oile. 37. 38. 39. 40. tiam c ai s-l ceri atunci cnd ai s descoperi c i-a mpucat cprioarele i
Nu cumpra compasul, dac nu-i spuneai c e mai bun dect o busol. Cte specii de animale sunt pe lume? i-am spus c n-ai s poi folosi cletele, fiindc e stricat. Zise c i s-a artat un mijloc de a face bani.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. lui. 49. Ar fi vrut s cumperi un pantalon, dac aveai bani. A fost vzut folosind cinci foarfece i apoi ascunzndu-le n geant. Dac e posibil ca informaiile tale s fie corecte, le va folosi. Bagajele lor erau att de grele, nct nu le putu duce niciun hamal. Apele Tamisei erau foarte murdare dup furtuna aceea. Oreionul e o boal grav i mai frecvent dect rahitismul. Familia mea e de un an n ora. Zise c o s picteze cinci oi sau cinci cprioare, dar sunt numai crapi pe pnza
Nicio veste nseamn veti bune.
50. Dac-i ascundeai foarfeca sub covor, n-ar mai fi trebuit s-o mprumui nimnui. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. Cletele pe care-l cumprase cu o zi nainte era unde l lsase. M-a ntrebat dac turca e limba mea matern. inea mori s afle unde e familia mea n acel moment. tiam c poliia caut un sprgtor, dar nu mi-a fi nchipuit c tu eti acela. Un sfat e ntotdeauna binevenit. Familia mea cumpr de zece ani pine de la brutrie. A spus c salopeta lui e prea murdar i n-o poate purta. Am auzit c bagajele lui sunt la vam, aa c informaiile tale sunt corecte. Unde e cletele? L-am cutat prin toat casa i nu l-am putut gsi. Sfaturile lui erau de mult uitate, dei tiam cu toii c ne sunt folositoare.
61. Cunotinele lui de spaniol erau excelente i a spus c le va folosi ct de curnd posibil.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. A insistat s-i aduc cteva feluri de brnz, ca s-i aleag. De cnd lucreaz echipajul pe punte? i-am spus c temele lui sunt pline de greeli, dar n-ai vrut s m crezi. Ai vzut vreodat pstrvi? Eu am vzut un pstrv anul trecut. Cincizeci de ani e vreme lung. Doi ori doisprezece fac douzeci i patru. Personalul era dispus s munceasc. Clerul nu e ntotdeauna mbrcat n negru.
70. Ale cui haine le purtai cnd ne-am ntlnit i ai zis c o s te schimbi de ndat ce ai s ajungi acas? 71. Ochelarii lui de soare erau franuzeti i-i purta doar cnd era la mare.
72. Sttea acolo n picioare de ore ntregi, vorbind despre pduchi, oareci i tot felul de lucruri dezgusttoare. 73. Croitorul se ntreba ce s-a ntmplat cu pantalonul pe care l-a cusut i m-a rugat, dac vreau, s m duc s-l aduc de pe unde o fi, dar i-am spus c n-am vzut dect un ort n camera de alturi. 74. Instalatorul a dat peste salopeta ta, a scos-o din cutia aceea i a mbrcat-o, dar nu era mrimea lui. 75. Pe cnd curam debaraua am dat peste dou compasuri; cel mai mic era verde i mi-am adus aminte c l-am cumprat cnd am fost prima oar la coal. 76. Frizerului i s-au luat toate uneltele n afar de clete, cntar i o foarfec.
77. Poliia l asculta pe martor, dar nimeni nu-i putea da seama unde vrea s ajung. 78. inutul era bntuit de secet i arta de parc se fcuse scrum.
79. Fierarul era aa de distrat c a uitat s-i ncuie atelierul i i-au fost furate foalele de ctre ceretorul satului, care tia c acestea fuseser cumprate nu demult de la trg, mpreun cu un cntar.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 80. Oamenilor n vrst li s-au dat cte dou binocluri fiecruia.
81. n clipa cnd i-a gsit penseta unde a lsat-o, i-a uitat pe dat mhnirea i a fost iar bine dispus. 82. Am avut o experien neplcut deunzi, cnd am ncercat s cumpr un cntar; cntarul meu e stricat i a fi vrut ca vnztorul s-mi dea altul, dar el mi-a spus c e foarte bun cntarul meu i n-am niciun drept s vreau mai mult. 83. Bretelele lui erau colorate rou cu verde i i-am spus s le vopseasc, fiindc nu se face ca un gunoier s poarte aceleai bretele ca i superiorii lui. 84. Dansatorul a gsit un pantalon zcnd n faa unei pisici care, vznd omul, a zbughit-o pe o fundtur. 85. S-au dus la arhiv, care nu era prea departe, ziua n amiaza mare i au gsit-o ntr-o asemenea dezordine c s-au rtcit i au ieit la miezul nopii plini de praf. 86. Cuprinsul noii lui cri despre Laponia e variat: de la sentimente la punctele cardinale. 87. Era un individ la, aa c i-am spus c vama e un loc fioros, unde o s-l dezbrace n pielea goal i o s-i taie degetele de la picioare, dac o s mint, aa c mai bine ne d nou comoara lui i o s i-o pstrm noi. 88. Burlacul nrit se uit la zaul cafelei, suspin adnc, mi-l art i se plnse c-i prezice o cstorie pripit. 89. Periferia oraului era atent supravegheat, dar melcul a reuit s plece.
90. A murit prematur, alunecnd pe scri, dup ce menajera le frecase cu spun i cear; nevasta lui repet mereu de atunci c o scar e o ameninare direct a tuturor vieilor omeneti i de aceea locuiete ea la parter.
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28. Adjectivul
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
Fratele meu mai mare e mai mare ca mine. E mult mai simplu s pleci acum. E mult mai complicat s citeti tot. E la fel de greu s scrii ori s citeti. E mai puin interesant s vii cu mine. Romanul tu nu e la fel de scump ca al meu. Eti din ce n ce mai gras. E din ce n ce mai nalt. Cu ct o citeti mai mult, cu att vei ti poezia mai bine. Drumul acesta e mult mai lung dect cellalt. Cel mai lung roman este cel de pe raft. Romanul meu e mai slab dect al tu, dar al lui e cel mai slab dintre toate. Am nevoie de informaii suplimentare nainte s plec mai departe. Care e mai mare dintre cei doi frai? Am doi prieteni, Jack i Jim: cel dinti e pilot, cel de-al doilea e ofer. Tocmai mi-a dat ultima lui carte. Ultimul lui cuvnt nu s-a auzit. Urmtorul, v rog. Cu ct nvei mai mult, cu att tii mai mult. Cu ct tii mai mult, cu att uii
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. mai mult. Cu ct uii mai mult, cu att tii mai puin. Cu ct tii mai puin, cu att uii mai puin. Cu ct uii mai puin, cu att tii mai mult. La ce bun s nvei? 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. Cei mai n vrst ca tine tiu mai bine. Fratele meu mai mare e nalt, dar tu eti i mai nalt dect noi. Nu merg mai departe. Cu ct vei fi mai muli, cu att va fi mai interesant. E din ce n ce mai frig aici. Ar fi mult mai ru dac te-ar lsa singur. Casa mea e la fel de mare ca a lui. Ce-l face s cear informaii suplimentare? Cel dinti e elveian, dar cel de-al doilea e olandez. Data viitoare vino mai devreme. Cei vrstnici au de obicei dreptate. Cel mai lung pod nu este i cel mai frumos din lume. Filmul nu e la fel de interesant cum era romanul. Are mai mult orez i mai puin lapte dect el. Ultima lui carte nu-i interesant, dar sunt sigur c va scrie una mai bun. Era din ce n ce mai speriat c eful lui va observa c n-a terminat scrisoarea.
36. Cu ct vom avea mai muli oaspei dup ce o s te ntorci de la Anvers, cu att vei avea mai mult de povestit. 37. 38. 39. 40. Portarul era i mai somnoros dect crezusem c o s fie. Sora lui mai mare a afirmat c cei mai n vrst trebuie respectai. Fratele meu mai mare e cu un an mai mare ca noi. Vru s tie care e cea mai veche bibliotec din ora i i-am rspuns c nu tiu
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. i n-o s afle acest lucru de la mine. 41. 42. 43. 44. A venit trziu acas i a spus c a cumprat ultima carte de John Fowles. A paria pe calul cel dinti, dei al doilea pare mai sntos. L-ai vzut n ultima vreme? M-a ntrebat ct de trziu poate sta la petrecere.
45. Dac a avea mai puin lapte, i-a da i ie un pic, dar am prea mult i m-am hotrt s-l vnd pe tot. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. Csua din pdure avea puin ap, dar i mai puin mncare. A cerut explicaii suplimentare fiindc nu nelesese. Nu voia s mearg mai departe, fiindc se temea c va fi jefuit. Ci bani a zis c o s dea sracilor, dac o s ctige o main? Ci ani zicea c are? Dac erai ultimul, primeai un sfenic.
52. M-a ntrebat pn unde merg i i-am rspuns c merg mai departe dect se ateapt. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. Vru s tie titlul ultimului meu roman despre animale. Cea de-a doua e mai scump, dar merit cumprat. Cu ct se face mai curnd, cu att mai bine. Cu ct ncerca mai srguincios, cu att prea s progreseze mai puin. Calul alerga mereu mai repede. Pacientul era din ce n ce mai bine. Copilul lui cel mare e cel mai vechi prieten al meu. n cel mai ru caz, tot putem merge la Haga. Urmtoarea lui grij fu s afle drumul cel mai scurt pn la gara urmtoare.
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62. 63.
A doua jumtate a lui iulie a fost foarte cald. Cu ct sunt mai lungi zilele, cu att se fac mai calde.
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29. Diferene de folosire: It i There
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
E un porc mistre la u: ateapt s ias cineva. Au fost aici mai muli care au vrut s vnd catri azi. Prea s fie o greeal la mijloc, dar nu-i ddea nimeni seama de unde vine. Tria odat un cimpanzeu care tia s se mbrace ca o fiin uman. Vine o vreme cnd trebuie s lupi i s obii ce vrei.
6. Ua se deschise i intr o hien, dup care toi musafirii, care crezuser c petrecerea va fi reuit, o luar la goan i trntir poarta n urma lor. 7. S-a lucrat puin n ziua cnd clownul a adus la birou maimua, spernd c o s-l amuze pe ef, care era prost dispus de sptmni de zile. 8. Nu era vnt cnd au fost schimbate gtele cu dini uriai pe boii vndui de copiii aceia. 9. Dac vrei s tii totul despre viei, mai e i cartea aceea de Johnson despre acest subiect. 10. S-a auzit un ciocnit nainte ca taurul s mping ua cu coarnele i s intre n odaia piticului, ateptnd s i se dea de mncare. 11. Sunt i lucruri mai rele dect dromaderii, aa c nu era nevoie s te plngi surorii tale c am cumprat unul doar ca s te enervez. 12. Era un loc ngrozitor, plin de arici. Chiar c era.
13. Ningea de ore ntregi cnd a reuit fermierul n cele din urm s-i vnd porcul i scroafa la trg.
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14. Era cam pe la miezul nopii cnd a nceput liliacul s zboare prin jur, n cutarea hranei. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Este foarte puin probabil s fie toate caprele tiate anul acesta. E plcut cnd vezi o capr neagr. Ar fi pcat dac s-ar rtci iedul. Dac ai vrea s tii cine aduce girafa, i-a spune c e chiar fratele tu. Crtia a ntrebat-o pe feti cine bate i fetia a rspuns pe dat: Eu. Renul e cel care a spart geamul. Acolo se duc vara elanii. Chiar astzi a fugit castorul. Nu-i nicio oaie acolo pe care pot s-o vnd, nu-i aa? Uite-l c vine, cu apte berbeci dup el! Nu-i nicio ndoial c mielul a fost furat de prietenul tu la cataram. E fn pentru vite n crua de acolo.
27. Ct era ceasul cnd mopsul i-a mucat pe cei doi profesori de la universitate i a fugit n cldirea colii? 28. 29. 30. Sunt trei mile pn la locul unde i-a fcut cas salamandra. E drum lung pn la locul unde poi vedea rinoceri. Sunt trei sptmni de cnd am gsit foca zcnd bolnav pe plaj.
31. Se pare c ursul cenuiu vrea s ucid un animal, aa c mai bine ai evita s -i trimii cinele nainte. 32. S-a ntmplat c vidra s-a rtcit i a ajuns pe strada principal a celui mai apropiat ora. 33. Gazela a plecat de la grdina zoologic i nu tie nimeni unde e, dar n-are importan, nu poate face ru nimnui.
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34. Albatrosul zbura de foarte mult vreme i era epuizat; era aproape miezul nopii. 35. Dac nu-i prea greu, ai putea ngdui berzei s-i fac cuibul pe acoperiul casei tale? 36. 37. 38. I-a trebuit bufniei o noapte ntreag s gseasc rmurele i pene pentru cuib. Cnd va fi cu putin ca privighetoarea s ias din colivie? Cioarei i se prea de nesuportat s fie silit s-i vopseasc penele n alb.
39. A fost nghe n noaptea n care ciocnitoarea a plecat din pdure n cutarea unei case mai calde. 40. Omul cu corbul s-a urcat n cel mai rapid tren care mergea n Sahara.
41. Cnd l-am ntrebat despre ciocrlii, mi-a dat cea mai bun carte care exista despre acest subiect. 42. Gina i cocoul erau n cote i doar o gsc mai era n ploaie.
43. Cocorul zbura foarte jos i, dei eram cinci n pdure, nici unul dintre noi n-a intit n el, fiindc era mult prea frumos. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. Din cauza codobaturilor, era mare zgomot afar. Am s vnd coofana, dac e trg sptmna care vine. Zice aici c struul n-are grij de oule lui. E uor s vorbeti despre cum gteti un curcan; a vrea s te vd cum o faci. Nu tu ai s primeti curca, fiindc nu tii s-o ngrijeti.
49. Cnd fazanul s-a apropiat, fu limpede c ne-am nelat cu toii: nu era aa de mare cum ne nchipuiserm i, n mod sigur, era pcat s tragi n el. 50. 51. 52. N-are niciun rost s vnezi gaie. E oare adevrat c gnsacul merge ntotdeauna naintea gtelor? Sunt apte ani de cnd am vzut o lebd ultima oar.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. Uite cum pleac ultimul autobuz i noi ne-am uitat canarii n el! Nu-i nicio ndoial c a furat mierla. Nu vreau s existe certuri ntre stpnii celor dou pajuri. Nu vreau s fie ncierri ntre papagali. N-a mai vrea s fie rzboi ntre broatele estoase i cele rioase. Nu poate fi oprit punul s arate tuturor coada lui multicolor. Prea c nu-i nimeni s aib grij de punie. Nu iese fum fr foc. Nu se prea iubesc. Nu se tie de ce a zburat de aici pelicanul. N-are nicio raiune s mputi un pescru. Pitulicea n-are nimic, dect c-i e fric. Nu se face s inteti ntr-un piigoi. E de la sine neles c porumbelul se va ntoarce aici dup ce va duce mesajul. Dac vrei s cumperi o porumbi, am una de vnzare, aa c e ca i fcut.
68. Locul unde am gsit prepelia aceasta e foarte departe; e la mile ntregi deprtare de orice localitate. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. Cnd vine vorba de ucis privighetori, e mai uor s spui dect s-o faci. Nu te privete dac e sau nu e o pupz n dormitorul ei. Nu merit s numeri vrbiile din livad. Cine se scoal de diminea departe ajunge. A fost ultima pictur. E vremea s aduci raele napoi.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 75. 76. 77. E destul vreme s cumperi un roi, nu te necji. Mai e mult pn la locul unde poi vedea un sitar. Nu e nimic neobinuit la struul lui.
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30. Causative Have
1.
Dac m-a tunde n fiecare zi, ar trebui s pltesc o groaz de bani coafezei.
2. A fi chemat ieri s-mi acordeze pianul, dac puteam gsi pe cineva n stare so fac. 3. Dac nu faci cum vreau eu, am s pltesc s mi se trimit rochiile de la Paris i o s te coste mult mai mult dect dac fceai ce te-am rugat. 4. E ciudat c nu i-ai vopsit nc poarta.
5. E neateptat c i-a reparat maina, n loc s-o vnd dup un accident aa de grav. 6. Trebuia s-i repari de mult cntarul, fiindc e stricat de un an ncoace i toi clienii ti se plng de luni de zile c-i neli. 7. Nu se poate s-i fi spoit camera nainte ca nevasta lui s termine de scos mobilele din ea. 8. Se vede c i-a dat azi pantofii la reparat, fiindc, atunci cnd ne-am desprit, pierduse un toc, iar acum vd c are amndou tocurile, ca de obicei. 9. Puteai pune s fie antrenat calul acela, dac ai fi vrut s ctige cursa.
10. Poate i-au dat detepttorul la reparat, fiindc toi trebuie s se scoale devreme dimineaa i mereu ntrzie la coal. 11. Am s-l pun pe hamal s-i care sus bagajele.
12. L-am pus pe lptar s bea tot laptele, fiindc mereu i este sete cnd ajunge la ua mea. 13. Trebuie s o pun pe secretar s stea mai trziu azi, fiindc trebuie s bat din nou raportul. 14. Nu-l puneam s-i scoat dinii din fa, dac nu te plngeai de durere de dini. 15. Dac-l puneam pe instalator s repare chiuveta, cerea s fie pltit n bani de
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. aur. 16. 17. Am s pun ngrijitorul s mture aleile de ndat ce a stat ploaia. Dac mai pui bursucul s nvee toat ziua, am s m supr ru pe tine.
18. E normal c directorul ne-a pus s muncim zdravn; e treaba lui s ne pun s ne facem datoria cum trebuie. 19. Pune-o s vin nainte s se porneasc ploaia c, dac nu, o s te pun s vii s-o iei cu umbrela. 20. 21. 22. N-am s-i permit s-mi vorbeti aa. N-are s tolereze s ipe graurul la ea. N-am s ngdui s fumezi la vrsta ta.
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31. Traducerea lui de temporal n limba englez
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Sttea de jumtate de or ntins pe spate cnd s-a plictisit i a ieit din cabinet. i face loc cu umerii de o jumtate de or s ias din sala aglomerat. Se plimba prin Veneia de o bun bucat de vreme atunci cnd s-au ntlnit. De cnd ade el pe scaunul acela? Roiul plnge de ore ntregi, de cnd l-a lovit mgarul cu piciorul.
6. edea de o or pe marginea patului, blbnindu-i picioarele, cnd se deschise ua i intr pupza. 7. Sttea de zece minute n picioare n faa uii lui, mutndu-se de pe un picior pe altul. 8. Piticul sttea de zile ntregi n vrful picioarelor, cnd doctorul i -a explicat c nu e deloc sntos. 9. Maimua se trte de-a builea de zece minute ncoace.
10. Dac nu edeai picior peste picior de jumtate de or ncoace, directorul nu zicea c eti lene. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Crtia i tra picioarele de la ora opt, de cnd plecase de acas. O clca pe picior de cnd ncepuse s vorbeasc despre planurile ei. ine bursucul pe genunchi de cnd ai ieit din odaie. Fata danseaz pe poante de cnd s-a ridicat cortina. Catrul zcea n pat de cnd i scrntise glezna.
16. Liliacul era beat i se chinuia s se ridice-n picioare de cnd czuse n faa tejghelei. 17. i amorise piciorul de cnd se aezase caracatia pe el.
161
18. 19. 20. 21. 22. sal. 23. 24. 25.
i inea un picior adunat sub el de cnd se aezase n fotoliu. Fluturele se ntinde de cnd s-a trezit. Capra d din umeri de cnd ai nceput s vorbeti cu ea. Lebda s-a zvrcolit n pat pn nu demult. Curcanul dansa din buric pentru public de mult, de cnd plecase libelula din
Trebuia s te dai de mult de-a berbeleacul. A venit de asear. Mi-a dat de veste de ieri.
162
32. Traducerea adverbului mai n limba englez
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.
E actorul cel mai cunoscut. E cartea lui cea mai recent. Cine mai vine? Am nevoie de altceva. A vrea s mai merg undeva. Mai vine cineva? Mai vrei ceva? Mai mergi undeva? Nu mai tie nimeni de asta. N-am s mai spun nimic. Nu mai pot citi nimic altceva. Cine altcineva ar mai fi tiut? Mai toi plecaser. Cnd mai pot veni? Ce s-i mai aduc? Cine mai e acolo? Unde m mai pot duce?
163
18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39.
A mai vrea o carte. Mai vreau cinci pini. Mai e aici? Nu mai e aici. Mai stai puin. Mai vino. Ai mai vzut-o? Ai mai citit-o vreodat? Ce mai om! Mai apoi a plecat. Mai trziu s-a ntors. Mai bine ai citi n loc s cni. Mai bine ai veni acum. Mai bine plecai de ieri. Mai bine citeai cnd a venit el. Mai deunzi era singur. Uit-te la temele lui mai nti. E mai mult sau mai puin interesant. Fii ct mai tcut. Cu att mai bine. Cu att mai mult. Ce mai e nou?
164
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. Mai citete lecia o dat. Mai demult era o vrjitoare. Mai e mult pn la var. Mai las-o balt. Mai slbete-m. Mai c era s-l omori!
165
33. Mircea Eliade: fragmente din In curte la Dionis, 1977
1.
nc din adolescen mi-a plcut s scriu nuvele, povestiri i chiar
romane fantastice [...]. M-am apucat s scriu ntr-o duminic; aveam toat ziua i noaptea libere n faa mea. mi amintesc nc nceputul i sfritul povestirii: m aflam n laborator (n acel an eram pasionat de chimie i mi alctuisem un mic laborator n pod) i nu tiu datorit crei mprejurri am adormit dar, evident, cititorul nu tia asta; nu i-o spusesem.
2.
Pcat. Nici eu nu prea tiu mare lucru. Dac s-ar fi urcat n tramvaiul sta, l-a
fi ntrebat. mi place s intru n vorb cu oameni culi. Tinerii acetia, domnul meu, erau, desigur, studeni. Studeni emineni. Ateptam cu ei n staie i i-am ascultat. Vorbeau despre un anume colonel Lawrence i de aventurile lui n Arabia. i ce memorie! Recitau pe dinafar pagini ntregi din cartea colonelului!
3.
Sunt nuci btrni, continu Gavrilescu, de aceea e atta umbr i rcoare.
166
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. Am auzit c nucul ncepe s dea umbr abia dup treizeci-patruzeci de ani. O fi adevrat? Dar btrnul se prefcu c nu aude. Gavrilescu se ntoarse ctre unul din vecini care privise ngndurat pe fereastr [...]. Aa am auzit i eu, continu Gavrilescu. Umblu cu tramvaiul sta de trei ori pe sptmn. i, v dau cuvntul meu de onoare, nu s-a ntmplat o singur dat s nu aud vorbindu-se de ele, de ignci. Le cunoate cineva? M ntreb: de unde au venit? Au venit demult, spuse vecinul. Sunt aici de douzeci i unu de ani, l ntrerupse cineva. Cnd am venit eu nti i nti n Bucureti, igncile astea erau tot aici. Dar grdina era mult mai mare. Nu se cldise nc liceul...
4.
Sunt emoionat, spuse, nu-mi dau seama de ce... S nu bei prea mult cafea, opti fata deschiznd ua i mpingndu-l
nuntru. Era o ncpere ale crei margini nu le putea vedea, cci perdelele erau trase [...]. ncepu s nainteze clcnd pe covoare din ce n ce mai groase i mai moi, ca i cum ar fi clcat pe saltele, i cu fiecare pas btaia inimii i se accelera, pn ce i fu fric s mai nainteze i se opri. n acea clip se simi deodat fericit, de parc ar fi fost din nou tnr, i toat lumea ar fi fost a lui, i Hildegard ar fi fost de asemenea a lui. Hildegard! exclam el adresndu-se fetei. Nu m-am mai gndit la ea de douzeci de ani. A fost marea mea dragoste. A fost femeia vieii mele!.. Dar, ntorcnd capul, i ddu seama c fata plecase. [] Odaia ncepu s se lumineze ntr-un chip misterios, ca i cum perdelele ar fi fost trase ncet, foarte ncet.
5.
Cnd eram n dragoste cu Hildegard [...] nu visam dect la asta: s facem
mpreun o cltorie n Grecia. Ai fost un prost, l ntrerupse fata. Nu trebuia s visezi, trebuia s-o iubeti... Aveam douzeci de ani i ea nu mplinise nc optsprezece. Era frumoas.
167
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. Eram amndoi frumoi, adug. n acea clip i ddu seama c era mbrcat ntr-un costum ciudat. [...] Se privi mirat n oglind, parc i-ar fi fost greu s se recunoasc.
6.
Cteva clipe n urm l ajunse tnrul din tramvai. Ce coinciden, exclam Gavrilescu, vzndu-l c se oprete lng el. Ua se
deschise brusc i n prag apru o femeie nc tnr, dar cu obrazul palid [...]. Dnd cu ochii de Gavrilescu, se ncrunt. Ce poftii? ntreb. Mi-am uitat servieta, ncepu Gavrilescu intimidat. M-am luat cu vorba i am uitat-o. Am avut treburi [...] i n-am putut veni mai devreme. Nu neleg. Ce fel de serviet? Dac s-a aezat la mas, n-o deranjai, continu pripit Gavrilescu. tiu unde am lsat-o. E lng pian. i ddu s intre, dar femeia nu se clinti din prag. Pe cine cutai dumneavoastr, domnule? Pe doamna Voitinovici. Eu sunt Gavrilescu, profesorul de pian al Otiliei. Nam avut plcerea s v ntlnesc, adug politicos. Ai greit adresa, spuse femeia. Aici e numrul 18. Dai-mi voie, ncepu din nou Gavrilescu zmbind. Cunosc apartamentul acesta de cinci ani. Pot spune c fac parte din familie. Vin aici de trei ori pe sptmn... Tnrul ascultase conversaia rezemat de perete. Cum spunei c o cheam? l ntreb.
7.
Ah, ce-a mai fost i cu dnsa, l ntrerupse crciumarul, nici pn n ziua de
azi nu se tie ce s-a ntmplat. L-a cutat poliia cteva luni i n-a putut s dea de el, nici viu, nici mort... Parc ar fi intrat n pmnt... Biata Madame Elsa, l-a ateptat ce l-a ateptat, i pe urm a plecat la familia ei n Germania. i-a vndut lucrurile i a plecat. Nu aveau cine tie ce, erau sraci. M btea gndul s cumpr eu pianul. Va s zic a plecat n Germania, spuse Gavrilescu vistor. A plecat demult?
168
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. De mult, de mult. La cteva luni dup ce a disprut Gavrilescu. La toamn se mplinesc 12 ani. A scris i n ziare... Curios, opti Gavrilescu. [...] i eu dac i-a spune dumitale, dac i-a spune c azi-diminea, i-i dau cuvntul meu de onoare c nu exagerez, azidiminea am stat de vorb... Ceva mai mult. La prnz am mncat mpreun. Pot s-i spun i ce-am mncat... S-o fi ntors, vorbi crciumarul, privindu-l nedumerit. Nu, nu s-a ntors. N-a plecat deloc. E la mijloc o confuzie. Acum sunt cam obosit, dar mine diminea am s-i dau eu de rost...
8.
Hildegard! exclam, lsnd s-i cad plria din mn. De cnd te-atept, spuse fata apropiindu-se. Te-am cutat peste tot. Am fost la berrie, opti Gavrilescu. Dac n-a fi fost cu ea la berrie, nu
s-ar fi ntmplat nimic. Sau dac a fi avut ceva bani la mine... Dar aa a pltit ea, Elsa, i nelege, m-am simit obligat i acum e trziu, nu e aa? E foarte trziu... Ce importan poate s aib, spuse fata. Hai s mergem... Dar nu mai am nici cas, nu mai am nimic. A fost o zi teribil...
9.
Uite, bunoar, cnd m plimbam azi diminea, m-a impresionat la captul
plajei figura unei femei tinere. Era singura care tcea ntr-un grup vesel i vorbre, tcea cu ochii peste mare, i la rstimpuri ntorcea capul i privea pe furi o familie vecin, privea spre copii. M-am nvrtit pe-acolo mai bine de un ceas, pn ce-am vzut-o c se ridic i pleac singur. i atunci m-am apropiat de locul ei i l-am cercetat. Simeam c ceilali din grup m privesc curioi, c unii din ei rd [...] i-i fac semne, dar la vrsta mea m-am nvat cu multe. i deodat am neles, parc a fi citit ntr-o carte. Femeia aceea tnr era cstorit de civa ani, nu avea copii. Voia s aib, dar nu-i avea. i de curnd, cineva, poate vreun doctor, i spusese c sar putea s nu aib niciodat copii. Dar se nelau amndoi, i ea i doctorul. Are s aib copii. Nu unul, nici doi. Patru... Aa c, vedei, mai aflu cteodat i veti bune.
169
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. N-ai alergat dup ea s-i spunei? l ntreb Emanuel. Beldiman cltin din cap, zmbind. Nu. Asta nu se cade. Nu sunt ghicitor de meserie. Nu am dreptul s m amestec n viaa altuia, necunoscut; i s-i dau o veste pe care nu mi-a cerut-o. De altfel, s-ar putea s m nel. tiu bine c m-am nelat odat. E drept, era pe munte [...]. Stnci care nu s-au micat din loc de sute de ani. Dar i acolo credeam c dup felul cum se aaz omul, cu faa sau cu spatele la cutare sau cutare stnc, credeam c i acolo a putea vedea ceva. Am vzut, e drept, mai multe lucrur i, dar pe cel mai nsemnat n-am tiut cum s-l citesc, pot spune, deci, c nu l-am vzut. Eram cu un grup ntreg. Nu erau prietenii mei. I-am ntlnit pe drum... Dac l-ar fi privit, i-ar fi dat seama c Emanuel nu-l mai asculta.
10.
S vedei, ncepu Emanuel dup ce-i aprinse o nou igar. Acum vreo
dou, trei ceasuri, dup ce-am venit la plaj i am nceput s citesc romanul acesta, m-am trezit deodat c nu mai urmream ce citeam. Nu tiu dac mi-era somn, dar m-am ntins pe nisip i am nchis ochii. i deodat m-am vzut pe o strad pe care o tiu eu la Bucureti, n plin iarn, i am vzut o fat cznd. Era o femeie tnr, cu un palton albastru-nchis i un beret, i cnd a czut, i s-a desprins beretul i a alunecat pe trotuar. Am traversat strada s-o ajut, dar dintr-o curte ieise, tocmai atunci, o fat i o ajut ea s se ridice. M gndeam s-i spun, aa, n glum: Iat o femeie czut cnd aud pe fat spunndu-i exact aceleai cuvinte. Am rmas o clip dezorientat, apoi am nceput s rd n netire... i cu rsul acesta a luat sfrit vedenia. O fi fost vedenie, spuse Beldiman, dar o s trii i o s-o vedei aievea. i e pcat, cci fetele astea nu v poart noroc. Emanuel l privi lung, dar cu o expresie ciudat, ca i cum nu l-ar fi neles. Este extraordinar, spuse. Ai izbutit s vedei ce mi-am imaginat eu cu dou, trei ceasuri nainte. Prin ce minune ai putut vedea toate astea, nu neleg. Dar nu pot s cred c le-ai vzut n nisip i pietricele... Beldiman tcu ctva timp, cutnd parc cu ochii alte semne.
170
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. S dea Dumnezeu s m fi nelat, spuse el trziu. n orice caz, dac vei ntlni, curnd de tot, dou fete, una ajutnd-o pe cealalt s se ridice, s v deprtai ct vei putea mai repede. Nu v poart noroc. Se ridic ncet i se duse s-i ia haina. Cum spuneai c v cheam? l ntreb.
11.
Dac vrei s tii cum arat cineva, s ntrebi ntotdeauna i un brbat. Eu,
bunoar, dac te-a fi ntrebat pe dumneata, n loc s-o ascult pe Adina, l-a fi recunoscut imediat. Alessandrini apuc braul lui Emanuel i-i opti, artnd spre Botgros: Dac am neles bine, Adina e logodnica lui. Oh, nu! fcu Botgros zmbind amar. tiu c se spune asta, dar nu e adevrat. Poate c dac n-ar fi intervenit un anume eveniment n viaa noastr... Dar, n sfrit, ce-a fost a fost. S nu mai vorbim de trecut... A plecat s te caute, adug el dup o scurt pauz, ntorcndu-se spre Emanuel. Spunea ca nu v-ai vzut de mult. Se ntreba dac ai s-o mai recunoti, dup atia ani... Emanuel asculta atent, silindu-se s neleag. i trecu mna pe obraz, parc ar fi ncercat s se pipie i s se regseasc, apoi izbucni din nou n rs. Cred c e o confuzie la mijloc, rosti el n cele din urm, ncercnd s par indiferent.
12.
Dac ar fi fost i Adina de fa, mprteasa n-ar fi ndrznit. Adina
pretinde c dumnealui noat foarte bine. Pentru un bun nottor un kilometru, doi, e o nimica toat. Dac era i Adina de fa, mprteasa n-ar fi putut spune c, numai dup un kilometru, a obosit i a strigat dup ajutor. mi dai voie, l ntrerupse Alessandrini. Adriana ne-a explicat c era foarte obosit, i avea dreptate. Uitai-v la el cum arat acum, i nu e nc ase. Dar n cteva ceasuri? Aducei-v aminte cum ni l-a descris Adriana, plimbndu-se [...] n ploaie, i apoi aici, [...] fumnd igar de la igar. Era extrem de obosit.
171
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. Emanuel i ascultase ncercnd s par absent, dar se mbujorase de-a binelea. Despre cine vorbii? ntreb el cu o voce uscat, tioas. Ei, parc n-ai fi neles! exclam Alessandrini. De cine altul am putea vorbi? Ne-a povestit azi noapte mprteasa ce se va ntmpla, i explic Botgros. Cum ai s te ntorci aici, ai s ne gseti i n cele din urm ai s te lai convins s vii cu noi [...]. Imposibil! l ntrerupse Emanuel. Alessandrini v poate asigura c n niciun caz nu m-a fi lsat convins... Se vede c n-o cunoti! exclam Alessandrini. Evident, n-o cunoate, ntri Ioni.
13.
Ar fi putut prinde autobuzul de 8 dimineaa, dar apropiindu-se de staie, zri
o femeie tnr i i se pru c-l ateapt pe el, aezat pe o banc, prefcndu-se c citete. O vzu cum ridic mereu ochii din revist i cerceteaz curios n jurul ei, ntorcnd uneori capul spre mesele de pe trotuar. Emanuel apuc pe prima strdu care-i iei n cale, i pentru c foarte curnd ddu cu ochii de o frizerie, intr nuntru. Cnd reveni, pe la 8 jumtate, femeia era tot acolo pe banc, rsfoind plictisit revista. Emanuel ovi cteva clipe, apoi se rentoarse i cut o cafenea. Ceru un ceai i-l bu pe ndelete, gnditor. Cerul ncepea s se limpezeasc i se vestea o diminea cald. Dup vreo jumtate de ceas, se ridic i porni agale spre staia de autobuz. Fata se plimba enervat pe trotuar. Emanuel simi cum inima ncepe s i se zbat, dar i continu drumul i, privind fix naintea lui, se ndrept spre autobuz. Gsi un loc chiar n spatele oferului i se aez rsuflnd uurat.
14.
Pe Cucoane l cunoscusem nc din primele clase de liceu, dar nu ne
mprietenisem niciodat. n universitate i pierdusem urma. [...] Nu l-am mai vzut de atunci. Care nu mi-a fost deci mirarea cnd, ntr-un amurg peste msur de trist din iulie 1933, m trezesc cu el intrnd n camera mea de lucru. Firete, l-am recunoscut ndat, dar mi s-a prut schimbat; chiar acei cinci, ase ani, care trecuser
172
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. de la ultima noastr ntlnire, nu ddeau cu totul seama de neateptata schimbare a nfirii lui. tii c am nceput s cresc! mi mrturisi el brusc, nainte de a fi avut timpul de a-i pune vreo ntrebare. nti nu mi-a venit s cred, dar m-am msurat i m-am convins c aa e: de vreo sptmn, am crescut enorm. Poate ase-apte centimetri... Eram cu Lenora pe strad i am observat deodat amndoi. i azi-diminea, diferena era i mai mare... Strbtea n glasul lui o uoar nelinite. i nu-i gsea locul; cnd aezndu-se [...], cnd pornind de la un capt la altul al biroului, plimbndu-se nervos, cu minile la spate. Am observat c nu tia cum s -i mai ascund minile i am neles: manetele i ieeau exagerat n afar, orict se trudea el s-i trag necontenit mneca hainei. Trebuie s le trimit pe toate la croitor, s le dea drumul, vorbi el, surprinzndu-mi privirile. ncercai s-l linitesc, amintindu-i c n liceu se tot plngea c va rmne scund. M ntrerupse din nou. Dac a fi crescut i eu ca oamenii, ntr-un an, doi... Dar aa, n cteva zile!... Ce s-i spun, a nceput s-mi fie fric. Tare mi-e team s nu fie o boal a oaselor... i, pentru c vedea c nu tiu ce s-i spun, schimb vorba: Am trecut pe la tine aa, ntr-o doar, s vd dac n-ai plecat cumva n vacan...
15.
De-abia dup ce am ajuns acas mi-am dat seama c m gndisem la toate,
afar de lucrul cel mai important: locul unde se va adposti prietenul meu. mi vorbise de o caban n muni, dar trebuia gsit aceast caban i trebuia s ajungem la ea nainte de a se lumina bine de ziu, ca s nu atragem atenia. Planul nostru prea copilresc: [...] s ncepem a urca n munte cu o duzin de pturi n spinare, cu merinde, fr s tim ncotro ne ndreptm, riscnd ca prietenul meu s se opreasc dup cteva sute de metri, pentru c era nemncat de o sptmn i, mai ales, pentru c va trebui s urce, aproape sigur, n ciorapi, netiind dac i voi putea gsi o pereche de ghete pe msura lui n cele ase ore ct aveam timp s caut... i cu toate acestea fuga nu mai putea fi amnat. Trebuia, cu orice risc, s
173
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. plecm a doua zi seara. Numai c, tiind c nu puteam spera n gsirea imediat a unei cabane goale, care ne-ar fi ateptat acolo, n munte, ferit de oameni, parc nadins pregtit pentru noi, trebuia s ne mulumim cu mai puin. Bunoar cu un cort pe care Cucoane l-ar fi putut aeza [...] departe de orice crare. Acolo i va putea adposti pturile i alimentele, pn cnd va avea uneltele cu care s-i ridice singur o caban msura lui i unde va voi el. [...] O noapte, dou, prietenul meu va fi silit s doarm pe o saltea improvizat, i acoperit doar cu pt uri, sub cort. Uneltele i tot ce va mai fi nevoie, le voi aduce eu dup cteva zile. Lucrurile s-au ntmplat ntocmai. Cnd m-am dus s-l iau, la ora fixat, Cucoane era att de agitat, nct nici n-am avut timp s-i explic de ce am fost silit s modific planul alctuit cu o sear nainte. M atepta cu cretetul aproape de tavan, frngndu-i minile [...]. Inutil s-l mai fi ntrebat cum se mai simte. Arta, poate, de trei metri.
16.
Eti fantastic! exclam Agripina [...]. Credeam c singura ta aventur, de
care i vei aduce aminte toat viaa, va fi ntlnirea cu mine. De mult voiam s -i fac surpriza asta: s te smulgi din masa indivizilor de duzin, s evadezi din cotidian i banalitate ntlnindu-te cu Agripina. De dou sptmni te urmream de departe, te adulmecam i te reconstituiam, descosndu-l n fiecare sear pe Valentin, i dam trcoale fr s m vezi, ca s te neleg, s neleg de ce nu vrei s te aperi la box, de ce te lai btut n fiecare sear de Valentin i apoi pltit de cpitan. Aveai un secret, i nu-l tiam, nu-l nelegeam. Ascundeai o tain, aa cum ascund i eu. De aceea m interesai: erai un personaj. Meritai s-o ntlneti pe Agripina, s ai i tu o aventur fantastic. [...] i deodat, asear, i-ai spus lui Valentin. i asta m exaspereaz, c nu pot nelege cum ai ghicit tu c am rmas repetent. Spune drept, i-a scris cineva din Buzu?
17.
Nu neleg ce vrei s spui, continu fata. Noi nu inem seama de cortin.
Asta e de altfel marea noutate a piesei: c jucm ca i cnd n-ar exista o cortin.
174
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. Autorul a pstrat mprirea pe scene i n acte, dar a suprimat cortina. i e limpede de ce-a recurs la acest procedeu. E mai aproape de realitate, de via. Viaa cunoate scene, i se poate spune c e mprit n acte, dar cortina se las o singur dat. Dac nu nelegei nici mcar atta... Ridic din umeri i nu mai adug nimic. i totui, rencepu tnrul, prinznd din nou curaj, totui cineva a lsat cortina. Adineauri. Cortina pe care o avei n spatele dumneavoastr. i nu putea s-o lase dect cel care o ridicase, camaradul dumneavoastr!
18.
E foarte greu s v explic, ncepu ea, ncercnd s zmbeasc, s v spun
cum l pronun. Pentru c ar trebui s cunoatei n prealabil, starea mea sufleteasc. Dar ca s nelegei starea mea sufleteasc, ar trebui s cunoatei trecutul meu, originea mea social, problemele care m frmnt din fraged copilrie. Cci din copilrie m-am simit atras de tot ce-mi era necunoscut. Pn ce ntr-o bun zi, da, mi aduc foarte bine aminte, nu e mult de atunci, o zi de var, de fapt, n vara aceasta. Treceam pe strad, i am vzut c se anun o pies, Adio! Am fost profund emoionat. Am neles. Cineva, pe care nu-l cunoteam, dar pe care-l ateptam, pe care-l iubeam deja poate fr s-mi dau seama, cineva care ar fi putut juca un rol hotrtor n viaa mea, care m-ar fi putut face fericit... Ah! M exprim prost, nu era vorba de fericire, de ceea ce numim noi fericire, era ceva mai nobil i mult mai profund... n sfrit, acel cineva pe care nc nu apucasem s-l cunosc, dei l ateptam, i poate chiar l cutam, omul acela mi spunea mie, o necunoscut care se oprise n faa afiului, cu ochii n lacrimi (cci titlul era tiprit cu litere enorme, care-i fceau ru, care te sugrumau), mi spunea: Adio!... Am neles i am nceput s plng, chiar acolo, n faa afiului. Am neles c nu mai e nicio speran, c nu-l voi mai ntlni niciodat, cci i-a luat rmas bun de la noi. A avut doar timpul s ne spun, s-mi spun, n primul rnd mie, s-mi spun: Adio! Plngeam n faa afiului, cnd s-a apropiat de mine. L-am recunoscut imediat: era directorul. M-a ntrebat dac nu vreau s joc rolul Melaniei, i mi l-a artat pe afi; l juca, ntr-adevr, Melania, cci aa o chema, Melania. oviam. [...] De felul meu sunt
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. dansatoare, i-am spus. M exprim prin dans. M-a privit cu surprindere i, mi s-a prut, decepionat. Atunci va fi greu, a adugat. Va fi greu din cauza profesorului... Dar, evident, eu nu tiam nimic. i acum, c stau i m gndesc, m ntreb cine tia. Dumneavoastr tiai? Spunei cinstit, tiai? n sal se fcu deodat tcere. Dar era o tcere [...] stingherit, aproape vinovat. Ce trebuia s tim? se auzi, trziu, o voce timid. C va fi greu din cauza profesorului. Nu tiam, au recunoscut foarte muli (dar aproape nimeni nu ndrznea s-i ridice privirile). Evident! n afar de director, nu tia nimeni... Dar el, directorul, de unde tia? ntreb domnul din rndul 1.
19.
Se ntmpl tot felul de lucruri. mi amintesc de un motociclist. Stam n faa
cabanei i-l urmream cu privirea. Voiam s vd cnd se va plictisi. Urca pentru a patra oar coasta abrupt i, ndat ce ajungea n vrful dealului, ntorcea motocicleta i cobora lin, fr zgomot, n vale. A cincea oar, era inevitabil, s-a ntmplat; accidentul, vreau s spun. L-am adus pe brae n caban, plin de snge, incontient. L-am stropit cu ap. S-a deteptat i, spre mirarea mea, m recunoate. Credeam c n-ai s mai vii, mi spune. Te-am ateptat i anul trecut, tot cam pe timpul sta. Nu nelegeam. Cred c m confunzi cu altcineva, i spun. Cabana asta nu e a mea. Mi-a cedat-o, pentru o sptmn, un prieten. Zmbea. tiu c aa e regula jocului: s te prefaci c nu m cunoti. Dar sunt eu, Emanuel. i ncepu s-mi povesteasc. Tot felul de ntmplri stranii, cu totul neverosimile. L -am ntrerupt de mai multe ori. Dar toate astea nu sunt adevrate. tii toarte bine c nu pot fi adevrate. Le-ai inventat dumneata. i accidentul? m ntreb zmbind. Tot eu am inventat i accidentul? i apsa batista pe buza de sus, nsngerat i m privea cu candoare, dar i cu o imperceptibil ironie. oviam. mi venea greu s-i spun adevrul, s-i spun c e amnezic. n cele din urm a trebuit s m hotrsc. Dac ar fi leinat din nou, a fi fost obligat s-l duc la spital i s-ar fi ivit attea complicaii, attea complicaii. E o eroare la mijloc, i-am spus cu blndee. Te afli
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. aici printr-o eroare. M confunzi cu altcineva. Dumneata aparii altei lumi, altei societi. Poate eti scriitor, poate aventurier, n orice caz eti cineva plin de taine, cu ntmplri fabuloase n trecutul i naintea dumitale. Eu m mic ntr -o lume modest, cuminte, neinteresant. Nu aveai cum s m cunoti. i repet, cabana asta nu e a mea; e a unui prieten. Vin aici pentru ntia oar... Continua s m priveasc, tamponndu-i buza cu batista. L-am lsat s plece, dei tiam bine c se va pierde. Era amnezic. Ce anse ar fi avut s-i regseasc pe cei care-l ateptau, care-l ateptaser i anul trecut? Era amnezic, i regula jocului cred c aa nelesesem de la el cerea s nu fie recunoscut de la nceput. Ar fi trebuit, deci, s revin, a doua sau chiar a treia oar, dar cum s tie la cine fusese deja i la cine nu fusese, dac era amnezic? A plecat, i tiam bine c se va pierde. ncepuse parc s-mi par ru c-l lsasem s plece. Era un om interesant. Rbdarea pe care o avusese s urce de attea ori dealul cu motocicleta i s coboare pn jos n vale n dreptul podului...
20.
Se opri brusc i m privi fr s m vad, cu ochii sticloi. Ct a durat asta?
Ct a durat? Dar l-am vzut c se ridic i i caut servieta. A vrea s mai pot aduga ceva, spuse. Dar, aa cum m ateptam, nu se mai poate aduga nimic. Cci, iertai-m dac mi permit s fiu sincer, ce-ai putea nelege mai mult acum dect ai neles acum o jumtate de ceas, cnd v spuneam c, pentru mine, misterul este incognoscibil? Probabil c unii dintre dumneavoastr ai privit pe fereastr i ai vzut-o. Dunrea, vreau s spun. Ai vzut Dunrea n timp ce o treceam, ai vzut Podul, i o s vedei via de la Gorgani. ntr -un anumit sens, v invidiez, dar pe de alt parte... Ce-a mai putea aduga altceva? Acum c am nceput s v cunosc, nu v pot spune dect att, c ni se ntmpl, fiecruia dintre noi, fel de fel de ntmplri, dar din nefericire, le uitm. Iar cnd nu le uitm, nu tim s le recunoatem. Cu puin imaginaie, a fi putut s v recunosc, i atunci mi-a fi amintit i eu tot ce-ar fi trebuit s-mi amintesc... i lu servieta, ne strnse mna cu cldur i iei [...]. Nu ndrzneam s mai adugm ceva. Dar l priveam toi deprtndu-se. i ca din ntmplare [...] trenul s-a oprit i a cobort. Nu bnuisem c mai exist o gar att de aproape de Pod. Niciodat n-am reuit s-mi
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. amintesc numele ei.
21.
Tot nu-i aduci aminte? Strada Mntuleasa? Cnd i fceai coala primar
pe strada Mntuleasa i n recreaii te crai n viini, i odat i-ai spart capul cznd, i te-a luat n brae directorul colii i te-a dus n cancelarie i te-a pansat? i a doua zi era serbarea de Zece Mai, i erai foarte mndru c venisei cu capul bandajat? i te-a ntrebat directorul: Cum i mai merge capul, m Borza? i dumneata ai rspuns: Mi-e team de poezii, domnule director, c nu-i plcea deloc memorizarea, adug btrnul zmbind. Mi-e team c n-o s le mai pot nva pe dinafar... Ei bine, directorul eu sunt. nvtorul Frm, Zaharia Frm, cincisprezece ani directorul colii Mntuleasa, i apoi inspector colar [...] pn am ieit la pensie... Tot nu-i aduci aminte?! Maiorul l ascultase atent, ncruntndu-se. Dumneata i bai joc de mine, ncepu el [...]. Dac n -ai fi om btrn, te-a aresta pe loc. Te-ai introdus n casa mea spunnd c eti inspector... N-am spus asta. Nu m ntrerupe cnd i vorbesc eu! fcu maiorul naintnd amenintor spre el. Te-ai introdus n casa mea prin fraud. Dar trebuie s fi avut dumneata vreun scop. Acum spune repede, pn nu m supr, spune: de ce ai venit? Cu ce scop?
22.
Darvari Ptru, sta pot spune c era n miezul lucrurilor. Biatul sta avea un
spirit foarte inventiv. L-am urmrit pn trziu n via, pn a disprut cu avionul lui ntre Insula erpilor i Odessa, a disprut fr urm. Darvari sta, de care v vorbesc, a descoperit c un prieten de-al lui, Aldea, de la alt coal, de pe Calea Moilor, cunoscuse cu un an mai nainte, la Tekirghiol, un biat de ttar care-i ctiga viaa intrnd din vil n vil i exterminnd mutele. Da, pot spune c sta e cuvntul potrivit: le extermina. Dac nu l-a fi vzut, n-a fi crezut. Pentru c trebuie s v spun c n anul urmtor am fost i eu la Tekirghiol i l-am cunoscut. Puiul sta
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. de ttar era extraordinar. Parc-l vd i acum: un biat frumos, ras n cap [...], cu ochii ca dou mrgele de oel. Parc-l aud: Avei mute multe n cas? Vorbea perfect romnete, c fcuse coala la Constana, dar vorbea cu accent ttrsc. Avei mute n cas? ntreba. Btea nti la u, ca s atrag atenia, i apoi ntreba, de pe coridor, far s intre: Avei mute multe? Aa ntreba, cu un ton puintel ironic, parc ar fi vrut s le cumpere, dar aa, pe nimica toat, chilipir. S v spun ce mi s-a ntmplat mie. Auzisem de el, dar nu-l vzusem nc. l ateptam. Vila n care gsisem eu camer n vara aceea era tocmai pe deal, era ultima vil din sat. Vila Cornelia, aa-i spunea. De aceea ttarul a ajuns mai trziu la noi. Dar t ot a ajuns, c asta i era meseria, aa i ctiga el viaa, exterminnd mutele. Era dup -mas pe la dou. Dormeam. i deodat ce-l aud btnd n u: Avei mute? ntreb. Am srit din pat cci eram dornic s-l cunosc. Aveam i eu mute ca toat lumea n Tekirghiol, dar mai mult m interesa s-l cunosc pe el. Am destule, i-am rspuns, ce vrei s faci cu ele? Le gonesc, i una nu mai vine timp de o sptmn. Dac mai vine una, nu-mi dai niciun ban. Cte parale? l-am ntrebat.
23.
Te-ai oprit s te odihneti chiar aici, la civa metri de locul unde... Ct s fie ceasul? l ntrerupse Zalomit, ntorcnd brusc capul ctre el.
Mi-am lsat ceasornicul pe msua de noapte... Nu poate fi mai mult de trei. ntr-un ceas rsare soarele. Deci n-au trecut dect vreo dousprezece, treisprezece ore... Mi-e peste putin s neleg cum s-a ntmplat, relu dup cteva clipe. [...] Nici eu nu neleg.[...] Cnd v-am auzit strignd i am sosit n goan, doar dou, trei minute mai trziu, nu-mi venea s-mi cred ochilor. Numai un copil de la ora, care ar fi urcat pentru prima oar muntele, sau cineva care i-ar fi pierdut brusc cunotina, ar fi putut aluneca i ar fi czut, rostogolindu-se, douzeci, douzeci i cinci de metri, fr s ncerce s se apuce de vreo rdcin, [...] sau chiar de pietre... Poate i-a pierdut cunotina... Sau poate o fi avut o criz cardiac, sau altceva... Cred c asta se va putea afla... S-ar putea afla, l ntrerupse Nicoleanu, dac autopsia va fi fcut la timp i
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. de cine trebuie... l cunoteai de mult? ntreb Zalomit ntorcnd din nou capul ctre el. Bine, nu l-am cunoscut dect n ultimii trei, patru ani. Evident, l ntlnisem de cteva ori, mai nainte. Cum, ns, nu aveam aceeai specialitate, sau, mai precis, el nu o mai avea, nu am avut nici prilejul atunci, prin anii 1960-65, s ne ntlnim mai des i s ne cunoatem. De ce spuneai c nu mai avea aceeai specialitate? ntreb Zalomit. Nicoleanu prelungea ncurcat tcerea [...]. De cnd nu v-ai mai vzut? ntreb ntr-un trziu. n ultima vreme ne ntlneam destul de rar, la civa ani o dat. Dar pstram legtura, prin prieteni comuni, prin colegi; ne scriam mai rar, cci eram amndoi foarte prini fiecare cu treburile i rspunderile noastre. i, totui, cnd a aflat de la Hagi Pavel c voi veni n a doua jumtate a lui iunie la Poiana-Dornei, mi-a scris, propunndu-mi s petrecem cteva zile mpreun, toi trei, aici, la caban... Dar de ce ntrebi? Nicoleanu i freca ncurcat minile.
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34. Camil Petrescu: fragmente din Ultima noapte de dragoste, ntia noapte de rzboi, 1930
1.
Eram nsurat de doi ani i jumtate cu o coleg de la Universitate i bnuiam
c m nal. Din cauza asta, nici nu puteam s-mi dau examenele la vreme. mi petreceam timpul spionndu-i prieteniile, urmrind-o, fcnd probleme insolubile din interpretarea unui gest, din nuana unei rochii i din informarea lturalnic despre cine tie ce vizit la vreuna dintre mtuile ei. Era o suferin de nenchipuit, care se hrnea din propria ei substan. Ne luasem din dragoste, sraci amndoi, dup rendez-vous-uri din ce n ce mai dese pe slile Universitii i dup lungi plimbri pe jos, prin toate cartierele pavate cu asfalt ale capitalei, care erau i cele mai singuratice, pe atunci. Dup nunta noastr, care a fost ntr -un anumit fel tinuit, mi-a murit un unchi considerabil bogat, a crui avere mprit n cinci pri [...] a putut s nsemne pentru fiecare o adevrat rsturnare social. Cnd zic tinuit e un fel de a vorbi, cci eram major i din familia noastr nimeni nu m-ar fi putut opri. Mama tria destul de greu, din pensia rmas de pe urma tatlui meu, dimpreun cu surorile mele, dar cred c nu m-ar fi mpiedicat niciodat s m nsor dup voia inimii, dei, n general, cei care s-au cstorit din dragoste mpiedic pe copiii lor s fac acelai lucru. Rude apropiate nu aveam dect doi unchi, frai ai tatei.
2.
De aceea, tinuit nsemna c amnasem, dei cstorii civil, s ntemeiem o
gospodrie, pn ce i eu i ea ne vom fi luat licena, cci cei o sut cincizeci de lei, pe care-i primeam ca funcionar la Senat, unde m numise un fost prieten al tatei, nu ne-ar fi ajuns s trim. Pn atunci nu aveam dect situaia mrturisit de logodn. Situaie prea delicat ntr-adevr, dar la care ajunsesem datorit felului pasionat al
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. nevestei mele. Ea locuia nc la mtua ei, unde mai locuia de asemeni, n pensiune, o coleg de universitate, prin care o cunoscusem i care-mi plcuse mult mai mult, cci era oache, iar mie nu-mi plceau deloc blondele. i totui ajunsesem aici, soluie care de altfel pe prieten o lsa destul de indiferent. [...] Lungile convorbiri, acas, n salonaul cu divane acoperit cu [...] mormane de perne deveniser i pentru mine e drept, mult mai trziu o nevoie sufleteasc. De altminteri era aceast fat un continuu prilej de uimire. Mai nti prin neistovita buntate pe care o risipea n jurul ei. [...] Prpdea puinii bani n cadouri pentru prietene, iar pe colega ei bolnav a ngrijit-o luni de zile ca o sor de caritate, cu o abnegaie fr margini, de adolescent. Pe cnd eu cutam s ascund oarecum dragostea noastr, ea inea s-o afieze cu ostentaie, cu mndrie; nct, dei nu-mi plcea, ncepusem s fiu totui mgulit de admiraia pe care o avea toat lumea pentru mine, fiindc eram att de ptima iubit de una dintre cele mai frumoase studente i cred c acest orgoliu a constituit baza viitoarei mele iubiri.
3.
Dup Valea Clugreasc, una dintre maini a avut o pan i ne-am oprit cu
toii pentru ca stpnii i conductorii s repare rul n grab. Am ntrziat totui aproape un ceas. Nevast-mea a vrut s aib ramuri dintr-un mr nflorit, puin mai devale de unde eram noi, iar el s-a oferit s i le rup. S-au dus amndoi i ea i-a umplut braele cu ramuri, de prea, blond i cu ochii albatri, o icoan mpodobit. Plcerea lor trecea nepstoare peste faptul crud de a slui un pom. S -a lsat fotografiat apoi, cci el era asortat cu tot soiul de nimicuri, ca un snob la curse, i firete aparatul nu lipsea. N-am putut s nu bag de seam, de sus de unde eram, plcerea cu care ea se lsa sprijinit toat de el, cnd au urcat rpa iar, pn la osea, dup ce maina a fo st reparat. Dup Buzu, am neles c nu mai putem fi la ora mesei la Odobeti i ne-am hotrt s prnzim la Rmnicu Srat. i aici, dup ce ne-am aezat cu toii, nevast-mea a gsit c ar fi mult mai bun alt mas, aezat mai n fundul grdinii. i ne-am sculat toat lumea, ca s ne mutm lng ea, cci din pricin c ntrziase
182
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. puin s se spele pe mini i s se pudreze, locul lng G. i-l luase alta. Firete c eu i rezervasem locul lng mine, dar a trebuit s fac la fel cu ceilali. Acum era u amndoi alturi, iar eu, cam la col, ntre un domn btrn i o doamn urt. Fiecare credem c femeia care ne iubete are, pstrate pentru noi, anumite gesturi de mngiere i frumusee, gesturi crora noi le dm un anume neles i ne e o suferin crncen s vedem c le are i pentru altul. E stupid, dar faptul c ea a gustat din felul lui de mncare cu poft i ea tia ce vie plcere mi face mie acest gest, cci mi ddea poft de mncare chiar dac eram bolnav m-a abtut cu totul. Am surs n dreapta i n stnga ns, fcnd dureroase sforri, ca s nu se bage de seam c dau importan unor asemenea nimicuri, cci ar fi atras atenia i comentariile tuturor. De altfel, cred c lumea le d importan numai atunci cnd observ c i brbatul le d, fiindc pe ea numai drama o intereseaz. La sfrit au cerut singuri cltite i acest gest, fcut n comun, era la ei [...] tendina de a se distinge ca adevrat pereche [...].
4.
Dup ce ea i-a tot sucit gtul, uitndu-se napoi, a venit i el, ntr-adevr, cu
o femeiuc vie i neastmprat, i li s-a fcut numaidect, prin nghesuirea celorlali, un loc de favoare oarecum, cci ali ntrziai trebuiau s se mulumeasc s stea tocmai la coada mesei. El a continuat s-i nvluie vecina n griji mngietoare i tandre, iar spectacolul acesta prea insuportabil nevestei mele. Nu putea mnca nimic i avea o figur de animal rnit. M ntrebam: ea nu-i d seama c i eu sufr tot att de mult? Cum e cu putin atta insensibilitate? Vecina fr lucru de vizavi a ntrebat-o ironic, i evident destul de tare, dac sufer, i mi se prea c n viaa mea nu mi s-a adus o insult mai mare, dect s fie ntrebat nevast-mea, fa de mine, dac sufer din cauza altuia. M-am gndit s las furculia n farfurie i s m scol nentrziat de la mas, plecnd apoi de-a dreptul la gar.
5.
Ascult, drag fat, sper c niciodat n viaa mea nu voi mai trece prin
clipele prin care am trecut ieri i azi.

183
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. Nu neleg, ce vrei s spui? Eram uluit, am rmas cu haina n mn, am rs ca un cadavru. Sincer? Nu nelegi ce vreau s spun? i ea, afectat: Absolut sincer... Tremuram, aprins i indignat de atta cras prefctorie. Ei bine, atunci poate ai s nelegi alt fraz ceva mai simpl. S ne desprim. La Bucureti ncepem numaidect, cum ajungem, divorul. Dac vrei s rmi cu amantul dumitale, n-am nimic de spus. Cu toate c nu-mi pot face iluzii, dup cele ce am vzut de ieri pn azi, te rog totui un lucru. Acum, cnd ai certitudinea c vei rmne toat viaa cu el, s evitm spectacolul i s nu ne oferim comentariilor adunrii publice de aici. N-am vzut niciodat o privire de nger att de obosit i de mirat. Dar despre ce e vorba, pentru Dumnezeu? Dup cele ce ai fcut azi, mi se pare uluitor s mai ntrebi despre ce e vorba. i, ca un bolnav care nu tie ce s-a petrecut cu el n timpul delirului: Dar te rog... te rog, spune-mi ce-am fcut? Indignat i revoltat de atta ndrzneal, am ntors capul cu dinii ncletai. Nimic. Simindu-se tare, struia ea acum. Te rog, spune-mi ce-am fcut? Te rog. Mi-era sil atta, c simeam c orice vorb a fi spus, ar fi czut alturi. Nimic... Vreau s ne desprim. Ne-am dezbrcat, dar n pat, cum eu evitam chiar s o privesc, a nceput din nou. tefane, te vd aa suprat... i-i jur c nu neleg de ce. Am nceput s fierb de mnie: mi juri? i jur pe ce vrei. Dar o clip m-am oprit mirat, ntrebndu-m dac nu cumva greesc, i m-am hotrt s-i explic ceea ce se prefcea c nu pricepe. Dar cnd s caut, cu uimire, vd
184
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. c nici eu nu am nimic de spus. Ce s-i reproez? C pe drum a stat lipit de mine i de el? C s-au cobort s culeag flori? C s-a sprijinit de braul lui? C au fcut un mic grup aparte? Ai fost tot timpul mpreun cu acel domn, ai dansat aproape numai cu el. A rs indulgent (ea). Ei bine, dragul meu, dar asta e firesc atunci cnd vii cu cineva pe drum, ntr-o excursie ca asta... Toate femeile au fcut grupuri. Se creeaz inevitabil izolri. Nu poi fi familiar cu toat lumea i atunci se pare c eti numai cu unii. Pe urm, el e un bun dansator... toate femeile din lume danseaz, cred. Da... ns nu numai cu un singur partener. Dar bine, aici nu e bal. Am venit mpreun pe drum. Nu... nu... a fost un adevrat scandal. Toat lumea v-a privit. Ce scandal? i s-a prut ie. Nu ai vzut c i-am spus toate femeile fac la fel? Aa sunt petrecerile astea. Odat acas, niciuna nu se mai gndete apoi la cunotinele i ntmplrile de aici. Ai s vezi c nici tu nu ai s te recunoti cu toat lumea de aci... Eti de o sensibilitate imposibil.
6.
Cu ce plcere te-a fi nelat pentru aceast continu nelinite i bnuial a
dumitale. [...] Deci... nu m-ai fi prsit? Poate c atunci da, dar a fi regretat-o toat viaa. Suntem att de toante cnd suntem tinere. Surdea ndeprtat i frumos, cu prul ei argintiu... i eu o admiram att de pasionat, c toat lumea prea intrigat ca de o scen de dragoste. Va fi nevasta mea, peste un sfert de veac, ca femeia aceasta de lng mine? i ce neles adnc ar fi avut lucrurile... Va fi fost aceast femeie la fel ca nevasta mea? i imposibil ntrebare vor mai fi altele acum? i nc mai fr sens ntrebare de ce mi se pare posibil numai n trecut, de ce regret c am pierdut, venind cu douzeci de ani mai trziu, trupul cald, cu zmbetul bun i melancolic al acestei femei? Dar nu, toate sufletele acestea de carne i mtase devin prea trziu, i de
185
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. prisos, bune.
7.
Primele trei-patru zile, dospind de mnie, nu mi-a fost greu s ndur absena
nevesti-mi. Pe urm ns, am nceput o serie de ipoteze, n toate sensurile, ca s vd ce gndete i ce simte acum. Cum tiam c iubete pe altul, nu-mi nchipuiam c ndur prea greu purtarea mea i-mi recunoteam dreptul, i m felicitam chiar, pentru ideea bun de a-mi cere ultimul cuvntul. M ntrebam vag dac ne vom mai vedea, dac ne vom revedea, vreau s spun, n continuarea liniei trecute, aa cum cnd te detepi dup un vis atroce, reiei viaa ta ntrerupt seara. i simeam c nu, adic nu mai aveam reprezentarea unei viitoare mpcri, cum nu-mi pot nchipui azi n ce fel a putea deveni preedinte de republic n America Central. Dup o sptmn am simit neaprat nevoia s-o vd, dar mi-am refuzat cu ncpnare orice prilej. Am cutat ns pe o prieten a ei, ca s aflu, prin ocol, ce gndete, ce face, dac ntmplrile acestea de rsturnare i evenimentul egal cu micarea planetelor pentru mine aveau pentru ea vreo importan. Nu mi-a fost cu putin s aflu ceva. Fiindc pe strad n-o ntlneam ca s-i cunosc noul surs, am nceput s colind restaurantele, cu bti de inim nc din strad, cu examinri uoare ale tuturor femeilor la nceput, cu reveniri insistente apoi, de team s nu m fi nelat din cauza plriilor mari i cu o tristee de moarte, cu impresia c totul e gol, cnd trebuia s constat c ea nu e acolo. A fi vrut s vd capul acela mic de statuie greac, blond, cu ochii albatri, cum e acum n form nou, s vd dac m privete cu ur, cu indiferen. Printr-o fatalitate de neneles, n-am ntlnit-o nicieri. Am reluat legturile cu toate prietenele ei, mi-am fcut dintr-una amant ca s-mi dea de tire despre ea, dar cum venea vorba despre ea, totui, de team c nu se tie cum se ntorc lucrurile, nu-mi spuneau o vorb, evitau orice discuie, iar detaliile pe care eu le ceream, de altfel cu un ton vag indiferent, cci altfel n-a fi avut nicio ans s le am, mi-erau totui, firesc parc, refuzate. Am cutat s tie c petrec, c m simt foarte bine, dar aceste gesturi ostentative erau ca nite scrisori ncredinate unei pote lamentabile. Nu tiam nici dac le-a primit i mai puin puteam ti ceea ce gndete aceea care le-a primit.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. S m duc acas la mtua ei, nu putea fi vorba. Nu mi-a fi iertat niciodat slbiciunea asta i nici n-ar fi fost posibil, att eram de definitiv n gndul meu. Am nceput s caut invitaii n casele n care tiam c ar putea s mearg, dar am nimerit-o mereu prost.
8.
Era acum o realitate care nu-mi ncpea n simuri; casa era goal ca un
mormnt gol, fr nevast-mea. S-a fcut n mine un pustiu imens [...]. Servitoarea n-a fost n stare s-mi explice unde mi-e femeia: la teatru... la mtua ei... lucruri vagi i imposibile pentru unu i jumtate ct era cnd sosisem eu. Nu tiam ce se va mai ntmpla cu mine pn dimineaa. mi repetam necontenit, ca idiotizat: N-a fi crezut-o niciodat n stare s fac asta... Am stat o bun bucat de timp trntit ntr-un fotoliu []. tiam c acum totul e sfrit pentru totdeauna, c e sfrit ntr-un mod cum nu merita loialitatea mea. Niciodat n-a fi crezut o femeie att de crud, n stare s-mi fac, fr folos, atta ru. Pn a doua zi, care mi se prea la captul unui lung, interminabil tunel, simeam c voi nnebuni. tiam c iubirile sunt trectoare, dar mi spuneam c sfriturile trebuie s fie cinstite, ntre oameni care, dup ce au fcut o cltorie plcut mpreun, se despart elegant, se salut cu cordialitate i, la nevoie, cu prere de ru c totul a durat att de puin, iar sfritul acesta mi se prea o nemeritat infamie. Mi-e cu neputin s notez toate ncercrile prin care am trecut, haosul de gnduri pe care le -am confruntat, ntreag aceast noapte cumplit, cum nu mai ntlnisem alta pn atunci, i poate nici n-am ntlnit de atunci ncoace. Ars tot trecutul, ars casa, murdrit i dizolvat ca personalitate, iat ce gsisem dup patru ore de drum cu automobilul. A fi vrut s fie vis, ca s fie deteptarea posibil, dar nu era dect ncrustat realitate. Dup ce am fost n stare s m ridic din fotoliu, am alergat aa, n necunoscut i probabil, pe la casele rudelor ei. La tanti Lucia nu era, la surorile mele nu era, i n-a fi dorit nici celui mai cumplit duman al meu s caute n zorii zilei, i s sufere cum sufeream eu, ntrebnd dac nevast-sa, plecat de acas: ... e la domnia-voastr cumva?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. Misterul imens al fiecrei case, cu ferestrele n ntuneric, sperana stupid c e acolo i c totul, dac n-a fost vis, a trecut ca un vis, nedumerirea celor ntrebai i impresia c, fa de cei cu via sigur n casa lor, eti un lepros care merge, ferit de lume, numai noaptea, m nucea. n orice caz, un accident, o ntmplare neprevzut nu mi se preau de presupus. Pe urm, am neles c totul e pierdut, c trebuie s-o prsesc cu totul nopii i aventurii ei, ntorcndu-m acas. A fi vrut s alerg, s strng sticl spart n pumni, s ncerc orice, numai s pot frmia din noaptea care m desprea de zorii zilei. Cnd eram mic, n ajunul unei cltorii, nu puteam dormi i mi-era team, singur n noapte, c a doua zi, n mod excepional, nu va mai veni. Iat, la fel, aveam impresia c ntunericul se va dilata la infinit, dar nu o plecare n necunoscut frumos era acum, dup noapte, ci plecarea pe alt drum, pur i simplu, dect cele de pn acum. Credeam c niciodat nu voi mai fi n faa acelei femei, ca s-o pot zdrobi. Mi-era team c voi nnebuni pn n zori. Aveam impresia c nu mai sunt stpn pe destinele mele, ca i cnd a fi fost ntr-o trsur ai crei cai sperioi [...] alearg, nenduplecabil, ca mine, peste gropile i neprevzutul cmp. Dac adunam toat suferina din trecut, nu izbuteam s egalez pe cea de azi, care-mi prea i de o natur diferit [...]. Cum a putut s fac asta? Meritam trivialitatea acestui procedeu care m murdrea de prisos... cnd fusesem att de loial? ... A venit a doua zi abia, pe la opt dimineaa. N-a putea spune cum i arta obrazul, cum i s-au mpletit inteniile de gesturi i explicaii, pentru c eram aa de sfrit, att de departe de lume, c, ntocmai ca un bolnav istovit de procedeele unei prea lungi operaii fr anestezie, nu ateptam dect s vie ea, ca s pot adormi. Depindeam de venirea ei ca de o idee fix, ca de un semnal c s-a sfrit, pentru ca s nchid ochii numai. I-am optit, fcnd [...] o sforare: N-a mai vrea s te vd niciodat... M-a privit cu o ur tears, de rnd. Atunci m goneti? Nu tiu... nu mai pot vorbi... Nu mai puteam cere nimic voinei mele...
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. Aadar m goneti? Nu pot s-mi dau seama de nimic, i nu pot alege din mine nimic... nelege ce vrei... Spune-mi dac ai ceva de lmurit... [...] N-am nimic de lmurit... Nu, n-ai s poi lmuri nimic. Poi s mai rmi puin dac doreti, dar dac vrei s tii, sincer, sentimentele mele, atunci pleac nentrziat i-i voi trimite eu absolut tot ce e de trimis. Iar m-a privit cu ali ochi, ri, aprui de din dosul ochilor ei tiui. Aadar, m goneti? Peste vreo cteva zile, i-am scris neted i convenabil, ntrebnd-o dac nu prefer s divorm [...] far explicaii multe, i a acceptat. Am suferit din nou mistuitor. Ziua i noaptea [...], nu puteam gndi dect la ea. Toate explicaiile, pe care i le refuzasem oarecum, mi le furnizam acum singur, construind o infinitate de ipoteze, ca un judector [...] maniac, bolnav [...]. Tot trecutul mi aprea cu alt neles dect cel cu care eram obinuit, iar una dintre cele mai dureroase operaii erau aceste concluzii pe care trebuia s le trag pentru ceea ce fusese. Niciodat femeia aceasta nu m iubise. Reluam tot ce a fost la Odobeti, la ar, i acum simeam c acolo am avut dreptate, c atunci vzusem limpede [...]. Nu mai exista acum pentru mine nicio plcere. Era ca un doliu adnc i dureros. Dac vedeam o pereche srutndu-se, eram ca acele mame care au pierdut un copil i vd, jucndu-se n drum, frumoi copii strini. Piesele de teatru i filmele cu dragoste, care ndur orice i pn la capt tot biruie, mi ddeau o nlcrimat i stupid melancolie. Cutam din nou, n toate localurile, ca s-o vd, dar dac o gseam, plecam numaidect, cu un cuit nfipt i rmas n piept. De zeci de ori pe zi deveneam alb ca varul, din cauza unui amnunt, care ar fi putut fi n legtur cu ea, n cea mai banal dintre convorbiri. De altminteri, toat suferina asta monstruoas din nimic.
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35. Camil Petrescu: fragmente din Patul lui Procust, 1933
9.
E de prisos s-i mai spun c D. era mai toat ziua la noi. tiam de la o sor a
lui erau dou ct m iubete, i poate c iubirea lor pentru mine venea din faptul c era alimentat de pasiunea important a fratelui pentru mine. Ceea ce am tiut mai trziu, dup ce m-am mritat am aflat de la un coleg al lui, e c D. era invidiat de tot liceul, c avea un fel de nevzut i emoional aureol, pentru c toi colegii lui l vedeau pe strad, la tenis, [...] n apropierea i tovria mea i a lor. Ele erau ns urte. E adevrat c pltea destul de scump aceast distincie. l puneam s-mi scrie leciile, s-mi rein bilete la teatru, s duc scrisorile direct la gar i s ia rspunderea tuturor lucrurilor sparte prin cas, cci mama era cu mine foarte sever. Mai trziu a venit n orelul nostru, ntors din Germania, un tnr inginer cu care dup cteva luni m-am mritat. Aveam optsprezece ani i D. nousprezece. Cnd a auzit c s-a hotrt logodna mea, a venit i mi-a spus ntia oar ceea ce tiam de la sora lui, c m iubete i c are s se omoare. Am fost mirat cnd am aflat ct poezie fcusem pn atunci fr s tiu, m-a micat durerea lui, am plns amndoi, dar m-am mritat cu cellalt care, dup cum mi explica mama, avea o frumoas carier. D. ns nu s-a omort i dei mi-a trimis n ajunul zilei de nunt o poezie tradus din nemete de Iosif ah, nu mai stau acum s-mi amintesc autorul, Heine, nu? n-a venit la nunt n giulgiu de strigoi, ci ntr-un smoking nou, din garderoba pe care ai lui i-o dduser i cadou, i pentru c i era necesar la terminarea liceului. N-a fi vrut s se omoare, o, deloc, dar m-am gndit uneori ce impresie ar fi fcut n orelul nostru sinuciderea lui din cauza mea. Eu am plecat cu soul meu n Germania. D. s-a dus s-i fac dreptul la Bucureti. Din cnd n cnd mama mi trimitea n postscriptumuri de scrisori, ecouri din necazurile familiei D. Fetele s-au mritat prost i vechiul meu tovar [...] nu-i ddea examenele la Universitate, i petrecea timpul prin cafenele i lucra noaptea la
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. o gazet. Acas, n timpul acesta btrnul D. i prsise nevasta i avea o amant tnr, cu care i cheltuia n escapade amoroase la Bucureti tot ce ctiga, ba chiar rupea i din mica avere pe care o agonisise pn atunci, din care ns apucase s dea zestre fetelor. A urmat o afacere nelmurit, btrnul a murit, dar s trecem peste asta.
10.
Veneam n ziua aceea cu braul plin cu flori... Nu m ateptase... Nu dorisem
dect s retriesc o clip... ceva din trecut i m supuneam acestui demers cum primeti un singur pahar de vin, tiind c mai multe nu ai putea suporta... Dar servitorul mi-a remis un bilet cnd am sunat. Un plic odios, de un albastru pal, aproape alb. Parc un gnd otrvit mi s-a mprtiat n snge i mi-a uscat pielea. Nu tiam ce s rspund, nici n-am citit biletul, pentru c acum coninutul lui mi-era indiferent. Altdat m adnceam n cercetarea motivelor, cum ai cuta izvorul apei [...] subterane, ntr-o grot. Mi-era acum o mil imens de bucuria mea i de florile pe care le aveam n brae. Am regretat pe urm brusc c am dat drumul trsurii din superstiie cci eram att de obosit c nu mai puteam merge pe jos, i parc din senin am nceput s sufr n tot corpul, cum revin durerile dac a trecut prea repede anestezicul. M strngeau pantofii [...]. Nu tiu de ce mi-a fost ruine s m vad servitoarea c aduc flori neprimite acas i asta era fr temei, pentru c de obicei mi cumpr singur flori pe care le aduc i le risipesc n vase smluite. Dar gndirea mi-era att de dezorientat, i m puteam folosi de o logic jignit tot att de puin ct te poi sprijini pe un picior bandajat. ncruntasem sprncenele ca s nu-mi dea lacrimile i regretam stupid pe un singur ton, cum, i aduci aminte cnd ai fost la noi la vie, cnta nentrerupt din fluier aceeai msur nebunul care se ntorcea cu vacile. De ce a fcut asta? Singur m-a chemat i eu am venit s fac un lucru drgu nerefuznd s retrim o or dintr-un trecut att de plin de bucurii [...]. Acas l-am gsit pe D. stnd pe divan i citind. Socot ns c a luat cartea n mn numai cnd mi-a auzit paii n vestibul. M-a scos din srite i cred c n privire mi apruse, ca un cine la poarta ogrzii, toat indignarea de care eram capabil.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. Mi-a fost ns mil de el... Era palid, mai urt ca de obicei, cu ochii tulburi i gura inform, uscat ca o smochin. A fi vrut s-i pun din nou n vedere c nu trebuie s intre i s rmn la mine cnd nu sunt acas, dar mi s-a prut c mnia mea i-ar sfrma nervii, c l-ar deprima ca o insult nemeritat. De aceea am zmbit [...] i i-am dat mna... Mi-a srutat-o intimidat i a cutat s-mi defineasc parfumul. ntia oar m parfumasem din nou tot din superstiie cu parfumul care fcea parte din vechea mea dragoste, ca mirosul dintr-o grdin. Pe urm a ntrebat stngaci [...]: Te superi c te-am ateptat? ntrebarea lui, care nu avea dect un rspuns, [...] m-a enervat mai mult dect ateptarea nsi i
n-am rspuns. Firete c oricare altul ar fi plecat imediat, jignit, el ns a rmas umilit i cu sufletul ghemuit. ntr-o clip mi-a prut ru de brutalitatea mea i am cutat acum, dup ce mi se prea c pusesem lucrurile la punct i stabilisem o nelegere tcut ntre noi, c nu trebuie s mai vie altdat s repar puin din rul pe care-l fcusem acestui trup cu nervii roi de suferin [...] i am chemat servitoarea, spunnd s prepare de ceai. Din tot corpul i s-a ridicat n privire o strlucire, ca untdelemnul care se nal din fundul apei. i-am fost mulumit de mine.
11.
Nu, dac mi-o povesteti, nu mi-e de niciun folos. Subiecte mi se ofer toat
ziua. Nu e scriitor cruia s nu i se ofere aproape cotidian subiecte. Extraordinar. Am s-i povestesc cazul meu!... S vezi!... Ai putea s scoi un roman!.. Dac vrei s-mi fii cu adevrat de folos, povestete-mi totul n scris. Mai mult dect ntmplarea nsi, care nu poate fi mai extraordinar, orice ai spune, dect un rzboi, m-ar interesa amnuntele, mai ales cadrul, atmosfera i materialul ntmplrii... Firete c nu-i cer dect o redactare, ns e nevoie s fie ct mai amnunit... Pe urm eu voi preface totul ntr-un roman. (i spunnd asta mineam, cci nu m gndeam chiar s scriu un roman.) Era mereu frmntat de vederea lui dinuntru. Ai s fii foarte surprins... Nu tiu, s vedem... Vrei s-mi faci acest mare serviciu? Povestete [...], la ntmplare, totul [...]. (Cci, cu adevrat, bnuiam mai interesante dect ntmplare a
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. nsi, digresiile.) A surs pe gnduri, descurajat, dar era att de prins de mprejurare c, pe urm m-a luat de bra. Ascult, am s fac i asta... Dei m ntreb dac nu ai s arunci ce scriu eu la gunoi. mi vei fi de folos numai dac mi vei da material, ct mai mult, chiar cnd i-ar pare ncrcat, ori de prisos [...]. Folosete, cnd vrei s te explici, comparaia. ncolo nimic. Bine, ntr-o sptmn am s-i aduc un caiet ntreg. Nu mi l-a adus peste o sptmn, nici peste dou, ci abia peste o lun... Ceea ce ndjduiam, s-a realizat. Fred Vasilescu s-a ambalat i ntmplarea a luat proporii. Mrturisesc c n-am avut nevoie de prea multe modificri, abia ici, colo de am simit obligaia unor desluiri, a ctorva ntriri de imagini, de corijat unele lipsuri (cci multe altele or mai fi rmas) i mai ales am schimbat cteva nume i date, complicnd puin lucrurile nude, pe care bnuiesc c el nsui le mai complicase de asemenea, ca s evit indiscreiile. Abia cnd l-am cunoscut mai de aproape, am neles de ce doamna T. l-a iubit att, de ce a suferit aa de mult din cauza lui. Nu numai datorit frumuseii lui brbteti, sportive, ct mai ales pentru un soi de loialitate i delicatee, un mod d e sinceritate a vieii, care nu seducea numai femeile, ci ctiga i prietenia brbailor lor, cci puteau s sufere din pricina lui, ca i ele, dar nu-l urau. Nu jignea niciodat, nici mcar pe cel cruia i lua nevasta. Cam prea echilibrat, vorbind rar, dar nu fr o privire stpn pe sine i ades ironic.
12.
Mi-e cu neputin s cred c scrisoarea lui Ladima e sincer, c toate
acele nsuiri erau cu adevrat descoperite. E prea mare deosebirea dintre ele i ceea ce arat Emilia, ca s fie posibil ca un ndrgostit, fie el i Ladima, s le i cread, scriindu-le. Socot c el se amgea, cu oarecare luciditate. Seamn, ntr-un anume fel, cu btrnul care st de vreo civa ani la noi la ar. E fiul unui fost ministru de prin preajma Rzboiului pentru Independen. A motenit o avere
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. frumoas pe care a pierdut-o la cri, toat. Chinuit [...] de acest viiu, dup ce a stors de unde a putut i ct a putut, fcnd datorii ruinoase, a rmas muritor de foame, prin cafenele, la btrnee. Acum vreo zece ani tata, fcndu-i-se mil de el, i-a spus s vie la una din moiile noastre i s rmie acolo. Are cel puin cas i mas, fr grij. Ca ntotdeauna, i acum simte nevoia s joace, dar [...] n-are parale. Cum face ns rost de bani, de la mine sau de la prieteni, ntmpltor, alearg s-i caute parteneri. Acetia, tiindu-i patima, se las greu spunndu-i acum c ei nu au parale. Pn n cele din urm tot el le mprumut banii de joc, numai i numai s poat juca. Dar la sfrit rmne fr nimic, cci ei dac pierd i mprumut din nou ntruna, dac dimpotriv ctig, nu-i dau napoi dect datoria, dar lui nu-i mprumut niciodat nimic. Mult vreme am crezut c experiena asta, mcar n zilele cnd o
ncearc, trebuie s-l dezguste definitiv de asemenea tovari de joc. Totui nu... Mia spus-o singur. E mulumit c a jucat chiar i aa.
13.
Am neles asear, dintr-un gest al Valeriei, c o ducei puin mai greu,
c boala asta cade prost. Sunt srac, Emy, i sufr ngrozitor c, la vrsta mea, nu sunt n stare s fiu de niciun folos femeii iubite care sufer att ct suferi... Ieri, dup ce a plecat doctorul, a crui privire am pndit-o, ca un cine ochii stpnului, ncercnd sa ghicesc n ei, am rmas mult vreme, sfrit de oboseal, i pustiu sufletete, n sufragerie... Mi-era sil de mine, Emy... S vd ct de greu izbutete Valeria s fac fa pentru medicamente, pentru hrana zilnic i s nu pot nimic! Mai ales c am i eu necazuri... Am fost recunosctor ieri proprietarului care n-a mai insistat... Ce s fac?
14.
Zu, sracu avea inima bun i noi rdeam ca proastele. Tot Valeria a avut
dreptate. ntr-o sear, mai demult, cnd avea i el bani, Gina ar fi vrut s mergem undeva s supm, i atepta ca el s ne invite, c fusesem mpreun la cinematograf. El ns nu ne-a invitat i atunci Gina ne-a spus nou c zgrcit trebuie s mai fie. Dar Valeria ne-a certat ru: Ia mai tcei din gur cu asta. Fiecare i tie mai bine
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. socotelile lui dect i le tiu ceilali... Nu e bine s judeci pe nimeni. i ai s vezi c sracu tot a gsit bani.
15.
Dup divor [...] D-na T. a trecut prin clipe foarte grele. Cnd mai
trziu i se spunea, n glum firete, c este o excelent negustori, rspundea ades pe gnduri: De cte josnicii m scutete asta. Mie mi-a povestit ct de sil i-a fost de ea nsi, cnd la vreun an dup divor, locuia la o prieten, i nu se hrnea dect cu cte dou ou pe zi: [...] Nu puteam s m spl n fiecare zi ca lumea, ca s nu deranjez prea mult pe priete na care m gzduise. Devenisem acr [...] de umiline nghiite i neajunsuri. Pe vremea aceea a ncercat s intre dactilograf la birourile din Capital ale fabricii noastre (am aflat mai trziu), dar dup trei luni Gheorghidiu a dat-o afar... probabil nelat n ateptri. Mi-a spus cineva c era urt pe vremea aceea i prost mbrcat. Dup ce a ncercat vreo dou bnci, ca dactilograf, i-a venit ideea care a salvat-o. Pe Calea Victoriei, o doamn btrn, dar de familie bun, inea un magazin de mobilier i obiecte naionale...
16.
De obicei nu era nicio femeie care s nu-mi dea senzaia c pierd
timpul cu ea; n sensul c mi se prea c puteam s fiu, cnd eram cu ea, mai bine cu alta mai interesant, ntr-un loc, acas la ea, sau aiurea... M plictiseam n mod stupid, rvnind mereu fr sens, ca s zic aa, la vrabia de pe gard... [...] Era ca un fel de grab plictisit, fr jen, s plec numaidect de acas... Acum, dimpotriv, nu vedeam ce ar fi putut s fie ntr-alt parte mai interesant dect ceea ce aveam; mi se prea c la ora asta aci trebuie s fiu, c nicieri nu ar putea fi mai bine... dar mi-am explicat atunci c e din pricina locuinei.
17.
M gndeam... M gndeam la bietul Ladima acesta... Ceea ce
calculasem cu grij s nu mrturisesc, mi se pare ngduit s afirm mereu acum cnd

195
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. pentru ntia dat, ncurajat, Emilia are o vorb afectuoas pentru el. Era biat bun sracu... M mai necjea el cteodat... Dar i prea grozav de ru... Venea pe urm s-i cear iertare... Ce puteam s fac?.. Mi-era mil de el... Dar... nelegea i el c nu se poate altfel. Privesc uimit: Crezi c nelegea? Daa... mai ales la urm... sigur c nelegea... Uite, aa, cam o sptmn dup ce m-am fcut bine... a fost, aici la noi, o scen grozav. Iar l apucaser aiurelile. Ascult, nu tiu dac tu i aduci aminte... Ai venit tu odat la mine. [...] Nu... nu te-ai urcat sus. A venit singur Gina s-mi spuie s m mbrac i s viu jos la main, ca s mergem la mas E adevrat... dar nu pricep absolut deloc... n ce mod sunt amestecat eu n aceast ntmplare... S vezi... El era la noi... Abia m fcusem bine i sracul era foarte bucuros... Adusese prjituri i hotrse s stm, mpreun cu Valeria, toat seara, toi trei. Vorbea vesel, rdea, povestea... Cnd a venit Gina, a vzut situaia ncurcat i nu tia ce s fac. Mi-a fcut semn, i mi se pare c el a vzut, c are s-mi spuie ceva... Am trecut amndou n dormitor i mi-a spus c tu eti cu maina jos, c mergei la mas i c ea a venit s m ia i pe mine, c tot n-am mai ieit de atta vreme... Drept s-i spun, mi-a fcut mare plcere asta... De o lun i mai bine nu mncasem n ora... i am i nceput s m mbrac numaidect... Ea a cobort jos, zicea c ai zis c i-e urt s atepi singur n main. I-am spus c vin numaidect, dar s m ateptai dup col, cci mi-era fric s nu vie Ladima... Cnd m-a vzut mbrcat... el, care amuise, m-a privit galben. Unde te duci? Vorba aia, dei m plictisea... i-am spus: Fac doi pai cu Gina pe jos i m ntorc. Ce mai e i asta?... Ziceai c rmi acas?... Spune-i Ginei s rmie i ea. Dac-i spun c facem doi pai pe jos i ne ntoarcem... ? Era foarte abtut i-i frngea minile... Nu tia ce s spuie... Parc nu mai
196
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. putea respira. Ascult Emilia, te rog nu pleca... Rmi aici... rmi cu noi ast sear. Avea i el hazul lui, ce s-i faci?
18.
C scrisorile acestea nu trebuie s mai rmie n mna Emiliei, pentru
mine e o porunc. [...] ... Dac m-a gsi ntr-o expediie periculoas i un camarad al meu ar cdea [...], a cuta cel puin s-l ngrop. [...] Mi se pare de prisos orice negociere cu ea. Cred c ar deveni cu att mai calculat, cu att mai prudent, cu ct a oferi mai mult. A vrea s-i cer scrisorile subt pretextul c doresc s le copiez i eu. i pe urm s nu i le mai napoiez. Dar chiar faptul c a manifesta intenia de a le avea n copie, i-ar sugera ei bnuiala c e cine tie ce valoare la mijloc... Mai mult, a face-o foarte circumspect i n-a izbuti s le fur. Cci ast sear le voi fura.
19.
Am cutat a doua zi toate ziarele i revistele din sptmna morii lui
Ladima. Nu mi-era greu, cci faptul intra chiar n coleciile din anul acesta... Gndul acesta singur i mi da o tristee grea ca un doliu. Peste sinucidere nsi se trecea cu oarecare discreie. Ziarele [...] nu aminteau dect moartea unui poet. Era ca un soi de ciudat pudoare, sau ca o ntmplare nenorocit n familie, care nu trebuie comentat. Altfel aceste articolae-necroloage erau surprinztor de elogioase, contrastnd cu ostentaia cu care era trecut sub tcere n via. Dar era un fel de laud gratuit, ca i cnd cuvintele ar fi fost tocite d e sens i trebuiau umflate: G.D. Ladima un strlucit talent sau a fost unul dintre cei mai ludai (?) poei de azi. Una vorbea chiar de o mare pierdere pentru literatura romneasc. Era n toate acestea un soi de publicitate indiferent n ceea ce privete nsui obiectul, dar binevoitoare i amabil fiind vorba despre un confrate.
20.
Ceea ce unora li s-ar putea prea de o groteasc absurditate, anume ca
un om ca Ladima s se sinucid din pricina unei femei att de vulgare ca Emilia, mie
197
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. mi se prea destul de explicabil. N-a putea spune cum... Din capete de experien proprie, din cercetarea cu oarecare atenie a reportagiilor de gazet, din ceea ce tiu din jurul meu, am ajuns la convingerea c numai femeile vulgare provoac drame din amor, sinucideri sau crime. Nendoios c din pricina femeilor superioare se sufer mult mai mult, mult mai adnc i subt forme care in de un desfiintor sadism psihologic. Dar cnd auzi despre vreo sinucidere sau crim, aproape
ntotdeauna constai uimirea celor ce au cunoscut pe eroin: Cum, pentru asta? Dar nu e nici mcar frumoas, e vulgar, are o inteligen de vnztoare.
21.
L-am rugat s-mi povesteasc amnunte i mai ales ce crede despre
cauza acestei sinucideri. i spun drept... Am rmas trsnit cnd mi s-a telefonat tirea... Eu l socoteam drept unul dintre cei mai de seam poei ai notri de la Eminescu ncoace, dei era aproape necunoscut marelui public. Asta a fost ns totdeauna soarta geniilor. Pe la prnz, servitoarea, locuia ntr-o curte lung de pe 13 Septembrie vznd c e ua nchis, mpotriva obiceiului, cci spunea ea, nu nchidea niciodat, a btut n geam, a strigat i cum asta era a doua zi, a chemat pe proprietreas... n sfrit, cnd m-am dus eu, zcea ntr-un pat ngust de tabl, cu capul czut de pe perin pe umr. i trsese un glonte n inim, lipind eava de piept i nbuind cu ptura zgomotul... Nu s-a putut afla de unde i-a procurat revolverul... [...] Credei c s-a sinucis din cauza mizeriei? Fie c se sinucid sau nu, mizeria e mai totdeauna cauza adevrat a morii poeilor romni, domnule Vasilescu. Cam toi evolueaz ntre spital i ospiciu.
22.
Domnule Vasilescu, prietenul nostru, din pricina acelei iubiri njositoare
era un om pierdut. i-a dat seama de asta singur. Mai ales n ultimele sptmni de via, i-era mil s-l priveti. Parc se rupseser n el resorturi, parc organele nu-i mai funcionau. Era cu mult mai ru dect bolnav. Se jurase c, dup o ultim ntmplare umilitoare, pentru nimic n lume nu se va mai duce la ea. Era el nsui
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. uimit c a putut s iubeasc o asemenea femeie, mi spunea chiar c i-ar fi ruine dac ar afla i altcineva, afar de noi, prietenii. i ddea seama i de aceea i-a i cerut scrisorile napoi... Mi-e sil de mine nsumi, Nicolae, mi-e sil, de parc am pduchi n suflet. [...] Dac nu-mi fac seama singur e c m-a rsuci de dezgust n sicriu, dac a bnui c lumea crede c m-am sinucis din pricina acelei femei... sau poate c din cauza foamei... O asemenea moarte singur ar ntrece n ruine urciunea suferinelor mele...
199
36. Marin Preda: fragmente din Cel mai iubit dintre pmnteni, 1980
1.
Deci i ea era o cetate care trebuia cucerit, am gndit, dar una mai
grea, cci mi sugera legtura ei strns cu moartea. Att, alte ziduri nu avea, dar sta, singurul cum s-l escaladezi? Am nceput s ieim, s ne plimbm mpreun prin ora. Nineta era bine mbrcat, chiar elegant i strada o schimba, deven ea grav, aproape strin, tcut i veselia i pierea de pe chip. Avea chiar un ochi cercettor imobil cnd se uita la ceva. Se uita cu o lcomie pe care n-o descifram, oricum strada o schimba, aveam chiar impresia c nu mai era cu mine i nu tiam ncotro i zburau gndurile i ce fel de gnduri. Apoi acas fiin... Aceste plimbri au adus ruptura, neateptat pentru la ea mine, devenea alt
incredibil.
Ieirea n lume e plin de surprize, da, e bine ntre noi doi, dar mpreun cu alii privirea ei nu-i mai aparine, sursul nu-i mai nflorete pe chip cnd o priveti, rde pe neateptate de ceea ce spune altul i eti stupefiat s descoperi c dei e aceeai nu-i mai aparine, aici e drama, e aceeai... Dar asta avea s m chinuie mult mai trziu. Ruptura mea cu Nineta a fost mai simpl, dar nu inexplicabil, fiindc fusesem avertizat. S-a oprit ntr-o zi n dreptul unei strzi, s-a uitat de-a lungul ei cu o expresie preocupat, impenetrabil i mi-a optit: O lum pe aici! Era o stad lateral, ru pavat, fr trotuar i n-am neles de ce trebuia s-o lum pe acolo. Am rspuns Nu! Dac nu vrei, am auzit-o spunnd, atunci n-ai ce mai cuta pe la mine. Chiar aa? Ce putea fi att de important? Nu! am repetat. Atunci ea s-a rsucit pe clcie, s-a uitat n jos linitit, s-a uitat chiar la mine, dar fr s m vad i mi-a spus: Singur i-ai dat foc la valiz! i s-a ndeprtat. Dar nu s-a dus pe strada aceea. Am rmas pe loc clipe lungi nedumerit: de ce nu voisem s merg pe-acolo pe
200
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. unde dorise ea? Nu-mi era indiferent pe unde ne-am fi dus? Pe de alt parte, simeam n mod obscur c dac ea, fr s-o spun, ar fi luat-o pur i simplu pe strada aceea a fi urmat-o fr s observ ciudenia de a ne fi plimbat pe o anumit strad. Dar chiar i aa, ce-mi psa mie c e anumit? Eram totui senin. Cu aceast senintate am rmas apoi totdeauna n faa rupturilor, dar numai atunci, n clipele cnd primeam lovitura, dezastrul ncepea mult mai trziu. Cteva zile la rnd am intrat apoi n curtea ei, dar n-am gsit-o dect pe bunica, iar odaia era ncuiat. Am revenit dup o sptmn, creznd c era plecat din ora. Zadarnic.
2.
Dac am rmne la aceast senintate care ne atinge ca o arip dulce sufletul!
E cel dinti adevr, cel adnc, care nu doare. Dac am tri, ne-am ghida viaa dup el! Dar nu facem aa, fiindc apare curiozitatea, aa-zisa luciditate care ne ndeamn s aflm de ce... Ct luciditate, atta suferin! Da, aa e! Dar cine dracu te pune? De ce nu ne mai iubete. Ce stupid, cnd totul ar fi att de simplu dac am pstra n noi revelaia acelor clipe sublime, acea senintate izbvitoare. Trebuie s spun c iubeam frumuseea acestei fete, att, capul ei frumos, nu sufletul ei amorf i nici corpul i att mai puin mintea, i mi-ar fi fost de-ajuns pentru toat viaa, cu condiia, ei da, ca ea s accepte s fie iubit. Nimic mai mult. Refuzul ei, dup ce m lsase s cred c ar accepta, ncepu dup cteva zile s m chinuie. Ispita luciditii care te ndeamn s afli de ce nu te mai iubete cineva const n faptul c ai sentimentul acut, irezistibil c, dup ce vei afla, vei nceta s suferi. Poate, i spui, ai fcut vreo greeal care se poate repara. Poate la mijloc e o nenelegere. Poate c iubete pe altcineva. Ei da, e un pahar care trebuie but...
3.
i unde stai dumneata, domnule Petrini? m ntreb ea la plecare, n
timp ce i inea, cu tandree, soul de bra, care so m privea parc de sus, nu tiu de ce, ca i cnd ar fi obinut asupra mea o victorie. n orice caz, doamn, i-am rspuns, nu ntr-o cas aa de frumoas ca a dumneavoastr. i putei fi vizitat? N-am neles sau n-am auzit bine ntrebarea, sau eram brusc plictisit i dispreuitor
201
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. fa de acest cuplu bizar ca s mai fiu atent la ceea ce mi se spunea, dac era vorba de o vizit a lor mpreun, banalitate, sau numai a ei, ceea ce mi s-a prut din capul locului absurd... Am uitat s-i rspund.
4.
i totui acest lucru absurd avu loc: ntr-o dup-amiaz, cam la o lun
dup vizita mea la ei, m pomenii cu ea n u. Bun ziua, domnule Petrini, mi-a spus soul c te-a invitat la noi de cteva ori i ne-ai refuzat, ncepu ea chiar din prag. E adevrat?! m interog n timp ce i ineam blana, cu care m ls n mn i intr n biroul meu cu pai fermi, ca i cnd ar mai fi fost pe la mine i era familiarizat cu casa. Se aez chiar pe scaunul meu i i ridic fruntea s-i vd chipul fascinant, cu ntrebarea n frumoii ei ochi verzi neclintii [...]. Uitai s-i rspund, prins de o tulburare care m indigna i din care nu-mi reveneam; deschisei gura s vorbesc, dar glasul mi pierise. i totui n acelai timp, [...] eram stpn pe mine, dei mi ddeam seama c sunt paralizat. Simeam n clipele acelea, ntr-un mod aproape fizic, diferena de vrst dintre noi...
5.
Numai c n-o ddeam afar prin tcerea mea mohort, far s-mi pese
ns c purtarea mea putea fi jignitoare. Ei i? S nu spui c te-am deranjat, cu toate c ai aerul, relu ea i izbucni ntr-un hohot de rs de o sinceritate cuceritoare. Prea s spun c tie c sunt turburat i c de aceea nu pot vorbi i se uit deodat la mine cu o intens afeciune, care m eliber brusc din paralizia mea. Da, iat, afeciunea, sentimentele pot sri uor barierele dac oamenii nu-i poart sufletul ntr-o carapace. tiam c i eu o aveam pe a mea i desigur tulburarea venea de-acolo c aceast femeie voia s-o ridice. Sinceritatea rsului ei i afeciunea cu care m privi m mblnzir: nu, nici vorb, nu venise cu aceast intenie, ci din pur simpatie. Nu, doamn, i rspunsei, n-am refuzat invitaia. Am ateptat doar ca Petric s precizeze ziua. Vino pe la noi, mi-a spus, dar cum s viu dac nu spui cnd i la ce or? Dar ce rost are formalismul sta? zise ea. Vino cnd vrei, suntei doar prieteni. Dai un telefon s vezi dac suntem acas i poi veni imediat. Petric era
202
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. nedumerit, ine mult la dumneata i mi-a spus: du-te tu pe la el i invit-l. Da doamn, o s vin cu plcere... Nu tiam... Dorii o cafea?... i m ridicai i intrai n buctrie. Ceva nu era n regul n toat chestia asta. Dup dou sptmni de nstrinare, Petric m abordase din nou i plimbrile noastre mpreun, dup terminarea orelor, rencepur. Nici vorb de armonie ntre el i Matilda, cum mi sugera ea acum. Permanente jigniri, atitudine de dispre sub masca acelei generoziti care numai el tia ce ascunde. Era, povestindu-mi scenele care aveau loc ntre ei doi (i pe care le ascultam ca i cnd a fi citit un roman pasionant), de la o zi la alta tot mai ndrjit mpotriva ei. Sensibilitatea lui era zilnic rnit i n-ar fi fost nimic, ar suporta totul dac ar putea scrie. Dac ar fi un om obinuit ar cuceri [...] nepsarea, ar lsa s apar n sufletul lui cinismul i dispreul i ar tri ca oricare altul. Dar el e poet, vrea s scrie i cum poi s scrii cu nep sare, cinism i dispre? Foaia de hrtie rmne venic alb n faa ta, sear de sear, cnd te retragi i mpins de dorina de a scrie, vrei s scrii. Volumul de versuri pe care le -a publicat fusese scris nainte de cstorie. De cnd triete cu ea, adic de trei ani, n-a scris un rnd... Petric, i-am spus, asta e grav, n timp ce mi era din ce n ce mai limpede c nu femeia era cauza, ci el nsui. Femeia era aa cum era, dar el de ce era aa cum era i nu altul [...]. De ce nu se desprea de ea? Bineneles c o s m despart, rspunse el, dar iat cum s-au dus dracului trei ani din viaa mea, n care timp n-am putut nici s citesc ca lumea. Ar fi fost o compensaie. Bine, i-am rspuns, dar n-o mai lungi i nceteaz s mai vorbeti n oapt n propria ta cas, cum ai fcut atunci cnd ai uitat imediat tot ceea ce i fcuse, ceea ce mi povestisei i altele pe care nu mi le-ai povestit, dar care probabil c dureaz de mult, i asta numai la simpla ei apariie.
6.
ntr-o sear, de bine de ru, am scris o poezie i m-am dus la ea s i-o
citesc. A ascultat, dar pe urm a pufnit-o rsul. Rdea n hohote fr nicio jen i nicio ruine. De acord, poezia era proast, dar nu asta era important, ci faptul c scrisesem totui. Am aruncat-o furios la co i am ieit de la ea njurnd. Bine, zic,
203
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. dar de ce trebuia s i-o citeti ei? De unde s bnuiesc cum va reaciona? Orice om de bun-sim mi-ar fi spus c poezia e bun i c trebuie s continui, pe ideea c pe urm, scriind altele mai bune, singur mi-a fi dat seama c aceea pe care i-o citisem era tmpit. Bine, Petric, nu e o muz, dar... Dar bun-sim poate s aib? m ntrerupse el. Citesc o carte care m entuziasmeaz, o ia s-o citeasc i ea, casc i se mir ce mi-o fi plcut mie, ceva aa de idiot n-a mai citit de mult... Adic m face pe mine idiot?! Bunul-sim ar trebui s-o ndemne s spun c n-a neles sau nu e pe gustul ei. De ce trebuie s treci la insulte? Rupe, ca s zic aa, relaiile culturale i trii mai simplu, ca brbat i femeie: un profesor, o arhitect, fiecare cu profesia lui. El tcu n ziua aceea, dar a doua zi relu: ... Simplu, ca brbat i femeie... asta nseamn s fac eu totul i ea nimic... Am fcut i asta, nu mi-e ruine, dar mi-a spus cu ironie c ea a luat un brbat, nu o fat n cas. Divorul, Petric, rezolv totul. I-ai pus problema? Un divor e un eec!, murmur el i i ridic privirea spre nori i tcu vreme ndelungat. Aha! Aadar el spera n ndreptarea ei, nu suporta gndul unui eec?
7.
Reveni in hol cu un pachet de igri n mn, se reaez i i aprinse
una. Asta e, zise foarte linitit, nu corespund visului tu de fericire. Ce s fac? S m prefac c n-am cinci ani mai mult dect tine? A fi ridicol! Sunt btrn, drag, am trecut de treizeci de ani, i adio, Matilda, cochetria cu un brbat mai tnr... nc puin i mi-ai fi spus-o n fa: sngele meu bate altfel dect al tu, ce te miri c m-am ndrgostit de alta? Ce-a fi putut face auzind asta? A fi nghiit sau ar fi trebuit s tac, s nu te ntreb unde te duci de i pui cel mai frumos costum i cea mai frumoas cravat la cea mai frumoas cma, splat i apretat de mine i unde ntrzii sau i petreci nopile, n timp ce eu te-a atepta ncercnd zadarnic s dorm?... Ai fi zis, auzind-o, c i desvluie n sfrit secretul comportrii ei, dar nu m lsai nelat: Atunci, i spusei, de ce te-ai mai mritat cu mine i mai ales de ce ai pstrat copilul? De ce? sta e alt secret, pe care ns nu i-l spun i n-o s-l afli niciodat. i nc un lucru: nu te nela pe tine nsui creznd c m-ai iubit foarte tare. Nu m-ai iubit nici mcar att ct poi tu s iubeti, adic aa, cu toat fiina ta,
204
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. cum s-a ntmplat pe vremea cnd i ddeam telefoane la facultate... probabil c o s-o faci de-aici nainte, dar eu nu voi fi aia care se va bucura de aceast iubire. Atunci, da, n anul acela m-ai iubit, cnd i-era fric s nu m pierzi, nu tiai sigur dac ntr-o zi n-o s-i spun c renun la divor i m ntorc la Petric, dup ce te-ai convins c nu [...], adio, iubire! Vorbea ca s nu spun nimic sau s-mi turbure sufletul cu false desvluiri. i nc un lucru, continu, nu uita c tu ai fost primul care ai ndrznit s loveti femeia pe care zici c o iubeai att de tare. Pe loc, atunci, am crezut i eu, ca i tine, c eram vinovat, pe urm mi-am revenit: ia uite, mi-am spus, el nu m iubete, altfel cum s-ar fi putut s uite c eram eu, Matilda, care sta n faa lui i care venisem s-i spun c-mi pare ru c i-am spart biroul... N-am mai avut timp s-i spun, m-am pomenit pe jos, nucit. Te miri c am ndrznit i eu? n orice caz, n-ai dreptul s-mi spui c i-am deschis perspectiva unei viei ticloase. Perspectiva asta ai deschis-o tu! n ce privete prima perspectiv pe care i-a fi oferit-o, a unei viei moarte, adic fr iubire, pardon, i eu am avut aceeai revelaie: aceeai perspectiv mi-o ofereai i tu. Mai demult, zisei, sau ncepnd din a doua zi dup ce m-am mutat la tine? Ehe, fcu ea, din clipa cnd te-am cunoscut! Da, i mai ii minte clipa aceea? Cum s nu, asta nu se uit! Oare coincid clipele?! zisei eu cu fals nostalgie. Ia s vedem, i eu pstrez n amintire clipa fatal. Pe strad, domnule, zise ea cu un glas ca i cnd ar fi mrturisit o infamie. Ningea, i tu erai cu Petric, care pesemne i povestea ceva despre mine, m ponegrea, i tu ascultai rnjind, drama lui era pentru tine un spectacol vesel, pe care el i-l ddea cutnd, ca un naiv, nelegerea unui om pe care nu-l ghicea ct e de brutal i insensibil. De departe v-am vzut...
8.
Se ls o tcere. Fetia deschise ua i fr ezitare o lu ncet spre
maic-sa. Matilda se ridic i dispru n buctrie. Copilul veni atunci la mine i se aez, cuminte, n fotoliu. Prezicerile lui Ben Alexandru nu se adeveriser, cu toate c Matilda se predase cu totul fetiei. Silvia i vedea cuminte de mica ei via i era aproape n mod egal ataat de maic-sa i de mine, dei Matilda nu se bucura ctui de puin cnd o vedea c mi se urc vesel n brae: se predase, dar i pusese
205
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. stpnire pe ea i nu-i ascundea iritarea c Silvia descoperise o a doua fiin n viaa ei, creia i spunea tata i care o lua aproape zilnic la plimbare n ora. ncerca s-o opreasc, acum trebuie s te culci, afar e frig i n-am chef s te vd c ncepi s tueti. O lsam s mearg pe jos, pn o auzeam c-mi spune foarte curnd c o dor picioarele i atunci o luam n brae. Era o mecherie, nu vedea nimic de jos, n-o dureau picioarele, voia n brae, sus, i atunci ghiceam c era stpnit de o curiozitate avid i tcut.
9.
O luam atunci napoi spre cas i, ducnd n brae minunata povar, aveam
sentimentul c n realitate sunt un om fericit i c suferina mea e o iluzie, o himer pe care ar trebui s-o alung; puteam tri astfel o mie de ani i muri linitit. Altceva, o bucurie mai mare nu exist pe pmnt, restul e nerozie. Acas, ns, ne ntmpina mama ei, care mi-o smulgea literalmente din brae i punea stpnire pe ea: c n-am vzut c fetia a obosit? Ce, am de gnd s-o omor, aa cum i-am spus cnd am auzit c e nsrcinat cu ea? Cred eu c a uitat sau c o s uite vreodat aceste cuvinte? O s i le spun fetiei cnd s-o face mare, s tie i ea ce fel de tat a avut i ct de mult a dorit el s vie ea pe lume. Aveam atunci sentimentul net c ea ghicea c sunt fericit i voia s nu fiu i avea i puterea s-o fac. De ce? m ntrebam. Ce ru i fcusem? Totul se ntuneca, nimic nu mai avea neles i valul de singurtate urca iari n mine cu o putere parc mai mare.
10.
i-a trimis lucrurile la noi, zise mama, hainele i crile. Taic-tu s-a
bucurat c ai scpat de muierea asta pe care nimeni n-o nelege. Ce-o fi vrut de s-a mritat cu tine, dac n-a vrut s facei cas mpreun. Dar eu tiam i i spusei mamei: E btrn... A mbtrnit foarte repede! Nu e ea aa btrn, zise mama, i se pare ie, care eti mai tnr, dar la treizeci i ceva de ani nicio femeie nu e btrn... A fi vrut s-i rspund c Matilda e btrn n sufletul ei i c foarte curnd va mbtrni i la trup i n-a putut suferi gndul c tocmai atunci eu voi fi mult prea tnr pentru ea, dar nu aveam glas s-i pot spune att de multe cuvinte.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. A fost Tasia pe la noi, continu mama (s tii c femeia asta ine la tine), i ne-a spus un secret. Vrea s nu-i par ru dup ea, cic n i trei ani ct ai lipsit tu, o vizita unul Mircea, un ef mare care acuma e i mai mare i c dup divor se duce dup el la Bucureti i se mrit cu el. C ar trebui s-i iei un avocat i s ncerci s obii fetia, dar tot ea spune c nu poi s te lupi cu Mircea sta, tot n-ai s reueti... Las, mam, adug ea ca i cnd tirea m-ar fi lovit, o s-i faci tu copiii ti, nu te necji... Mama se apropie i m mngie ca pe vremuri. Te-ai fcut galben, mi spuse, nu te mai gndi... gndete-te mai bine s te faci sntos mai repede... Pe Silvia o s poi s-o vezi cnd vrei, i-a spus Tasiei c oricnd poi s te duci la Bucureti, s-o iei cu tine i s-o ii o sptmn... N-a fost s fie, mam, mut-i i tu gndul n alt parte! Sursei i i srutai mna. Mi l-am mutat demult, mi pare ru numai de feti, care ncepuse s se lege de mine, i spusei, uimit c vocea parc mi revenise. Nicio grij, zise mama, o s rmn legat. Niciun copil nu-i uit prinii, orice-ar fi... i abia acum i aduse aminte c venise la mine cu sacoa plin, o puse pe pat i scoase din ea o mulime de pachete... Pui fripi, ou, plcinte, prjituri mici fcute de ea, pine de cas tot din cuptorul ei i o sticl de vin rou. n mod curios mi se fcu foame i ncepui s mnnc flmnd, trezit parc la via i, ca i cnd tirile aduse de ea ar fi trebuit srbtorite, desfcui i sticla de vin pe care o bui toat simind c a mai fi but una dac a mai fi avut...
11.
Clipe de fericire! i simii o sfiere la gndul c s-ar fi putut ca aceste
clipe s se repete pentru mine zilnic, dac am fi rmas toi trei mpreun... Desigur, Matilda era astfel fericit, fiindc un copil, pn la o anumit vrst, e o venic surpriz. Iar soarta fcea ca surprizele Silviei s fie aproape toate miraculoase, i doar puine rele. Matilda intui starea mea de spirit. Dac te-ai hotr, mi spuse n franuzete, ai fi la Bucureti i n-ar fi o problem s-o iei pe Silvia oricnd ai vrea. Dac n-a fi avut-o, i spun sincer c m sinucideam. Eu m plng de ea, [...] dar e un copil extraordinar de bun, o minune. Numai la asta m gndesc cnd zic s accepi numirea, s fii aproape de ea, i, de ce s nu-i mrturisesc, i ea de tine! Mai vedem! spusei, nu pentru c aveam vreo ndoial, ci ca s n-o contrazic, s se
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. poat repeta venirea Silviei la mine, aceste trei zile... Mai vedem, repetai de ast dat cu mai mult hotrre, mai am ceva de scris, s termin i atunci o s iau o hotrre.
12.
Mi-am recitit acest lung manuscris i, dincolo de ceea ce el conine, m -a
uimit barbaria concretului, pe larg etalat i cu plcere vizibil, i pe care nu l-am putut ocoli fiind ncredinat c altfel m-a fi chinuit ndelung, far s obin, spiritualmente, eliberarea total a contiinei mele de ceea ce am trit. Am fost ispitit, o clip, s-l arunc pe foc. i totui, mi-am spus, trebuie s-i dau drumul s mearg. Muli dintre semenii mei au gndit poate la fel, au jubilat ca i mine, au suferit i au fost fericii n acelai fel. Mitul acesta al fericirii prin iubire, al acestei iubiri descrise aici [...], n-a ncetat i nu va nceta s existe pe pmntul nostru, s moar adic i s renasc perpetuu. i atta timp ct aceste trepte urcate i coborte de mine, vo r mai fi urcate i coborte de nenumrai alii, aceast carte va mrturisi oricnd: ... dac dragoste nu e, nimic nu e! ...
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Partea a Doua
CHEIA Exerciiilor
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I. TIMPURILE VERBALE
1. The Present
1. I often begin a book and then leave it unfinished, because I have to work a lot in English and I am very tired in the evening, when I start reading a novel, or a book of short stories, or whatever else I may lay hands on. 2. My neighbour seldom bets on horses, so I do not think he ever wastes much money, although he works hard and earns a lot. 3. The shepherd I know ties his horse to that tree once in a while, and he comes to knock at my door, because I almost always invite him in and offer him a glass of lemonade. 4. The grocers bitch hardly ever bites those who draw near the shop, because the grocer always needs customers and chains the bitch early in the morning everyday. 5. The dwarf breaks a glass every day, just to make sure he is still fierce enough to scare those who ever enter his room, and the glasses he breaks are more often than not more expensive than most other people can afford buying. 6. One usually bleeds when one cuts ones finger, and, if your friends step -sister does not bleed at all, then she must be an alien, and you had better look into the matter before it is too late. 7. I know a beggar who every now and again pretends he is blind and cannot see a thing, although you can often see him watching a film, and then begging for money, because he is a war veteran and limps badly. 8. Whenever my cat burns the tomcats lunch, she is not upset; she just asks him if he has got enough money to take her out, and if he refuses, she goes alone and lets him starve. It always works. It teaches him a lesson. Next time she burns his lunch,
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. she can be sure he will take her out without being asked. 9. Whoever has new boots repaired must be crazy. But the shoemaker has a sense of humour: he merely bursts out laughing and charges the fellow a price he will remember for as long as he lives. 10. Wherever a caterpillar goes, it eats all kinds of leaves and makes huge holes, which you can recognize by inserting your ring finger and making sure the hole is no bigger than that. 11. He usually builds houses in winter, but this January he is travelling abroad and he has no idea how long it will take him to come back and build the cabin you expect him to build. 12. He means to ask you whether you want anything to eat, and I am going to tell him that a true hunter never eats anything but game, which I am sure he has not got and will not be able to produce, even if you tell him you are starving. 13. Don't talk so loud: I am just catching the biggest fish in the river, and I do not want you to scare it away, so try reading or watching the sky until I am through, and then you can even sing, although I for one do not think you can sing so well. 14. I am telling you you are missing your plane to Australia, so tear away unless you want to be left waiting here for another three weeks, before the next plane leaves. 15. If the kitten is clinging to your leg, it is merely being naughty, because there are too many visitors in the house, and it wants all of us to pay attention to it and play with it while we are here. 16. At this time of night he usually sleeps sound and has sweet dreams, but, if you say he is dancing wildly, I do not want to contradict you, although I can swear by everything I hold dear that he is not making any noise and does not disturb anyone. 17. Take care, you are forgetting about the trip to the mountains, which means you are not going there at all, but are driving to the seaside instead, where you know your friends cannot accompany you because they are not allowed to bask in the sun. 18. The headmaster is seeing that impudent teenager right now, and I hope he is punishing him severely for breaking all the windows of his classroom. 19. Your sister-in-law is always coming to my place early in the morning and asking me to repair her refrigerator, although she knows perfectly well I am no expert at such things and all I can do is have it repaired by someone who is really good at it.
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20. Our great-grandfather is always drawing portraits of his dead friends, telling us the stories of their lives, after which he expects us to look happy and grateful, which I am afraid we cannot do, especially that he does so when we come home after eight hours of hard work. 21. When you are shown a new book by your future father-in-law, you must look intellectual and not imagine you are being offered a new car and required to drive it to the Danube Delta, where you can be alone and do not have to please anybody. 22. Whenever she is promised a ring by her new fianc, she shows him her ring finger and makes sure he gets the right size, and then she tells him it is a pity if the ring is returned after it has been bought. 23. A mother-in-law is usually denied the love of her sons wife if she is unable to get on well with her, so do not force your son to get married unless he feels he has to. 24. In this office castles are being drawn for the benefit of those who are interested in buying one and living in it with their children, parents, parents-in-law, grandsons, granddaughters and all their other relatives. 25. Ditches are being dug all over this field in order to find the remains of an old city, and you are going to be shown every discovery if anything is found. 26. At this very moment an actress is being chosen for Ophelias part, and she is to be offered a large sum of money to play it, but she must make her own costume. 27. New pencils are being brought to this town today, and they are all bought by schoolchildren who are sent by their schoolmasters to buy whatever they can find at the stationery. 28. The patient is being operated on by a famous surgeon, whose name can be found in the directory, because his telephone number is listed there. 29. The monkey is being looked at by all the architects who are visiting the Zoo, trying to relax after a week of hard work on the building site of a castle for the Wizard of Oz, which they are erecting. 30. The doctor is sent for every night, but today he is determined to get some sleep before he goes to have his usual chat with the old lady who is bored by her loneliness when it gets dark and sends for him as soon as the sun goes down. 31. When do your step parents usually bring their bottles to be refilled?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 32. 33. What are you doing with the horse which I usually ride to the fair? Why do you think I am drawing this dog if not to scare her?
34. I do not know how often he cleaves the trees in the forest, but I expect he does so more often than he tells you, so you had better keep an eye on him before it is too late. 35. What is burning there that smells so bad?
36. Why am I, of all people, always being sent to dig for worms in the garden when we are going fishing and nobody else is willing to do that? 37. What do you imagine he can charge for an extra ticket when you know its price amounts in fact to very little, or is he a scoundrel, really, and will resort to anything in order to make money? 38. I am highly interested in finding out when exactly you bend bars at the circus, how old you are, what your name is, how much you are paid, who your friends are and what the manager thinks of you. 39. He is always eating when I go to talk business to him, so I am staying at home today; he can creep at my feet before I go to see him in her house again, or dont you believe me? 40. The bread is just being sliced, so, if you ask your godfather why he is always throwing the stale bread away, also tell him that our hens starve unless we feed them.
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2. The Present Perfect
1. I have rarely drunk anything worse than what you have just given me, and I really think you are sure to poison someone with that stuff some day. 2. Never in my life have I driven a bus so fast, so you must not wonder if I fail to obey the traffic signs. 3. Her stepsister has just fallen off a cliff and has hurt her elbow, but a doctor has already arrived to take care of her. 4. Hardly ever have I dwelt in such a luxurious flat, with running water and central heating, and which has already been paid for by somebody I have never heard of. 5. I have never eaten coconuts, as far as I can remember, so, as you have just asked me about my likes and dislikes, I can tell you I do not know if I like coconuts, since I have not tried them yet. 6. I have not fed the deer because I have been too busy today.
7. I have never felt any regret for giving up chemistry. I have studied physics and I have become a good physicist, or at least I hope so. 8. Those who have fought many battles in their lives have already understood what I mean when I say that I have been lucky to lead a sheltered life, devoid of both envy and pride. 9. I have not yet found the compass, the ruler and the compasses, and, as I have never lost all of them before, I am afraid to tell my cousin that I should like to borrow his till I can buy others out of my salary, which has gone up of late. 10. Do not worry, the witch has just fled to another forest, and, as she has left no one here to menace us, we can safely hunt wolves, without the fear of meeting her. 11. The hunchback has been flinging ashtrays at the bank-robber for two hours now, but the bank-robber has stood still, staring him in the eye all this while. 12. The swallow has been flying for the last two days, and has not arrived at its nest yet, although it knows that its mate has been waiting for it all this while.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 13. The baker has been forgetting a lot of late, and he has begun walking about with a pencil and a notebook, to write down everything that I must remind him to do. 14. The nurse has been crying again, because she has been too tired for a few weeks now, and the doctor has just refused to give her a weeks medical leave. 15. The doorman has been freezing for such a long time that he has decided to change his job and work as a mechanic for the central heating, so he has just applied for that job, but he has been denied the salary rise, which he has also recently asked for. 16. For several hours now the housewife has been selling the librarian books which he has been cramming in his bag, and she merely wonders who has sent him to her and if he is ever going to stop asking for more. 17. The chemists raincoat has been hanging behind the door for two days now, but he has not come to take it, which means he has not used it these two days, although it has been raining cats and dogs. 18. The housewife has been hiding a lot of secrets from her husband, who is a dustman, and who has badly disappointed her, although he has not realized it yet. 19. The child has been holding the bar of chocolate in his hand for half an hour now; no wonder it has melted and now the child is crying he no longer has what he has just bought. 20. Your friend the linguist has been keeping your secret for too long; I do not know why he has done it, but I am sure it has been very hard for him to do so, knowing what a talkative nature he is. 21. Soft and strong drinks have been drunk in this pub since the year of the dustmens strike, for about as long as you have avoided it, saying that you have given up going out in the evenings. 22. The businessmans message has been received today, and the manager is now seeing the businessmans partner, who has been in town for a while, ever since the hottest day in July. 23. The milliners car has not been driven for an unbelievably long time, as she has been afraid to get into it since the night when she found a lion sleeping in the back seat. 24. The greengrocers house has not been dwelt in since the earthquake, for such a long time that most people have already forgotten it is a castle, and go picnicking
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. there. 25. The cooks pudding has already been eaten; it has been incredibly tasty, and all the guests have stated that they have not eaten such a good pudding in years, maybe for as long as they can remember. 26. The seamstress needle has just been found where it has been since the day of the flood, and, as she has been able to move back to her house, she has recently said she is immensely happy she can use it again. 27. The tailors fortune has been foretold by the fortune teller, and he has learnt that the butchers wife has found a treasure which she is going to share with him, because she thinks he has been too poor for too long a time. 28. This shoemaker has never been forgotten by his customers, because he has always made wonderful slippers, and has never charged much for them, although many people have thought him too expensive. 29. The charwoman has just been forsaken by her fifth husband, who has sworn he is never going to marry again, as he has had a very sad experience with the charwoman and has had enough of marriage altogether. 30. Our maid has been given almonds, and, as she has never seen such a thing before, she has just come to grandfather to find out what they are. 31. How long has the book-keeper been freezing, and why hast he not yet been given the coat which his daughter-in-law has bought for him? 32. I have no idea why the miller has ground so much flour; I suppose he has been given more wheat than usual, and maybe he has heard that you want to take it away from him in order to sow it. 33. I have often asked the conductor why his sons have grown so tall, but he has always avoided answering my question, so I have inferred he is not very proud of their unnatural height. 34. Do not ask me why your new lamp has been hanging from the ceiling all this time, since I have never even touched it, and I am sure it has been there so far only because the landlady has not noticed it yet; anyway, it is too ugly to be kept in any decent house, if I may say so. 35. Where has the conductor hidden his wig, and how long has he been keeping the audience waiting? 36. I can imagine why the goldsmith has hit the burglar today, and, if you have
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. ever stolen anything from him yourself, you had better hide in the cellar and bolt the door before he comes to hit you, too. 37. Why has the lawyer been kept in this cell for such a long time, and why has his grandson been made to kneel down to the gaoler and ask for their freedom, when we all know they have done nothing wrong, and no one has ever deserved more than these two to be free? 38. This thick pullover and these mittens have been knit for the soldiers who, for two weeks, have been fighting against the grasshoppers that have invaded all our crops. 39. I have not got the faintest idea why the lieutenant has just been asked to lay the table, as everyone can see that the table has already been laid and his soldiers have even been marched there to have supper. 40. Why has the judge been left alone if not to decide whether the sergeant is guilty or not, and to ask the man whether he has been lying all along or he has really been telling the truth?
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3. The Past Tense
1. The bus driver, the taxi driver and the truck driver borrowed money from a usurer and they never returned it, but that was long ago, and since then the usurer has left them alone, although they were afraid of the debtors prison in the beginning. 2. The editor-in-chief lent the visitor his own copy of last weeks magazine, saying he expected the visitor to return it when he no longer needed it, but the editor-in-chief has so far been waiting in vain, since that particular visitor left and has never come back. 3. The elderly typist lit a candle and started typing her friends short story about a bank-robber; the latter lay in bed till ten every morning, then he got up and phoned the police in order to make sure they knew he was at home. 4. The milkman usually lost half the bottles he took from the farm, so the farmer made up his mind to fire him, because he was afraid that he would go bankrupt at this rate. 5. The surgeon meant to say that the patient did not need to be operated on, because he was perfectly healthy, but the patients relatives were so determined to have the surgeon operate on the poor man that the surgeon gave up saying anything and merely left the room. 6. He said he was a physician, a G. P. (General Practitioner) as a matter of fact, and he could not cure an aged person from rheumatism, that the most he could do was to prescribe some medicine to alleviate his pain. 7. The policeman mislaid his gun and started looking for it in his car, but, as he was unable to find it, he admitted he was guilty: he did not know where it was, and he deserved to be punished. 8. The waiter was misled by his customers rich clothes, and allowed him to leave and return with the money for the bill later on, as the latter explained to him that his wallet was in his hotel room; the customer left, and, to this day, the waiter has never seen him again. 9. The headmaster mistook the doorman for the dustman, gave him the wastepaper basket and asked him to empty it, but the doorman was so hurt by the mistake that he handed in his resignation at once.
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10. When the headmistress misunderstood the pupil she found in the garden, and she felt sure he wanted to play truant, the gardener assured her it was not true, the pupil was his nephew, and he wanted to teach him gardening. 11. The schoolmaster was mowing in the field when his pupils came and said he was really overdoing it, working from dawn till dark, so the schoolmaster sat down to rest while his pupils mowed for him. 12. The landlady overheard what her tenant was telling his mother-in-law, who was already packing, determined to leave the house and never come back again, which she eventually did, to her son-in-laws great amazement. 13. The engine-driver paid a teenager to wash his engine and make it shine, while he was drinking beer and talking about horses at the pub, but the teenager started the engine in his absence, was unable to stop it, and left the station. 14. The librarian was putting some order among his books when someone came in and asked for Napoleons life, which the librarian could not give him, because the town mayor was just reading it. 15. The playwright was always retelling old jokes, which bored all his friends to death and made them avoid him whenever they could. 16. The manager of the factory was ringing the bell, but nobody opened the door, as there was nobody at home, and, while he kept on ringing, a neighbour came and told him there was nobody in. 17. As the clerk was running to catch the bus, a boy on a bicycle cut his way, they collided and both of them fell down, were taken to hospital, and have just been allowed to go home today. 18. The pedlar was selling shells to a little girl when a dog rushed up, barked at both of them and scared them away, upon which the dog started eating the salami in the pedlars bag. 19. The doctor sent for the nurse while you were buying the medicine, because he said that nobody could give a shot as well as his nurse. 20. The mason was buying bricks when I met him, and he told me he needed them in order to build a little country house, where he hoped to move with his family for the summer. 21. The plumbers coat was sewn by the cook while the former was repairing the sink; after that, the plumber put it on and had something to eat, while the cook was
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. complaining that he was eating too much. 22. The fisherman saw his boat was shaken by the wind, so he went into his hut and stayed there, waiting for the storm to abate, only his boat was pushed by the wind into the sea and was sunk. 23. The pilots plane was damaged while he was trying to take off, so he had to walk for two days till he reached the nearest village, and from there he phoned his family to tell them that he was all right. 24. The seeds bought by the shepherd were sown in his garden last autumn, and ever since he has hoped to see plants grow, but the seeds were not good, so his son-in-law sowed them in vain. 25. The dentist was waited for at the station the other day, when a surgeon came in his place and announced that the dentist was detained at the clinic, where he had more patients than he could handle. 26. When the stage manager was spoken to, the actors fell silent, and the audience did not understand what was happening, who was addressing the stage manager in the middle of the performance and why. 27. The film producer was mistaken for an actor, and he was given a red costume to dress up as a fool, which he refused to do since he knew that was not his part. 28. The literary critic was laughed at when he made a grammar mistake in his essay, and he was very angry, because the mistake was in fact a misprint, and the editor did not want to admit it. 29. The novelist was slapped by the red-bearded man whose life story he told in his novel, because the latter was a famous gangster who hated publicity. 30. The scholar was allowed to sweep the library floor, because he said he needed exercise, and he could not work in a dirty room, and the librarian was too busy to clean it himself. 31. The windows were being washed and the blackboard was being wiped, because the headmaster was expected to inspect the classroom, and the schoolmaster wanted to get a rise. 32. New theatres were being built, and many actors were being called to act there, as the town was to become an important cultural centre, the best place for a playwright to live in. 33. All the doors were being opened, and people flooded into the street to watch
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. the elephant which was being led back to the circus. 34. The park gates were being locked and all the visitors were being driven away, because it was late at night, and the gatekeeper was frozen, hungry, sleepy and wanted to go home. 35. All the curtains were being drawn aside, because everyone wanted to see the carpenters filing across the street, each holding a chair in his hands, then dumping it into a heap of junk. 36. When the cashier arrived at the bank, the floor was being scrubbed with soap and water, the doors were being unlocked, and the windows were being opened. 37. The prompter was blowing his nose just as the curtain was being raised, and the audience started laughing at hearing the noise and seeing nobody on stage. 38. The engraver was being marched off to prison together with his apprentice, who was shouting for all he was worth that they were being taken to prison just as they were finishing the Emperors wardrobe. 39. The painters paintings were being carefully looked at by the visitors, who were being guided about the museum by a blue-eyed elderly scholar, and who were being told that those were the best paintings in the whole world. 40. The announcer said that all the chimneys were being swept, and the chimney sweepers were contemplating the idea of a general strike, because they claimed there was too much work to be done. 41. Why was the secretary shedding tears when the boss told her she must type the whole text all over again, although the sun was shining and she knew he was going fishing? 42. Why did the T-shirt shrink so much when she washed it, and where did you buy it? She is going to take it back there and take her money back, as she has always done. 43. What were you shooting at the other day, when I was walking in the forest, and you nearly killed me with your gun? 44. When was the escaped prisoner slain, and why did the police not send dogs to smell his traces weeks ago, when he started plundering country houses and scaring the children? 45. What sleeping pills did you take, and why did you not sleep at all last night, although you were dead tired?
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46. Whose car was speeding towards the village last week, until it hit a cow and started spinning like a top? 47. Why did you always spell house with a capital H when we studied English together? 48. Why did he spill his milk every other day, and why did he throw away the cheese every two weeks when he was a farmer? 49. What book do you expect me to bring on Friday week, and why did you not tell me earlier that you wanted me to come to school on a day when I expected to be free? 50. Whose labels were you sticking when I had to sting you to make you realize I was there, and meant to ask you a few private questions which I was afraid you might not answer?
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4. The Past Perfect
1. The king and the queen had been married for a long time when the boy whom you see over there was born and baptized. 2. The minister had hardly struck the dog when its owner turned up, and the minister felt obliged to apologise and tear away. 3. No sooner had the president sworn he had been telling the truth and nothing but the truth than a beggar strode into the meeting hall, and accused him of having lied all along. 4. The watchmaker had no sooner seen the swollen balloon than he started drawing a clock on it, until he stung the rubber, and the balloon burst. 5. Hardly had the millionaire run out of sugar when he took off his clothes, and swam across the river to order more. 6. The businessman had been taught Chinese in his childhood, but he had forgotten the language and was learning it again. 7. The anthropologist had undergone an operation which had made him look like an ape, and now he was looking forward to studying himself. 8. The scientist had worn a gray shirt long before it had become fashionable, and he was upset when everybody began wearing one, and he had to change it in order to look different. 9. The physicist had already won the Nobel Prize when he withdrew from your group, because you were working on something that took too long.
10. The mathematician had just wound his watch, and was ready to go out when he found a football player running about his garden and trampling down his flower beds. 11. The caretaker was sleeping. He had been sleeping for several hours when the manager came, and stated he was determined to fire him, because he never did anything and was a lazybones.
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12. The night watchman had been scouring the yard since he had heard strange noises in the attic. 13. The sailor had been away from home for two years, and he had sailed all the seas and oceans of the earth. 14. The postman had been delivering letters for a whole day when an old gentleman came to ask him why he had not received his paper yet, and the tired postman flew into a rage. 15. He had been sweeping chimneys since the age of seven, and he always told himself that he had been had, because he had wanted to become a policeman. 16. The thief had been stealing gold watches for over a year when he was caught and sentenced to two years in jail. 17. The burglar had long been telling us that his ex-wife was hand in glove with the grocer, who was cheating his customers when they bought cigars, and that is why he had been stealing from the grocers house since his wife had left him. 18. The pirate had been sailing the oceans for a year when he met the priest, to whom he confessed he had always been hard up and had hoped to make a fortune. 19. The bishop stated that he had been visiting the country for a month when his friend let him know that he was in hot water, he had neglected his duties, and was going to be punished for it. 20. The conjurer was really sorry he had been saying that it was in the bag, since he was certain he could not produce pigeons out of his top hat unless they had not been introduced there beforehand; he had made a mistake boasting he was a magician. 21. 22. The alligator had been seen in the river long before we arrived. The she-bear had been hunted for its splendid fur.
23. The bear had been spotted ten kilometres south of the village, but nobody had been brave enough to go and hunt it. 24. The polar bear was covered in snow when it had been sleeping for a day and a night. 25. The wolf had been chased out of the woods while it was trying to kill a deer which it had caught.
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26. The she-wolf had been given ten cubs, and it was taking care of them all as if they were its own. 27. The fox had been sent to the Zoo after it had been caught trying to steal chickens from the villagers coops. 28. The vixen had been brought from its den in order to be shown to the children, who had never seen one before. 29. The lynx had never been afraid of any animal until it saw a puma just a short distance away from it. 30. The leopard had never been forced to jump over a hut before, but, during a safari, it crossed a village of natives, and jumped over everything that came its way.
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1. If he has lost the managers hat, I do not want to be in his boots, because the hat had been lying on the chair for years before he found it, and the manager has not yet discovered that it is missing. 2. If you think that he is not himself today, ask him what has happened, as he was in a very good mood before he saw your stepsister, who had been waiting for him for two hours before they met. 3. I have had no idea about your tomcats troubles so far, but, when your parents-in-law told me he had been lying in bed for weeks and you were leaving for Australia to have him operated on there, I decided at once I must come to see you both, so here I am. 4. I am always left to hold the sack, that is why I am refusing to help you rob the bank, in spite of the fact that you asked me to do it a long time ago, and I know I had promised to do so, but I have changed my mind. 5. He was taken aback when he found out his father-in-law was buying sheep, and he shouted he had never taken care of any animals, which is true and has remained true to this day, although his family have a huge flock now. 6. He said he was through with working, he had been mowing the grass since early childhood, he wanted to see the world, so he has gone on a trip round the world and is visiting France right now. 7. I was sure he was up to no good, so I tried to reason with him, but he left yesterday slamming the door open and saying he had never been so fed up with everything. 8. He made a big mistake when he confessed he had been stealing pens for years and he had been caught by the police every two months or so, but now his wife has forgiven him, and has made him promise to stop stealing and behave himself.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 9. When we discovered his prank, he was at a loss, because he had been preparing it for days, and even now he can hardly believe we have prevented him from setting fire to that heap of papers which he did not need, but we needed badly. 10. It was the last straw that broke the camels back: when he said he had been walking for five hours while we had been doing his homework, his father started beating him, and now he is convinced we have never been on his side.
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6. The Future
1. The panther from the Zoo is now at large, and I am sure it will be very difficult to catch it again. 2. I shall buy a zebra for your stepbrothers daughter, who asked for one a few days ago; I have just promised to bring her a very small one. 3. Will the tiger and the tigress allow anyone to come near their cubs?
4. The lion and the lioness will not stay at the Zoo; it is a pity to take them there, because they need freedom more than anything else. 5. Tomorrow by this time the elephant will be walking along the streets of London, and will be admired by both children and grown-ups. 6. 7. Will you be staying with us for a long time? I shall be leaving soon if that polecat is safely locked somewhere.
8. I shall not be disturbing you again, but I must first find the weasel, because it belongs to my cousin, who will be very unhappy if I tell him I have lost it. 9. I shall be playing with a hamster when I go to see my grandparents.
10. The ground squirrel will be jumping all over the place if you do not take it away from here. 11. The hare will be sold at the fair, because the hunter needs money to buy himself bullets and a new gun. 12. 13. 14. 15. You will be given a rabbit as a reward for good behaviour. The rat will one day be bought by a cat. Will this ratter actually be sent to Japan? Whose puppy will be brought in to be examined first?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 16. 17. Where will the kitten which has run away be found? When will a sheepdog be bought for the farm?
18. What kind of mastiff will be allowed into the yard while I am there? I am usually afraid of dogs, and I think I shall run away as soon as it turns up. 19. 20. When will the watchdog be let loose? Will you ever buy setters and teach me how to hunt?
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7. The Future Perfect
1. By the time you tell him that you would like him to call a spade a spade, he will already have told you everything he has done, and you will realize he had better not have told you anything. 2. Before you call it a day, your ex-husband will have typed all the letters and will have taken down in shorthand the speech which you have just refused to listen to. 3. By your next appointment he will have revealed your secret to every one who knows you; they will all be laughing at you, and you will no longer be able to say you are the best. 4. He will have finished doing his homework, I suppose, and he must have gone out, as he wanted to see a film, and had even asked me if I knew what was on. 5. Do not carry coal to Newcastle: he will have learnt everything there is to know before you have any chance of trying to hide the truth from him, so you had better be honest and tell him that you have sold his favourite parrot. 6. Before you get to know me, he will have told you that I carry fire in one hand and water in the other; I am warning you that he always does that, and I do not want there to be any misunderstanding. 7. Until he tells me that I am carrying it too far, I shall have asked him to lend me a large sum of money, and, if I am lucky, he will give it to me on the spot. 8. Before he tells you that you can use the phrase don't cast pearls before the swine, I shall already have used it in my essay. 9. Do not tell him not to cast sheeps eyes at her, because he will have forgotten your advice by the time he sees her. 10. He has left, so I suppose he will have understood that she does not want him to keep her company. 11. Next week by this time he will have been lying in hospital for a month, since he got it in the neck for disobeying the headmasters orders not to play football during classes.
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12. I have caught him off his guard: I have just explained to him that I shall have been working in this office for twenty years next month, so he had better not teach me how to do things. 13. I shall have been washing the dishes for an hour at a quarter to ten, and, as I am in a hurry, I should like you to come and finish the job for me, if you do not mind. 14. Next year by this time I shall have been studying three foreign languages at once for two years, but I must confess I shall not have mastered any. 15. I shall have been chasing the wild goose for weeks before he tells me I am on the wrong track. 16. He will have been caught red-handed before you can warn him that he must not join that group, because they are going to rob a jewellers shop. 17. The tomcat will have been sold on the black market before you have time to find it, if you let it go out all alone at night. 18. The bitch will have been kicked by the policeman by the time you cross the street and take it, because it always scratches the policemens boots. 19. By the time you buy the mouse trap, the mouse will have been eaten by the cat, so you had better wait and see. 20. The frog will have been replaced by a toad by tomorrow, unless you bring a turtle to the Zoo night watchman; his pets have always been turtles, but, unfortunately, he has lost them all in the course of time.
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8. The Future-in-the-Past
1. He warned me that I should make a big mistake if I bought that expensive broom, but I would not listen to him, and I have just bought it at todays auction. 2. He menaced he would let the cat out of the bag unless I paid him a large sum of money, but unfortunately it amounted to more than I could afford. 3. I was told it would be cheap as dirt, but they were all wrong; a golden watch is awfully expensive, so I have bought a bracelet instead. 4. I did not think you would dare tell him that cheapest is the dearest, because he has bought cheap things all his life, and he has never realized that he has spent more money this way. 5. I imagined he would clear his throat before he announced everyone that he had been appointed manager. 6. He was sure his daughter would climb up the ladder, because she was hardworking and ambitious. 7. Did I not tell you that the general would hide under the chair when you told him he had made several mistakes in his report? 8. I was sure the scissors would come in handy sooner or later, because he was a tailor and was bound to need them. 9. He confessed he would give it up in no time at all if I kept finding fault with him. 10. His stepmother promised she would come to the point as soon as everybody had arrived, but not before, because she did not want to have to say the same things twice. 11. 12. life. 13. The physician decided he would be living in France for the next five weeks. The archaeologist stated he would be working as a professor for the rest of his
The sailor swore he would be sailing for Spain during the typhoon.
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14. The butcher declared he would be selling pork chops all next day, so he would be too busy to come to the party. 15. The greengrocer hoped he would be digging in his garden all day on Sunday.
16. I thought the snake would be sent to the Zoo as they had promised, but they took it to the mountains, and it has been free ever since. 17. I feared the boa would be cut into pieces by the teeth of the crocodile, and I have been trying to keep them apart ever since. 18. His great-grandparents once foretold that the snake would be banished from Paradise because it had done nobody any good. 19. I had imagined the rattle snake would be filmed by those researchers, but now I see I was wrong, they only wanted to have a look at it. 20. I expected the cobra would be caught before I came into the room, and I can say I was scared to find it alive and free, waiting for me.
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1. I think he is reading, because I know he reads every evening at this time, and I do not want to disturb him till he finishes the page and calls me. 2. I finished reading the novel yesterday, while you were swimming because it was very hot outside, and I waited till you came back from the swimming pool to give it back to you. 3. me? What were you doing when I called you up and you did not want to talk to
4. I have been listening to this concert ever since it started snowing, since seven oclock, and I am sure that the musical broadcast started long ago, but I have not had time to turn on the radio till now, because I must practice the piano daily. 5. If you have not seen that play yet, go as soon as possible. George saw it the day before yesterday, and he says there were a lot of people there, and he has never seen such a good play before. 6. When did you come back from the station? I have been waiting here for more than an hour, and I have not seen you coming. Do you often come back home so late when you go there? 7. What do you know about the playwright who arrived from London last night, and who, as far as I know, has written more plays than all the playwrights in the world? 8. Have you heard the weather forecast? If it is going to rain today, I must take my umbrella, but I am always forgetting it, so, please, remind me. 9. Have you met the actor I was talking to, and who acted Hamlet yesterday, together with the actress who is acting Ophelia today? 10. You are always borrowing money from people! Have you never worked so far, or have you spent all your relatives fortune, and you are looking for another source now?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 11. I have already forgotten what you asked me to remember, so please remind me what you told me yesterday, when you asked me not to forget, and I do not remember what it was. 12. What you did yesterday must never happen again. Your sister has never done such things, and she has been brought up by the same parents as you. 13. You are looking in vain; the burglar stole all the papers yesterday, when you left the door unlocked, so you can only find what he has forgotten to take. 14. We had been diving for two hours and a half when he came and forbade us to plunge again, because it was too late and he wanted us to go home. 15. I have been eating since you left, and I had been eating for quite a while even before you left, so I suppose the doctor is right to say I shall never be able to lose weight unless you leave less often and keep an eye on me. 16. He has been drawing houses since he was a boy; he is always drawing, in fact, even when you talk to him. When I met him, he had been working as an architect since the day he graduated from high school. 17. Her niece was shopping when they met; she herself confessed she had spent all her money, but now I am afraid they have started shoplifting, because neither has any money left, and yet they go on shopping. 18. Do you know the plumber who has mended our bathtub? He left for London last night, because he had been called there a long time before that, and he has not come back yet. 19. The children were playing. They had been playing since they had come out of the house, and were not going to stop until dark. 20. He had been skating since the sun had risen; the ice melted and he fell into the icy water. He came straight home, but he has had pneumonia ever since, and all I can hope is that now he feels a little bit better.
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10. The Past Tense. The Past Perfect. The Future-in-the-Past
1. I arrived last week, when he was swimming, and you had just lost your bag, and you were looking for it, because the gatekeeper had told you that you would find it. 2. I did not know you would come back, because I had thought you had left for good and all. 3. She was playing the piano. She had been playing for two hours, and did not stop, although she had said she was tired and would go to bed if I waited up for you. 4. I understood you had bought the castle, and you would fight the ghost which had built it a century before, and which had haunted it every winter ever since. 5. Two years ago I sold the car which you wanted, and the person who bought it does not know I had promised it to you, and I understood he would never give it to you. 6. Ever since I came they have been saying on the radio that it had been snowing for a month on the day when the strike began, and the dustmen were told that they would be fired. 7. Why were you smiling when I explained to you that I had run out of sugar and I had come to ask you to give me the honey you had bought? 8. He had been asked who he was, and he had answered he did not remember, he had forgotten how long he had been in hospital, and he would leave when he had recovered. 9. I was sent to the bakers and I was told I would be shown the biggest loaf of bread in the world if I promised to eat it. 10. He had been promised the big prize, but he had refused it, because he was rich and went abroad all the time, so he had no time to come and collect it. 11. You explained to me that you had been paying for a long time for the house you would move into, but I did not believe you when you said you had spent all your savings and you would go begging.
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12. He was watching TV. He had been sitting there for two days, he had not even gone to his office, because he was positive he would see the match, but he was wrong. 13. He stated he had been working for a month and he had had enough, he wanted to leave, and would even leave town without asking anyone, which he did. 14. I did not think you would do what you said you wanted to do, but I have never seen anyone so determined to give away everything he owned. 15. I was walking when you rang the bell. I did not know you would come so soon, that is why I did not meet you at the station as I had promised. 16. When you sent for me, I was just driving a nail, and I had been driving it in vain for two hours; I did not manage to finish the job, because the telephone kept ringing. 17. Where did you see her, and whom was she walking with last night? Why did you not tell her that I had been waiting for her for an hour, and I had left because she had not I come? 18. I did not know he was at the end of his tether when he asked for my help, so I said I should not lend him money, because I was sure he would never return it. 19. He cracked the bell when he revealed his secrets to the policeman, as he did not know that policeman had been after him for two years, and he would send him to jail in no time at all. 20. I told the waiter he had doctored the bill, and he said he had never done such a thing in his life, and would never do it, either, because he was afraid the customers would beat him.
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11. The Conditional Present
1.
Their great-grandmother would look younger if she did not wear glasses.
2. Your mother-in-law would help you more if you invited her to your house more often. 3. Her step-mother would behave more kindly if she did not work so hard.
4. Our great-grandfather would leave for Africa if you asked him to bring you bananas. 5. Their father-in-law would be less lonely if they kept him company more often. 6. His brother-in-law would not avoid you if you had not quarrelled with the whole family. 7. 8. 9. 10. Who would help your step-sister if it were not for me? I could give you octopus if you were accustomed to eating it. The crawfish would not go backwards if it could go forward. Would you eat lobster if I ordered a helping?
11. She would not be crying for the moon if you did not always give her whatever she wanted. 12. 13. He would be cooking his own goose if he admitted that it was his fault. You would be walking in Paris now if you had left by plane yesterday.
14. It would not help you at all if you began complaining to the boss that you had made typing mistakes. 15. If you asked him too many private questions, I am sure he would soon be telling you that curiosity had killed the cat. 16. I should be lying to you if I told you that your trick had cut no ice.
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17. He would not be dancing attendance on her now if he had not married her in spite of everybodys advice. 18. The tigress would now be dancing the wolf off his legs if the wolf had come to the party with her. 19. He would be reading the essay now if you had written it yesterday, as you promised you would. 20. Who would be sweeping the streets now if all the dustmen had given up their jobs? 21. The crab would be photographed if it were necessary.
22. The starfish would be left alone in the aquarium if the teacher asked the pupils not to upset it. 23. The whale would be cooked for supper if the ship-owner ordered his crew to catch it. 24. 25. 26. 27. The shark would be arrested by the sea police if it menaced anybodys life. The lizard would be followed by the Zoo gatekeeper if it ran away. The snail would be left behind if the rabbit raced it to that tree over there. The slug would be crushed if the ball fell on it.
28. The shells would be sold at the market if you made up your mind to part with them. 29. The medusa would be taken out of the seawater if it were stupid enough to swim when the beach was full of children. 30. Oysters would be eaten in this restaurant if there were any customers.
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12. The Conditional Past
1. The dolphin would have swum a longer distance if it had not been prevented by the fishermens boats. 2. 3. 4. 5. The penguin would have frozen if the winter had been too hard. Where would the seal have gone if it had been driven away from the beach? Why would the walrus have travelled such a long way if not to find food? What would the mink have done if it had not been for the fisherman who fed it?
6. Would you have used leeches if you had not been able to find a doctor soon enough? 7. What would the crocodile have done if the fishermen had tried to sell it to a circus? 8. 9. 10. Where would the guinea-pig have gone if it had been free? The adder would have bitten you if you had touched it. How would the camel have crossed the desert if it had not been for the Arab?
11. The kangaroo would have been eating all day yesterday if it had had enough food. 12. The antelope would have been running all night if the lion had not got tired of chasing it. 13. The badger would have been hiding under the bed all day long yesterday unless the owl had promised to take care of it. 14. The squirrel would have been eating nuts while you were looking for it unless it had been afraid you might hear it. 15. up. The deer would have been sleeping all night if the cricket had not woken it
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 16. 17. 18. The reindeer would have been sent to Finland if it had been caught lying. The stag would have been photographed if it had stood still. The wild boar would have been hunted yesterday if the hunter had had a gun.
19. The horse would have been accompanied by the mare to the fair if the farmer had made up his mind to sell them. 20. The stallion would have been eaten by the dragon unless Prince Charming had rescued it.
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II. CORESPONDENA TIMPURILOR
13. Consecinele folosirii unui timp trecut n propoziia principal
1.
He admitted he always made tea or coffee when he had nothing else to do.
2. He told the judges that the witch never did good, but she never did harm either, so he did not see why she should be driven away. 3. He protested that he had no idea what he had done wrong, and, if we did not believe him, he said he would never try to do right again. 4. The teenager objected that he always did his duty, but, as it was not his duty to make the beds, he simply would not do that, whatever his biology teacher might say. 5. Snow White said again that she never did her homework in the morning, but her grandfather would not let her drink her milk if she did not do it first. 6. The soldier confessed that he expected no one to do him any favour.
7. When the maid was told to do the room, she remonstrated that she was far too busy as it was. 8. He declared he would enjoy making the fire, and he usually made no noise while doing that, so we could sleep peacefully, and he would take care of everything. 9. He addressed me saying he wanted to make friends, since he had understood
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. I had not eaten his pudding, and, anyway, he wanted to be on good terms with everyone. 10. He claimed he had never made enemies because he was kind to all the stags who asked him for advice, and he always lent badgers whatever they requested of him. 11. She admitted she was doing her hair and could not open the door, and she let us know that we had better wait outside till she had finished and could receive us. 12. The schoolboy confessed he was hiding in the pantry, because he had got a bad mark and was afraid his mother would learn about it. 13. He announced that the king was making laws for his subjects, and must not be disturbed till he had finished. 14. Someone stated that the audience were making fun of the actors, and the stage manager was not doing anything about it. 15. A friend of mine claimed she was working, and would not go home until the wizard who did wonders turned up to show if he could do more than her. 16. The bachelor disclosed that he was doing business with the spinster, and he hoped to make much money, which would enable him to get married sooner or later. 17. The queen revealed that a plumber was doing repairs in the royal bathroom, and she would not be able to attend the parade until he had left. 18. The witness testified that the accused was making a trip to London on that day, which did not mean at all that he was guilty. 19. The speaker admitted that it had been a mistake to address that crowd, but he had been cornered by the mayor, and had not been able to refuse. 20. The barber exclaimed that he was not making a speech, he had merely told his customer he had better grow a moustache. 21. The opera-singer shouted that she had made a living singing national anthems for quite a while, and she did not feel like giving it up. 22. The waiter screamed that he had already made several attempts at pleasing that gentleman, but he had not managed to do so, and he was willing to retire. 23. The gatekeeper yelled that he had not yet made arrangements for children to
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. play in the park, and, as he had been instructed to keep the alleys clean, he would not allow anyone to bring either dogs or bicycles. 24. The football player yelled that the referee had made faces at him, and he was not going to play in that team again unless someone apologized first. 25. The homeopath shrieked that he had done his best, and, if he had not managed to cure his patient from tonsillitis, that was because the man had refused to undergo the operation. 26. The undertaker ended his speech by saying that the deceased had done credit to his family, which was partly true, because, although the old man had been the black sheep of the family, he had won a big prize for insolence. 27. The storyteller concluded that he had done credit to his fellow writers when he had published his autobiography, where he had described the literary life of the 1930s, and had retold all his friends lives. 28. The spaceman explained to the aliens he had decided to retire, and he would now wait for the aliens to visit him. 29. The soprano confirmed that she had made her choice, she was leaving for Cairo, and had already packed her things, so it would be useless if anyone tried to prevent her from leaving. 30. The sorcerer confessed that he had made a blunder when he had turned soot into sugar, and was eager to make amends, but the Happy Prince had already eaten it. 31. The magician mused that the mice had been making fun of him when they had started filing out of their holes, and, looking at his watch, he realized that they had been eating his cheese for an hour, which made him fear they would leave nothing for him to eat that evening or the next morning. 32. The lawyers client realized that he had been making a fool of himself for three hours, since he had entered the lawyers office and had started telling him that he had made up his mind, he had already made too many mistakes, he was determined to get a divorce, even if his wife was a mermaid. 33. The miner suspected that he had been walking for about two hours and a half, but, although he really felt like taking a bus, he decided that he had not lost enough weight yet, and walked all the way home. 34. The coachman realized that he had been alone on the platform since the train had left.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 35. My colleague understood that I had been walking down the streets for such a long time because I did not want to come to work, and he shouted from afar, when he saw me, that he would do all my work for me if I entered the building at least. 36. The stamp-collector wailed that his stepsisters had been filing out of the postoffice for three minutes, and were being marched off to prison, because all six of them had tried to steal precious stamps for his famous collection, and had, of course, been caught red handed. 37. The commander complained that a suspicious fellow had been pacing up and down the pavement in front of the police station for quite a while, so several armed policemen went out to see what the matter was. 38. His compatriot stammered that he had been treading lightly on the clean carpet since he had entered the room, because he was afraid he might leave traces. 39. The competitor mumbled that someone had been driving nails into the ceiling next door all night, and he had not been able to rest, so he had decided not to take part in the competition that was to take place the next day. 40. The plaintiff muttered that the ostrich had been strutting about the yard since he had come back home, and the noise the bird made prevented him from writing the letter he had begun two days before. 41. The composer murmured that he had been asked how long he had played the piano in his life, because the conductor had said that the music he composed was no good at all. 42. The spy repeated that his grand-daughters had been sent to school in his absence, just as his daughter-in-law had said. 43. The warrior whimpered that he had been forced to attack the village, and he would never have conquered it unless the villagers had all been sowing wheat in the fields at the time. 44. The smuggler whispered that the golden watches he had been trying to smuggle for weeks had been found out at the customs. 45. The sick man let the nurse know that he had been operated on, and he had almost fully recovered, so he could go home very soon. 46. The convict admitted that he had been imprisoned because he had been caught robbing a bank, and he had been given a fair trial first. 47. The victim acknowledged that she had been beaten by two thieves, and had
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. been left without any money at all. 48. The cop agreed that he had been cheated by the baker, who had sold him stale buns instead of fresh bread, and he knew the baker had been selling stale bread for two hours, but he had not been able to do anything about it. 49. The corporal claimed that he had been kept under arrest for two days, because he had been mistaken for a tramp. 50. The sergeant confessed that he had been offered two icecreams if he promised to keep silent about what he had just seen. 51. The newspaperman told the authorities that no one would retrace their steps after they had reached the Promised Land. 52. The messenger promised he would tiptoe to the old mans armchair, and would whisper the message into his ear. 53. The doctor swore he would wait till dawn, and would wake everybody up as soon as he had heard the cock crow. 54. The courtiers stated that they would all steal into the gardeners room, and would congratulate him on his sixtieth birthday. 55. The creditor threatened the soprano that she would trip over the threshold and break her neck if she did not return his money, which would have happened unless she had been careful. 56. The archer threatened he would stamp all the childrens toys if the children kept making faces at him. 57. The drunkard warned them that his daughter, whom he had left alone at home, would unlock the kitchen door, strike a match and set fire to the whole building. 58. The customer foretold that the shop assistants two-year-old son would crawl up to the counter and spoil the china she had just bought, so the shop assistant promised she would send her child to the kindergarten. 59. The murderer stated that, when he reached the river, he would paddle barefoot in it, remembering his childhood, so his accomplices would have nothing to fear if they accompanied him there. 60. The cyclist declared that he would have to walk to the stadium, since he had forgotten his bicycle at home, and he would by no means go back to take it.
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61. 62. 63.
The cynic foretold that we would be hiking for a long time. The Albanian mentioned that he would be living in Paris for a year. The Australian was afraid that they would have to run for two more hours.
64. The Austrian maintained that the sportsmen would be allowed to drink wine for the next few days. 65. The Belgian told himself that the enemy would soon be crossing the lake, and he took out his sword. 66. 67. The Brazilian answered that he would not be riding a bus the next morning. The Bulgarians claimed that their rivals would be driving their own car.
68. The Canadian announced that he would be driving an engine for the next two weeks. 69. The Chinese retorted that he would be sailing to China as soon as he had a ship ready. 70. The Chinese were saying that they would be flying to the capital if they could find tickets. 71. 72. The Dane answered that he would be received by the Prime Minister. The Egyptian declared that his friend would be sent home by carriage.
73. The Englishman and the Englishwoman stated that they would be forgiven if they got married. 74. 75. The Finn claimed that he would be fired if he did anything foolish. The Frenchman hoped that he would be taught English.
76. The German was positive that he would be offered a large sum of money if he went away on that day. 77. The Greek wondered who would be awarded the Nobel Prize that year.
78. The Dutchman concluded that the Dutch would leave the town if they were menaced.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 79. The Hungarian decided that all his countrymen would be allowed to buy as many currants as they wanted. 80. The Italian inferred that he would be offered a job if he behaved himself.
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14. Subordonatele temporale
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
The Indian will tour his country when he earns enough money. The Japanese will go sightseeing when he reaches London. The Mexican will set out when he finds his basket. The Norwegian will go on a journey when he can leave his son alone. The Pole will go on a safari when he knows the way to Africa. The Portuguese will go on a pilgrimage when he is old enough. The Spaniard will settle down in his native village when he retires. The Swede will hitchhike to Stockholm when he is in a hurry. The Swiss will cross the street when she sees the traffic lights turn green. The Turk will go round the house when the rain stops. I shall go scouting when you have returned. He will prowl around the house when he has bought the binoculars. He will call up his parrot when you have seen everything there is to see.
14. I shall pause when you have bought what you said you had been looking for and had not found. 15. They will stroll arm in arm when it has stopped snowing.
16. She will saunter down Oxford Street when she has finished typing those letters. 17. The children will tear away when they have been allowed to go home.
18. I shall take my monkey out for a walk when I have learned how to find my way about the city.
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19. The hare will take a nap when it has driven away all the seven dwarfs and Sleeping Beauty. 20. 21. 22. The stork will go skating when it has done its homework. He said the queen would sail into the room when she was ready. The mule thought it would steal into the stable when the farmer left the farm.
23. The chimpanzee complained it would have to crawl when the caretaker hid its food in the cellar. 24. The hyena was sure it would be able to slip into the laundry when its fur got too dirty. 25. The hippopotamus feared it would be shameful to skulk out of the jungle when the river went dry. 26. 27. The monkey boasted it would go to a concert when the sun went down. The bear decided it would sleep in the refrigerator when summer came.
28. The ox knew for certain that the cow and the calf would snoop around the garden till they found a way to get in. 29. 30. The bull was afraid it would lose the wagon when it went to the field. The buffalo hoped it would reach the swamp when the day broke.
31. The dromedary stated it would not close an eye till it had stolen the golden crown which was lying in the sand. 32. The jackal replied it would not leave the jungle till the deer had all run away.
33. The hedgehog promised it would not come out of its den till the pig and sow had left the place. 34. The bat was hoping it would not have to sleep in the tree till the night fell.
35. The he-goat was sure that the she-goat would not hide in the barn till the farmers sister-in-law had locked the gate. 36. The chamois hoped it would not start limping till the hunter had left the forest.
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37. The kid understood the giraffe would not walk on all fours till it had reached the oasis. 38. The mole mused it would not climb to the top of the hill till the hedgehog had left it. 39. The reindeer was afraid the elk would not stumble over the log till it had drunk a bottle of whiskey. 40. The puma was positive the beaver would not stagger out of the house till it had drunk all the lemonade. 41. The sheep were wondering when the shepherd would start making cheese.
42. The ram did not know when its owner would sell it at the fair, as he had said he would do as soon as the ram was fat enough, and when he found a customer. 43. The lamb had no idea when the dog would bite the stranger who had been prowling about the farm for two hours. 44. The bulldog would like to know when its friends will come to visit it.
45. The salamander was trying to find out when it would rain, because the weather had been dry for two months, and it could find nothing to eat. 46. The rhinoceros was curious when the smaller animals would stop being afraid of it, as it thought itself to be a very gentle creature, which had always been kind to everyone. 47. The seal was wondering when the waters of the sea would get warmer, as it had caught cold, and it did not want to develop pneumonia. 48. The grizzly bear did not understand when the snow would melt, because it had been summer for a long time, but the top of the mountain was still covered with snow and ice. 49. The otter wanted to ask when the animals of the forest would reach an agreement, as it was always afraid some bigger animal would attack it. 50. 51. 52. The gazelle wanted to know how long it would have to run. When will the merchant sell all his goods and retire? When will the dean punish the students who have skipped classes today?
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53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60.
When will the decorator arrange the window display? When will the defeated go back to their country? When will the slave be freed from slavery? When will the rich and the poor make peace? When will the mentally retarded be helped to do their homework? When will the delegate return from the meeting he was told to attend? When will the delinquent behave better? When will the dwarf free the princess from the dragon?
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15. Subordonatele condiionale
1.
Adam will help you if you ask him, and if he is not busy tomorrow.
2. Adrian will stop lying if you explain to him that his parents never lied when they were his age. 3. Agatha will eat strawberries if you bring her any, and, if she likes them, she will ask for more. 4. 5. Agnes will type the letters all over again if you stop nagging her. If Alan goes abroad for the weekend, who will take care of the cat?
6. What will Albert do if they take away his driving licence, and he can no longer drive to the seaside, as he had hoped he would? 7. Where will Aldous hide his jewels if the thieves learn about them, and decide to rob him? 8. Will Alexander accompany me to the post office if I tell him that I do not know the way and I do not want to get lost? 9. If Alfred gives you his Sunday best, take the coat only, and give him a pair of trousers instead. 10. If Alice comes home late from the party, I shall show her I am angry, and I shall do what so far I have never done: I shall not speak to her unless she asks to be forgiven first. 11. Amelia complained that she would lose weight if she ran so fast.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 12. Amy stated that she would count to a million if the plumber gave her a bar of chocolate. 13. Andrew let us know that he would never go back to a place unless he was forced to. 14. Angela did not understand that she would not pass her exam if she did not work very hard, which she was not prepared to do. 15. Ann was afraid she would drop the pails if she started running downhill, so she walked as slowly as she could, in order to avoid what had happened to her brother, who had fallen dozens of times. 16. Annabellas opinion was that she would not be able to learn Japanese if she did not have books and a teacher. 17. 18. Anthony hoped he would be promoted if he worked hard enough. Archibald imagined he would be told the truth if he behaved himself.
19. Arnold stated that he would become a doctor if he managed to pass the other exams as well as he had passed the first. 20. Arthur wanted to say that he would become world champion if he trained regularly. 21. Audrey would grope her way back to the yard if she were not afraid she might fall. 22. Barbara would feel her way to the door if she thought she could open it with her key. 23. Basil would ford across the river if he were in a hurry.
24. Beatrice would climb upstairs if she expected to find anything interesting up there. 25. Benjamin would climb that mountain if the producer offered him a large sum of money. 26. Bernard would race you to the stationery if you wanted to buy pen and paper to write letters to your uncle. 27. Bertram would not go to the hairdresser's for anything in the world if he knew that his wife was waiting for him there.
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28. Elizabeth would tear away if she found out that the waiter was going to bring her veal instead of pork. 29. If Brian were aware of what his stepmother was doing, he would scold her and lock her up in her room. 30. If Caroline had any idea whom she was talking to, she would quicken her step and leave you behind. 31. Catherine would have scoured the town in search of seven white roses if she had known it was your birthday and you liked white roses so much. 32. If Cecil had not hurried when I told him it was time to go, he would have missed the plane to China, and he would have had to stay here. 33. Charles would have entered the pub if it had started raining and he had had no umbrella. 34. If Christopher had not been running down that blind alley in pursuit of a stray cat, the Police would not have caught and imprisoned him. 35. Clare would not have dashed out of the attic without uttering a word if she had not heard strange noises in the cellar, and had not been afraid that some burglar would steal the squirrel she had hidden there. 36. If Clarence had not dashed into the drawing-room with a gun in his hand, the guests would not have been scared to death, and no one would have run away. 37. Clive would have swept across the room to grab the trousers lying on the bed if he had been sure they were the right size, and he could wear them. 38. If Conrad had bolted out of the classroom with a piece of chalk in his hand, I should have thought he was trying to find another blackboard. 39. Constance would not have packed away so unexpectedly if anyone had tried hard enough to calm her down, and explain to her there was nothing wrong with her nose, it merely needed an operation to be shortened. 40. If Daniel had not bundled off like that, his friends would never have thought he might be guilty of having stolen the huge diamond which had been exhibited at the museum a few days before, and which had disappeared nobody knew how or when. 41. Should I see David floating in the air at the other end of the room, I should
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. think it was a ghost and hurry out of the house. 42. Should Richard object to being called Dick, his friends would not realize the reason of his objection was that his great-grandfather had been called the same, and had lived to be a hundred and five. 43. Should Donald fail to pay attention while you were speaking, it would be easy to understand that he did not like your lecture and expected you to speak about something else. 44. Should Doris cut and run after the ballet had finished, her fianc would be quite upset at being left alone, and would never go out with her again. 45. If Dorothy saw her dog tear away, she would know it was her fault, as the poor animal cannot stand the sight of the tomcat which always prowls about the house when they go for their evening walk. 46. Should Douglas run like mad across the road, all the cars would have to stop and the policeman would fine him for not minding the traffic-lights. 47. Should Edgar leave at the beginning of the first act of the opera, I should know for certain that he was going to the pub, and if you followed him there, you would find him talking about horse races. 48. If Edith vanished as soon as she saw the conductor, I should be sure she did not like concerts, and, if I were you, I should never buy tickets for her again. 49. Should Edward spin like a top in the middle of the concert hall, he would be thrown out of the building, and advised to see a doctor. 50. Should Ella jump over that fence, she would win the big prize, which was once offered, but has never been won ever since, because nobody has ever been able to jump that high. 51. Had Emily leapt over the ditch, she would have been congratulated by all the sportsmen who have tried, but have not managed to do it. 52. Had Emma sprung to her feet when he entered the room, he would have been very surprised, and would have despised her. 53. Had Eric danced all the way home, his parents would have been worried, and would have sent for the psychiatrist. 54. Had Ernest headed for the garage, he would have been prevented from going in by his wife, who was cleaning it, and had been working there for a few hours.
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55. Had Esther driven her new car across a field, she would have been noticed from afar, and all the children would have run to meet her. 56. Had Ethel made a fire in the bathtub, the landlady would have been very upset, and would have told her she must move. 57. Had Eugene not gone to sleep so late, he would have woken up at dawn, and he would have reached the museum, where the painter had been waiting for him for two hours. 58. Had Eve hidden in the wardrobe, the photographer would not have been able to take a photo of her, and she would not now be on the first page of all the newspapers. 59. Had Evelyn stolen among the people gathered in front of the grocers, she would have seen her dog eating the butcher's meat. 60. Had Fanny forced her way into her sister's room, she would have found it empty, because her sister had eloped with a sailor. 61. Ferdinand would not refuse to go to school if the teacher had not made faces at him. 62. Florence would be shooting her way into the library now if you had brought her a gun yesterday, as she asked you when you met her the other day. 63. Geoffrey would not be elbowing his way out of the school yard now if you had not scolded him when he least expected it. 64. George would be fumbling about his bedroom now if you had switched off the light. 65. He would be roaming the seas if he had not bought this farm.
66. Gerald would be rolling in the snow now if his parents had not forbidden him to go out. 67. Gertrude would now be reading the Bible if it had occurred to the priest to give it to her when she had told him she no longer believed in anything. 68. 69. Gilbert would walk it if he had missed the train. Godfrey would already be at the door if you had called him.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 70. Grace would be looking for you all day if you had not told her you would leave for a fortnight. 71. Gregory would not have stumbled on the right way at last if he were not a lucky dwarf. 72. Harold would have raced his bicycle against a car if his brother did not have more sense than him, and had not prevented him from doing it. 73. Harriet would have shouted at us that she did not like to be rushed if she were not afraid that the prince might get angry. 74. Henry would have shaved the tail of the tomcat that had shot out of the bathroom if he did not know that it belonged to you. 75. Harry would have told you everything if he did not think that you could suspect he had hidden James Joyces manuscript. 76. Helen would have ridden the donkey to her office if you did not prefer walking. 77. Herbert would have learnt how to walk when he was a baby if mothers did not always take too much care of their children, and if fathers did not forbid them to do all kinds of things. 78. Hugh would have gone to the station long ago if you did not tell him daily that it was his fault the mouse in the attic took the train, because he yelled at it that it had eaten his last piece of cheese. 79. it. Humphrey would have stepped into the boat if he were brave enough to do
80. Ida would have gone to the opera with a neighbour if the children could be left alone. 81. Irene would eat grilled lamb if you explained to her that in this way she would win the prize she wanted. 82. Jack would march thirty miles if he knew who ordered him to do that.
83. Jacob and his army would scare all policemen to death if they knew where the town they had been looking for for two months on end was. 84. James would be taken straight to prison if he did not say who he was, what he had done and who had told him to do so.
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85. Jane would be waiting on the platform day and night, hoping he would come, if she did not know he no longer wanted to see her. 86. Jennifer would go for a ride before lunch if she were told when the family expected her to be back. 87. Jeremy would be playing hide-and-seek now if they did not always tell him he was too big for that. 88. Jerome would not ride the circus bus if you explained to him where he could take the subway. 89. Jessie would give her car away if she knew how many accidents took place here daily. 90. Joan would drive right up to the front door if she did not know that you did not like her to do that. 91. John would have travelled round the world last year if his driver had told him that he wanted to take a year off. 92. Jonathan would know that light travelled faster than sound unless his English teacher had told him it was not true. 93. Josephs ship would have sailed into harbour if the captain had not thought it had been damaged after it had collided with a rock. 94. Josephs ship would have sailed on the day he went on board if the crew had not decided that they would go on strike as soon as the ship left the coast behind. 95. Jude would have sailed for New York if a sailor had not frightened him that he would be robbed wherever he was going. 96. Judith would have driven her motorcycle if her father had not been told that all the highways were watched by chimpanzees. 97. Laura would have been wearing boys clothes if she had been warned that there would be a full moon on the night she was going to the party. 98. Lawrence would have seen the duchess sail into the room if he had known she was going to come, and if he had waited for her arrival. 99. Leonard would have been flown to Paris if he had not told the pilot he had a machine gun on him.
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100. Lewis would have gone to see the shop windows in Oxford Street if he had not been told he would be sold as a slave to the beggar at the street corner when the shops opened. 101. Lillian was wondering whether the sailor would have settled down in her town after years of roaming, if she had told him she had sold her parrot at the fair. 102. Lionel was not sure whether his brother would have stayed in the woods till supper time if he had known the bear had not had lunch yet. 103. Louise would have liked to know whether her dog would have lost his way if she had asked him to take a letter to the Hague. 104. Lucy wants to know whether we would have had money enough for a trip to the Moon if we had been born in a billionaires family. 105. Mabel does not know whether I should have studied alchemy if she had asked me, because I have never told her how fond of her I am. 106. Margaret wishes to know whether the ducks would still be swimming on the lake if a rocket exploded in the neighbourhood. 107. Martha asked whether I should jump into the river if I saw a silver fish swimming in it. 108. Martin is wondering whether the turtle would try to fly if it saw gulls gliding in the blue sky. 109. Mary has no idea whether she would be happy to cook all morning if she had guests on a day when she wanted to rest. 110. Matthew was wondering whether his godfather would mind if he decided to change his name into Isaiah. 111. Maud would have left the room as quickly as she had entered if she had not been prevented from going out. 112. Maurice would have kept running until he was out of sight if he had not come across a bag full of gold coins. 113. Michael would not have pulled the house down if he had not been nagged by his wife. 114. Miranda would have been scared to death if she had seen shadows slide
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. along the huge wooden table. 115. Muriel would have enjoyed herself a lot if she had slid all day downhill on a toboggan. 116. Nancy would have felt sorry for her cousin the soldier if she had known he always began his advance by sliding forward on his stomach. 117. Nancy would have committed suicide if she had had to play the violin to eagles every other day. 118. Nelly would have explained to the hamster how to tumble head over heels, if the latter had wanted to learn. 119. If Nicholas had shown her the clouds sailing across the sky, she would have asked him to buy them for her collection. 120. If Norman had not dragged her back, she would have spent all night drinking on the sea shore. 121. If Oliver really knew the truth, he should not have hidden it from his relatives. 122. If Pamela actually wanted to be an actress, she would have read more theatre plays by now. 123. If Patrick really stole out of the room when he saw you, that means that he was truly embarrassed. 124. If Paul stole upon you at supper as you say he did, there is only one explanation for it, namely that he was hungry. 125. If Penelope was caught watching the foxes creeping into their den, then she will have to admit she has been to the woods again. 126. If you saw Percy again, creeping like a snail yesterday, hoping someone else would clean the pantry before he got home, you should have slapped him and told him he was a lazybones. 127. If Peter actually stated that he felt age creeping upon him, it was no use contradicting him; he would not have believed you anyway. 128. If Philip was caught by the police, you should have helped him, because he would not have stolen the tramway in the first place if it had not been for you.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 129. If Ralph was right, then the snake was really crawling on the floor of our kitchen, and it could have bitten any of us. 130. If Rebecca saw no one when she peeped out, she must have thought herself secure and slipped out into the road.
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16. Recapitulare
1. He rejoined that he did not know, he was working hard, and he was not going to allow anyone to interrupt him. 2. He replied he had forgotten whom he had been waiting for for two hours.
3. He answered he would never ask for our help again, and even without it, he would be walking in Rome the next day. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. The colt will run to the forest when you set it free. The donkey will carry your luggage when you have bought a saddle. He confessed he would change his mind as soon as he was paid. He was told that he would graduate when he had passed all his exams. He is asking when I shall return the magazines he lent me two years ago. He is wondering when you will stop borrowing money from everyone. He took the liberty of asking when we should visit London Bridge. He asked when the otter would start studying for its exams. When will the jeweller forget what happened two weeks ago? I shall buy the drake if I go to the fair on Thursday. He admitted he would steal the knights jewels if he ever needed money. I should feed the donkey if it were mine. The clown would have kicked the ass if he had not been so short.
17. I should be writing the essay now if you had brought me pen and ink yesterday.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 18. He would not have betrayed you if you did not always threaten to send him to China for life. 19. He would help you if you explained to him as soon as he came in who you were, what you wanted, and what you expected him to do for you. 20. The badger would have run away if it had known you wanted to give it an injection. 21. The accountant wants to know whether you would go if he gave you a ticket, and I do not know what to tell him. 22. The dustman asked whether we should have joined him if we had known he was going to a party, and your stepsister retorted she would not have gone with him anywhere, even if he had put on his Sunday best. 23. If you really knew he was in trouble, why did you not help him?
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III. General Usage
17. ntrebri directe
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Does this forest abound in game? Did he abstain from drinking while the doctor was in the room? Have you ever accounted for your behaviour to anyone? Had the snail really been accused of robbery before it left the country? Will you ever tell me if you are acquainted with T.S. Eliots work?
6. Will he have paid for the furniture before tonight, or will he wait for you to add your savings to that sum? 7. Would you agree with me if I told you that you were wrong?
8. Would she have agreed to my idea if I had suggested that we should go hunting? 9. Are you aiming at those nests because you have nothing better to do, or do you really want to kill that poor bird sitting on its eggs? 10. Were you listening to what he said when he alluded to my parents having been bank robbers in their youth? 11. Have you been watching TV for a long time? News usually alternates with concerts, so, if you have been here long enough, you will have noticed that. 12. Had he been telling you for a long time that the sum amounted to very much
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. when I came to contradict him? 13. Will you be following me when I go and apologize to him for breaking the vase? 14. Will you have been reading my novel for quite a while when my enemy comes to say that the idea of reading it does not appeal to him, and will you be able to persuade him to read it? 15. Would you still be working here if you had applied to your manager for a rise and he had refused you? 16. Would you have been helping him all day when he robbed the bank if he had asked you in advance whether you approved of his plan? 17. 18. 19. Do you often argue with merchants for prices? Is he still walking, or has he arrived at the the bakers? Do you ever ask for sugar when you run out of it?
20. Are you still thinking of that day when he admitted to you that he aspired to the title of count? 21. her? 22. Do you assent to what the dressmaker suggests or do you want me to fire
Is he still complaining that his sons associate with thieves?
23. Are you trying to say that you can assure me of your good intentions after you have broken into my house and stolen my safe? 24. How does anyone ever atone for a crime like that?
25. Is he psychiatrist attending on you or is he attending to somebody elses problems? 26. 27. 28. 29. Does anyone attribute this play to a beginner? Is the dog barking at anyone, or am I wrong? Does he often beckon to you to go away? Is the cat basking in the sun or is it talking about fashion to a rat?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 30. 31. 32. Do you usually begin by saying who you are? Has this book ever belonged to any of your relatives? Have you ever been bereft of your money?
33. Has the millionaire actually bestowed his fortune on that beggar at the corner of the street? 34. 35. 36. Have you ever blamed your wife for something you had done? Has it ever occurred to you to blame the failure on your own carelessness? Have you been blinking at me all this time, or am I seeing things?
37. Has he been listening on the radio for the last two hours to that play in which the Prince blushes at Sleeping Beautys words, and she does not feel ashamed in the least? 38. 39. Have the ants been boasting of their ancestors lately? Has the pig been learning of late what countries England borders on?
40. Have you been talking about borrowing money from him for the last two minutes? 41. Had he brooded on her sudden departure, and had he managed to find any reason at all? 42. Had he cared for his friends, although they had all left him when he needed them most? 43. Had he been changed into a dwarf in early childhood, and had he not grown taller ever since? 44. Had they been charged with murder when they pleaded not guilty, and the judge was uncertain whether he should send them to prison? 45. Had the cook been chatting with the maid while I had been away, and had she prevented her from doing the housework? 46. Had the monkey been cheering me up for more than several hours when the postman came and said I had a telegram? 47. Had the grocer been laughing at you or at the news that his birthday
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. coincided with mine? 48. Had he been collaborating with you for a long time when he was promoted?
49. Had he really been drinking all day, and had he really missed the plane which collided with another plane? 50. Had he been commenting on the news for a long time when you arrived there? 51. 52. 53. 54. Shall I compare you to a rose? Will you compete with me? Will you complain of the lizards to their teacher? Shall I conceal the incident from her?
55. Will you concentrate on your homework when you see the spider dance on the ceiling? 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. Will he conclude with a few Japanese words? Will you be defending them in Court next week? Will the seagull ever confide in the pigeon again? Shall we be leaving early next morning? Will the police be confiscating watches from smugglers all next morning? Will anyone ever conform to the rules of this house before he is told to?
62. Will you have mistaken him for somebody else before you have time to see him? 63. Will you confront the thief with the policeman before the two have had time to reach an agreement? 64. Will you have been living here for twenty years when I congratulate you on your twenty-first birthday? 65. 66. Will you have consented to their marriage before they come to ask you? Will he have been reading the short story for a long time when I come to tell
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. him what it consists in? 67. Will he have been counting the pages for more than an hour before I tell him how many chapters the book consists of? 68. Will they have been conspiring against the queen for less than a year next month by this time? 69. Will he have been consulting you on various matters before he learns you are not an expert on anything? 70. Will he have been wearing the scarlet tie for a long time before he realizes it does not match his coat? 71. 72. 73. Would a pagan be converted to Catholicism if he lived in England? Would you contribute to the sum if I asked you to? Would the butcher be convicted if he stole your clock?
74. Would you still be convinced of the sopranos guilt if she swore to you she had never sung on a stage? 75. Would you collaborate with him in writing a thriller if he paid you a large sum of money? 76. Would I be repeating myself if I told you I could not cope with this situation?
77. Would you be laughing at me if I told you that the party had culminated in a quarrel? 78. Would you still be saying you are the best doctor ever if I told you you could not even cure a child of measles? 79. Would you still be sitting there, doing nothing, if I told you the dog had dashed at the door and was lost? 80. 81. Would you be looking at me if I started telling you what the novel dealt with? Would it have dawned on you that the dragon fly had been here before?
82. Would you have decided on a punishment if the watchmaker had been guilty? 83. Would this novel have been dedicated to the memory of your French bulldog
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. if you had written it? 84. Would you have defended him from his enemies if he had been alone?
85. Would you have deferred him to the police if you had caught him red handed? 86. Would you have been reading peacefully all night if you had known the princess must be delivered from the wizard? 87. Would you have been wasting your time out if you had been told that they depended on your coming home early? 88. Would the plumber have been sleeping when they came if he had suspected they would deprive him of all his tools? 89. Would you have been playing football instead of helping the lawyer if he had told you he expected you to be devoted to your friends? 90. Would the mushroom have been mourning for the stag for a long time if the latter had died of pneumonia? 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. Who says this result differs from yours? Who is dipping the child into water? Who disagreed with you? Who was saying he would disappear from town? Who has disapproved of your idea? Who told you we must dispense with gifts this Christmas? Who will divide the loaf of bread into seven equal shares?
98. Who will find out why the warrior was divested of all his glory when he retired? 99. 100. 101. Who would send an honest man to prison? Who would have doted on a tailless tomcat? When do you dream of going to the Congo?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 102. 103. 104. 105. 106. 107. 108. 109. 110. 111. 112. Why does the chameleon boast that he is endowed with a musical ear? How would the squirrel enlarge on a subject such as international politics? Where does a beaver go when it escapes from jail? What does the mink excel in? What will the camel be exchanging that book for? What does a horse feed on? Whom is the soldier firing at? Whose window are you flinging that stone at? What is floating on the river, close to the lizards hiding place? What is the snake fussing about? What has the wolf been gazing at all the while I have been out?
113. Why did the rabbit glance at the gardener when it was eating the carrots the latter had planted in the garden a week before? 114. 115. 116. 117. 118. 119. 120. Whom has the goat been grieving for since it came to the farm? Whom has the mare been grinning at since I entered the room? What subject has the bat been harping on since seven oclock? Whom has the grocer hidden the scales from? Why has the canary been stared at since it started speaking Chinese? What has the hare been hinting at since it started talking to the mare? What have you hoped for so far?
121. Why did the mole hunger for his sight when it knew he did not want to not see it? 122. 123. What was her boss implicated in? How many rules were imposed on you?
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124. 125. 126. 127. 128. 129. 130.
Why had the bed in the kitchen never been slept in? What was the salamander thinking of when the storm began? What do you infer from the story the weasel has just told us? What was the zebra looking for when it stumbled over a log? When did the weasel apply for that job? How often did you inform the alligator of what was going on? How many times did the crocodile apologize to the sailor?
131. Why had you insisted on my going home before she said she wanted me to leave? 132. 133. to? 134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142. 143. Whose story was Anthony Burgesss book based on? Who told the fox we were all wondering whom the book on its table belonged
What did you say the elephant was boasting about? What made the kangaroo take up English? How often had the cat pried into what the mice had been doing for a year? Whom had the reindeer been introduced to? When will you teach him not to intrude on anyone when he is not invited? How long had he been isolated from his countrymen? Why had he joined in the talk if he hated those two youngsters? When will the dog jump at the man who kicked it? Why is the panther knocking at the door when it can ring the bell? Whom has the seal been laughing at for the last half hour?
144. Will the squirrel be leaning on your arm tomorrow, when it comes from the doctor, after having broken its leg?
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145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. 151. 152. 153. 154.
Why had the walrus been leaning against the wall for five hours? What country is the whale leaving for? What countries does Hungary border on? What concert was the elk listening to when the phone rang? Will the gorilla be living on tea and bread for two years? What will the Prince be changed into? What would you like me to look at? What crime was the giraffe charged with after it had been found in the desert? What did you say he was complaining about? Whom would you mistake him for if you did not know who he was?
155. Which of the hedgehogs would you be mocking at if you were not afraid it would prick you? 156. 157. If you multiplied seven by seven, would you tell me the result? Would you be nagging at him now if he had left you alone?
158. Where would you negotiate with the hyena if it did not know its way about London, and it did not manage to find the place of the appointment? 159. Whose speech would you be jotting down now if he were deaf and dumb, and could not say a word? 160. What would you object to if the jackals stopped asking about your opinion, and did exactly as they pleased? 161. 162. 163. Why would it have occurred to me that you were busy? Why would he have been operated on if he had been healthy? What exactly had the marten congratulated us on?
164. Whom would you have parted from yesterday if the otter had decided to stay for another month?
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165. What show would you have participated in if the ram had closed the theatre down? 166. How many toys would you have been able to pay for if the ant had asked you to buy all of them? 167. 168. 169. 170. What jail will the bees escape from on Wednesday week? What would the raven have been perched on if the stage had been empty? What did you say a butterfly could hope for? What did you say the calf had been punished for?
274
18. ntrebri indirecte
1. Whom did Rhoda say she would ask where her brother had lost his schoolbag? 2. Who wanted to know where I should go when I finished school?
3. Richard asked me what I had referred to in my letter, and if I was going to tell him the truth. 4. Robert asked me whom his face reminded me of, and I said I did not remember anyone who resembled him. 5. Roger was wondering what the country was rich in, as he could only see rocks. 6. 7. at. Ronald wanted to know what the chimpanzee was talking about. He was wondering what the white-bearded seventy-year-old man was staring
8. Rosemary wanted to know what my uncle suffered from, and I answered her I had no idea. 9. 10. 11. Rupert asked me which of his deeds I was thanking him for. Ruth has just found out what languages the Bible had been translated into. What did you say Samuel had got used to?
12. Sebastian stated he had no idea whom I had been waiting for when I had met him. 13. 14. 15. 16. Shirley had no idea what I was thinking of. Sylvia had found out what I had been looking for for two days and a half. Tell Simon whom you are talking to, and he will not ask you again. Sophia asked me what other films I had seen.
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17. 18.
Thomas tried to find out what other places I had visited. Timothy asked me how many cigars I had smoked.
19. Veronica asked me how much money I had spent, and who would pay for the bicycle that had been stolen while I had been shopping. 20. Victor had no idea what the weather had been like.
21. Victoria could not remember how many holidays she had spent abroad in the last six years. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. Vincent was wondering how long I had lived in my present house. I was at a loss how to get there. Violet did not know which one she should buy. I do not see how I can stop him. Virginia did not know whether she should go any farther or go back. Nobody will believe me how long David Lodges novel is. I wonder why the condor has not come. Please tell me where you want to go. Nobody knows whose it is. I do not understand why he left without saying goodbye. I wonder what this object is. The court must decide whom the inheritance belongs to. We were wondering whether we should go. Can you suggest where I should put the brush? Few know how hard he works. I do not know how many they are.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. I shall ask where the crab is when the train leaves. Can you tell me what this funny thing is? Ask him where he has put it. Vincent asked his brother when he would come back. Do you remember how tall he is? Violet asked me who I was, and where I had so much money from.
44. Virginia was wondering when the postman would come, and if he would bring her any letters. 45. Walter wanted to know where the hotel was, and where I was talking from.
46. Wilfred asked when I should come back, and what my elder brothers name was. 47. William asked why I had not asked for three pairs of trousers, and who would wear the dress I had bought. 48. The democrat asked how the queen was, and if we would like a cup of tea.
49. The painter was wondering how long he would spend travelling, and who would come to meet him at the station. 50. The dermatologist asked where I lived, how old I was, what I was studying, what my parents were, what job I would have, and how much I should earn. 51. The designer asked me why he would have to go to England if he did not know English. 52. The detective asked me if I had found out where the scissors were, and what I knew about the tailor who had stolen them. 53. The ambassador was wondering whom I had called to his house, and when I should stop inviting guests. 54. 55. 56. The diplomat asked how the nurse was, and if she would be taken to hospital. The director asked when I should leave, and if I would help him. His disciple wondered where I lived, how old I was, who I was, what I was
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. studying and what friends I had. 57. The carpenter asked whether I should have read his book if he had brought it to me. 58. The diver asked what you had seen at the zoo, and whom you had been with when you had met me. 59. The blood-donor asked where the house was, when it would be pulled down, and if I should build it up again. 60. 61. What did you say he was looking at when you went to return his money? Who did you say had been with her for two hours when you met last night?
62. Whom had you thought I was talking about when I asked you when you would see him again? 63. Where did you tell her I was living when she asked you where she should bring me the monkey? 64. What did you say you would go to the station by if no bus came till it was time for the train to leave? 65. Whom did you think she was talking to when you called her up, and the line was engaged? 66. Whom did you imagine you would be mocking at when the dwarf became a sailor and went to sea? 67. What did you imagine he was thinking of when he asked you if you would come back, and he added that he wanted to see you again? 68. 69. I asked him what the sum would amount to if I paid it on the spot. What did he say he was interested in?
70. Why was he saying he insisted that you should accept the money he was offering? 71. Where did he think we insisted that he should go after he had graduated from high school? 72. He insisted to be told when I should buy the scissors, and why I had not bought the trousers yet.
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73. I should have liked to find out what he was thinking of when he was working on the play he had just begun. 74. Would you please tell me where the scales which I have been looking for all day and which I have not found yet are? 75. I should have told him what the name of the murderer he was afraid of was, if I had known it. 76. Would you have believed me if I had told you that I had no idea who would come to meet you at the airport? 77. Will you talk to him again when he has asked you how old you are, and how much money you earn? 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. He has just asked me what I am looking at. He wants to know when I shall come. He asked me where I was going. He wanted to know what I had bought. He asked me why I was not writing everything. He asked me what I knew about the university in Turin. I inquired when he would come back. He wanted to know when I had finished. He did not know where I wanted to go. He was wondering why I had not understood the lesson. He had no idea who I was, how old I was, and where I lived. He asked me what I wanted to buy. He did not remember where he had put the book. I did not understand what he was looking for. He was wondering when he would be operated on.
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93. What are you going to do when he comes back, and asks you whom you have given the money to? 94. 95. Who said the astronaut had gone to the seaside? Whom did you think you would find there?
96. I did not know where you would go when he had advised you to give up the trip you had been planning for a year. 97. She had not thought how he would react when he found out whom she had spent her holiday with. 98. I should not have told him what you had asked me if you had told me that you did not want him to know why you asked everyone the same question. 99. 100. How old did you say he was? Whom did the manager say he would promote after the elections?
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19. Diateza pasiv
1.
A good animal tamer is always praised for his hard work.
2. The architect is prevented from leaving the hospital, because he has not recovered yet. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. The bee is protected from the witch by a robot. The bull is well provided for, you need not worry about that. This shop is well provided with tools, in case you want to buy any. A burglar is always punished, sooner or later. Force is resorted to when the crow cannot be persuaded to do its homework. A brave dolphin is usually rewarded for its courage. If the donkey is separated from its friends, it will study more. In such cases a doctor is sent for. The windows are being washed when the bricklayer is not at home. The room is being cleaned, because guests are expected. The streets are being swept, because it has not rained for quite some time. The doors are being opened for the visitors to come in. All drakes above the age of ten are being sent to the seaside. You are being offered an icecream; why dont you take it? The falcon is being shown a very interesting tapestry. Carpets are being woven for the palace which has just been built. Letters are being written to all the participants to the congress.
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20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
Money is being sent to all the frogs in the world. When was the goose shot at? The bartender was smiled at and he did not like it. The elephant was sniffed at by the dog. I could not wave to you because I was being spoken to. Did you tell the eagle yesterday that it was spied on? Do you happen to know why the fly was being stared at? What was the hen suspected of? What was the hippopotamus thanked for? That plank was trodden on yesterday, and nobody got hurt. The owl was waited for for two hours last night.
31. The laundry was being locked, lest the mice should steal anything during the night. 32. 33. 34. The bear was being given an injection which would put it to sleep. The cellar was being decorated with paintings for the exhibition. The old fence was being destroyed.
35. Shabby houses were being pulled down, and stables were being built on the same spot. 36. The teacher was being asked questions by his pupils when the door opened, and an ostrich strode in. 37. 38. 39. 40. I was being shown around the house when the light went out. The fire was being made while Cinderella stood there and shivered. The conductor did not know what was to be done about the mice. The goose was being cooked, so the gander had to bring in the police.
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41. 42. 43. 44. 45.
I cannot understand what the leopard has been accused of. Can you tell me whose money this sum has been added to? I have no idea how long you have been acquainted with these writers. A bird had been aimed at, but a bear was shot. My letter to your hairdresser has just been alluded to.
46. He has not yet been given a lump of sugar, that is why he slammed the door shut behind him. 47. 48. That minor problem has already been attended to. The coachmans novel has been attributed to a novelist.
49. The coach has often been beckoned to go away since he has been working here, because he always turns up at the wrong time. 50. No honest merchant has ever been bereft of his goods unless he tried to sell them on the black market. 51. The albatross has been seen flying for three days and three nights.
52. The stork has been sent away by the landlady, who does not want it to come back to its nest on the roof of her house. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. The owl has been caught prowling about the oak tree at midnight. The chaffinch has been promised a reward if it sings at the party all night. The crow has been chased away, but it is sure to come back. The woodpecker has been warned not to disturb people at night. The skylark has been photographed while it was soaring to the sun.
58. The hatching hen has been told by the cock not to count its chickens before they are hatched. 59. The crane has been received into the room, because the master of the house is a lover of birds.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 60. The wagtail has been menaced it will be shot at if it ever comes here again.
61. I thought the raven had been fed long before, but the caretaker had forgotten, and told me I would have to do that myself if I did not want the raven to starve. 62. The magpie was positive it had been cheated, but it did not want to reveal the fact before midnight. 63. I knew the cuckoo had been invited to the fancy dress ball, but I thought it would dress up as a ghost, not as a fairy. 64. The turkey had been chosen to be sold, and the turkey hen was so sad that the farmer decided he would keep them both, after all. 65. I asked the bridge player what he had been blamed for, and he replied that something he had never done had been blamed on him. 66. The book you were reading had been borrowed from a famous library, which did not lend books for more than ten days. 67. The patient had been taken good care of, but he complained that he disliked the ward, and wanted to leave the hospital as soon as possible, even before he had recovered completely. 68. 69. I could not remember what the squirrel had been changed into. Did he tell you what he had been charged with before he met you?
70. The short story had amply been commented on by many literary critics, who had read it, and found it the worst its author had ever written. 71. Whom will he be compared to when his parents find out he has broken a neighbours window with the football, and has stolen an old womans handkerchiefs? 72. Whom will the truth be concealed from when she has returned from the office, and tells you she knows everything from your friends? 73. Nobody really knew how many years in jail he had been condemned to, so he was told he would spend there the rest of his life if he did not remember what crime he had been accused of. 74. 75. Your guns will be confiscated from you if you try to sell them to the police. Whom will you be confounded with when the barber has shaved your beard
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. and cut your hair? 76. I do not know whom she will be confronted with, but I can at least advise her not to utter a word before she has consulted her lawyer. 77. I wonder what you will be congratulated on, since everyone knows you have not received the prize you expected to get. 78. is. 79. The doctor will be consulted on this matter, and I hope he will know what it
If you do not stop stealing, you will soon be convicted of theft.
80. Will the judge be cured of mumps in a short time, or will he have to stay indoors for many weeks? 81. The poem will have been dealt with in this literary review before you have to analyse it for your exam. 82. The punishment will have been decided on by the time the witnesses come to testify. 83. A book will have been dedicated to his memory before ten years have elapsed from the day he left for the Hebrides. 84. He will have been defended from all his enemies before he asks for help.
85. He will have been deferred to the police long before he manages to steal your diamond ring. 86. The fairy will have been delivered from the wizard by the time Prince Charming reaches the place. 87. The greengrocer will have been blackmailed for years by the time he makes up his mind to go to the Police. 88. The doll will have been dipped into water before the little girl has time to call her mother. 89. The loot will have been divided into six shares before the seventh burglar turns up to claim his share. 90. 91. The emperor will have been divested of all his glory by the time he retires. Your family said that your idea would be disapproved of, so you had better
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. change your mind. 92. The judge foretold the murderer would be doomed to prison if he did not mend his ways. 93. I was sure success would be dreamt of until you had told everyone about your failure. 94. I hoped the subject would be enlarged on when the foreign lecturer came, after you had outlined it first. 95. The teacher was sure the miner's handbook would be exchanged for a bar of chocolate, but he could not prevent the miner from doing as he pleased. 96. 97. The farmer was afraid his horse would be fed rye bread. The hunter predicted the fox would be fired at and missed.
98. The porter was afraid he would be flung stones at if he did not carry all the painters suitcases. 99. He assured the widower that his wife would be properly grieved for.
100. They warned me I should be grinned at if I entered that room without knocking at the door. 101. If we had many cakes, they would all be hidden, because the midwife must lose weight, and she is always eating sweets. 102. If you were hindered from doing your homework, the musician who did that would be punished. 103. Your words would not be hinted at if you told your friends that you did not want your name mentioned. 104. 105. Success would be hoped for in your case, unless you did your best to fail. That rule would be imposed on them if it had been invented.
106. He would not be told he is a lazybones if he did not always postpone to carry out his decisions. 107. Rightful anger would be inferred from his words if you heard him speak after you had told him he had not won the match.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 108. The air would be infested with the smell of garbage if the dustmen did not come every other day to take it away. 109. Injuries would be inflicted on many innocent people if psychologists were allowed to carry loaded guns. 110. Would he be informed of what was going on if the manager did not want him to know anything? 111. He would have been instigated to action if he had been considered capable to stand up and fight for his own rights. 112. She would not have been introduced to you if anyone had imagined that you would argue with her. 113. You would have been laughed at by all the surgeons who lived at the outskirts of the town if you had said the town was confined to its central streets. 114. The teacher would have been listened to if the students had been interested in what he was talking about. 115. Your step brother would have been taken for a coward if we did not know how brave he had been when a hedgehog had had to be rescued from a precipice. 116. Would you be mocked at by everybody who heard you if you declared that you had been studying English for more than a day? 117. He would have been spied on day and night if he had married the woman he had fallen in love with before he met you. 118. Would he have been operated on if the surgeon had not known him?
119. The house would have been paid for long ago if the man who bought it had had any idea that you wanted all the money as soon as possible. 120. She would have been persuaded of my sincerity if I had explained to her I had not been able to remember the date, because I had been sleepy when we had talked about it.
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20. Aspectul continuu
1.
I cant leave this bush because I am watching a fox creeping into its den.
2. If you really want to know what he is doing, well, he is slipping downstairs, because he hurt his elbow and dropped his stick. 3. Wait a minute, he is slipping into his coat and coming with you.
4. The explorer you met weeks ago is now trudging through deep, untrodden snow. 5. He is on holiday, and he is tramping all over the country.
6. The stranger you invited into the house last night is tramping upstairs, so you had better go after him and tell him your parents are coming back, and you cannot shelter him any longer. 7. The guests you are waiting for are coming early next morning, but I suppose right now they are plodding across the desert. 8. I have been trying to stop him for five minutes now, but he is speaking on the phone, and cannot hear me. 9. The overturned car has dragged along the street for a while, and it is now stopping in front of a bewildered policeman. 10. I have been watching him for some time now: he must be blind, because his hand is fumbling for the door-knob. 11. 12. He is absent from church because he is being handed a prize for skating. The book you bought a week ago is being retyped.
13. I am usually accustomed to reading till late at night, but tonight I am being sent to bed early, since tomorrow I am going fishing with my great-grandfather, who is an early riser. 14. If he has never used the skates you gave him for his birthday, the reason is that he is only now being taught how to skate.
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15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
The sheets are being washed and the furniture is being dusted. What is being done for the sick and the poor? Books are being sent to all those who are willing to read. The carpets are being cleaned with the vacuum cleaner. The TV set is being repaired because the banker wants to see a film tonight.
20. His money is being spent by his friends, who are all adverse to his desire to save as much as he can. 21. The acrobat was scared by your intention to sell the house, because he was living in it, and did not want his rent to be raised. 22. He was always saying that he was ahead of his fellows, and would soon be the best of all. 23. The fellow who was akin to her was shuffling his feet as he waited.
24. He was shuffling his slippers on the floor, and would not stop making that noise, although he had been told everyone was asleep. 25. The fish were flopping helplessly on the bank, forgotten there by the fisherman who had caught them in the net. 26. He had flopped into the hammock without another word, and was snoring loudly, while the squirrels were eating all his peanuts. 27. Only seven horses were racing for the cup, although my friend had told me he would bet on the eighth. 28. A little girl was racing a little boy to a tree at the end of the alley, while their parents were waiting to see who would win. 29. The pilot was racing his car across the town, hoping he would be fined.
30. He had ordered a car and was hurrying to the village in order to find the waiter, and make him return his magazines. 31. 32. Small shops were being opened all along the narrow street. Many new books for the parrots were being written, published and sold.
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33.
The masters boots were being polished, as he would go hunting the next day.
34. Papers were being sold all over the town, and they were being commented on in all the pubs. 35. History and geography books were being bought by all the owls that had never learned how to read. 36. A new theatre was being built, so that the actors could act their parts on a modern stage. 37. A Mozart concert was being broadcast, so he turned off the radio and went to sleep. 38. The elderly ladies in the village were being sent flowers.
39. The doorman was being scolded for what he had done, and his father was telling him he was angry with him for running away with the cook. 40. Books that had been written at the same time as hers were being reprinted, so she was looking forward to seeing her trilogy in the bookshops again. 41. I have been speeding for a while, I admit, but I shall slow down as soon as I see a police car. 42. I have been wondering for the last two days why your tenant tore upstairs two steps at a time when he saw you. 43. I had been stumbling in the dark hallway for half an hour, and I was thinking I would never be able to find my way out when the chimney sweeper came to my rescue. 44. I have been cleaning the cellar for hours; and I am dirty, because I stumbled, lay on the floor for a moment, and then got up, and came straight here. 45. That intoxicated motorist has been staggering from his car for ten minutes now, and the policeman has been waiting for him patiently all along. 46. The last weary dancers have been talking outside the building for an hour, while the doorman has fallen asleep, so there is no one to lock the door now. 47. 48. The ball has been rolling along the floor since you dropped it. The dog has been rolling in the mud since you kicked it.
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49. 50.
That drunkard has been reeling down the street since dawn. The ship has been reeling since the storm started.
51. When she arrived, she realized that the servants had been going in and out for hours, piling up food on the table. 52. 53. 54. The Japanese had been rushing in since they had opened the gate. The plane had been flying over the island for hours. The dog had been frisking about since the dentists had left the house.
55. It was raining. It had been raining cats and dogs for hours when the baker came home, where his wife had been waiting for him since dawn. 56. The pheasant had been flying over mountain peaks for days when it spotted the jay up a tree. 57. The geese had been following the gander all day when a goose stopped short, and decided it would not go any farther. 58. The swan had been swimming since the break of day, and had not found what it was looking for. 59. The canary had been chirping for quite a while when the cat jumped at the cage and scared it do death. 60. The blackbird admitted that it had been flying for a whole week, and if felt a little tired. 61. The golden eagle will be hovering above the house as long as you keep your gun out of sight. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. The parrot will soon be imitating you if it hears you so very often. The peacock will be sleeping all day if you have guests today. The peahen will be hatching eggs this time next month. The pelican will soon be travelling to the North Pole. The seagull will be flying out at sea as soon as the weather is fine.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 67. The wren will be eating rye bread crumbs when you pass by tomorrow morning. 68. The titmouse will soon be leaving your garden if you start felling trees.
69. The pigeon will be carrying your message tonight, so you will not have an answer till he returns. 70. The dove will be eating seeds all day tomorrow, because your sister-in-law is here, and she always feeds it seeds. 71. The quail will have been living in this field for more than two years next month by this time. 72. The nightingale will have been singing in your garden for five years by the time you move to another house. 73. The hoopoe will have been hatching eggs for two weeks when you find its nest. 74. The swallow will have been travelling for a month when it arrives here in spring. 75. The sparrow will have been basking in the sun for hours when the cat comes along. 76. The duck will have been running across the yard for a long time before the dog stops chasing it. 77. The drake will have been looking for the duck for a week before it finds out what has happened. 78. up. The woodcock will have been sleeping for two hours by the time you wake
79. The ostrich will have been playing with the children for half an hour by the time the caretaker comes to drive the children away. 80. The falcon will have been waiting for its master for eight days tomorrow by this time. 81. 82. The eagle would be flying round the peak if there were not a hunter there. The guinea hen would be hurrying home if it did not rain so heavily.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 83. The crow would be speaking English if it had human brains.
84. The partridge would be running away from this place if it knew what you were going to do. 85. The thrush would be living here now if you had not destroyed its nest last year. 86. 87. The hawk would not be flying away if you had not menaced it with your gun. The turtle dove would be laying eggs if it were warm enough.
88. Your sisters husband would not be complaining to everybody that she never fed him anything if she had learned how to cook. 89. 90. He would be clearing his throat now if you had asked him to sing for you. The dragon would burst into tears if the wizard turned him into a mouse.
91. The dramatist would have been writing all day yesterday, if he had not been told to come and meet the stage manager at the airport. 92. The draper would have been counting his money till late at night if you had not interrupted him. 93. The dressmaker would have been sewing all night if she were not afraid she might go blind. 94. The chemist would have been drinking till he had spent all his money if his wife had not dragged him home. 95. The bus driver would have been waiting in the garage till late at night if the mechanic had not repaired his bus sooner. 96. The drummer would have been playing his drum all the way if his friends had not wisely tied his hands beforehand. 97. The duke would have been riding his horse from morning till night if the horse had not refused to carry him. 98. The expert would have been delivering a lecture on Shakespeare when you arrived if he had not been asked to choose another subject. 99. The embezzler would have been spending all our money while you were waiting for him to return it, if the Police had not caught him in time.
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100. The emissary would have been sleeping when you looked for him if he had not left five days before, as you had told him. 101. He is usually a good child, but now he is being noisy, because everybody is looking at him. 102. The emperor is known to be very talkative, but now he is keeping silent, because he does not want his fool to learn all his secrets yet. 103. The engraver is a hardworking man and, if he is being lazy right now, that means he has finished his work for today. 104. The biologist can answer any question, but right now he is being examined by a fellow biologist, who is determined to show the former is incompetent. 105. The knight-errant is always very brave, but at this moment he is being chased by bees, and he is running as fast as he can. 106. You cannot talk to the manager, because he is seeing someone important.
107. The stranger was thinking of a way to reach the station sooner, as he did not want to miss the train which would take him to London. 108. The examiner is always asking questions which his students cannot answer, no matter how hard they may have worked for the exam. 109. The executioner is always washing his hands and asking people to lend him money. 110. The grocers boy is always eating sweets early in the morning, which is the reason why he has grown so fat.
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21. Subjonctivul
1. It is strange that the archbishop should only buy cheap things, when he knows that cheapest is dearest. 2. It is strange that he should be clearing his throat precisely when his sister has to speak to the audience. 3. It is natural that he should have climbed up the ladder, as we all know him to be very ambitious. 4. It is unbelievable that he should have been reading when he should have been working on his dissertation. 5. It is natural that he should try to go to the University, because nobody would have given him a job otherwise. 6. It seems unlikely that she should be crying for the moon, when she knows nobody could give it to her. 7. It was natural that he should have come to the end of his tether after he had worked twelve hours a day for months, and had only had a day off every two weeks. 8. It is unbelievable that he should have been selling wine when you called on him at five in the morning. 9. It is advisable that you should come to the point, as everybody is waiting to hear what you think of what happened here the other day. 10. It is incredible that he should be crying, since he knows nothing can be changed, as the mistake he has made has become known to everyone. 11. It seems unlikely that he should have torn away; he is far too clever to do such a thing, unless he is cornered. 12. It is interesting that they should have been walking when you met them, as they said they would never go for a walk in rainy weather. 13. It is desirable that you should not go too far; he is a nervous person, and he
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. might beat you if you annoy him. 14. Does it not seem unnatural to you that he should be skating when the weather is fine and the skating rink is closed? 15. Was it not strange that the ship should have gone under sail when not even two days had elapsed since it had laid anchor? 16. It is remarkable that they should have been working for two hours, and had finished the job when you arrived. 17. She said it seemed perfectly natural to her that she should go by train, by plane, by bus, by tram, or by taxi when she could not walk. 18. I admitted I found it unexpected that the partridge should be playing in my presence, when I had told it plainly to go and do its homework. 19. I thought it was rather peculiar that she should have gone on horseback to the party at the castle. 20. I had no idea whether she found it alarming that I should have been walking on all fours when we had met. 21. Did you not realize it would seem strange that the butler should be fired?
22. Did you not realize it was natural that his sight should be going at the age of eighty? 23. Why did you think it unexpected that the banker should have refused to live separated from his family? 24. Apart from what I have heard, I find it unlikely that the fisherman should have been racing a young boy to the gate, when I know he turned ninety long ago. 25. Does it not seem hard to believe that this book should have been written in the Middle Ages? 26. It is not unlike him that he should have chosen to stay in Monte Carlo, although we all know him to have been born in Greece. 27. I assume it looked pretty unusual to you that he should have gone blind all of a sudden, just when he saw you crossing the road towards him, to ask him to return the money he had borrowed from you three weeks before. 28. It is surprising that the waiters son should have been sleeping in the chair
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. while you were waiting for someone to bring you your soup. 29. I consider it impudent that you should tell me the bank may go bankrupt any day, when you know all my money is deposited there and, if I lose it, I have to move out of this expensive house, and leave it to you. 30. Is it not horrifying that he should be playing with a skeleton which he found in the back yard, and which must have been buried there a thousand years ago? 31. It is natural that the archer should have been imprisoned if he killed seven bears in one day. 32. It is very sad that the actress should have been shouting all the time you waited there, but you must forgive her, because she must have had her reasons to behave like that. 33. Do you not think it unbelievable that the butter should have gone bad so soon? 34. I told her it was natural that she should be sleeping when I came, because I was going to come back very late, and she should not wait for me before going to bed. 35. I explained to him that it was natural to be scared when he saw the witch, but that witch had no magic broom, so she was unable to harm him. 36. Is it not strange that the ship should have been going ashore when you saw it? I thought it was in the Pacific Ocean, and should not have returned until a month later. 37. I guess it seems impossible that I should go back on my word, but I shall do it: I cannot buy her all the toys I have promised. 38. Does it not look strange to you that he should be going down on his knees to her, when she is sure to refuse him anyway? 39. I can tell you it is unlikely that rumours should have gone about her eloping with a sailor, because she was married to a bank clerk last month. 40. It seems natural to anyone but you that the teacher should have been talking about grammar for an hour and a half. 41. I suggest that the stork should study arithmetics, and then it will know that seven and seven is fourteen.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 42. I insist that you should step aside, because you are in the way.
43. The detective demanded that the snail who went by the name of Jackson should be followed by the police, because it had run away with the senators car keys. 44. The greengrocer urged that we should eat more vegetables, because it was apparent to everyone that they were very healthy. 45. The baker demanded that all the turtles apt for sports should eat a bun before the race. 46. The captain ordered that his soldiers should wear their uniforms, and never be ashamed of being seen with a gun. 47. The headmaster requested that the the monkeys should be sent on a trip to the Mediterranean. 48. As the oyster was away from home, it demanded that it should be sent money to live on. 49. The miser urged that all those who were bent on spending money should give it to him. 50. The general insisted that all those who did not see his defects should come to a party he was giving, where they would all have plenty to eat and drink. 51. The ship which is bound for Turkey will sail today, so that it may be back by the end of June. 52. The tailor is busy with his work, but he is coming so that you may give him the cloth, since you said you wanted to have a suit made. 53. That teenager is not capable of murder, and witnesses will be brought in, so that they may testify to his innocence. 54. The dancer is certain of success, and he is going to dance so that everyone may see how good he is. 55. The lobster is clever at all games, so it will play anything you ask it to.
56. The lion was charmed with the zebra, and asked it to come to the river, so that they might have a talk. 57. The house was close to the park, and the adders went for a walk, so that the
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. gatekeeper might be scared and run away; they had always wanted a park to themselves. 58. The psychologist explained that he knew a lot of lawyers who worked so that their wives might buy themselves mink coats. 59. The dove woke up at daybreak, so that the pigeon might be pleased.
60. I told the swimmer that I had always wanted to see Monaco, so that he might tell me everything he knew about that place. 61. The mermaid slept on the beach, lest the sailor should follow her out at sea and be drowned. 62. I shall warn him that I am conscious of all the implications of his decision, lest he should expect me to follow him in the attempt he has planned. 63. The linguist had delivered a lecture conspicuous for its originality, lest his students should think that he did not know much about the subject he had been teaching for a lifetime. 64. The locust understood that it must build a house, lest the ants should attack it while it was asleep. 65. The beaver admitted it had been contemporary with Chaplin, lest we should imagine it was trying to make us think it younger. 66. The lynx replied it was content with its fate, lest its elder brother should try to make it change its house. 67. I did not hide from the milliner that her decision was contrary to my expectations, lest she should go about saying that she had had my approval. 68. The mole warned him that it would be very expensive for him to stay underground longer than a month, lest he should expect it to put him up. 69. The octopus began by confessing it was not conversant with that particular period of English literature, lest the professor should find out and send it back home, in the ocean. 70. I told you the penguin loved music a lot, lest you should bring him books instead of CDs on its birthday. 71. The scorpion treats its stepsister as if she were its enemy.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 72. The slug is smiling at me, as if I did not know it hated mathematics.
73. The swan is delighted with the idea of going to the seaside, as though it did not know it was too cold there. 74. The policeman protected the convicted burglar, as if the latter had just been granted the Nobel Prize. 75. The electrician was looking at us as if he could not understand what we were asking him to do. 76. The greengrocer is looking at that painting with tomatoes in it as if he wanted to eat them. 77. The hunter behaves as though he wanted to persuade us to help him hunt the polar bear. 78. This guitarist is listening to the violinist as if he heard that concert for the first time. 79. He was telling me that the village was far away from the sea, as though he did not know I had decided to leave first thing in the morning. 80. The grocer fell silent, as if he did not trust me enough to tell me who he was.
81. The journalist apologized as if he had made that mistake simply because he had been too much in a hurry. 82. The inventor was eager for new friends and behaved as if no one had ever disappointed him. 83. He has just come to dinner, as though I had not told him I did not like people who came too early and disturbed me from my afternoon sleep. 84. The mountains lie north of my town, and he was looking south and pretended to see them, as if we had not told him he could not see them in that direction. 85. If it were easy for you to solve this exercise, you would not be crying as if you had tried and failed. 86. If he librarian and his wife were as poor as they say they are, they would not be hiding as if someone had tried to blackmail them. 87. He was engaged in work, as though he had promised to finish the essay by
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. the end of the week. 88. When she became engaged to him, she was so happy as if she had never been engaged before, which was not the case. 89. He admitted he had been enthusiastic about the idea, but had behaved as if he had not been told anything. 90. You are envious of her luck as if she had won a lot of money and had refused to give you any. 91. The magician wishes he were known all over the world.
92. He wishes you paid him a sum equivalent to the one he had spent on the dictionary he had bought. 93. I wished I could tell him he would soon be received by the Queen of England, but I could not. 94. The philosopher wished he knew who would welcome him in Monaco, but he did not. 95. I wish the paediatrician stopped treating his dog as if it were retarded.
96. I wish the mechanic knew his ninety-year-old wife has always been faithful to him. 97. I wished you did not find out the midwife had lied to her friends, but you seem to know. 98. I wished the industrialist did not try to ask me whether I liked the idea of living on bananas for a month. 99. Do you not wish you did not have anything to do with the jewellers brother, who is famous for his pranks? 100. Dont you wish the house were not so far from the bakers?
101. The innkeeper wishes you would avoid that precipice, because it has been fatal to many people. 102. The masons wished the mayor would be favourable to their initiative of cutting down all the trees in the forest and building an airport. 103. The magistrate wished we would stop telling everyone he was fit for nothing.
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104. The novelist wishes his cat would never drink cocoa again, because she is too fat and too fond of food. 105. The physician wishes his second cousin would study more, because he is not at all good at physics, although he is a physicist. 106. The orthopaedist wishes his father-in-law would be more grateful to the firemen for helping him when he was in trouble. 107. The nun wishes you would not scold her brother any more, because you are usually too hard on him. 108. The photographer wishes the lady in front of him would understand that he cannot make her look like Snow White when she wears overalls. 109. He wished the meteorologist would tell him the truth, because he had been taught to be honest about everything. 110. I wish you would leave the milkman alone, but you do not understand why, do you? 111. 112. Dont you wish your doll had been identical with hers? Doesnt he wish his parents had been ignorant of the circumstances?
113. He wished he had gone there earlier, as it was imperative that someone should go and help the elephant. 114. I wish the miller had not realized how unimpressed I was by his knowledge.
115. The Witch of Salem wished you had not tried to visit that castle, as she knew it was inaccessible to travellers. 116. We wish you had felt more indebted to the Zoo caretaker when he saved you from the lion that was at large. 117. He wishes you had not been so indignant at the news of his marrying your fiance when you least expected it. 118. I wish you had not called that plumber, because he is not so good as the one I usually call when I need a plumber in the house. 119. I wish the pigeons had come in turns, but they were inseparable from each other.
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120. Dont you wish the monk had not told anyone that you hated him because he had studied more languages than you? 121. I would rather you told him about the lecture; he is very much interested in astronomy. 122. I would rather the physicist did not discover anything any more; he has done enough harm as it is. 123. The polar bear would rather you bought those mittens, irrespective of the price. 124. You would sooner he stopped being jealous of you, wouldnt you?
125. The plastic surgeon would sooner his patient had not gone to another doctor, wouldnt he? 126. The playwright would rather you had not made so much money and married the girl he was in love with. 127. The private detective would sooner you had not been so lucky at cards yesterday, when you left everyone penniless. 128. The psychiatrist would rather I had not told anyone he kept hearing a soprano telling him to wash his hands. 129. I would sooner the emperor had been merciful to the prisoners.
130. The radiologist would rather we had asked for an X-ray than an ultrasound, wouldnt he? 131. If only the reporters house were nearer to the bus stop!
132. If only my spectacles were not necessary to the thieves and they returned them to me! 133. 134. If only you did not sit next to a burglar! If only he obeyed the rules!
135. If only the researcher had realized he was waiting for the plane at the railway station! 136. If only it had been obvious to the sailor that he must buy a house!
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137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142. 143. 144. 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. 151. 152. 153. 154. 155.
If only he had not objected to any change! If only he had not sat opposite to you on the train! If only the shepherd had not panicked when he heard all your lies! If only you had been more patient with her when she was alive! Suppose he did not come back home when he said he would! Suppose she forgot all about the Subjunctive before she took her exam! Suppose we all left her alone when she most needed us! Suppose the tailor refused to make him a suit! Suppose he came late and left the door unlocked! Suppose the taxi-driver had had an accident! Suppose the anthropologist had not wanted to return from Africa! Suppose the apprentice had made a better coat than the tailor himself! Suppose he had played and had won nothing! Suppose the athlete had not been able to fill in the form! It is time you finished reading the book. It is time you understood why people are prejudiced against bank robbers. It is time the baker made up his mind to lose weight. It is time you hired someone qualified. It was time the barber emigrated to the Hague.
156. It is high time you had done what he told you to do, regardless of the consequences. 157. It is about time the beekeeper had taken his beehives to the Himalaya mountains. 158. It was high time you had been held responsible for all your mistakes.
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159. It is about time he had been told the country was rich in game, but he was not to use his gun. 160. It was high time someone had told you you were being rude to the beggar, who was trying to explain why you were wrong. 161. 162. 163. 164. 165. 166. 167. 168. 169. 170. Long live bachelors! May you live long and be happy! Come what may, I will see to it that he may be safe from his pursuers. So be it, then! Suffice it to say that the bishop was angry. May you live to be the age of your great-grandmother. Come what may, he must learn the truth. Far be it from me to spoil your fun, but you should not mock at a hatter. Long live those who are sick of sweets and give them to the children! Come what may, this motel will have to be pulled it down.
171. Whoever may be at the gate, tell him I am sorry for being late and, if he lets me in, I promise it will never happen again. 172. 173. 174. Whatever you may say, your paper is subject to improvement. Whenever you may come, I am sure that he will not object to talking to you. Whatever he may be doing right now, he must stop and go to bed.
175. Wherever he may be waiting, do not forget he is not used to standing for too long a time. 176. Whatever he may have told you, it is vital for us to go.
177. Whoever may have sworn at you, you must believe me that you are welcome here. 178. Whenever he may have shouted at you, you should have told him he was wrong about a great deal of things.
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179. Whatever the butcher may have been cooking when you arrived, he ought to have given you a helping. 180. Wherever he may have gone, he should have come back home at the end of August.
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22. Verbele modale
1. He is an abandoned rogue, and he shall go to prison, whether he pleads guilty or not. 2. You shall not go to the the South Pole, no matter how many reasons for going you may find. 3. Shall I write the abstract, or will you?
4. Shall I pay attention to his words, or do you want me to pretend I have not heard? 5. 6. 7. 8. When shall I send her to the hairdressers? Shall I spy on him, or will you? Shall I tell him the actual reason of my decision, or will you? Shall I listen to your speech, or may I go out when you begin?
9. Shall I punish him, or do you think he will admit he was wrong and apologize? 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Shall I ask you more questions, or does it aggravate you? He asked me what he should do to help her. He did not know if he should beat or praise the boxer. The wizard wondered whether he should give his money to the princess. The scholar had no idea where he should deliver his next lecture. The engine driver had no idea where he should stop. The pianist would have liked to be told what he should play. The opera singer did not know whose offer she should accept. The photographer wanted to know if he should take one or two photographs.
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19. 20.
The researcher wondered if he should take a holiday. The shop owner asked when he should open his shop.
21. You should keep that chestnut tree, because it is the most beautiful tree in your garden. 22. Mahogany was his favourite wood, and he said carpenters should use it whenever they had the opportunity. 23. He was looking for a bilberry tree, and we told him that he should go home, because it was getting dark, and anyway he would not find any in that area. 24. 25. 26. There should be a gooseberry tree around here, but I do not seem to find it. He thought he should climb up the walnut tree if a bear came along. He never told me that I should not be looking for a breadfruit tree in France.
27. The alder tree should be left alone, because it is old and gives good shade in summer. 28. He understood he should not destroy maple trees, but he could not help wanting to cut them. 29. I told them they should know what bamboo looked like, and they replied they had never seen such a tree in their lives. 30. You should tell that little boy if you come across a banana tree, because he is very fond of bananas, and, if he climbed it, he would not leave a single banana. 31. The squirrel should not be jumping from one fir tree to another, because it is dangerous. 32. If you stay up the apricot tree all morning, your grandmother will find you and tell you you should not be eating so many apricots before lunch. 33. You should not be staring at that chestnut tree as if it were the largest tree in the world. 34. You should be looking for a sweet chestnut tree if you want to eat its fruit.
35. He should not be cutting branches off that horse chestnut tree, because in spring people will see what he has done, and he will be punished.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 36. She should be telling her daughter a story about a milkman if she wants her to fall asleep. 37. He should not be looking at the strawberry plant as if he wanted to take all the strawberries right now, as it does not belong to him, and the farmer might get angry. 38. You should be drawing a cedar grove instead of scribbling on that sheet of paper. 39. He should be praising his cypress trees to you; they are absolutely wonderful.
40. You should not be eating so many sweet cherries on a day like this, even if your sweet cherry tree is laden with fruit. 41. You should have done your homework when you said you would, and shown it to the geography teacher, so that he might give you a good mark. 42. The milliner should have given up her hats if the thief has threatened that he will set fire to her shop unless she gives him everything she has earned in the last six years. 43. You should not have told him not to trouble trouble until trouble troubled him, if you really wanted him to do his best to help you out of the mess you have got into. 44. You should never have lied to him if you really knew he had always been a good friend to you and would never have cheated you. 45. You should have fired her when you realized she was no good at all, after she had told you she did not need the money as badly as you did. 46. You should have known that sooner or later he would tell you that he would not have lost his fortune if you had agreed to keeping an eye on him. 47. He should have dropped you like a hot potato if he really suspected you had been lying all along, while everyone had been positive you had been telling the truth about your sister having married a knight. 48. They should have let him fight the giant alone, because, when they had been in trouble, he had said Each for himself and the devil take the hindmost, and had not lifted a finger to help anyone. 49. You should have started working early in the morning if you had wanted to finish by noon, since, as you know, the early bird catches the worm.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 50. Shouldnt he have understood by now that he cant eat his cake and have it?
51. The greengrocer should have been selling vegetables instead of arguing about the price, as I found him last night, when a lot of people were standing in line to buy cauliflower. 52. The barber should have been shaving his customer when the clock struck eight. 53. The mechanic should have been repairing my car last night when I left, but I was sure he would change into his suit and go to the pub. 54. Which of you was saying that the dustman should have been working all day on Sunday? 55. Why did she tell everyone that her hairdresser should have been drinking coffee when she entered the room, when she knows his boss would have fired him if he had found him doing that? 56. What do you think the tailor should have been doing when you rang the bell?
57. The dressmaker should have been sewing when her customer came in if she had wanted the latter to believe that she did not have a moment to herself. 58. The seamstress knows she should have been sleeping at midnight, when I found her working hard, although she had lost her spectacles the day before, and without them she could hardly see a thing. 59. The butcher should have been cleaning the floor of his shop at eight oclock in the evening if he had not closed at five. 60. The shoemaker should have been mending shoes when you came in, but he was tired and had lain down for an hour, hoping he would feel better after he had taken a nap. 61. The judge was looking forward to his mothers visit, as he thought the latter should come some time at the end of the week. 62. There should be no reason for anxiety if you do not do anything foolish in my absence, I think. 63. His apologies ought to be enough, although you will never find another canary like the one he has lost. 64. The maid should be where she said she was going, unless she has changed her mind and has gone to the theatre instead.
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65. The apparition should be a result of his rich imagination, since I am positive, and so is everyone, that such things do not even exist. 66. The application should be where you said you had put it, unless you have misplaced it, and in that case the person who is waiting at the door will have to type it again. 67. 68. The burglars apprehension should be known to everyone in town. Their argument should be caused by their stubbornness most of all.
69. His cunning should be famous, as he has managed to cheat every swindler in the country. 70. His ingenuity should help him a lot, I think.
71. Why should I become an artist if I do not feel like it, and have never been able to paint anything in my life? 72. Why should you assist him if he does not ask you?
73. Why should we live in the attic, when the ground floor is much more comfortable? 74. Why should he deliver his lecture in the auditorium if there is no one there, and he himself said he had better go home? 75. Why should I preach moderation to a person who spends everybodys money, and has never made a living in his life? 76. 77. 78. Why should I like ballads? I asked, knowing that he was very fond of them. Why should we only buy one canvas, when we need so much more? Why should I wash in the basin, instead of using the bathtub?
79. Why should they shoot at the dancer if the latter gives them everything he has out of his own free will? 80. 81. Why should I change the bulb, when there are fifteen tenants in this house? If I should find the cardiologist living in a cabin, I should take him with me.
82. If he should come across the telegram you sent last week, he would be terribly upset, so I have hidden it from him, and I hope he will never find out what has
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. actually happened. 83. If they should meet in a caf, everyone would see them together, and people would start gossipping. 84. 85. If I should lose my camera, I should have to borrow yours. If the canteen should be damaged, the sergeant would shout at all his soldiers.
86. If her name should be written in capitals, you would know that she was acting a leading role in the play. 87. If he should buy a caravan, he could go to the mountains and sleep in a forest.
88. If his motorcycle should be stopped, he would beat the person who prevented him from reaching the village in time. 89. If she should bring carnations, he would feel awfully ashamed at receiving, instead of offering her flowers. 90. If I should be watching cartoons when he came, he would turn off the TV and send me to buy matches. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. it. 99. 100. 101. I can promise you I will never forget an old friend! Will you please describe the main characters of the novel? Charge him less that the other customers, will you? Go to the chemist right away, will you! The door of the pantry wont open. If the anaesthesiologist will break all his china, why not let him? If you will smoke cigars, I dont see why I should object to it. If the architect will get engaged to a stork, no one can prevent him from doing
Be civil to your elders, will you! If the lizard will go to college, I think it should be helped. That girl over there will be his stepsister, I suppose.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 102. 103. 104. If she will commute, I have no idea how she could be persuaded not to. If you will buy a compass, at least you should choose a good one. If you will go to work in this condition, it is your own business.
105. The conductor will be her cousin, I imagine, or she would not have talked such private matters with him. 106. The commotion wont stop, although I told everyone I expected to spend a quiet afternoon in their house. 107. The engine wont work, because the mechanic has forgotten to repair it.
108. This mole is her only comfort, so stop saying you will throw it out of the house, will you! 109. 110. 111. 112. 113. 114. 115. Children will be children. When the cat is away, the mice will play. Yes, he will do that, he will buy all the commodities he is offered. She would take great care of her complexion when she was young. The astrologer would come to visit us only when he felt he was composed. He would eat a lot of sweets when he was a child. He would avoid confirmed bachelors when he lived in our town.
116. Whenever she met the wizard, the fortune teller would conjure all the good spirits of the earth. 117. 118. The clerk would amaze all his teachers when he was a boy. She would spend whole days in the conservatory when she was free.
119. He would consider everything very seriously before taking any decisions when he was a mayor. 120. 121. 122. He will do that, he will be considerate to elderly ladies. He would not even consider the idea of being consistent with himself. She would not even hear of taking lessons from a consummate painter.
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123.
I offered him an old copy, but he would not take it.
124. I asked him if he was conversant with world literature, and he would not admit he had never studied it. 125. The corporal would not obey his betters, although he knew he would be fired.
126. Her advice was good, but the conductor would not listen to what she was saying. 127. He was told to buy cream, but he would not go to the market, and he bought whipped cream from a caf in the end. 128. I told the chimney sweeper his friend had been rude, but he would not take my word for it. 129. The bookkeeper would not use currency, because he was afraid he would be charged too much for what he wanted to buy. 130. 131. 132. 133. 134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142. I showed him the otter, but he would not even look at it. I would not know why that curtain is torn, unless it is very old. You would not do that to an old friend! You would not go to the station at midnight! You would not lie to me, I am sure. You could, if you would. He said he would be happy if I would help him. I would not know what this new law can bring. You would not go all that way for a loaf of bread! You would not turn down your own father! If you would lend me your magic carpet, I would give it back to you. I ought to tell him it was exactly what he deserved. I ought to go to some desolate place and make it my home.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 143. 144. 145. You ought to help a destitute man who asks you for a slice of rye bread. Prince Charmings castle ought to be restored and opened for visitors. Directories ought not to be sold to people who cannot count.
146. You ought to focus on economic matters instead of solving your sons exercises. 147. If you were a wise man, you ought to be saving money for a trip abroad rather than spending it on trifles. 148. do. The editor ought not to be proofreading when he has so many other things to
149. An elaborate report on the matter ought to be dealing with the incidents that took place last night, after the gates of the Botanical Gardens had closed. 150. They ought to be selling fresh fruit and vegetables in this shop if they wanted people to come again and become regular customers. 151. The two owls ought to have been engaged long ago, but the chameleon objected to their wedding. 152. This engaging stork ought to have become Miss Universe last year if it had not had so many rivals. 153. The epidemic ought to have been stifled months ago if there had been enough doctors around. 154. You ought to have confessed to him eventually that you had stolen his watch because you never knew what time it was. 155. She ought not to have gone to an exacting teacher to be examined if she knew she was not good at Dutch. 156. You ought to have been watching TV when I came in if you found it so exciting. 157. The bear ought to have been running when I met it last night, because the doctor had told it that it needed exercise. 158. You ought not to have been whispering into his ear when there were people around, because he has never been able to keep a secret. 159. The bats ought to have been listening to the lecture last night.
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160. She ought not to have been talking about his wealth when the policeman was there, listening to every word that was being said. 161. I suppose he ought to have an extra ticket if his ex-wife cannot come.
162. He said he thought I ought to be very extravagant if I spent all my money on gifts for friends. 163. He explained to me that he supposed the ladle ought to be a good bargain, but he would not buy it as long as he did not have enough money. 164. 165. 166. 167. 168. 169. 170. 171. 172. 173. 174. 175. 176. 177. 178. The eagle ought to have bought a house in the Himalayas. I replied that I thought the snail ought to be trained for the Olympics. The two princes were told they must end their feud. I explained to him why fiction must be his major concern. She retorted she must take care of her figure. I told him he must not make up his mind on the spot. I did not know I must pay a fine if I parked my car here. You must come and visit me when you are in Belgium! But you must stay for dinner! You must show me the Tarot cards T.S. Eliot wrote about! The woodpecker must help you with your homework, it is much too difficult. You must tell me where you bought this short story! That bill must be forged, if the police are using it as evidence against him. He must be at his office, filling in forms, as he does daily. The cricket must be told today that they will never be formally introduced.
179. He must be very brave if he has saved a young girl from the claws of the dragon. 180. What you see there must be a goblin, and it will not hurt you if you leave it
316
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. alone. 181. The rat must be talking about the school it has just graduated from.
182. He must be looking for arguments in favour of his theory, and I am sure he will find them unless he is disturbed by that bee. 183. He must be trying to talk to the editor-in-chief if he has been waiting in front of his office for so long. 184. He must be playing his harmonica if the children have already started dancing around him. 185. I do not see him around, he must be playing basketball somewhere.
186. If he has refused to talk to you, he must be looking for a more humane person, who will be willing to shelter his nineteen dogs and a cat. 187. If he has heard the critic saying that he can never be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, he must be raging. 188. He must be thinking of writing a novel, if you have told him that his latest short stories are no good. 189. He is not at home; he must be roaming the streets, looking for his greatgrandmother. 190. 191. He must be lying if he has actually told you that he has mumps. He must have been told that he would be sent to Warsaw.
192. He must have been praised for his ingenuity, or he would not be talking to his in-laws about all the home appliances he has so far discovered. 193. The Swiss must have stepped on his toes; he will not be able to walk, he will have to be carried home. 194. 195. That scar must have been a bad injury a while ago. The badger must have been taken to hospital in an ambulance.
196. The judge must have pronounced him guilty, and he has run away from court, hoping to get away with it. 197. It must have been a exhausting to read a book in Finnish, so I do not think the Pole would be willing to start it all over again.
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198. The bench at the park entrance must have been stolen, because I cannot see it where it used to be. 199. 200. He must have eaten lentil and is now trying to persuade us to do the same. The leper must have been driven out of the village.
201. He must have been counting his money when I came in and told him that it would be very generous of him to lend it to me. 202. The Spaniard must have been studying at the library when you were looking for him. 203. When we met, the Dane must have been trying to find his driving licence, which he lost weeks ago. 204. If the queen stood up and left all of a sudden, I bet the Swede must have been reciting Kipling to her. 205. You must have been talking to a Portuguese, if he has told you that the moon shines in broad daylight in Portugal. 206. The Turk must have been living in luxury when you made friends, or he would not have been able to present you with a golden ring. 207. The Arab must have been eating a macaroon, as the cake was made of nuts and looked tasty. 208. The pressing iron must have been out of order, and the Lapp was doing his best to fix what had been broken. 209. The manager must have been reading a magazine when the clock struck twelve, because he forgot to order his lunch. 210. He must have been writing to his parents about Lapland when you entered the room, and he failed to hear you. 211. 212. 213. Children must not talk to the mayor when he is busy. You must not take any medicine without your doctors advice. One must not talk about ones memories when people are bored.
214. You must never multiply six by seven unless you expect the result to be fortytwo.
318
215.
A good orator must not stammer.
216. The Hungarian will have to scold his godfather for coming home past midnight, although he could not care less. 217. I thought I would reassure him if I let him know he would not have to deliver the statue earlier than he had expected. 218. If you imposed your rules on me, I suspect I would have to obey them.
219. I have had to listen to his endless stories for two hours, but I am not going to put up with it any longer. 220. The Dutchman stated that he had had to talk to his wife about changing his job, because he had been late too many times. 221. 222. 223. 224. 225. 226. 227. 228. The German is to return to his country before long. The handbook is to come out as soon as possible. The Czech is to appear in front of the audience in a moment. This part is to be played by a famous actor, whom everyone knows. You are not to talk Arabic to any of the boys who broke that window. He was to buy the passage to India for himself and his wife. The performance was to take place on the day the theatre opened. He was to buy petrol before leaving for the mountains.
229. The phrase was to be explained in class, but the teacher seems to have forgotten all about it. 230. The physician was to come at seven oclock, but he must have forgotten.
231. The history teacher was to have spoken about the plague if he had not changed his mind. 232. They were to have met on the platform if it had not been so crowded.
233. The policy of that country was to have changed before the end of May last year.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 234. I am positive that you were to have gone to bed early if the Finn had not prevented you. 235. That prison was to have been bombed three days ago.
236. If the Irishman were to declare he was Chinese, he would have to be able to speak Chinese. 237. If Frenchwomen were to eat asparagus every night, they would no longer need to cook any more. 238. If the rules of this school were to be changed, most of the students would leave for Iceland. 239. If the Serb were to bring her a present, she would most certainly forget to thank him. 240. If the porter were to steal your luggage, the policeman would find him at once. 241. 242. 243. The paper can go to press as it is now. Can you try not to disturb him when he is asleep? No one can behave like a lady as well as she does.
244. The principal simply cannot understand why nobody comes to classes on Sundays. 245. 246. 247. 248. 249. I can try to read your essay, but I am not sure I will like it. This is an old table which no one can lift. Can you spell the Swedes name? I cannot make an airplane out of crumpled paper. The Portuguese could not swim, so, when the ship sank, he drowned.
250. If you could add two and twenty, you would not have been cheated by the waiter. 251. 252. You cant go in; this building is private property. Foreigners cant enter this area without a special permit.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 253. 254. 255. 256. Those who are not members of the club cannot go in. You cannot sell what does not belong to you. She cannot tell him what his parents-in-law have decided he must not know. He cannot be an actor if he cannot learn his parts by heart.
257. The view from the window cant be beautiful, because that room overlooks a marsh. 258. Publicity cant be good for a thief who does not want to be caught by the police. 259. The Vietnamese cant win the race, because he is by far the worst of the participants. 260. 261. This mirror cant be new; it is scratched all over. Can he be playing when I told him to do his homework first?
262. Can he be talking on the phone while I have been ringing the bell for half an hour now? 263. 264. 265. 266. 267. 268. He cant be buying the TV set right now, when the shop is closing. Her brother cant be talking to her right now. The surgeon cant be operating on the patient at this very moment. That Pole cant have been taken to Cologne without a good reason. His relatives cant have forgotten all about him. The Japanese cannot have been pleased to find out that she had broken a leg.
269. You cant have decided to spend the night in Brussels when everyone was waiting for you in Cyprus. 270. 271. He cant have taken refuge in a crowded shop in Belgrade. He cant have slept all day when you were there.
272. He cant have said he needed a rest when you told him you wanted him to take a walk with you.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 273. He cant have resumed reading while you were waiting for him to accompany you to the dentist. 274. His romance with the owl cant have lasted longer than a month.
275. That saloon cant have been pulled down, because the Arab says he goes there every day. 276. The milliner cant have been sewing for five days on end when she was arrested for crime. 277. The shoemaker cant have been sleeping in his bed when the mermaids were looking for him at the bottom of the lake. 278. The tailor cant have been singing at midnight, when he knew everyone else was asleep. 279. The greengrocer cant have been eating radishes when you entered his shop.
280. The butcher cant have been fighting the bull when his customers were waiting for him to sell them pork and beef. 281. You will be able to find out his plan if you ask his wife what clothes he has taken with him. 282. The scientist said he had been able to count for a very long time.
283. The Russian said he would be able to make up with his enemy if the latter told everyone the Russian had saved his life. 284. 285. 286. 287. 288. Will you be able to settle in Algiers when you have learned Arabic? I have never been able to remember long sentences. He said the beggar was a very busy person, but he could try to talk to him. He said he could give me wine if I was thirsty. I thought you could buy spirits anywhere in New Zealand.
289. The Dutchman imagined he could change his stepsisters mood by telling her jokes. 290. 291. I hoped I could walk to the station, but I stopped at a bus stop. If you would come to Warsaw with me, I would feel much safer.
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292.
You could be reading the paper now if you had a subscription.
293. He could be working as a substitute teacher today if he had graduated from college. 294. I could not tolerate his impolite behaviour if it were not for you.
295. You could write a summary if you have no time to rewrite the whole text all over again. 296. I could not support a man who has committed murder, and neither could she.
297. You could be be walking in Copenhagen now, if you had come by plane yesterday. 298. 299. taxi. 300. 301. 302. The incident that has upset him could be of utmost importance. You could go by tube if you were in a hurry, but, if I were you, I should take a
A tutor could help him if he cannot understand physics at all. This essential matter could have been overlooked if you had not mentioned it. He could have taken a vacant seat, but he preferred to stand.
303. He was famous for his valour, and he could have freed the princess from the witchs castle if he had been entreated. 304. Your translation could have been correct if you had taken the trouble to look up the unknown words. 305. He could have walked away, but he stood there and listened to her speech to the end. 306. When her eyes filled with tears, he could have comforted her, but he did not.
307. The plumber could have been laughing while tears ran down her cheeks, because he had warned her she would end badly, but he did not do it. 308. They could have been staring their eyes out, and still they would not have been able to notice what was going on inside the house. 309. He could simply have winked at her, and she would have followed him anywhere.
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310.
You could have peeped through the keyhole if you were so curious.
311. When he asks you if he may come in, just continue to meet his eyes and say nothing. 312. 313. 314. 315. May I raise my eyebrows when I ask a question? She wants to know if she may blindfold you while you are waiting. Can I help you? May I help you?
316. He may blindfold his horses when he goes to the fair tomorrow, but I doubt he will do it. 317. He may as well be a thief, for all I know.
318. Tomorrow when he sees you, he may look you straight in the eye, but you must not be frightened. 319. 320. You may wonder at his behaviour, but I know the reason of his sadness. It may be true: she may be lying to the taxi-driver, but what can I do about it?
321. She may open her eyes wide when she sees you, but do not mind her: she always pretends she does not know anything. 322. 323. 324. The ambassador may be walking in the garden; I have no idea where she is. She may be telling the truth; you had better listen to what she has to say. She may be talking to a customer; do not disturb her before she has finished.
325. He may be running around the building, so, if you wait here, you may see him any moment now. 326. The archaeologists may be digging to find the treasure, as they do not know there is nothing to find. 327. The eighteen-year-old young man may be reading an essay; you had better wait and give him the compasses when he has finished it. 328. The bus driver may be going to the garage; we had better get off and walk to London Bridge.
324
329.
The architect may be doing sums; he should not be interrupted.
330. The jeweller may be bargaining about the price of pearls, and in that case it will take him a long time to sell his necklace. 331. The actress may have cast down her eyes when you stared at her, but that does not mean that she is in the least ashamed of what she has done. 332. He may have stared you full in the face, especially if he expected you to look down and say you were sorry. 333. He may have examined you out of the corner of his eye, because he is too shy to stare at anyone. 334. He may have cocked his eye at the sparrow; the sparrow is very pretty, and he may have wanted to invite it to a party tonight. 335. The hedgehog may have dried its eyes when you promised you would not beat it again, but it will always be afraid of you from now on. 336. The librarian may have read all the books in the library, but he has never been seen reading since he came to the Hague. 337. He may have fastened his eyes on your collar if it was dirty.
338. She may have shielded her eyes with her hand while she was waiting for you, because the sun was shining. 339. He may have bridged his hands over his eyes, in order not to see how you were kicking the cat. 340. The carpenter may have yawned when the speech ended, because it had been very long and had tired him out. 341. She may have been catching her breath when you met, because she had been running after her lizard for an hour. 342. He may have been holding his breath while he listened to your conversation from the adjoining room, lest you should find out he was there and throw him out. 343. The surgeon may have been singing, indeed, while he was operating on the dragon. 344. His lips may have been quivering with excitement when he heard he would be allowed to go fishing with the whale.
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345. The baker may have been baking a cake when you rang the bell, and he was not able to open the door. 346. The turtle may have been sulking yesterday, because its brother had gone to the cinema and had refused to take it along. 347. The butcher may have been grinning while the man was killing his pig, as he thought of the good price he would get from his customers. 348. The duck may have been sobbing when you found it alone in the house, as it had never been left alone, and it was afraid of the dark. 349. He may have been hiccoughing while you were talking to him, but you should not have got so angry, because it was not his fault. 350. The seven-year-old starfish may have been breathing hard because it had climbed the stairs on the day the elevator had been out of order. 351. 352. I may have finished my paper by the time you come to help me. I may have bought my own octopus before you decide to give me yours.
353. The slug may have hurried to the theatre, but it took him five hours, and, when it did arrive, all the actors had already left. 354. The mare may have graduated by the time you pass your entrance examination. 355. 356. 357. 358. 359. 360. 361. 362. 363. The thieves may have left the house before the shark calls the police. He said I might go with him if I still wanted to. I thought it might rain, so I have taken my umbrella. I explained to him that he might go to the river, but must not swim in it. They thought it might be snowing in Lapland, and came with a sledge. I told him no one might enter my room when I was asleep. He might cough, if he has caught cold. He might send you a zebra, but I am not sure he will. The red-tailed rat might stick out its tongue at you if you keep scolding it.
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364.
The butterfly might bite its tongue if it talks while eating.
365. The spider might do what you asked it, but you may live to regret having asked it. 366. 367. If you go to the seaside for a month, you might buy me a pearl. You might help him carry his bag if you see him gasping for breath.
368. You might leave her alone if you see she is speaking under her breath to somebody else. 369. 370. 371. You might give a bone to the dog if it licks its lips while you are eating. You might stop whistling if you realize it annoys her. You might have lent him some money if you really knew he was hard up.
372. You might have bought a loaf of bread for that giraffe that cannot go to the bakers. 373. You might have told her the truth when you saw she was about to punish a snake that was not guilty. 374. You might have chosen a better car; this one is no good.
375. She might have accompanied the foreigner to the bus stop, lest he should lose his way. 376. Need he come to the library today or can he wait until tomorrow?
377. I do not think he need buy those expensive trousers; he had better buy a dictionary instead. 378. 379. 380. 381. 382. 383. He told me I need not go to the seaside if I did not want to. They need not have come so soon; I could have waited. She neednt have bought the hat; he was going to buy it for her. The walrus must be reading. The lamb should be reading, or at least I think so. The crab could be reading.
327
384. 385.
He may be reading, for all I know. He might be reading, who knows?
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23. Verbe modale folosite pentru a traduce Trebuia
1. You neednt have made her blush by telling her you knew the truth, because she was going to confess it to you anyway. 2. You neednt have come all this way only to bring her a magazine she has already read. 3. You neednt have taken all that trouble; the police would have found the thief sooner or later. 4. She need not have worked so hard; no one asked her to bring the paper sooner than she had been told at first. 5. They need not have run all the way here; I could have waited no matter how long. 6. We need not have made so many cakes; the crow prefers cigarettes to sweets.
7. They need not have bought flowers; our garden has lots of roses which could have been cut off for the occasion. 8. He neednt have hidden the truth from her; she already knew it and did not care what had happened. 9. She neednt have cleaned the flat herself; I could have helped her when I came back. 10. You neednt have betrayed his secret; nobody really cared that the judge had been a criminal in his teens. 11. You should have understood that she was flushed because she saw you.
12. He should have buried his face in his mothers skirt, and she would have forgiven him. 13. You should have told me the toad had been chasing you for an hour.
14. They should have apologized to the hare when they heard what had happened to it because of their negligence.
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15. The wasp should have blushed up to its ears when it was told its essay had been the worst of all. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. The gorilla should have wiped the childs nose before they entered the room. You should have pretended you had not seen the dwarf blowing his nose. You should have heard the kangaroo shouting! He should not have stroked the hippopotamus in front of the judge. The jaguar should never have picked its teeth in class. You might have forgiven her when you saw how sorry she was.
22. He might have shown me the right way when I told him I did not know my way around. 23. She might have given the mosquito more money when it told her it had no clothes and no food. 24. 25. 26. 27. The millionaire might have helped the beggar, but he did not. You might have known he would never do what you wanted him to. They might have hurried up, late as it was. She might have forgiven the mole.
28. You might have let me know who you were before I started boasting about my ancestors. 29. He might have told her how late he would be if he really did not want her to worry. 30. You might have explained to me sooner what you wanted, instead of making me waste my time. 31. You had better not have upset the gander, because his blood rose to its face and it started swearing. 32. He had better have slapped her in the face when he learnt what it was all about. 33. They had better have brushed their teeth daily if they hate going to the
330
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. dentist. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. You had better not have had that tooth pulled out. The marten had better have finished writing the report in time. I had better have bought the house before the cockroach did. You had better not have left the ostrich alone in the house at night. They had better have swum across the river before the storm set in. He had better not have bought so many sweets and eaten them. She had better have chosen the diamond ring; it was far more beautiful. He said I must take him into a warm room because his teeth were chattering. The witch of Oz told me I must not curse anybody. He said I must take care of the bear, because its nose was bleeding. He told me I must not turn the other way when I saw a donkey. We told the turkey that it must not speak through its nose. The frog said I must not chuck it under the chin if I did not want to irritate it. I told the weasel it must shake its head whenever it disagreed to anything. She explained to me I must nod every time I agreed to what she was saying. I told him he must not scratch his head in front of the class. I told her she must not hang her head, because she had done nothing wrong.
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24. Verbe modale folosite pentru a traduce Mai bine
1.
The soldier had better keep his head up and be proud of what he has done.
2. The alchemist had better find out a way of turning water into gold, or the king will behead him before long. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. You had better box his ears next time he does that again. You had better prick up your ears and listen carefully. He had better take the badger by its ear and throw it out of the room. She had better not whisper in the cardiologists ear when they are not alone. They had better not seize each other by the hair when they have an argument. You had better pull his hair if he does not have his hair cut today.
9. You had better tell the bishop to stop running his fingers through his hair when he is nervous. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. The doorman had better stop frowning whenever he wants to hear better. You had better be swimming than sleeping on such a hot day. The deer had better be running if they want to keep warm. The diplomat had better be watching TV if he has finished reading the press. You had better be leaving if you mean to reach there in time. The chef had better be writing that essay now if he wants to pass the exam. The cashier had better be working, or he will not finish in time.
17. The athlete had better be practising the piano, because there is little time left till the day of the concert. 18. He had better be sleeping, he is much too tired to do anything else.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 19. 20. 21. 22. You had better be studying Dutch than fishing in that lake. She had better be going, or she will be late for the show. The editor had better have chosen to become an acrobat. The harpist had better have bought a drum.
23. The Egyptologist would rather you did not throw your arms around his neck at four oclock in the morning. 24. He would rather the soprano did not always clear her throat before speaking to anyone. 25. She would rather I did not take the bear by the throat, because it is stronger than me. 26. 27. 28. I would rather you did not wipe your hands on your apron. I would rather you stopped clapping. She would rather you did not lisp when you speak.
29. The greengrocer would rather you had not given his five-and-a-half-year-old son a trumpet. 30. The governor would rather you did not play the guitar during his speech.
31. The grocer would rather the stork had taken his arm when they had walked together. 32. 33. I would rather you had not beckoned him away. I would rather you had not beckoned the grocer aside.
34. I would rather he had not found you walking about, hands clasped behind your back. 35. 36. 37. 38. The priest would rather he had not been found hands clasped in prayer. I would rather you had not cupped your hands to your mouth and yelled. The guitarist would rather he had never been sent to the Congo. The nurse would rather you had not waved her aside.
333
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 39. The nanny would rather the child had not pointed at the dwarf.
40. The Pole would rather we had not pointed our fingers at him when we were asked who had stolen the ring. 41. The Irishman should learn how to play the flute.
42. The Spaniard should not be snapping his fingers, ordering his ex-wife about right now. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. The cat should have scratched the rat that had stolen the cheese. You should have been walking at five oclock, as you said you would. You neednt worry about his promotion. You neednt be cleaning the room; I shall do it tomorrow. You neednt have returned so early. You neednt have been studying when I came; it was much too late.
334
25. Traducerea timpurilor romneti n limba englez.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
The Lapp often pats my shoulder. The Turk is reading, and cant come right away. Have you known the Swiss for a long time? Have you been waiting long for the Swede? The Spaniard said he would come after he had finished. The Arab said he had been reading for a long time. The Russian said he knew. The Portuguese said he was reading. The Pole will come tomorrow. The Norwegian said he would come when he pleased. Go to bed. Children will do that. It is strange that the Japanese should be leaving today. The Irishman expected you to know about that. The Hungarian felt it was not true. The Dutchwoman was squeezing my hand. The Greek would often come to see us a while ago. The German used to go there fairly often. Let us play. You will be Father, and I will be Mother. The Frenchwoman did not know what I was going to do.
335
21. 22. 23.
The Finn said he had been reading for hours. It was raining. It had been raining for days. If the Egyptian had been poor, he would not have had money.
24. If the Dane had wanted to, he would have stretched out his hand to his second cousin. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. If only the Chinese had held tight to the banister! The Albanian had better have stayed at home. You should have done as the Algerian had said. The Argentinean was to arrive today. Can I ask a favour? Did you come yesterday? The Armenian said he had forgotten. Have you read the Australians latest book? I hear you know English. Well, I am off to the bank! For years the Austrian would not notice her. It is strange that the Belgian should have left so soon. They say the Brazilian is a thief. They say the Bulgarian is working till late at night today. The Canadian would come if he were asked. I would come, but I cannot. They say the Czech will leave tomorrow. The Englishwoman is talking as if she knew everything.
336
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. You should not look at the Estonian out of the corner of your eye. The Ethiopian is said to know something about that pyramid. They say the Finn grabbed everything on the table. The Greek knew, but he would not have told me if I had not insisted. If the Indian had known, he would have stroked your cheek, not struck you. The Italian would have come if he had seen you rub your hands. If only the Japanese had come yesterday! You should have stopped wringing your hands. He is said to have taken the Latvian by the hand.
52. The Lebanese often comes to see us, but today he is reading and I do not think he will come. 53. Is the Lithuanian coming tomorrow? He said he would come, but, when I heard him, I was sure he would change his mind. 54. The Norwegian said he had no idea; he was reading and he would not go anywhere. 55. It is natural that the Serb should have refused to work if he is not properly paid. 56. The Algerian has been reading since four oclock, and he has just finished a book which I have never seen so far. 57. 58. 59. 60. The Congolese said he had been reading astrology for a great many years. It is strange that the Ethiopian should not want to go to Africa. I thought the Libyan had known English for a long time. The Moroccan said he was writing and he did not want to be disturbed.
61. I leave home daily at seven oclock. Why are you leaving so late today? Today I am not working. 62. I did not know the Nigerian had been waiting for her for an hour, and she was not going to come.
337
63. It is unexpected that you should be looking for the Somalian after he has stolen your credit card. 64. Did you know that the Afghan had had a driving licence for a month, and he had been driving his own car for a week? 65. I did not expect my words to upset you, although I knew I ought not to say that to you, because I was wrong. 66. It is incredible that you should ask me to help you when you know I am angry with you. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. The Indonesian expected you to know about the wedding. The Iranian suggested that we should leave, because we were too many. If I had known who you were, I should have thrown you out. The Korean is always coming and asking me questions early in the morning. Yes, the Mongol will to that: he will buy all the dolls he can find. Men will do that.
73. He is usually a good child, but now he is being naughty because there are people around. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. As soon as he saw her, the Arab grabbed her hand, and off they went. Cant you hear you are missing the train? The Syrian was reading when I rang him up. The Vietnamese would come in the morning and leave in the evening. Te Albanian would often read till dawn and could not go to his office. Would you have come if you had known? The Armenian had been reading for two hours when I called him.
81. The lion was playing. It had been playing for a long time when it started raining. 82. We would not be so poor if you did not spend everything you earned.
338
83. I should have come with you if I had known what you were waiting for on the platform when I met you. 84. How long had the Lithuanian been working at the garage when you called him to join you at the pub? 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. Did the Cuban know what you had asked him? The Mexican could see that he was wrong, but he would not admit it. The swimmer did not understand what I was going to do. What would you have done if they had accused you of theft? The supervisor was saying he would come, but it was a lie.
90. The stock broker felt something was not as it should be, but he had no idea what it was. 91. 92. 93. The stenographer would ask everyone she met, and no one could answer her. The spy would go fishing daily in summer. What the soothsayer knew I knew as well, but I thought it was too little.
94. The swordsman was speaking as if he had known English since he had been a child, although he had forgotten much since he had been to England. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. 101. 102. 103. If only the tailor had come earlier! Suppose the technician had missed the train and spent a night in the station! You had better have come with us, hadnt you? You neednt have hurried, we could have waited. You should have hurried up if you had wanted to catch him red-handed. It would soon be five years since his arrival. I hear he has just graduated. The waiter was saying he had forgotten. Why did you bite your nails?
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104. I have been reading Joseph Conrads novel since yesterday, but I have not finished it yet. 105. 106. Have you never seen a living bear? Would you come if you found tickets?
107. Have you seen any mermaids? There may be many, but I do not see them. 108. 109. 110. 111. Suppose we all left! You had better come, too. If it were to be true, I should go. Should he know, I bet he would not come.
112. The warrior is said to be writing a play, but I always see him walking in the park. 113. The gymnast is speaking as if he knew everything, and she listens to him as if she did not believe a word. 114. 115. 116. 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 123. 124. If only you went away sooner! I wish he would succeed! You should not contradict him. He is said to be leaving for Cologne tomorrow. You had better have your hair cut. He is said to have finished building the hut. If only you had not read his hand! He was yelling as if a dog had bitten him. The gynaecologist was boasting he had hidden the treasure in your garden. He will know something, or he would not have told you. You were saying the housekeeper had written a short story last year, werent
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. you? 125. 126. 127. 128. 129. 130. 131. 132. 133. 134. 135. You should have understood and helped him. Can he believe me a fool, or am I imagining things? Shall I laugh, or shall I cry? I have no idea. Shall I go away, or may I stay? He asked me what he should give me. That he should do such a thing! You should have heard him shouting! Whatever you may say, I will not believe it. You should have taught him a lesson. It must have been seven years ago. He must have forgotten.
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26. Accusative with Infinitive. Nominative with Infinitive
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
I would like you to cut your nails. I ordered him to shake hands with the judge. I know the king to be lenient. I imagine the nanny to be studying. I know the night watchman to have banged his fist against the table. I suppose the nurse to have been at the hospital when the train left. The nun is waiting for him to propose. I saw his hands shake, and I heard him bang his fist against the blackboard. I shall have her nudge you when the monk comes in.
10. Dont let the ophthalmologist make you help him steal his mother -in-laws scissors. 11. 12. 13. 14. Is he allowed to sit with folded arms? The orator is known to have returned today. The painter is said to be skating, but I am afraid he is in fact swimming. The palm reader seems to have roamed the streets arms akimbo.
15. The philanthropist happens to have been strolling arm in arm with her when we met. 16. 17. 18. The philosopher was seen to hug her, and she was heard to cry. The photographer was made to roll up his sleeves. The pilot is reported to have been carrying the dictionary under his arm.
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19. 20. 21.
She seems to have given the pirate her arm. The policewoman is unlikely to have stretched out her arms to him. She appears to have taken the plumbers arm in the end.
22. She happens to have been leaning on the politicians arm when his wife turned up. 23. The porter turned out to have been elbowing his way out of the room when a policeman grabbed him. 24. The postman happens to have been resting his elbows on the table when she burst into the room. 25. 26. 27. He is likely to have begged her until she said yes. He proved to have been lying on his back when the phone rang. He seems to have slapped the harpist, which infuriated her.
28. He is said to have sat up when he heard a hippopotamus would enter his room. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. The priest was seen to steal an old ladys handkerchief. The princess is known to have tamed a deer. A runaway was said to have set the barn on fire. The Prime Minister seems to have run out of sugar. The judge happens to have been a plumber in his youth. The thief turned out to have told the truth. We all know him to have been a world champion. We expected the psychiatrist to have arrived last night. I imagined you to have bought that house long before. I should not like the psychoanalyst to have left home alone.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. I shall not have anyone beat me. I order you to leave right away. I think the radiologist to have got married long ago. I imagined you to know Hungarian better. I knew the referee not to have left yet. I shall not have you shout at us. Do not let the reporter make you see me read. I heard the researcher run, and I saw him throw his cap. Help me lift the table.
48. I thought the revolutionary to have been reading for a long time, but he had just started. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. I am waiting for you to leave. The runner is said to have returned from abroad. The sage is known to have bought a car. The sailor was seen to pick snowdrops. The sergeant had been heard to break glasses. The scientist was made to leave at once. The physicist was ordered to forget everything he had seen. The physician was thought to have bought a parrot. The sculptor happens not to have arrived yet. Do you happen to have a book to lend me? The secretary is unlikely to have been reading while you were talking to her. The senator seems not to have turned forty yet.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. Whom is the shepherd said to look like? When is the singer thought to have come back? Why is the actor said to be a thief? Whom did you order to buy the watch? Who is more often seen to read?
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27. Substantivul
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.
His trousers are on the bed, and they are very dirty. His overalls were lying on the floor, and they were old. His compasses are red and made of iron, while your compass is green. Where are the tongs, and why have you not brought them? Bring me three pairs of scissors, and put them over there. His information was interesting. I asked him if my money was good. I asked him whether his furniture was expensive. He asked me what my knowledge of Greek was. Give me a piece of advice! I have three pieces of news for you. How many butters do you know? Mumps is a disease, measles is a disease too, but skittles is a game. The crew have been working since four oclock. How many members does your team consist of? The police have been looking for him for a year. The rich are not so hardworking as the poor.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 18. 19. 20. How many fish have you got? How many fishes have you bought? I have three carp, a trout, two deer and a sheep with lice.
21. I have bought two species of plants, because one species would not have been enough. 22. 23. 24. His family have been living here for twenty years. Measles is a dangerous disease, but mumps is even worse. His trousers are much older than yours.
25. I should have bought five pairs of compasses if I had known you wanted them. 26. 27. A compass is not so good as a pair of compasses, but it is better than nothing. He said his shorts were not long enough, and he would not wear them.
28. When he has finished examining that species of insects, I shall bring him two more species from the museum. 29. 30. 31. 32. If I had seen that series of films, I should not have forgotten it. His knowledge of Japanese is fairly good, but yours is rather bad. He asked me where my luggage was. If he had thrown the dice, he would have won a pair of scissors.
33. If you creep across the floor looking for two pairs of tongs, you will only find mice. 34. He asked me when I had sold my oxen.
35. If his knowledge of Finnish is good enough, he will be able to use it when he goes there. 36. I knew you would scold him if you found out he had shot your deer and sheep. 37. He would not have bought the compasses if you had not told him they were
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. better than a compass. 38. How many species of animals are there in the world?
39. I told you you would not be able to use the tongs, because they were out of order. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. He was saying he had been shown a means of making money. He would have liked you to buy a pair of trousers if you had had money. He was seen using five pairs of scissors and then hiding them in his bag. If your information is likely to be correct, he will use it. Their luggage was so heavy that no porter was able to carry it. The waters of the Thames were very dirty after that storm. Mumps is a serious disease, and more frequent than rickets. My family have been in town for a year.
48. He said he would paint five sheep or five deer, but there are only carp on his canvas. 49. No news is good news.
50. If you had hidden your scissors under the carpet, you would not have had to lend them to anyone. 51. 52. 53. The tongs he had bought a day before were where he had left them. He asked me if Turkish was my mother tongue. He was very keen on finding out where my family were at that moment.
54. I knew the police were looking for a bank robber, but I should not have imagined it was you. 55. 56. 57. Advice is always welcome. My family have bought bread from the bakers for ten years. He said his overalls were too dirty, and he could not wear them.
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58.
I hear his luggage is at the customs, so your information is correct.
59. Where are the tongs? I have been looking for them all over the house, and I have not been able to find them. 60. His advice had long been forgotten, although we all knew it was useful to us.
61. His knowledge of Spanish was excellent, and he said he would use it as soon as possible. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. He insisted that I should bring him several cheeses, so that he might choose. How long have the crew been working on deck? I told you his homework was full of mistakes, but you would not believe me. Have you ever seen trout? I saw a trout last year. Fifty years is a long time. Twice twelve is twenty-four. The staff were willing to work. The clergy are not always dressed in black.
70. Whose clothes were you wearing when we met and you said you would change as soon as you arrived at home? 71. His sunglasses were French, and he would only wear them when he was at the seaside. 72. He had been standing there for hours, talking about lice, mice and all sorts of disgusting things. 73. The tailor was wondering what had become of the trousers he had sewn, and he asked me if I would go and fetch them from wherever they were, but I told him I had only seen one pair of shorts in the adjoining room. 74. The plumber came upon your overalls, took them out of that box and put them on, but they were not his size. 75. While cleaning the storeroom, I came across two pairs of compasses; the smaller compasses were green, and I remembered having bought them when I first
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. went to school. 76. The barber was deprived of all his tools, except his tongs, scales and a pair of scissors. 77. The police were listening to the witness, but no one could see what he was driving at. 78. That land was afflicted with drought and looked as if it had been burnt to ashes. 79. The blacksmith was so absent-minded that he forgot to lock his workshop, and his bellows were stolen by the village beggar, who knew they had recently been bought at the fair, together with a pair of scales. 80. The elderly people were given two pairs of binoculars each.
81. The moment he had found his pincers where he had left them, he suddenly forgot his grief and was in high spirits again. 82. I had an unpleasant experience the other day, trying to buy a pair of scales: my scales are out of order, and I wished the shop assistant gave me another pair, but he told me my scales were very good, and I had no right to want more. 83. His braces were red and green, and I told him to dye them, because it did not do for a dustman to wear the same braces as his betters. 84. The dancer found a pair of trousers lying in front of a cat, which, seeing the man, ran away up a blind alley. 85. They went to the archives, which were not very far away, in broad daylight, and found them in such a mess that they lost their way and came out at midnight, full of dust. 86. The contents of his new book on Lapland are varied: from feelings to the points of the compass. 87. He was a cowardly fellow, so we told him the customs were a fierce place, where they would strip him naked and cut off his toes if he lied, so he had better give us his treasure, and we would keep it for him. 88. The confirmed bachelor looked at the coffee dregs, sighed deeply, showed them to me and complained they foretold a hasty marriage. 89. The outskirts of the town were very closely watched, but the snail managed to
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. leave. 90. He found an untimely end slipping down the stairs, after the housekeeper had rubbed them with soap and wax; his wife has repeated ever since that a flight of stairs is direct menace to every human life, and that is why she lives on the ground floor.
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28. Adjectivul
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
My elder brother is older than me. It is much simpler for you to leave now. It is much more complicated to read everything. It is as difficult to read or write. It is less interesting for you to come with me. Your novel is not as expensive as mine. You are fatter and fatter. He is ever taller. The more you read it, the better you will know the poem. This road is much longer than the other one. The longest novel is the one on the shelf. My novel is worse that yours, but his is the worst of all. I need further information before I go any farther. Who is the older of the two brothers? I have two friends, Jack and Jim: the former is a pilot, the latter is a driver. He has just given me his latest book. His last word was not heard. Next, please.
19. The more you study, the more you know. The more you know, the more you forget. The more you forget, the less you know. The less you know, the less you
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. forget. The less you forget, the more you know. Why study? 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. Your elders know better. My elder brother is tall, but you are even taller than us. I will not go any farther. The more you will be, the more interesting it will be. It is colder and colder here. It would be much worse if they left you alone. My house is as large as his. What makes him ask for further information? The former is a Swiss, but the latter is a Dutchman. Come earlier next time. Our elders are usually right. The longest bridge is not the most beautiful in the world. The film is not as interesting as the novel was. She has more rice and less milk than him. His latest book is uninteresting, but I feel sure he will write a better one.
35. He was more and more frightened that his boss would notice he had not finished the letter. 36. The more guests we shall have when you have come back from Antwerp, the more you will have to talk. 37. 38. 39. 40. The doorman was even sleepier than I had thought he would be. His elder sister stated that our elders must be respected. My elder brother is one year older than us. He wanted to know which the oldest library in town was, and I answered I
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. did not know, and he would not find that out from me. 41. 42. 43. 44. He came home late and said he had bought John Fowless latest book. I should bet on the former horse, although the latter looks healthier. Have you seen him lately? He asked me how late he could stay at the party.
45. If I had less milk, I should give you a little, but I have too much, and I have made up my mind to sell it all. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. The little house in the forest had very little water and even less food. He asked for further explanations, because he had not understood. He would not go any farther, as he was afraid he would be robbed. How much money did he say he would give the poor if he won a car? How old did he say he was? If you had been the last, you would have received a candlestick.
52. He asked me how far I was going, and I answered I was going farther than he expected. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. He wanted to know the title of my latest novel about animals. The latter is more expensive, but it is worth buying. The sooner it is done, the better. The harder he was trying, the less progress he seemed to make. The horse ran faster and faster. The patient was getting better and better. His eldest child is my oldest friend. If the worst comes to the worst, we can still go to the Hague. His next care was to find the nearest way to the next station.
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62. 63.
The latter half of July was hot. The longer the days are, the warmer they become.
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29. Diferene de folosire: It i There
1. 2. 3.
There is a wild boar at the door, waiting for someone to come out. There have been many people here who have wanted to sell mules today. There seemed to be some mistake, but nobody realized where it came from.
4. Once upon a time there lived a chimpanzee that could dress like a human being. 5. There comes a time when you must fight and get what you want.
6. The door opened, and there entered a hyena, upon which all the guests, who had thought the party would be a success, ran away, and slammed the gate behind them. 7. There was little work done on the day the clown brought the monkey to the office, hoping it would divert their boss, who had been in a very bad mood for weeks. 8. There was no wind when the geese with huge teeth were exchanged for the oxen sold by those children. 9. If you want to know everything about calves, there is that book by Johnson on this topic, too. 10. There was a knock before the bull pushed the door with its horns and came into the dwarfs room, waiting to be fed. 11. There are worse things than dromedaries, so you need not have complained to your sister that I had bought one just to annoy you. 12. It was an awful place, full of hedgehogs. It really was.
13. It had been snowing for hours when the farmer at last managed to sell his pig and sow at the fair. 14. 15. It was about midnight when the bat started flying about, in search of food. It is very unlikely that the goats should all be killed this year.
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16. 17.
It is nice when you see a chamois. It would be a pity if the kid got lost.
18. If you wanted to know who was bringing the giraffe, I should tell you that it was your own brother. 19. The mole asked the little girl who was knocking, and the little girl answered promptly, It is me. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. It is the reindeer that broke the window. It is there that elks go in summer. It is today that the beaver has run away. There is no sheep there that I can sell, is there? There he comes, with seven rams behind him! There is no doubt that the lamb has been stolen by your bosom friend. There is hay for the cattle in the cart over there.
27. What time was it when the pug dog bit the two professors and ran into the school? 28. 29. 30. It is three miles to the place where the salamander has made its house. It is a long way to the place where you can see rhinoceros. It has been three weeks since we found the seal lying ill on the beach.
31. It seems the grizzly wants to kill some animal, so you had better avoid sending your dog ahead. 32. It so happened that the otter lost its way, and arrived at the main street of the nearest town. 33. The gazelle has left the Zoo, and nobody knows where it is, but it does not matter, it can harm no one. 34. The albatross had been flying for a very long time and was exhausted; it was almost midnight.
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35. If it is not asking too much, could you allow the stork to make its nest on the roof of your house? 36. 37. 38. It took the owl a whole night to find twigs and feathers for its nest. When will it be possible for the nightingale to leave its cage? The crow found it unbearable to be forced to dye its feathers white.
39. There was a frost the night the woodpecker left the forest in search of a warmer house. 40. The man with the raven got on the fastest train there was to the Sahara.
41. When I asked him about skylarks, he gave me the best book there was on the subject. 42. The hen and the cock were in the coop, and there was only a goose left in the rain. 43. The crane was flying very low, and, although there were five of us in the forest, none of us aimed at it, because it was much too beautiful. 44. 45. 46. 47. Because of the wagtails, there was a lot of noise outside. I shall sell the magpie if there is a fair next week. It says here that the ostrich does not take care of its own eggs. It is easy to talk about cooking a turkey; I should like to see you do it.
48. It will not be you who will get the turkey hen, because you do not know how to take care of it. 49. When the pheasant came closer, it was obvious that we had all been wrong: it was not so big as we had imagined, and it certainly was a pity to shoot at it. 50. 51. 52. 53. It is no use hunting jays. Is it a fact that the gander always walks ahead of the geese? It has been seven years since I last saw a swan. There goes the last bus, and we have forgotten our canaries in it!
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54.
There is no doubt that he has stolen the blackbird.
55. I do not want there to be any argument between the owners of the two royal eagles. 56. 57. 58. tail. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. I do not want there to be any fights among the parrots. I should not like there to be another war between the turtles and the toads. There is no stopping the peacock from showing everyone its many-coloured
There seemed to be no one to take care of the peahens. There is no smoke without fire. There is no love lost between them. There is no knowing why the pelican flew away. There is no sense in shooting down a seagull. There is nothing the matter with the wren, except that it is afraid. It does not do to aim at a titmouse.
66. It goes without saying that the pigeon will return here when it has carried the message. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. If you want to buy a dove, I have one for sale, so it is as good as done. The place where I found this quail is very far away; it is miles from anywhere. When it comes to killing nightingales, it is more easily said than done. It is none of your business whether there is a hoopoe in her bedroom or not. It is not worthwhile counting the sparrows in the orchard. It is the early bird that catches the worm. It was the last straw that broke the camels back. It is time for you to bring back the ducks.
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75. 76. 77.
There is time enough to buy a drake, do not worry. It is a long way to the place where you can see a woodcock. There is nothing unusual about his ostrich.
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30. Causative Have
1. If I had my hair cut every day, I should have to pay a lot of money to the hairdresser. 2. I should have had my piano tuned yesterday if I had been able to find anyone to do it. 3. If you do not do as I please, I shall have my dresses sent from Paris, and it will cost you much more than if you had done what I had asked you to do. 4. It is strange that you should not have had your gate painted yet.
5. It is unexpected that she should have had her car repaired, instead of selling it after such a bad crash. 6. You should have had your scales mended long ago, because they have been out of order for a year now, and all your customers have been complaining for months that you are cheating them. 7. He cannot have had his room whitewashed before his wife had finished taking the furniture out of it. 8. She must have had her shoes mended today, because, when we parted, she had lost one heel, and now I see she has both heels, as usual. 9. You could have had that horse trained if you had wanted it to win the race.
10. They may have had the alarm clock repaired, as they must all get up early in the morning, and they are always late for school. 11. I shall have the porter carry your luggage upstairs.
12. I have had the milkman drink all the milk, because he is always thirsty when he reaches my door. 13. I must have the secretary stay later today, because she must type the report all over again. 14. I should not have had him pull out your front teeth if you had not complained
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. of toothache. 15. If I had had the plumber repair the sink, he would have asked to be paid in gold coins. 16. 17. I shall have the caretaker sweep the alleys as soon as it has stopped raining. If you have the badger study all day again, I shall be very angry with you.
18. It is natural that the manager should have had us work hard, it is his job to make us do our duty properly. 19. Have her come in before it starts raining, or she will have you come and pick her up with an umbrella. 20. 21. 22. I shall not have you speak to me like that. She will not have the starling shouting at her. I shall not have you smoking at your age.
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31. Traducerea lui de temporal n limba englez
1. He had been lying on his back for half an hour when he got bored and walked out of the surgery. 2. 3. 4. 5. He has been shouldering his way out of the crowded hall for half an hour. He had been walking in Venice for quite a long time when they met. How long has he been sitting in that chair? The drake has been crying for hours, since that donkey kicked it.
6. He had been sitting on the edge of the bed, dangling his legs for an hour, when the door opened and the hoopoe came in. 7. She had been standing in front of his door for ten minutes, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. 8. The dwarf had been standing on tiptoe for days, when the doctor explained to him that it was not healthy at all. 9. The monkey has been crawling on all fours for the last ten minutes.
10. If you had not been sitting cross-legged for the last half an hour, the manager would never have said you were lazy. 11. The mole had been dragging its legs since eight oclock, since it had left home.
12. He had been treading on her foot since she had started speaking about her plans. 13. 14. 15. She has been holding the badger on her knees since you left the room. The girl has been toe-dancing since the curtain went up. The mule had been lying in bed since it had sprained its ankle.
16. The bat was drunk, and it had been struggling to its feet since it had fallen in front of the counter.
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17.
Her foot had gone to sleep since the octopus had sat down on it.
18. He had been holding one knee tucked under him since he had sat down in the armchair. 19. 20. 21. The butterfly has been stretching itself since it woke up. The goat has been shrugging its shoulders since you started talking to it. The swan tossed and turned in its bed until not long ago.
22. The turkey had been belly-dancing for the audience for a long time, since the dragonfly had left the hall. 23. 24. 25. You should have tumbled head over heels long ago. He came last night. She let me know yesterday.
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32. Traducerea adverbului mai n limba englez
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
He is the best-known actor. This is his latest book. Who else is coming? I need something else. I should like to go somewhere else. Is anyone else coming? Do you want anything else? Are you going anywhere else? Nobody else knows about it. I shall say nothing else. I can read nothing else. Who else would have known? Everybody else had left. When else can I come? What else shall I bring you? Who else is there? Where else can I go? I should like another book. I want five more loaves of bread. Is he still here?
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21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42.
He is no longer here. Stay a little longer. Come again. Have you ever seen her before? Have you ever read it before? What a man! Then he left. Later on he returned. You had better be reading instead of singing. You had better come now. You had better have left yesterday. You had better have been reading when he came. He was alone the other day. Look at his homework first. It is more or less interesting. Be as quiet as possible. So much the better. All the more so. What is new? Read the lesson once again. Once upon a time, there was a witch. It is a long time till summer.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 43. 44. 45. Forget it. Leave me alone. You almost killed him!
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IV. TEXTE LITERARE ADAPTATE
33. Mircea Eliade: fragmente din n curte la Dionis, 1977
1.
Ever since I was an adolescent, I had enjoyed writing novellas, short
stories, and even fantastic novels [...]. I started writing on a Sunday; I had a whole free day and a whole free night ahead of me. I still remember the beginning and the end of that story; I was in the laboratory (during that year I was engrossed in chemistry, and I had made a small lab of my own in the attic), and I dont know how I happened to fall asleep but, of course, the reader was unaware of the fact; I had not imparted it to him.
2.
What a pity. I dont know much myself. If he had got on this tram, I
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. should have asked him. I like to start a conversation with educated people. These young people, my dear sir, must have been students. Eminent students. I was waiting with them at the tram stop, and I listened to them. They were talking about a certain colonel Lawrence and his adventures in Araby. What a memory, too! They recited whole pages from the colonels book by heart!
3.
They are old walnut trees, Gavrilescu went on, that is why it is so
shady and cool under them. I hear a walnut tree only starts giving shade after thirty or forty years. Can it be true? But the old man pretended not to hear. Gavrilescu turned to one of his neighbours, who had been looking pensively out of the window [...]. Thats what I hear, Gavrilescu went on. I take this tram three times a week. And, you have my word of honour, not even once have I failed to hear people talk about them, about the gypsy women. Does anyone know them? I wonder: where have they come from? They came a long time ago, his neighbour said. They have been here for twenty-one years, someone interrupted him. When I first came to Bucharest, these gypsy women were here already. Only the garden was much larger. The high school had not been built yet...
4.
I am excited, he said, I cant see why... Dont drink too much coffee, the girl whispered, opening the door and
pushing him inside. It was a room whose end he could not see, as the curtains were drawn [...]. He began advancing, treading ever thicker and ever softer carpets, as if he were treading on mattresses, and his heart beat faster with every step, until he was scared to go any farther and stopped short. At that moment, he suddenly felt happy, as if he had been young again, and the whole world had been his, and Hildegard had been his, too. Hildegard! he ejaculated, addressing the girl. I havent thought of her in
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. twenty years. She was my true love. She was the woman of my life!... But, turning his head, he realized the girl had left. [...] The room became more and more luminous, in a mysterious way, as if the curtains had been drawn aside very, very slowly.
5.
When I was in love with Hildegard [...], this was the only thing we
dreamt of, to go together on a trip to Greece. You were a fool, the girl interrupted him. You shouldnt have been dreaming, you should have made love to her... I was twenty and she had not yet turned eighteen. She was beautiful. We were both beautiful, he added. At that moment he realized he was wearing strange clothes. [...] He was amazed when he looked in the mirror, and he found it difficult to recognize himself.
6. him.
A few moments later the young man from the tramway caught up with
What a coincidence, Gavrilescu exclaimed, seeing the latter stop by his side. The door opened all of a sudden, and a woman who was still young, but had a pale face, came to the threshold [...] She frowned when she laid eyes on Gavrilescu. What is it you want? she asked. I have forgotten my attach case, Gavrilescu began, intimidated. I started talking and I have forgotten it. I have been busy [...], I just could not come earlier. I dont understand. What attach case? If she is having dinner, do not disturb her, Gavrilescu went on in a hurry. I know where I left it. It is by the piano. And he tried to go in, but the woman did not move from where she was standing. Who is it you are looking for, sir? Mrs. Voitinovici. I am Gavrilescu, Otilias piano teacher. I have not had the pleasure of meeting you, he added politely.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. You have got the wrong address, the woman said. This is number 18. Allow me, Gavrilescu began again, smiling. I have known this flat for five years. I can say I am part of the family. I come here three times a week... The young man had listened to the conversation leaning against the wall. What did you say her name was? he asked.
7.
Ah, what happened to her was strange, indeed, the innkeeper
interrupted him, we dont know to this day what actually happened. The police looked for him for a few months and could not find him, either alive or dead... It was as if he had been sucked in by the earth... Poor Madame Elsa waited for him for a while, and then she went away, she joined her family in Germany. She sold her things and left. They didnt have much, they were poor. I had a good mind to buy the piano myself. I see. She left for Germany, Gavrilescu said, as if in a dream. Did she leave a long time ago? Long, long ago. A few months after Gavrilescu had vanished. It will be 12 years in autumn. The newspapers wrote about that, too... How very strange, Gavrilescu whispered. [...] Suppose I told you, suppose I told you and I gave you my word that I was not exaggerating, that this morning I had talked to her... Even more than that. We had lunch together. I can even tell you what we had for lunch... She must have come back, the innkeeper said, looking at him in astonishment. No, she has not come back. She did not even leave. There must be some misunderstanding. I am a little tired now, but tomorrow morning I shall find out everything.
8.
Hildegard! he exclaimed, dropping his hat. I have been waiting for you for such a long time, the girl said, coming
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. closer. I have been looking for you everywhere... I was at the alehouse, Gavrilescu whispered. If I hadnt taken her to the alehouse, nothing would have happened. Or if I had had some money on me... But, as it was, Elsa paid, and, you see, I felt obliged... and its late now, isnt it? Its very late... So what, said the girl. Lets go... But I dont even have a home any more, I have nothing left. It has been a terrible day...
9.
You see, for instance, when I was walking this morning, at the other
end of the beach a young womans face impressed me. She was the only one who kept silent in a group of cheerful, talkative people; she kept silent, gazing out over the sea, and from time to time she turned her head and looked stealthily at a family close by; she was looking at the children. I walked about for more than an hour, till I saw her stand up and leave all alone. And then I drew near to where she had stood, and examined it. I felt the others in the group were staring at me curiously, some of them were laughing [...] and nudging one another; but at my age I have got used to a lot of things. And all of a sudden I understood, as if I had read it all in a book. That young woman had been married for a few years, she had no children. She wanted to have children, but she didnt have any. And not long before, someone, some doctor maybe, had told her she might never have children. But both the woman and the doctor were wrong. She is going to have children after all. Not one, not two. Four of them... So, you see, sometimes I find out good news, too. Didnt you run after her to tell her? Emanuel asked him. Beldiman sh ook his head, smiling. No. One cant do that. I am not a professional fortune teller. I have no right to interfere with the lives of people I dont know; to announce news that hasnt been asked for. As a matter of fact, I might be wrong. I know for sure I was wrong once. Its true, it was in the mountains [...]. Rocks which had not changed their place for hundreds of years. But even there I thought I could guess something from the way a
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. man chose to sit, facing or turning his back on a certain rock. In fact I did see several things, but I couldnt read the most important, so I can say I missed it. We were in a group. They were not my friends. I had met them on the way... If he had glanced at Emanuel, he would have realized the latter was no longer listening.
10.
Well, Emanuel began, after he had lit another cigarette. Two or three
hours ago, after I had come to the beach and had started reading this novel, I suddenly realized I wasnt paying attention to what I was reading any longer. I dont know if I felt sleepy, but I lay down in the sand and I closed my eyes. And all of a sudden I saw myself in a street that I know in Bucharest, in the dead of winter, and I saw a girl falling. It was a young woman with a dark blue overcoat and a beret, and, when she fell, her beret slipped and rolled down the pavement. I crossed the street to help her, but a girl had just come out of a yard and she helped her get up. I was thinking of telling her jokingly: Here is a fallen woman, when I heard the girl uttering exactly the same words. I felt at a loss for a moment, then I burst into laughter and could not stop... And this laughter ended my vision. It may have been a vision, Beldiman said, but you will live to see it come true. And its a pity, because these girls do not bring you any luck. Emanuel cast him a long confused glance, as if he had not understood. It is fantastic, he said. You have managed to see what I imagined two or three hours ago. I simply cant understand by what magic you could see all this. But you cant have seen that in sand and pebble... Beldiman kept silent for a while, as if looking around for further evidence. I wish to God I had been wrong, he said at last. Anyway, if very soon you met two girls, one of them helping the other get up, go away from them as quickly as you can. They will not bring you luck. He stood up slowly and went to fetch his coat. What did you say your name was? he asked.
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11.
If you want to know what somebody looks like, always ask a man as
well. If, for instance, I had asked you instead of listening to Adina, I should have recognized him at once. Alessandrini clasped Emanuels arm and whispered into his ear, pointing at Botgros: From what I have heard, Adina is his fiance. Oh, no! Botgros said, smiling bitterly. I know she is said to be, but it isnt true. Maybe if a certain incident had not occurred in our lives... But never mind; what has been has been. Let us not talk about the past any longer... She has gone [...] to look for you, he added after a short pause, turning to Emanuel. She was saying you had not seen each other for a very long time. She was wondering whether you would recognize her, after all these years... Emanuel was listening carefully, trying hard to understand. He brushed his cheek with his hand, as if he was trying to make sure he was there all right, then he burst out laughing once again. I think there must be some misunderstanding, he uttered at last, trying to look indifferent.
12.
If Adina had been there, the Empress would not have dared. Adina claims
he is a very good swimmer. For a good swimmer it is not hard to swim a kilometre or two. If Adina had been there, the Empress could not have said that after only one kilometre he had felt tired and had cried for help. Allow me, Alessandrini broke in. Adriana explained to us that he was very tired, and she was right. See how he looks now, and it is not six yet. Imagine how he will look a few hours later. Remember how Adriana described him to us, walking [...] in the rain, then here, [...] chain smoking. He was extremely tired. Emanuel had listened to them, trying to look inattentive, but he had blushed. Whom are you talking about? he asked in a dry, sharp voice. You must have understood! Alessandrini ejaculated. Whom else could we be talking about? The Empress told us last night what was going to happen, Botgros explained to him. How you would come back here, find us and at last allow
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. yourself to be persuaded to come with us [...]. Thats not possible! Emanuel interrupted him. Alessandrini can confirm that I should not have allowed myself to be persuaded under any circumstances... You wouldnt be saying that if you knew her! Alessandrini exclaimed. Of course, but he doesnt, Ioni confirmed.
13.
He could have caught the eight oclock bus in the morning, but, as he
was approaching the stop, he caught sight of a young woman, and it seemed to him that she was waiting for him, seated on a bench, pretending to be reading. He saw her constantly look up from her magazine and glance around with curiosity, sometimes turning her head towards the tables on the pavement. Emanuel walked down the first little street that came his way, and, as he very soon saw a barbers, went in there. When he came back, at about half past eight, the woman was still there, on the bench, bored, leafing through her magazine. Emanuel hesitated for a few moments, then he went back again and looked for a caf. He asked for a cup of tea and drank it at ease, thoughtfully. The sky was becoming clearer, and it seemed the morning would be warm. Half an hour later, he stood up and walked at leisure to the bus stop. The girl was pacing nervously up and down the sidewalk. Emanuel felt his heart beat faster, but he went on, and, staring straight ahead of him, he walked to the bus. He found a seat right behind the driver and sat down with a feeling of relief.
14.
I had met Cucoane during my first high-school years, but we never
became friends. In college I lost sight of him. [...] I had not seen him ever since. Imagine my astonishment, therefore when, one exceedingly sad dusk in July 1933, I saw him come into my study. I recognized him at once, of course, but he looked changed to me; those five or six years which had elapsed since our last meeting could not explain the unexpected change in his appearance. I have started growing, you know! he confessed to me all of a sudden,
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. before I had had time to ask him anything. At first I could hardly believe it, but I have measured myself, and I have realized it is true: I have grown enormously for a week now. Six or seven centimetres, I think... I was with Lenora in the street, and we both noticed it at the same time. This morning, the difference was even bigger... His voice was slightly anxious. He could not stay in one place; he sat down [...], then he paced my study from one end to the other, nervously, his hands clasped behind his back. I noticed he did not know how to hide his hands, and I understood: his cuffs were a lot longer, however hard he might have been trying to pull down his coat sleeves. I must send them all to the tailor, to have them let down, he spoke, noticing what I was looking at. I tried to calm him down, reminding him that in college he used to complain he would be too short. He interrupted me again. If only I had grown like everybody else, over a year or two... But in a few days! I am beginning to feel afraid, I can tell you that. I am scared it might be a bone illness... And, as he saw I hardly knew what to say, he changed the subject: I have no idea why I am here. I wondered if you were already away somewhere, for the holidays...
15.
Only after I had reached home did I realize that I had taken care of
everything except the most important thing of all: the place that was going to shelter my friend. He had talked to me about a chalet in the mountains, but this chalet had to be found, and we had to reach it before daybreak, lest we should be noticed. Our plan appeared childish: [...] we should start climbing the mountain, carrying a dozen blankets and food on our backs, without knowing where we were heading for, afraid my friend might stop after only a few hundred metres, because he had not eaten for a week, and especially because he would almost certainly have to climb in his socks only, as I did not know whether I should be able to find a pair of boots his size during the six hours that I would have at my disposal to look for them... Despite that, his flight could no longer be postponed. At all costs, we had to
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. leave the next evening. But we knew we could hardly hope to find at once an empty chalet which would be waiting for us there, up the mountain, away from people, as if expecting us; we had to be content with less than that. A tent, for instance, which Cucoane could place [...] far from any trodden path. He could shelter his blankets and victuals there, till he had the necessary tools to build a chalet that could shelter him, wherever he wanted. [...] For one or two nights my friend would have to sleep on an improvised mattress, covering himself only with blankets, under the tent. A few days later, I was to bring him tools and whatever else would be necessary. This is exactly how it happened. When I went to take him at the appointed hour, Cucoane was so nervous that I did not even have the time to explain to him why I had had to change the plan we had made an evening before that. He was waiting for me, his head almost touching the ceiling, and he was wringing his hands [...]. It was no use asking him how he was. He looked about three metres tall.
16.
You are fantastic! Agripina exclaimed [...]. I thought meeting me
would be your only adventure, which you would remember all your life. I had wanted to give you this surprise for a long time: to help you become different from common people, to help you break the routine by meeting Agripina. I had been watching you from afar for two weeks, I sniffed at you and tried to make you up bit by bit, by questioning Valentin every night. I prowled about you unseen, in order to understand you, to understand why you refused to defend yourself while boxing, why you allowed yourself to be beaten by Valentin every night and afterwards be paid by the captain. You had a secret which I didnt know, and which I didnt understand. You were hiding a secret, just like me. Thats why I was interested in you: you were a character. You deserved meeting Agripina and having a fantastic adventure. [...] And, last night, all of a sudden, you told Valentin. This is what drives me mad: I simply cant understand how you guessed I flunked a year. Tell me honestly, has anyone in Buzu written to you about it?
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 17. I dont see what you mean, the girl went on. We take no heed of the
curtain. This is in fact the great novelty of the play: we act as if there were no curtain. The author has preserved the division into scenes and acts, but he has abolished the curtain. And it is obvious why he has made use of this device. It is closer to reality, to life. Life is made up of scenes, we can say it is divided into acts, but the curtain only falls once. If you fail to understand this at least... She shrugged her shoulders and spoke no more. And yet, the young man resumed, with renewed courage, yet someone has let the curtain fall. Just now. The curtain that is behind you. And the only one who could have let it fall was the one who raised it, and he was one of you!
18.
It is very difficult for me to explain this, she started, trying to smile,
to tell you how I pronounce it. Because you should be familiar with my mood first of all. But, in order to understand my mood, you ought to know my past, my social origin, what has been on my mind since early childhood. For ever since childhood I have felt that whatever was unknown appealed to me. Then came a day, oh yes, I remember it very well, it was not long ago, it was a summer day, this summer, as a matter of fact. I was walking down the street, and I saw the posters for a new play, Farewell! I was deeply moved. I understood. Someone, whom I did not know, but whom I had been waiting for, whom I was already in love with, perhaps, without being aware of it, someone who could have played a decisive part in my life, who could have made me happy... Ah! I cant say what I mean, I dont mean happiness, not what we usually call happiness; it was something nobler and much deeper... Well, that person whom I had not met yet, although I had been waiting for him, I might even have been looking for him, that man was telling me, an unknown woman who had stopped in front of the poster, her eyes full of tears (since the title had been printed in enormous letters which made me feel ill at ease, strangled me), he was telling me: Farewell!... I understood and I started weeping, right there, in front of the poster. I understood there was no hope left, I should never meet him again, as he had already parted with us for good. He had only had the time to tell us,
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. first of all to tell me: Farewell! I was weeping in front of the poster when he came close to me. I recognized him at once: he was the manager. He asked me if I would play Melanias part, and he showed it to me on the poster: Melania actually played it, her name was Melania indeed. I was hesitating. [...] I am a dancer, I told him. I express myself by dancing. He looked at me in surprise and he seemed to be disappointed. Then it will be difficult, he added. It will be difficult because of the teacher... But, of course, I didnt know a thing. Come to think of it, I wonder who knew. Did you know? Tell me honestly, did you know? There was suddenly silence in the hall. But it was an [...] awkward, almost guilty silence. What were we supposed to know? a shy voice was heard at last. That it would be difficult because of the teacher. We did not know, very many admitted (but almost no one dared look up). Of course! Nobody knew except the manager... But why the manager, how did he know? the man in the first row asked.
19.
Lots of things keep happening. I remember a motorcyclist. I was standing in
front of the chalet, watching him. I wanted to see when he would get bored. He was climbing up the steep hillside for the fourth time, and, as soon as he had reached the hilltop, he would turn his motorcycle and go down smoothly, noiselessly, into the valley. The fifth time, it was inevitable, it happened; the accident, I mean. I carried him to the chalet, full of blood, unconscious. I sprinkled him with water. He awakened and, to my astonishment, he recognized me. I thought you werent coming any more, he told me. I waited for you last year, as well, at about the same time as now. I could hardly understand. I think you must be mistaking me for somebody else, I told him. This chalet isnt mine. A friend has lent it to me for a week. He smiled. I know this is the rule of the game: you must pretend you dont know me. But its me, Emanuel. He started. He told me about all kinds of strange incidents, absolutely unbelievable. I interrupted him several times. But all this isnt true. You know very well it cant be true. You have made up everything. What about the accident? he asked me with a smile. Have I invented the accident, as
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. well? He pressed his handkerchief to his bleeding upper lip and was gazing at me candidly, but also with imperceptible irony. I was hesitant. I found it hard to tell him the truth, to tell him he had lost his memory. In the end, I had to make up my mind. If he had fainted again, I should have had to take him to hospital, and it would have ended in a long line of complications. There must be some error, I told him gently. It is an error that has brought you here. You are mistaking me for somebody else. You belong to another world, another society. You may be a writer, or an adventurer; anyway, you are someone mysterious, with fabulous incidents in your past and future life. I live in a modest, commonsensical, uninteresting world. You cant possibly have met me. I am telling you again, this chalet is not mine; it belongs to a friend. I am coming here for the first time... He went on looking at me, pressing his handkerchief against his lip. I let him go away, although I was certain he would lose his way. He had lost his memory. What were the chances of his finding again those who were waiting for him, who had waited for him the previous year? He had lost his memory, and the rule of the game as I had understood it from him required that he should not be easily recognized. He would have had, then, to return twice or even three times, but how was he to know whom he had seen already and whom he had not, if he had lost his memory? He left, and I was certain he would lose his way. I was beginning to feel sorry for having let him go away. He was an interesting person. He had had such patience to climb up the hill with his motorcycle so many times, and then go back down into the valley, to where the bridge was...
20.
He stopped short and looked at me without seeing me, with glassy eyes. How
long did it last? All of a sudden, I saw him stand up and look for his briefcase. I wish I could add something, he said. But, as I expected, nothing more can be added. For, forgive me if I take the liberty of being honest, what more could you understand now besides what you understood half an hour ago, when I was telling you that, to me, mystery is impossible to probe? Some of you may have looked out of the window and may have noticed it. The Danube, I mean. You saw the Danube
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. while we were crossing it, and you saw the Bridge, and youll see the Gorgani vineyard. In a way I envy you, but on the other hand... What more, what else could I add? Now that I have come to know you a little, I can only tell you that all kinds of incidents keep happening to each of us, but, unfortunately, we forget them. And, when we do not forget them, we fail to recognize them. With a little imagination, I could have recognized you, and then I, too, should have remembered everything I ought to have remembered... He took his briefcase, shook our hands warmly and left [...]. We did not dare add anything. But we all watched him go away. As if by chance [...], the train stopped, and he got off. We had not suspected there was a station so close to the Bridge. I have never been able to remember its name.
21.
You still dont remember? Mntuleasa street? When you were
attending primary school in Mntuleasa street, and you used to climb up the cherry trees during the breaks, and once you fell down and broke your head, and the headmaster took you in his arms and carried you to the staff room and dressed your wound? And the next day, it was the celebration of the Tenth of May, and you were very proud you had come with your head bandaged up? And the headmaster asked you: How is your head, Borza? And you answered: Im afraid of poems, sir, because you did not like to commit anything to memory, the old man added smiling. Im afraid I shall no longer be able to learn them by heart... Well, I am that headmaster. Schoolteacher Frm, Zaharia Frm, for fifteen years headmaster of Mntuleasa School, and then school inspector [...] until I retired... You still dont remember?! The major had listened to him carefully, frowning. You are making fun of me, he began [...]. If you werent an old man, I should have you arrested on the spot. You have found your way into my house saying you are an inspector... I havent said that. Dont interrupt me when I am talking! the major snapped, advancing towards him menacingly. You have found your way into my house by fraud. But
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. you must have had an ulterior motive. Tell me quickly now, before I get too angry, tell me: why are you here? Why have you come?
22.
This Darvari Ptru was everywhere, I can tell you that. He was
incredibly resourceful. I followed everything he did till he was quite old, and vanished with his plane between the Isle of Serpents and Odessa; he disappeared without leaving any trace at all. This Darvari I am talking about found out that one of his friends, Aldea, from another school, in Calea Moilor, while at Tekirghiol a year before, had met a Tartar boy who earned his living by going from one villa to another, exterminating flies. Yes, this is the right word, indeed: he exterminated them. I should never have believed it if I had not seen him myself. During the following year I went to Tekirghiol, and I actually met him. This Tartar child was extraordinary. I remember him very well: a handsome boy, his head shaven [...], his eyes like two steel beads. His words still ring in my ears: Have you got many flies inside? He spoke perfect Romanian; he had gone to school in Constana, but he spoke it with a Tartar accent. Have you got flies inside? he would ask. He would first knock at the door, to draw your attention, and then he would ask, from the hallway, without coming in: Have you got many flies? He would ask it in a slightly ironical voice, as if he wanted to buy them, but only if they came as a bargain. Let me tell you what I saw with my own eyes. I had heard about him, but I had not seen him yet. I was waiting for him. The villa where I had found a room that summer was high up on the hill; it was the last villa in the village. Villa Cornelia it was called. That is why it took the Tartar longer to reach us. But he did reach us eventually, because that was his job, that was the way he made his living, exterminating flies. It happened one afternoon at about two oclock. I was asleep. All of a sudden I heard him knocking at the door: Have you got flies? he asked. I jumped out of bed, impatient to see him. I had flies, too, like everyone else in Tekirghiol, but, above all, I was eager to meet him. I have enough, I answered, what are you going to do about them? I am chasing them away, and there will be no fly here for a week. You do not have to pay me if they come back sooner than
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. that. How much? I asked him.
23. where...
You stopped for a rest right here, a few metres away from the place
What time do you think it is? Zalomit broke in, suddenly turning his head towards him. I have left my watch on my night table... It must be around three. The sun will be up in an hour. Then it cant have been more than twelve or thirteen hours... I simply cant understand how this happened, he resumed a few moments later. [...] I cant understand, either [...]. When I heard you shouting, and I came running only two or three minutes later, I could hardly believe my eyes. Only a townsboy who was climbing the mountain for the first time, or someone who had suddenly lost consciousness, could have slipped and fallen like this, rolling down twenty, twenty-five metres, without trying to clutch at some root, [...] or at stones at least... He may have lost consciousness... Or he may have had a heart attack or something... I think this can be found out... It could be, Nicoleanu interrupted him, if the autopsy is made in time, by someone who knows his business... Had you known him for a long time? Zalomit asked, turning his head towards him again. I had only known him, really known him, for the last three or four y ears. I had met him a few times before that, of course. But, as we didnt have the same specialty, or, rather, he no longer had it, we did not have the opportunity then, in the early 1960s, to meet more often and get to know each other better. What do you mean, you two no longer had the same specialty? Zalomit asked. Nicoleanu fell silent, at a loss, it would seem [...]. How long has it been since you last met? he asked at last. We seldom met of late, once every few years or so. But we kept in touc h; we had common friends and colleagues. We seldom wrote to each other, because we
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. were both busy with our cares and responsibilities. And yet, when he learned from Hagi Pavel that I should come to Poiana-Dornei in the latter half of June, he wrote to me, suggesting that we should spend a few days together, the three of us, here, at the chalet... Why are you asking? Nicoleanu was moving his hands, as if trying to hide his embarrassment.
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34. Camil Petrescu: fragmente din Ultima noapte de dragoste, ntia noapte de rzboi, 1930
1.
For two years and a half I had been married to a fellow student, and I
suspected she was cheating on me. Because of that, I could not even take my exams in time. I would spend my time spying on her friends, following her around, speculating on the least of her gestures, on the colour of a dress or her visits to her aunts. My suffering was atrocious, and it fed on its own substance. We had married for love; we were both poor, and it had happened after we had met increasingly more often on the corridors of the University, and after we had taken long walks in all the districts of the Capital which were paved with asphalt, and which were quite deserted at the time. After our wedding, which was kept secret, more or less, an immensely rich uncle of mine died, and his fortune, divided into five shares [...], brought a huge change in social status to all his heirs. Secret may not be the best word for it, as I was of age, and no one in my family could have prevented me. My mother was quite hard up; she lived, together with my sisters, on the pension left to her after my fathers death, but I think she would never have prevented me from marrying anyone I was in love with, although those who have made a love match themselves usually prevent their children from doing the same. I had no close relatives, except two uncles, my fathers brothers.
2.
So, when I say secret, I mean that, although the civil marriage had
taken place, we had postponed moving in together until we had both graduated, since the one hundred and fifty lei I was paid as a Senate clerk, a job which I had received thanks to a former friend of my fathers, would not have been enough for
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. us to live on. We told everyone we were engaged. It was a delicate situation, indeed, brought about by my wifes passionate nature. She still lived with her aunt, where another girl, a fellow student, also boarded; that girl had introduced us to each other, and I had liked that girl much more than I liked my future wife, because she was dark, and I did not like fair-haired women at all. And, yet, we did become close, which my wifes friend hardly seemed to mind, if at all [...]. The long talks at home, in the little drawing room with divans [...] piled up with cushions, became an emotional necessity for me, too even though I realized it much later, I must confess. As a matter of fact, this girl never ceased to amaze me. First of all, her kindness was inexhaustible. [...] She would spend her little money on presents for girl friends, and she looked after her sick fellow for months, just like a nurse, with the utter abnegation a teenager would have been capable of. While I was trying to hide our love, more or less, she was very keen on showing it off, she was proud of it; in the end, even though I did not like her a lot, I found myself feeling flattered by the fact that almost everyone admired me because I was so passionately loved by one of the most beautiful students, and I think my ensuing love fed on my pride, actually.
3.
Beyond Valea Clugreasc, one of the cars broke down, and we all
stopped, so that the owners and the drivers might hastily fix the damage. We stayed there for about an hour, though. My wife wanted branches from a blooming apple tree, which she saw downhill, not far from where we were, and he offered to bring them to her. They both went there, and she loaded her arms with branches, which, fair-haired and blue-eyed as she was, made her look like a decorated icon. Their delight took no heed of the cruel fact that they had maimed a tree. Then she allowed him to take pictures of her, as he had brought along all kinds of contraptions, like a snob at the races, and he had a camera of course. From uphill, where I was, I could not help noticing the pleasure she experienced in leaning heavily against him, when they climbed out of the valley again, to the highway, after the car had been repaired. When we had passed Buzu,
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. we realized we could no longer reach Odobeti in time for lunch, so we decided to have something to eat at Rmnicu Srat. Here again, after we had all sat down, my wife decided that another table, at the other end of the garden, would be far better. So everybody stood up and moved where she was, since, while she was washing her hands and powdering her face, she had been deprived by another woman of her place by G.s side. I had of course kept for her the seat by my side, but I had to follow the others. Now the two of them were side by side, while I was near the corner, between an elderly gentleman and an ugly lady. Every man thinks that the woman who is in love with him saves for him alone certain gestures of comfort and grace, which he invests with his own private meanings, and he suffers horribly to see that she uses the same gestures for somebody else. It was foolish, but I was deeply upset by the fact that she tasted his food greedily and she knew how much I enjoyed it when she did that to me, that it gave me an appetite even when I was ill. I smiled all around, desperately hoping no one would notice that I took such trifles to heart to such an extent, as it would have drawn upon me everybodys attention and gossip. In fact I think people attach importance to such things only when they notice the man in question doing the same, because they are interested in the drama alone. In the end, the two of them were the only ones to order pancakes, and this gesture which they shared was a kind of statement [...] that they were a couple [...].
4.
After she had turned her head to look back quite a number of times, he
arrived at last, and he was indeed with a lively, restless little woman; the others pressed against one another to make room for them at once, which was a favour in a way, since others who came late usually had to be content to sit at the end of the table. He continued to envelop his neighbour in comforting, tender care, and the sight seemed to be unbearable to my wife. She could not eat a thing, and she looked like a wounded animal. I was wondering: doesnt she realize I am suffering just as much? How can she be so insensitive? The woman in front of her could not find anything better to do than ask her ironically, and fairly loudly, of course, if she was
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. in pain, and I felt it to be the worst insult in my life, to hear someone ask my wife, in my presence, if she was in pain because of another man. I thought of dropping my fork on the plate, leaving the table at once, and going straight to the station.
5.
Look, my dear, I hope I shall never in my life experience what I went
through yesterday and what I have gone through today. I dont see what you mean. I was amazed, still holding my coat, and I laughed with a frozen face. Honestly? You do not see what I mean? She replied, with affectation: Yes, honestly... I was trembling, furious and indignant at such obvious pretence. All right, then maybe you will understand a simpler sentence. Let us separate. As soon as we arrive in Bucharest, we get a divorce. If you want to stay with your lover, I do not object. Seeing what I have seen since yesterday till today, I can hardly have any hopes left, but I must ask you one thing, all the same. Now that you know you will spend your life with him, let us avoid being gossipped about and commented upon by this group. I had never seen such eyes, like those of a very tired and astonished angel. But, for Gods sake, what is this all about? After everything you have done today, I find it amazing of you to ask what this is all about. And, like a patient who does not know what happened to him during his delirium, she insisted: Please... please, tell me, what have I done? Indignant and revolted by such impudence, I looked the other way, grinding my teeth. Nothing. Confident this time, it was her turn to insist. Please, tell me what I have done. Please.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. I was so sick of it all, that I felt any word I should have uttered would have missed its target. Nothing... I just want us to separate. We got undressed, but, in bed, as I avoided looking at her, she started again. Stephen, I see you so angry... and I swear I cant understand why. I was already boiling with rage: You swear you cant? I swear by anything you want me to. For a moment I stopped in astonishment, wondering whether I might be wrong, and I decided to explain to her what she pretended she did not understand. Only, when I tried, I was amazed to see I did not really have much to say. What could I reproach her with? That in the car she had sat touching closely both me and him? That they had gone down to get the flowers? That she had leant against his arm? That they had made their own, separate little group? You were all the time together with that gentleman, you danced almost exclusively with him. She laughed leniently (the audacity of it). Well, my dear, but this is natural when you travel with someone, on a trip like this... All the women had their own groups. You are inevitably isolated one way or another. You cant be familiar with everyone, and then you seem to be so only with some. Besides, he is a good dancer... all the women in the world dance, if I am not mistaken. They do... but with more than one partner. Look, this is no fancy-dress party. We came all the way together. No... no... it was a real scandal. Everyone stared at you. What scandal? You are seeing things, I have told you, you must have seen for yourself that all women do the same! Thats how these parties are. Once back home, none of these women thinks any more of the people they met or whatever happened. Youll see that you yourself will not recognize all those who have been here... You are much too sensitive.
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6.
It would have been such a pleasure for me to cheat on yo u if you had
rewarded me with your constant anxiety and suspicions. [...] But... you wouldnt have left me? Maybe I should have done it at the time, but I should have regretted it all my life. We are so stupid when we are young. She smiled in a remote and beautiful way; her silver hair was like a halo... And I admired her so passionately that people watched us curiously, as if they were witnessing a love scene. A quarter of a century later, would my wife resemble this woman by my side? The deep feelings that would have been involved... Could this woman once have been like my wife? And impossible question would there be other women now? And an even more senseless question why did all that seem possible to me only in the past, why did I regret having lost, as I had arrived twenty years too late, this womans warm body and kind, melancholy smile? These souls buried in flesh and silk turn good too late, and they do it in vain.
7.
Angry as I was, I did not find it hard to stand my wifes abse nce
during the first three or four days. Later on, however, I started imagining all sorts of things, trying to guess what she thought and how she felt. As I knew she was in love with another man, I did not expect her to be deeply affected by my behaviour, and I felt I had had the right, I even congratulated myself on my splendid idea of having the last word. I wondered vaguely whether we would meet again, meet, as a continuation of our past life, I mean, as if we were waking up after a terrible dream and resumed the life we had shared the previous evening. And I felt it was impossible. What I mean is that I did not see the possibility of our making up in the future, just as I cant imagine today how I could become president of a Central American republic. When no more than a week had elapsed, I felt the urgent need to see her, but I stubbornly denied myself all opportunities. I visited a friend of hers, however, in order to find out indirectly what she was thinking, how she was, whether this
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. upheaval, the incident which was to me as important as the movement of the planets, mattered to her in any way. I could not find out anything. Because I could not meet her in the street, to see her new smile, I started going from restaurant to restaurant, and my heart beat faster while I was still in the street; I cast a superficial glance at all the women first, after which I stared insistently, for fear I might have been wrong because of the large hats, and I experienced a deadly sadness; I had the feeling everything was empty all around, when I was forced to admit she was not there. I should have liked to see that small fair-haired, blue-eyed head, resembling a Greek statue, to see its new look, to find out whether she would stare at me with hatred or indifference. My incomprehensible fate prevented me from meeting her anywhere. I renewed my friendship with all her friends, I made one of them my mistress, so that she might bring me news of her, but, as soon as we started talking about her, for fear that things might take an unexpected turn, they would not tell me a word; they avoided this subject, and the details which I was asking for in a vaguely indifferent voice, or else I should have stood no chance of being told anything, were, nevertheless, denied to me, as if that was the natural thing for them to do. I tried to let her know I was enjoying myself, I was absolutely fine, but these ostentatious gestures were all undelivered letters. I did not know whether they had reached her, and I knew even less what the woman who received them was thinking. Going to her aunts house was out of question. I should never have forgiven myself for this weakness, and it would simply have been impossible. My mind was made up. I started asking for invitations to the houses that I knew she could go to, but I failed time and again.
8.
It was a reality which my senses rejected; the house without my wife
was empty like an empty grave. I felt an immense desert inside myself [...]. The maid was unable to explain to me where my wife was: at the theatre... at her aunts... vague, impossible excuses for half past one, when I had come home. I had no idea how I would live through the night. I constantly repeated to myself, as if I had
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. turned stupid: I never thought she could do that... I sat inertly in an armchair for quite a while [...]. I knew everything had come to an end for good and all, that it had finished in a way which my loyalty had not deserved. I had never believed a woman could be so cruel and do me so much undeserved harm. I felt I would go mad till the next day, which seemed to me to be the end of a long tunnel, a tunnel without end. Of course love comes and goes, I knew that, but I was telling myself that its end must be honest, consummated between people who had made a pleasant trip together and were parting elegantly, greeted one another cordially, and, in some cases, with the regret that everything had lasted so little; I did not deserve such an infamous end. I find myself unable to put down all the moods I experienced, the chaos of thoughts I entertained during that long, abominable night, the like of which I had never lived before, and maybe never since then have I lived another like it. A past which had been burnt to ashes, a ruined home, my personality soiled and crushed, this is what I had come home to after a four hours drive. I wished it had been a dream, so that I might wake up from it, but it was undeniably real. As soon as I was able to leave the armchair, I started running about; I did not really know where I was going, I must have tried all her relatives houses. She was not with auntie Lucy, she was not with my sisters. I would not have wished it on my worst enemy to have to look for his wife at dawn, and suffer as I did while asking if my wife, who had gone out, happened to be there, by any chance? The intense mystery of each house, its dark windows, the foolish hope that she might be there, and in that case everything had only been a dream, had passed like a dream, the astonishment of those whom I asked, and my feeling that, by comparison to all those who led safe lives inside their homes, I was a leper who avoided people and only walked at night, unseen, all these things bewildered me. An accident or some unforeseen incident of the kind seemed out of the question, anyway. I understood eventually that everything was lost, I must leave her to the night and her adventure, and go back home. I would have done anything, run like mad, clasped broken glass in my fists; I was desperate to shorten the night which
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. separated me from the break of day. As a child I could not fall asleep on the eve of a trip, and I was afraid, alone, at night, that tomorrow, as an exception to the rule, would not come this time. I had now the same impression that the dark would last forever, only this time I was not going to leave for a beautiful, unknown destination; at the end of this night I was going to leave behind everything, change my way forever. I wanted to face that woman, I wanted to crush her. I was scared I would go out of my mind till dawn. I had the feeling I no longer was master of my destiny, that I was in a carriage whose frightened horses [...] were indomitably running, just like myself, across the hollows of an unpredictable field. All my past suffering put together was less than what I felt at that moment, which was something I had never experienced before [...]. How could she have done that? Did I deserve the vulgarity of her behaviour, which so humiliated me... When I had been so loyal? She only arrived the next day, at about eight in the morning. I can hardly describe what her face looked like, how she tried to explain it all, because I was so exhausted, so far from the world, that, just like a patient exhausted by the procedures of too long an operation undergone without an anaesthetic, I was only waiting for her to come, so that I might fall asleep. Her arrival was an obsession to me; it was the end of it all. After that I could close my eyes and sleep. It was an effort [...] to whisper to her: I do not want to set eyes on you again... She stared at me with common, vulgar hatred. Does that mean that you are driving me away? I dont know... I have nothing to say... It was past me... Then you are driving me away. I cant understand anything, I dont know myself any more... Take it as you wish... Tell me if you have anything to explain... [...] I have nothing to explain... No, you wont be able to explain anything anyway. You can stay a little longer if you wish... but if you honestly want to know what I feel, then go away at once, and I will send you everything thats yours.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. She stared at me again, with a strangers wicked eyes, which had replaced her own eyes as I used to know them. So, you are driving me away. A few days later, I wrote to her, clearly and reasonably, asking her if she would agree to divorce [...] that would not require further explanations, and she accepted. I experienced again moments of intense suffering. She was all [...] I could think about day and night. I provided myself with the explanations to which I had denied her the right; I imagined extensively, I was a sick, maniacal judge [...]. My whole past life acquired a different meaning, one I had not perceived, and it was one of the most painful things to draw new conclusions to what had taken place. The woman had never been in love with me. I recalled again and again what had happened down at Odobeti, and now I felt I had been right back then, I had seen clearly [...]. I could find no more pleasure in life. I was in a deep, painful, mourning. If I saw a couple kissing, I was like those mothers who have lost a child and see other peoples beautiful children playing in the street. The theatre plays and films about love surviving and coming out victorious in the end made me experience a tearful, foolish melancholy. I was trying again, in all the restaurants, to see her, but, when I did spot her, I would leave at once, as if stabbed by a knife. Dozens of times some detail that involved her and came up in a commonplace conversation almost made me faint. As a matter of fact, this unbearable suffering was all my own doing.
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35. Camil Petrescu: fragmente din Patul lui Procust, 1933
9.
It would be useless to tell you that D. was at our house most of the
time. I knew from one of his sisters he had two how deeply in love with me he was, and their own love for me may have sprung from the fact that it fed on their brothers important passion for me. Later on, after I had got married, I learned from one of his school fellows that D. was envied by everyone in our high school; that he had a kind of unseen emotional halo, because all his fellows saw him hanging out with his sisters and with me, either in the street, or when we played tennis [...]. His sisters were ugly. In fact he paid dearly for this privilege. I had him do my homework, book tickets at the theatre for me, take my letters straight to the station, and take upon himself the blame for everything that got broken in the house, as my mother was very harsh with me. After a while, a young engineer who had returned from Germany came to our little town, and in a few months I married him. I was eighteen, and D. was nineteen. When he heard the news of my engagement, he came and told me for the first time what I had known from his sister all along, that he was in love with me and would kill himself. I was amazed to find out how much romance I had experienced without realizing it; his pain moved me, we both wept, but I married the former, who, as my mother explained to me, had a beautiful career ahead of him. D. did not kill himself, and, although on the eve of my wedding day he sent me a poem translated by Iosif from German the author may have been Heine, but who cares, anyway , he did not come to the wedding in a ghosts shroud, but in a new dinner jacket, out of the wardrobe his parents had presented him with, partly as a gift, but mainly because he
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. needed it after graduation. I should not have liked him to kill himself, no, I should not, indeed, but I have often thought of the impression his suicide because of me would have made upon our small town. I left with my husband for Germany. D. studied law in Bucharest. From time to time my mother wrote to me as a postscript to her letters about the troubles of his family. The girls were badly married, and my former friend [...] did not take his exams at the University; he would spend his time in cafs and worked for a newspaper at night. In the meantime, at home, old Mr. D. had left his wife and had a young mistress; with her, he would spend everything he earned on love escapades to Bucharest; he even took part of the little money he had managed to save, but out of which he had at least already given the girls dowries. Something fishy followed, the old man died, but I am going to skip all that.
10.
I was coming that day with my arms full of flowers... He had not
waited for me... I had just wished to experience a lost moment again... something from my past, and I was obeying this impulse as you accept just one glass of wine, knowing you could not handle more... But the servant gave me a note when I rang the bell. A hateful, light blue, almost white envelope. A poisoned thought seemed to run all over my body and make my skin go dry. I did not know what to answer, I did not even read the note, because its content was indifferent to me now. There was a time when I used to look deeply into motives, following the spring of a subterranean river [...] deep inside a grotto. Now I only felt an immense pity for my joy and the flowers I was carrying. I suddenly regretted I had let the carriage go I had done so by virtue of an old superstition as I was so tired I could hardly walk, and my body unexpectedly started hurting all over; it felt like pain coming back when the effect of the anaesthetic has not lasted long enough. My shoes pinched me [...]. I do not know why I was ashamed to be seen by the maid coming back home with flowers I had not received, which was silly, as I usually buy flowers for myself; I bring them home and place them in various enamelled vases. I was confused, and my hurt expectations were as useless as a bandaged leg to me. I was
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. frowning lest tears should stream forth; my regrets were as foolish and monotonous as the song played on the flute over and over again by that madman who was bringing back the cattle you saw him yourself when you came to visit our vineyard. Why had he done that? He had called me himself, and I had come hoping to please him, to recollect with him just one hour from a past so full of joy [...]. At home I found D. sitting on my divan, reading. He must have opened the book the moment he heard my footsteps in the vestibule. I lost my temper, and my eyes flashed fire as fiercely as a dog at the gate of a yard. But I also felt sorry for him... He looked pale, uglier than usual, with dim eyes and an old mans shapeless mouth, dried up like a fig. I should have liked to warn him again that he must not come in and stay in my room when I was not at home, but I feared my anger might crush him, stab him like an undeserved insult. That is why I smiled [...] and I held out my hand... He kissed it awkwardly and tried to guess what perfume I had used. After a long time, I had used again another superstition the perfume which was part of my old love, just like the scent of a garden. Then he asked awkwardly [...]: Do you mind my waiting for you here? The answer to his question was more than obvious to me, so his words [...] irritated me even more than his waiting, and I did not reply. Of course, anybody else would have left at once, hurt by my silence, but he stayed on, humiliated and tense. A moment later I felt sorry for my harshness, and, as it seemed to me I had made my point and had reached a silent agreement with him that he must not come again I tried to make amends as far as I could for the harm I had done to his tortured sensibility [...] and I called the maid, telling her to bring in the tea. He was radiant, his joy rose like oil floating on water. I was pleased with myself.
11.
Spoken words are of no use to me. I am constantly offered subjects.
Almost all writers are daily offered subjects. Fantastic. I must tell you about myself!... Just wait and see!... You could make it into a novel!... If you really want to be of use to me, write down everything. More than the incident itself, which, whatever you may say, can hardly be more extraordinary than a war, I should like to
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. know the details, the background, the atmosphere and the living substance... I am asking you to put down what happened, but do it as minutely as possible... I shall then turn everything into a novel. (That was a lie, I was not really thinking of writing a novel.) He was obsessed with consciousness. Youll be very surprised... I dont know; lets see... Do you really want to help me? Write down [...] absolutely everything [...]. (As, indeed, I suspected that his digressions [...] would be more interesting than the incident itself.) He smiled thoughtfully, discouraged, but he was so interested in the whole thing that he soon took my arm. Listen, Ill do it after all... Only I wonder whether youll throw away everything I write. Youll be of use to me only if you provide me with material; the more the better, even though it may look too much or useless [...]. When you want to explain anything, use comparisons. Nothing else. All right, Ill write and bring you a copybook in a week. He did not bring it in a week, or two, he brought it a month later... What I had hoped for came true. Fred Vasilescu got involved in it, and the incident grew longer and longer. I confess I did not have to alter much; here and there I felt I must explain, stress one image or two, improve some deficiencies (many may have been left in the text), and, moreover, I changed a few names and dates, distorting the truth, which I guess he had done himself, because I meant to avoid indiscretions. When I came to know him better, I understood at last why Mrs T. had loved him so, why she had suffered so because of him. It was more than his masculine, athletic good looks; his loyalty and delicacy, his sincerity seduced women and won their husbands friendship as well; these men could suffer because of him just like the women, but they never hated him. He would never humiliate anyone, not even the man whose wife he would steal. He spoke slowly, his ironical eyes intimating he kept himself in hand, which he did rather too well at times.
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12.
I simply cant believe that Ladimas letter is honest, that he had indeed
found in her all those qualities. I feel Emilia has nothing in common with what he saw; whoever the lover may be, Ladima or anyone else, he could hardly have believed what he was writing. Id say he lied to himself, with a cer tain degree of lucidity. In a way, he very much resembles the old man who has been living on our estate for a few years. He is the son of a former minister, from the time of the Independence War. He inherited a large fortune, but lost it all gambling. Addicted to [...] playing cards, after he had borrowed from whomever he could, as much as he could get, after he had run into shameful debts, he found himself as poor as a church mouse, going from one caf to another in his old age. Some ten years ago, my father took pity on him and told him to come to one of our estates and stay there. He no longer has to worry about food or lodging, at least. He still feels the old need to gamble, but [...] he has no money. The moment he happens to lay hands on money, from me or from his friends, he cant wait to find partners. The others know his vice and use him, saying they have no money now. He ends up lending them the money, merely to be able to gamble. In the end, he is left penniless, because, when they lose, they borrow from him again, and, if they win, they only return their debt, but they never lend him any money. For a long time I thought this experience ought to make him sick of such partners, at least for a short while. But it has not... He has told me so himself. He is happy to have gambled, no matter how.
13.
Seeing Valeria last night, I understood that, with your illness and
everything, you are hard up at the moment. I am poor, Emy, and I suffer terribly that, at my age, I cant be of any help to you, the woman I love, and who is in difficulty... Yesterday I watched the doctors eyes as a dog watches his masters eyes trying to guess what he wants, and, when he had left, I stayed for a long time in your dining room, exhausted and with an empty soul... Im sick of myself, Emy... To see how Valeria struggles to buy medicines and your daily food, and not to be able to do a thing! Besides, I have got troubles of my own... I was grateful yesterday to my
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. landlord, because he did not insist... What could I do to change that?
14.
He had such a kind heart, poor man, and we were stupid to laugh as
we did. Valeria was right, after all. One evening, when he had money, Gina wanted to eat out, and she was waiting for him to invite us, after we had been to the cinema together. But he did not invite us, and then Gina decided that he must be stingy. Valeria scolded us angrily: Keep your mouth shut. He knows best... It isnt fair to judge anyone. And he did find money after all.
15.
After the divorce [...] Mrs T. had a very difficult time. When, later on,
she was told, jokingly, of course, that she was an excellent merchant, she would often answer thoughtfully: This saves me so many humiliations. She told me how sick she had been of herself when, about a year after the divorce, she was living with a friend, and she only ate two eggs a day: [...] I couldnt wash properly every day, lest I should disturb the friend who had put me up. I had become morose [...] because of humiliation and hardships. At that time, she tried to work as a typist in one of the offices of our factory in the Capital (as I found out), but, three months later, Gheorghidiu fired her... most likely betrayed in his expectations. Someone told me she was ugly back then, and badly dressed. After she had tried to work as a typist for one or two banks, it dawned on her what she had better do. An old lady of noble extraction had a shop of furniture and national objects in Calea Victoriei...
16.
With most women I used to have the feeling I was wasting my time; it
seemed to me that I could be with someone more interesting, at her house or some other place [...]. I was always bored, longing for the bird in the bush, so to say... [...] I instinctively longed to go out... I experienced this strangely insensitive boredom.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. Now, on the contrary, nothing could be more interesting than what I already had; it seemed to me that I was exactly where I ought to be, that I could not feel better anywhere else... but I explained to myself at the time that it must be because of the house.
17.
I was thinking... I was thinking of this poor Ladima... What I had
carefully planned not to confess looks possible now, when, for the first time, Emilia feels free to talk affectionately about him. He was a good man... He irritated me sometimes... But he never meant it... He always told me he was sorry afterwards... What was I to do?... I felt sorry for him... But... He understood I could not help it. I look at her in amazement: Do you think he understood? Sure... especially in the end... of course he understood... You know... about a week after I had recovered... he made a horrible scene here, in our house... He was having funny ideas again. Well, I dont know if you remember... You came to my place once. [...] No... you did not come upstairs, Gina came alone and told me to get dressed and go downstairs, to the car, to have supper with you... It is true... but I can hardly understand... what does this have to do with me? Well... He was with us... I had just recovered, and he was so happy... He had brought cakes, and he had decided we must spend the evening together, me, him, and Valeria. He kept talking merrily and laughing... When Gina came, she saw it was a delicate situation, and did not know what to do. She beckoned to me that she had something to tell me, and I think he noticed that... We both went into the bedroom, she and I, and she told me you were downstairs, in your car, that you were going to have supper and she had come to take me along, as I had not been out in such a long time... Frankly speaking, I was greatly pleased... For more than a month I had not had a meal out... and I started getting dressed at once... She went down, she said youd told her you hated waiting alone in the car. I said I wouldnt
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. be a minute, but you should wait for me round the corner, as I was afraid Ladima might come... When he saw me dressed... he fell silent, turned pale. Where are you going? To hell with it, he got on my nerves... I told him: Im taking a short walk with Gina, and Im coming back. What do you mean?... You said youd stay at home... Tell Gina to stay, too. Well just take a short walk and come back... He was very upset and was wringing his hands... He didnt know what to say. He seemed unable to breathe any more. Look, Emilia, dont go, please... Stay here... stay with us tonight. He almost had me laughing.
18.
I know I must not leave these letters in Emilias hands. [...]... If I were
on a dangerous expedition and one of my companions fell [...], I should at least try to bury him. [...] I am not going to bargain with her, that would be pointless. I think the more I should offer, the more careful and cautious she would grow. I could ask her for the letters using the pretext that I want to copy them. Then I could simply fail to return them. But my mere intention of getting a copy would make her suspect they are worth God knows how much... I should cause her to be on her guard in fact, and I should never manage to steal them. Yes, this is it: I am going to steal them tonight.
19.
The next day I read all the newspapers and magazines issued during
the week Ladima died. It was not difficult, because the incident happened that very same year... This thought alone made me experience a sadness as heavy as mourning. The suicide in itself was discreetly hinted at. The newspapers [...] only mentioned the death of a poet. Their reticence was odd, as if they hesitated to comment on some family misfortune. These small obituaries were surprisingly appreciative, considering the fact that he had been ostentatiously ignored while he
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. had been alive. Their superficial praise was meaningless, in spite of the bombastic words used: G.D. Ladima, a brilliant poet or he was among the highest praised (?) contemporary poets. An article even called it a great loss for Romanian literature. There was in all this publicity indifference to the man, but gentle kindness to a fellow-writer.
20.
What to other people might appear grotesquely absurd, namely that
Ladima should commit suicide because of a woman as vulgar as Emilia, appeared to me understandable enough. I am not sure why... Going by my own experience, after carefully reading reports in newspapers, and listening to many people I know, I have come to believe that only vulgar women give rise to love tragedies, suicides or crimes. It is beyond any doubt that superior women make one suffer much more, much more deeply, in ways which suggest aggressive psychological sadism. But when you hear of a suicide or a crime, you almost always notice the astonishment of those who have met the woman: For her? She is not even beautiful; she is vulgar; she has the mind of a shop assistant...
21.
I asked him to tell me details, and especially what he thought about the
cause of this suicide. Well... I was dumbfounded when they phoned to tell me the news... I thought him to be one of our most important poets after Eminescu, although the public at large hardly knew him. But this has always been the fate of geniuses. Around noon, the maid he lived in a long yard in 13 September street found the door locked, which was unusual for him, as she had never known him to lock his door. She knocked on the window, she shouted; when, on the second day, he still failed to answer, she called the landlady... Well, when I went there, he was lying in a narrow iron bed, his head having fallen to one side. He had aimed at his heart and shot, pressing the gun against his chest and muffling the noise with the blanket... No one has been able to find out where he got the gun from... [...]
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. Do you think he committed suicide because of his poverty? Whether they commit suicide or not, poverty is most often the true cause of death for most Romanian poets, Mr Vasilescu. Its either the hospital or the asylum.
22.
Because of that debasing love, our friend was doomed, Mr Vasilescu.
He knew it. During the last weeks of his life it simply broke your heart to look at him. Something had given way inside him; he had practically stopped living. It was far worse than being ill. After a final humiliating incident, he said he was determined never to set eyes on her again. He just could not believe he had been able to love such a woman, he even told me he would be ashamed if anybody else, except his friends, found out. He was aware of it, and that was why he asked her to return his letters... I am sick of myself, Nicolae, sick, as if I had lice in my soul. [...] If I dont kill myself, it is because Id turn in my grave if people thought Id killed myself for her... or maybe because of hunger... A death like that could be more shameful and uglier than my suffering.
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36. Marin Preda: fragmente din Cel mai iubit dintre pmnteni, 1980
1.
Then she, too, was a city that had to be conquered, I thought, and it
was all the more difficult since she was mysteriously bound to death. There was just one wall, but how was I going to climb it? We started going out, walking together about the city. Nineta was well dressed, elegant even, and the street changed her, she became serious, almost a stranger, she kept silent, and her face lost all trace of mirth. She had scrutinizing eyes, and she used to stare hard. She stared with a greediness I was unable to understand; the street really changed her, I even had the feeling she was not with me any longer, and I had no idea at all what she was thinking of. Back home, she changed again... These walks brought about our separation, which was to me sudden and incredible. You encounter all kinds of surprises when you go out; well, you feel fine when you are alone with her, but, when others are present, her eyes no longer belong to you, she no longer smiles when you look at her, she unexpectedly laughs at something someone else has said, and you are bewildered to find out that she does not belong to you any more, although she is practically the same. This is the tragedy, she is the same... But that was to torture me much later. My separation from Nineta was simpler, though not inexplicable, for I had been warned. One day she stopped in front of a street, she looked along it with a preoccupied, impenetrable air and whispered to me: We go this way. It was a side street, badly paved, without a sidewalk, and I did not understand why we must go that way. I replied: No! If you dont, I heard her say, never come to my house again. Really? Was it really that important? No! I repeated. Then she turned on her heels, looked down calmly, she even looked at me, without seeing me, though, and told me: Then its your fault. And she walked away. But she did not even go
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. down that street after all. I stood there for a while, unable to understand: why hadnt I wanted to turn where she had wanted me to? Wasnt it all the same to me which way we were going? On the other hand, I felt vaguely that if, without telling me, she had simply walked down that street, I should have followed her without noticing which street it was. What did I care what street it was? I was calm, anyway. Since that day, I have always been calm when confronted with a break up, when the blow was dealt: the pain sets in much later. For several days after that, I entered her courtyard daily. Only her grandmother was in, the door to her room was locked. I went back a week later, imagining she had been away. It was all in vain.
2.
If only we could preserve that serenity which brushes our soul like a
sweet wing! That first moment of truth never hurts. We should build our lives on that! But we do not do that because curiosity turns up, that lucidity or so we call it which prompts us to find out why... Ones suffering is equal to ones lucidity! So it is! But who the hell forces you? Why isnt she in love wit h me any more. How stupid, when everything would be so simple if we preserved inside ourselves the revelation of those sublime moments, that liberating serenity. I must say I was only in love with the beauty of this girl, her beautiful head, not her amorphous soul, or her body, and even less with her mind; and that would have been enough all my life, yes, provided she accepted to be loved. Nothing more. A few days later, her refusal, after she had allowed me to think she had accepted, began torturing me. The temptation of lucidity, which prompts you to find out why someone will not love you any longer, comes from your sharp, irresistible feeling that, when you have found out, your suffering will cease. You tell yourself you may have made some mistake that can be fixed. There could be some misunderstanding. She may be in love with somebody else. Well, that can hardly be helped...
3.
And where do you live, Mr. Petrini? she asked me when I was
leaving, while she was tenderly holding her husbands arm, and the husband was
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. looking at me as if for some reason I ignored, he were above me, as if he had won a victory over me. Well, madam, I answered, not in such a beautiful house as yours. And do you receive visitors? I did not understand, or I did not hea r the question well, or I may suddenly have been bored and simply despised this odd couple, and I no longer paid attention to what I was being told, whether she meant a joint visit, he and she together, which was uninteresting, or she suggested visiting me alone, which would have been downright absurd... I forgot to answer her.
4.
And yet this absurdity took place: one afternoon, about a month after I
had visited them, she rang the bell. Good afternoon, Mr. Petrini. My husband tells me that he has invited you to our place several times and you have refused, she started, even before coming in. Is that so? she questioned me, while I was holding her fur coat, which she abandoned in my hands, while she was entering my study with a steady walk, as if she had been there before and were familiar with the house. She sat down on my chair and looked up to let me see her fascinating face, the question still lurking in her beautiful, riveted green eyes [...]. I forgot to answer her, both confused, and indignant at my confusion, which I was unable to fight; I opened my mouth to speak, but I had lost my voice. And, yet, at the same time, [...] I was self-possessed, although I realized I was paralysed. During those moments I felt, almost physically, the difference of age between us...
5.
My gloomy silence could have chased her away, and I did not care that
my behaviour was offensive. So what? Dont tell me I have disturbed you, although you look like it, she resumed, and broke into a sincere laughter which won me over. She seemed to say she knew I was confused, which was why I could not speak, and suddenly she cast me an intensely affectionate glance, which freed me from my paralysis right there and then. Yes, this is the truth, affection, feelings can easily jump over barriers if people do not keep their souls in a shell. I was aware I had my own shell, and my confusion was caused by the fact that this woman was intent on
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. removing it. The sincerity of her laughter and her affectionate glance tamed me: no, of course she had not come with this intention in mind, but because she liked me. No, madam, I answered, I never refused his invitation. I merely waited for Petric to name the day. Come to see us, he told me, but how could I come if he didnt say when or at what time? Why must we be so formal? she said. Come whenever you feel like it. You are friends, arent you? Just call up to see if we are in and then come. Petric was puzzled. He is very fond of you, you know, and he told me: go see him and invite him. Of course, madam. I shall be delighted to come... I didnt know... Coffee?... And I stood up and went into the kitchen. It did not make sense. Having kept his distance for two weeks, Petric had approached me again, and our walks together, when we had finished our classes, were resumed. Their relationship was far from being as good as she was now suggesting. They constantly abused and despised each other under the mask of that generosity which he well knew to be fake. As he was telling me about the scenes that took place between the two of them (and I listened as if I were reading a captivating novel), he seemed to resent her more every day. She kept hurting his feelings, but that would not have mattered if he had been able to write. Had he been like all the others, he would not have cared [...], and his life would have been governed by cynicism and disdain. But he was a poet, he wanted to write; and how could one write when one was overwhelmed by carelessness, cynicism and disdain? The sheet of paper stays white in front of you, night after night, when you withdraw to your room and, prompted by the need to write, you actually try to do so. The volume of poems which he had published had been written before this marriage. Since he had been living with her, for three years, he had not written a line... Petric, I told him, thats serious. It was becoming more and more obvious to me, though, that the cause was not in the woman, but in himself. The woman was what she was, but why was he what he was, why wasnt he different [...]. Why didnt he leave her? I shall leave her, of course, he answered, but, you see, three years of my life have gone down the drain, and during this time I havent even been able to read properly. It would have made up for a lot of things. All
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. right, I answered, but dont wait much longer, and stop whispering in your own house, as you did when she turned up and you instantly forgot what she had done to you, what you had told me, and other things which you had not told me, but which I suppose had lasted for a long time.
6.
One evening, at last, I managed to write a poem, and I went to read it
to her. She listened and burst into laughter. She roared with laughter, and was not in the least ashamed of it. All right, the poem was bad, but this was unimportant; what mattered was that I had written it. I threw it angrily into the waste paper basket, and I left her swearing. There you are, I said, why did you have to read it to her? How was I to know she would do that? Any commonsensical person would have told me that the poem was good, and I must go on, since later on, after I had written some better poems, I would have realized, of course, that the poem I had read to her had been bad. My dear Petric, she is no muse, but... But why cant she be considerate, at least? he broke in. I am reading a book and I am enthusiastic about it; she takes and reads it, too, yawns and wonders what I liked in it, she hasnt read such an idiotic book in a long time... She is calling me an idiot, isnt she?! If she were a decent person, she would say she had not understood, or it was not to her taste. Why must she hurt my feelings? Forget about sharing ideas, just live together, as husband and wife: a professor and an architect, each of you with his own profession. He fell silent, but the next day he resumed the argument: ... Easy to say, husband and wife... this means that I must do everything while she does nothing... I have done that, too, I am not ashamed to say, but she told me ironically that she had married a man, not a maid. Petric, a divorce will solve everything. Have you talked to her about it? A divorce is a failure! he murmured, looked up at the clouds, and kept silent for a long while. I see! He hoped, then, she would improve, he could not stand the thought of a failure.
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. 7. She came back to the hallway, holding a pack of cigarettes in her hand.
She sat down again and lit a cigarette. Thats it, she said calmly, I do not fit in your dream of happiness. What can I do? Pretend I am not five years older than you? That would make me look ridiculous! I am old, my dear, I am past thirty; poor Matilda, no more flirting with a younger man... A little later you would have told me that to my face yourself: I am younger than you and more passionate, why would you be amazed I have fallen in love with another woman? What could I have done if I had heard such a thing? I should have accepted it, or I should have been forced to keep silent, never ask you where you are going, why you are putting on your best suit, your most beautiful tie and your most beautiful shirt, which I have washed and starched myself, why you are late, or where you spend your nights, while I am waiting for you, trying in vain to fall asleep?... Hearing her, you would have said she was at last revealing the secret of her behaviour, but I did not allow myself to be fooled: But then, I asked, why have you married me and why have you kept the child? Yes, why? That is another secret, which I am not going to tell you, and which you will never understand. And one more thing: dont fool yourself thinking you have been deeply in love with me. You havent loved me at least half as much as you can love; not with your whole being, as you did at the time I used to phone you at the faculty... You may do that in the future, but it will not be me you will love. It is true, you did love me during that year, when you were scared you might lose me; you did not know for certain whether one day I should not tell you I was giving up the divorce and going back to Petric, but once you had made sure I would not do that [...], it was goodbye, love! She was talking without saying anything, just to confuse me with her false revelations: And one more thing, she went on, you hit me first, much as you say you loved me. That very minute, I thought like you that I was guilty, but then it dawned on me: well, I told myself, he doesnt love me, or else how could he have forgotten it was me, Matilda, who was standing in front of him; I had come to tell you I was sorry I had broken into your desk... I had no time to tell you, I found myself dizzy, lying on the floor. Why does it shock you that I did the same? Anyway, you just cant tell me I made your life hell. You did that to yours elf! As for
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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. your life with me being empty and loveless, Im sorry, mine with you was no different; you gave as good as you got. Did that start long ago, I asked, or as soon as I moved into your house? Well, she answered, from the very moment I met you! Can you still remember when that was? One never forgets such things! Do our memories of the moment coincide, I wonder?! I said, with fake nostalgia. Lets see, tell me, I can also remember the fatal moment. It was in the street, my dear, she said, in a voice which seemed to confess an infamy. It was snowing, and you were with Petric, who must have been telling you something about me, slandering me, and you were listening and grinning; his tragedy was a cheerful show, which he was offering you in his naive hope for the sympathy of a man whose brutality and insensitivity he did not suspect. I saw you from afar...
8.
We fell silent. The little girl opened the door and went to her mother
without the least hesitation. Matilda stood up and vanished into the kitchen. The child came to me, and sat down quietly in the armchair. What Ben Alexandru had foretold had not come true, although Matilda had totally surrendered to the child. Silvia went about her own little life quietly, and was almost equally attached to her mother and to me, although Matilda was not in the least happy when she saw her jump cheerfully into my arms: she had surrendered, but she had also mastered the child, and did not hide her irritation at the fact that Silvia had found out there was one more being in her life, whom she called daddy, and who took her out for a walk daily. She would try to stop the girl: you most go to bed now, or it is cold outside and I dont want you to start coughing. I used to allow her to walk, until, very soon, I heard her say that her feet hurt, and then I would take her in my arms. It was a trick: she could not see much when she was walking. Her feet did not hurt, she just wanted to be carried high up, and, once up there, I could tell she was mastered by an avid, quiet curiosity.
9.
At that point, I would go back home, and, as I was carrying that

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Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. wonderful burden, I had the feeling that I was in fact a happy man, and my suffering was an illusion, a chimera which I must drive away; I could live a thousand years like that and die in peace. There was no other greater joy on earth, the rest was nonsense. But at home her mother would wait for us. She actually tore her from my arms, taking possession over her: didnt I notice the girl was tired? Was I going to kill her, as I had said when I had heard she was pregnant with my child? Did I think she had forgotten, or she would ever forget those words? She would tell the girl everything when she grew up, so that she might know what kind of a father I had been, and how much I had wanted her to be born. At those moments, I felt certain that she guessed I was happy and wanted me not to be, and had the power to make it happen. Why so? I wondered. What harm had I done her? Everything was a mystery, nothing made sense any more, and solitude surged in me, worse than ever before.
10.
She has sent all your things here, my mother said, your clothes and
books. Your father was glad you had got rid of this woman nobody can understand. Why she married you if she did not mean to live with you, I shall never understand. But I knew, and I told my mother: She is old... She has grown old very fast! She is not that old, my mother said, it only seems to you that way, because you are younger, but no woman in her thirties is old... I should have liked to answer that Matildas soul was old, and that she would very soon have an old body, too, and she had not been able to stand the thought that I should soon be too young for her, but words failed me: it was too much for me to explain. Tasia was here, my mother went on, (this woman is really fond of you, you know), and she told us a secret. She doesnt want you to feel sorry youve lost this woman, because, during the three years you werent there, a man, Mircea, would visit her; an important person, even more so now, and after the divorce shell go after him to Bucharest and marry him. She says you ought to take a lawyer and try to get the girl, but then she also says you cant fight this Mircea, youll never succeed... Never mind, dear, she added, as if the news were a blow to me, youll have your own children one day, do
412
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. not worry... Mother came closer and stroked me as she used to. You have turned pale, she told me, dont think of it any more... just get well soon... You will be able to see Silvia when you wish. She told Tasia you could go to Bucharest any time, take her with you and keep her for a week... It wasnt meant to be, dear, just let it go. I smiled and I kissed her hand. I have been doing so for a long time, but I am sorry for the girl, she had grown fond of me, I told her, amazed that my voice seemed to have come back to me. Dont worry, my mother said, she will always be fond of you. No child ever forgets his parents, come what may... And she suddenly remembered she had brought me food, placed her bag on my bed and took out of it a lot of packages... Roast chicken, eggs, pies, small cakes she had made, home-made bread warm from her oven, and a bottle of red wine. Strangely enough, I felt hungry, and I started eating greedily, as if I had come back to life, and, as if her news were cause for celebration, I opened the bottle of wine, which I gulped down, feeling I could have drunk another if I had had one more...
11.
Moments of happiness! I felt sharp pain at the thought that I could
have experienced such moments daily if the three of us had stayed together... Of course, Matilda was happy in this way, because up to a certain age a child is a constant surprise. It so happened that Silvias surprises were almost all miraculous, and only few of them bad. Matilda guessed my mood. If you accepted, she told me in French, you would be in Bucharest, and it would be easy to see Silvia whenever you wanted to. If I hadnt had Silvia, frankly speaking, I think I should have killed myself. I know I complain, [...] but she is such a very good child. When I urge you to accept the job, all I really think about is to bring you two closer together, both for her sake and yours, I must say. Well see! I said. I had my doubts, but I did not want to argue with her, so that Silvia might come again to see me over the following three days... Well see, I repeated, more firmly this time, When I have finished what I am writing, I shall make a decision.
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12.
I have reread this long manuscript, and, beyond the incidents proper, I
have been amazed at its palpable cruelty, narrated in detail, and with an obvious pleasure; I have not been able to avoid this, as I was positive that otherwise my thoughts would have tried hard and in vain for a long time to struggle free from what I had lived. For a moment there I was tempted to throw it into the fire. In the end, I decided to publish it. So many others may have felt the same way, experienced what I did, have rejoiced or have suffered just like me. Happiness through love is a myth that will never die here, on earth; it will constantly die and be reborn, that is. And this is what I am writing about [...]. As long as more people climb up and down, following the the same paths I have, this book will be the living proof: if we do not have love, we have nothing at all!...
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Partea a treia
List de Verbe i adjective cu prepoziii obligatorii
VERBE
the land abounds in game he abstains from drink you must account for your behaviour he was accused of robbery are you acquainted with T.S. Eliot? add this money to the sum I agree with you on this I agree to this what are you aiming at? what does he allude to the dance alternates with concerts what does the sum amount to
415
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. did you apologize to him for breaking the vase? it does not appeal to me apply to your boss for a rise do you approve of the plan? when did you arrive at the shop? ask him for a loaf of bread what does he aspire to? he associates with thieves I can assure you of my good intentions he must atone for his crime he will attend to your problem whom was the play attributed to? whom is the dog barking at? what is the book based on? he is basking in the sun he beckoned to me to go away I shall begin by saying who I am whom does it belong to? he was bereft of everything he owned a large fortune was bestowed on her beware of dogs dont blame me for not going dont blame this on me he kept blinking at me he blushed at her words
416
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. what is he boasting of? what countries does Poland border on? whom did you borrow the book from? what is he brooding on? do you care for him? he was changed into a dwarf he was charged with murder she is chatting with a friend he cheered me up it coincides with your birthday he collaborates with us the plane collided with another plane what is he commenting on? I compared him to/with her do you compete with us? what are you complaining of? I concealed it from her concentrate on your homework he concluded with a few English words he was condemned to ten years of jail do you confide in her? it is confined to this space it has been confiscated from smugglers (contrabanditi) you must conform to the rules dont confound him with me
417
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. confront me with her I congratulate you on your birthday I consent to the marriage what does the book consist in? how many chapters does it consist of? they conspired against the king he is consulted on various matters it contrasts with the walls he has converted to Catholicism how much can you contribute to the sum? he was convicted of murder are you convinced of his guilt? I shall cooperate with you in writing it can you cope with everything? it culminated in a quarrel he was cured of measles he darted/dashed at the door it dawned on me that I had seen him before what does the book deal with? have you decided on the punishment? whom is it dedicated to? whom did you defend him from? he was deferred to the police she was delivered from the wizard can I depend on it?
418
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. he was deprived of everything he is devoted to his friends he died of/from pneumonia does this differ from your result? he was dipped into water I disagree with you he disappeared from town I disapprove of your idea can you dispense with it? it was divided into seven shares he was divested of all his glory he was doomed to prison he dotes on his daughter what are you dreaming of? he is endowed with a musical ear he enlarged on the subject he escaped from goal he excels in physics I exchanged the book for a pen this horse feeds on wheat he fired at the fox he flung a stone at her it floated on water what are you fussing about? he is gazing at the lake
419
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. he glanced at my hands he grieves for his friend he was grinning at me she is harping on the same subject hide it from her he was hindered from going there what did he hint at? let us hope for the best he hungered for her sight is he implicated in this? this rule was imposed on us they incited him to action he indulged in his work I infer from your words that you dont know the air was infested with the smell dont inflict injuries on your friends I informed him of what was going on he inquired into her affairs I insist on your going home the book inspired him with faith they instigated him to action she is intended for him are you interested in this? dont interfere in/with what she is doing have you introduced him to her?
420
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. I dont want to intrude on you he was isolated from his fellows will you join in the talk? he jumped at her he knocked at the door dont laugh at me lean on my arm lean against the wall he left for Ireland the pipe is linked to the wash basin can you listen to me? he lives on tea and bread she longs for news from him look at it he marvelled at the sight the bag doesnt match with your dress dont mistake me for a coward whom are you mocking at? multiply 6 by 7 dont nag at him can I negotiate with her? note down the word what do you object to? has it ever occurred to you that I am busy? when will he be operated on?
421
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. what does it originate in? I parted with/from her they participated in the show what did he pay for? what is he peering at? the raven is perched on a branch dont persevere/persist in your error I persuaded her of my sincerity exiles pine for home he pleaded for his friend the diver plunged into the sea dont point to the door dont point your forefinger at me he pounced on the gold he was praised for his hard work I prefer this book to that are you prepared for the exam? he presided over the assembly dont prevent him from going dont pride yourself on your achievement he proceeded to town you will not profit by his advice he was promoted to a higher rank I protected her from the witch the stick protrudes from your bag
422
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. he provided for her he provided her with food dont pry into other peoples affairs he was punished for his crime I tried to reason with him he recoiled from the touch has he recovered from his illness? do you refer to him? I refrained from any comment he reigned over the whole country this does not relate to what I was saying can I rely on you? your face reminds me of someone he was remunerated for his work he repented of/for his deed what did you reply to him? he reproached me with extravagance/ for being late he reproved me for being late what do you require of/from us? I have reserved this table for you what does it reside in? he resorted to force she will not respond to force he retired from business what will it result in?
423
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. he was rewarded for his courage he rushed at the door she saved him from destruction he was separated from his friends the clerk was sent for dont shoot at birds she never shrinks from duty whom do you side with? she smiled at those words the dog sniffed at him speak to me about it dont spend money on sweets he spies on you dont stare at people stick to what you are doing he stumbled on a stone he substituted his book for another subtract 5 pounds from the sum he succeeded in finishing they supply us with sugar we surround him with care we suspect him of lying he suffers from rheumatism she swore at me I sympathise with you
424
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. can you thank him for it? he theorizes on beauty what are you thinking of? he threatened us with a fine they throw stones at your dog I thrust the stick into the ground translate it into English I travel by plane dont tread on that plank he trembles with fear dont trespass on his property she triumphed over everyone dont tumble over the chair turn to him and see wait for me I warned her against the danger what do you wish for? dont worry about that he yelled at me she yielded to the thief
425
ADJECTIVE
he is absent from school is it necessary to you? I am not accustomed to reading aloud he is active in politics his means are not adequate to his aim he is adverse to progress dont be afraid of me he is ahead of his fellows are you akin to her? he is alert to changes this is alien to my way of thinking he is aloof from everyone dont be angry with me for doing that my book is anterior to hers my opinions are antithetic to yours dont be anxious about the result apart from all this, you are right it is apparent to all of us he is apt for sports what are you ashamed of? are you aware of what it means? he is away from home
426
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. he is bent on spending money he is blind to all her defects the ship is bound for India he is busy with his work is he capable of murder? I am certain of success he is clever at games she was charmed with him the house is close to the park this feature is common to all of us he is competent at his job my work is complementary to his is this compatible with your ideas? he is conscious of the implications your lecture was conspicuous for its originality I am consistent with my decision you are contemporary with me one must be content with ones fate it is contrary to my expectations is it convenient for you to stay? are you conversant with Arabic? he is crazy about music he is dear to her you are deficient in mathematics he is delighted with the idea
427
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. the idea is detrimental to our plans he is diffident about strangers his attitude is discrepant with his slogans this part is distinct from the others the village is distant from the sea the prospect is distasteful to me the error is due to hurry he is eager for new friends you are early for tea it lies east of China is it easy for you? he is entangled in something complicated he is engaged in work he is engaged to her he is enthusiastic about the idea you are envious of her luck is it equivalent to the sum? I am even with you he is exempt from attendance she is faithful to you she is false to her friends are you familiar with the idea? he is famous for his poetry the house is far from the bakers it can be fatal to anyone
428
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. it is favourable to them he is fit for nothing she is fond of cocoa it is full of people he is good at drawing I am grateful to you for helping me dont be hard on her the idea is harmful to everyone be honest about it he is hostile to us this is identical with mine I am ignorant of the circumstances it is imperative for her to go he was impressed with your knowledge the path is inaccessible to travellers I am indebted to you she was indignant at the news he is inferior to none you are inseparable from me he is intent on his study are you interested in this? dont get involved in that take them, irrespective of the price she is jealous of you be kind to us
429
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. he is lucky at cards/in love be merciful to them he is native to India the street is near to the station it is not necessary to me sit next to me is he obedient to the rules? you are oblivious of what is going on it is obvious to me I am opposed to any change he sits opposite to me he is overcome with joy be patient with her it is peculiar to his country she is pleased with her dress be polite to your elders he is popular with kids I am positive of success this is preliminary to the test the book is previous to the film you are prejudiced against foreigners he is prone to various moods is she qualified for the job? he is ready for the test regardless of consequences, you must go
430
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. the house is remote from the park you are responsible for all the mistakes the land is rich in game you are being rude to me who is sad about the loss? he is safe from his pursuers the same as that one he is sensitive to kind treatment she is short of money they are sick of sweets your boat is similar to mine he is sorry for being late this is subject to improvement are you sure of that? it is useful to us he is not used to waiting it is vital to us to go you are welcome to our town he is wrong about many things
431
VERBE NEREGULATE
Infinitiv
Past Tense
Past Participle
Traducere
arise awake
arose awoke awaked was / were bore
arisen awoken awaked been borne born beaten become begun bent bet betted bid bidden bound bitten bled
a se ridica a se trezi
be bear
a fi a purta a se nate a bate a deveni a ncepe a se ndoi a paria
beat become begin bend bet
beat became began bent bet betted bid bade bound bit bled
bid
a licita, a porunci
bind bite bleed
a lega a muca a sngera
432
blow break breed bring broadcast
blew broke bred brought broadcast broadcasted browbeat
blown broken bred brought broadcast broadcasted browbeaten browbeat built burned burnt burst bought cast caught chosen clung come cost crept cut dealt
a sufla, a bate a sparge a crete, a educa a aduce a difuza
browbeat
a intimida
build burn
built burned burnt burst bought cast caught chose clung came cost crept cut dealt
a construi a arde
burst buy cast catch choose cling come cost creep cut deal
a exploda a cumpra a arunca a prinde a alege a se aga a veni a costa a se tr, a se furia a tia a trata, a se ocupa de
433
dig do draw dream
dug did drew dreamed dreamt drank drove dwelt dwelled ate fell fed felt fought found fitted fit fled flung flew forbade forecast forecasted
dug done drawn dreamed dreamt drunk driven dwelt dwelled eaten fallen fed felt fought found fitted fit fled flung flown forbidden forecast forecasted
a spa a face a trage, a desena a visa
drink drive dwell
a bea a ofa, a mna a locui
eat fall feed feel fight find fit
a mnca a cdea a hrni a (se) simi a (se) lupta a gsi a se potrivi
flee fling fly forbid forecast
a fugi, a se refugia a arunca a zbura a interzice a prevedea
434
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. foresee foretell forget forgive forsake freeze frostbite get give go grind grow hang have hear hew foresaw foretold forgot forgave forsook froze frostbit got gave went ground grew hung had heard hewed foreseen foretold forgotten forgiven forsaken frozen frostbitten got given gone ground grown hung had heard hewn hewed hidden hit held hurt a prevedea a prezice a uita a ierta a prsi a nghea a degera a primi, a obine a da a merge a mcina a crete a atrna a avea a auzi a despica
hide hit hold hurt
hid hit held hurt
a (se) ascunde a lovi a ine a lovi, a rni, a durea
435
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. interweave interwove interweaved kept knelt kneeled knitted knit knew laid led leaned leant leaped leapt learned learnt left lent let lay lit lighted lip-read lost interwoven interweaved kept knelt kneeled knitted knit known laid led leaned leant leaped leapt learned learnt left lent let lain lit lighted lip-read lost a (se) ntreese
keep kneel
a ine, a pstra a ngenunchea
knit
a tricota
know lay lead lean
a ti, a cunoate a pune, a aeza a conduce a se apleca, a se sprijini a sri
leap
learn
a nva
leave lend let lie light lip-read lose
a pleca, a lsa a da cu mprumut a lsa, a permite a zcea, a se afla a aprinde a citi pe buze a pierde
436
make mean meet mislay mislead misread misspell
made meant met mislaid misled misread misspelled misspelt mistook misunderstood mowed outbid outdid outgrew outshone outshined outspoke overcame overdid overdrew
made meant met mislaid misled misread misspelled misspelt mistaken misunderstood mowed mown outbid outdone outgrown outshone outshined outspoken overcome overdone overdrawn
a face a nsemna a (se) ntlni a pierde a ndruma greit a citi greit a ortografia greit
mistake misunderstand mow outbid outdo outgrow outshine
a confunda a nelege greit a cosi a licita mai mult ca a ntrece a (se) face prea mare a eclipsa
outspeak overcome overdo overdraw
a vorbi tare a coplei a exagera a depi
437
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. overdrink overeat overfeed overhang overhear override overrun oversee oversell oversleep overtake overthrow partake pay preset proofread prove overdrank overate overfed overhung overheard overrode overran oversaw oversold overslept overtook overthrew partook paid preset proofread proved overdrunk overeaten overfed overhung overheard overridden overrun overseen oversold overslept overtaken overthrown partaken paid preset proofread proven proved put quick-frozen a bea n exces a mnca n exces a (se) supraalimenta a atrna peste a auzi din ntmplare a nclca a depi a supraveghea a supraevalua a dormi prea mult a depi a rsturna a mprti a plti a preconfigura a corecta a (se) dovedi
put quick-freeze
put quick-froze
a pune a nghea rapid
438
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. quit quit quitted read rebuilt remade repaid reread resold resent reset retold rewrote rid quit quitted read rebuilt remade repaid reread resold resent reset retold rewritten rid a abandona
read rebuild remake repay reread resell resend reset retell rewrite rid
a citi a reconstrui a reface a recompensa a reciti a revinde a retrimite a reaeza a repovesti a rescrie a scpa de, a se descotorosi a clri a suna a rsri, a se ridica a fugi a tia cu fierstrul
ride ring rise run saw
rode rang rose ran sawed
ridden rung risen run sawn sawed said seen

say see
said saw
a spune a vedea
439
seek sell send set sew
sought sold sent set sewed
sought sold sent set sewn sewed shaken shaved shaven sheared shorn shed
a cuta a vinde a trimite a pune a coase
shake shave
shook shaved
a scutura, a tremura a (se) rade
shear
sheared
a tunde oi
shed
shed
a vrsa (lacrimi, snge) a strluci
shine
shone shined shod shot showed shrank shut sang sank sunk sat
shone shined shod shot shown shrunk shut sung sunk
shoe shoot show shrink shut sing sink
a potcovi a mpuca a arta a se strnge a nchide a cnta a (se) scufunda
sit
sat
a sedea
440
slay
slew slayed slept slid slung slunk slit smelled smelt sowed
slain slayed slept slid slung slunk slit smelled smelt sown sowed spoken sped speeded spelled spelt spellbound spent spilled spilt spun spat spit split
a ucide
sleep slide sling slink slit smell
a dormi a aluneca a arunca a se furia a (se) crpa a mirosi
sow
a semna (ceva)
speak speed
spoke sped speeded spelled spelt spellbound spent spilled spilt span spat spit split
a vorbi a grbi, a accelera
spell spellbind spend spill
a ortografia a fermeca a cheltui, a petrece a vrsa
spin spit
a toarce a scuipa
split
a despica
441
spoil spoon-feed spread spring
spoiled spolit spoon-fed spread sprang sprung stood stole stuck stung stunk stank strewed
spoiled spoilt spoon-fed spread sprung
a rsfa a hrni cu linguria a (se) ntinde a izvor, a sri
stand steal stick sting stink
stood stolen stuck stung stunk
a sta (n picioare) a fura, a se furia a lipi a nepa a mirosi urt
strew
strewn strewed stridden struck stricken strung striven strived sublet sunburned sunburnt sworn
a presra
stride strike
strode struck
a merge cu pai mari a lovi
string strive sublet sunburn
strung strove strived sublet sunburned sunburnt swore
a nira a nzui a subnchiria a se arde la soare
swear
a jura, a njura
442
sweat
sweat sweated swept swelled
sweat sweated swept swollen swelled swum swung taken taught torn telecast told test-driven thought thriven thrown thrust trodden trod typewritten unbent unbound
a transpira
sweep swell
a mtura a se umfla
swim swing take teach tear telecast tell test-drive think thrive throw thrust tread typewrite unbend unbind
swam swung took taught tore telecast told test-drove thought throve threw thrust trod typewrote unbent unbound
a nota a legna a lua a preda a rupe a teledifuza a spune, a povesti a testa o main a (se) gndi a prospera a arunca a nfige a clca a dactilografia a (se) dezdoi a dezlega
443
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. undercut underfeed undergo underlie understand undertake underwrite undo unfreeze unwind uphold upset wake waylay wear weave undercut underfed underwent underlay understood undertook underwrote undid unfroze unwound upheld upset woke waked waylaid wore wove weaved wed wedded wept wet undercut underfed undergone underlain understood undertaken underwritten undone unfrozen unwound upheld upset woken waked waylaid worn woven weaved wed wedded wept wet
a submina a subalimenta a trece prin a sta la baza a nelege a lua asupra sa a scrie sub a anula a dezghea a desfura a susine a tulbura a se trezi a ntinde o curs a purta a ese
wed
a (se) cununa
weep wet
a plnge a uda
444
Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone. wetted win wind withdraw withhold withstand wring write won wound withdrew withheld withstood wrung wrote wetted won wound withdrawn withheld withstood wrung written a ctiga a rsuci a (se) retrage a reine a rezista la a stoarce a scrie
445

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Lidia Vianu

English for Everyone

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

Tehnoredactare: Lidia Vianu Corectur: Lidia Vianu, Silvia Bratu

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

English for Everyone

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

Partea ntia: Traduceri

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

II. Corespondena timpurilor

III. General usage

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

IV. Traduceri literare

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

Partea a Doua: Cheia exerciiilor

209 210 210 214 218 223

II. Corespondena timpurilor

249 253 263

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

III. General Usage

IV. Traduceri literare

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

Contemporary Literature Press

Bucureti, 18 octombrie 2011

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

2. The Present Perfect

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Contemporary Literature Press

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

3. The Past Tense

Editura pentru Studiul Limbii Engleze prin Literatur

Lidia Vianu: English for Everyone.

Contemporary Literature Press