UNIT 10: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED TO ME...

A funny thing happened to me last Friday. I'd gone to London to do some shopping. I wanted to get some Christmas presents, and I needed to find some books for my course at college (you see, I'm a student). I caught an early train to London, so by early afternoon I'd bought everything that I wanted. Anyway, I'm not very font of London, all the noise and traffic, and I'd made some arrangements for that evening. So, I took a taxi to Waterloo station. I can't really afford taxis, but I wanted to get the 3.30 train. Unfortunately the taxi got stuck in a traffic jam, and by the time I got to Waterloo, the train had just gone. I had to wait an hour for the next one. I bought an evening newspaper, the ‘Standard’, and wandered over to the station buffet. At that time of day it's nearly empty, so I bought a coffee and a packet of biscuits... chocolate biscuits. I'm very fond of chocolate biscuits. There were plenty of empty tables and I found one near the window. I sat down and began doing the crossword. I always enjoy doing crossword puzzles.

After a couple of minutes a man sat down opposite me. There was nothing special about him, except that he was very tall. In fact he looked like a typical city businessman... you know, dark suit and briefcase. I didn't say anything and I carried on with my crossword. Suddenly he reached across the table, opened my packet of biscuits, took one, dipped it into his coffee and popped it into his mouth. I couldn't believe my eyes! I was too shocked to say anything. Anyway, I didn't want to make a fuss, so I decided to ignore it. I always avoid trouble if I can. I just took a biscuit myself and went back to my crossword.

When the man took a second biscuit, I didn't look up and I didn't make a sound. I pretended to be very interested in the puzzle. After a couple of minutes, I casually put out my hand, took the last biscuit and glanced at the man. He was staring at me furiously. I nervously put the biscuit in my mouth, and decided to leave. I was ready to get up and go when the man suddenly pushed back his chair, stood up and hurried out of the buffet. I felt very relieved and decided to wait two or three minutes before going myself. I finished my coffee, folded my newspaper and stood up. And there, on the table, where my newspaper had been, was my packet of biscuits.

1. Do + the V-ing

Ex:

do the cooking

ironing

shopping

washing

cleaning

bathing

gardening

booking

The verbal expressions indicate the action described by the very verbs that have the suffix (-ing)

2. Do + noun

Ex:

do one's task

job

work

duty

homework

assignment

service

Here do means perform or work at

3. Do + an academic Subject

Ex:

Do maths

history

physics

economics

TO MAKE

1. Make + Noun: The meaning of this formation is equivalent to that of the verb derived from the nouns. However, English speakers prefer these verbal idiomatic expressions as they are more colorful and graceful.

Ex: make a decision - decide

make an attempt - attempt

make a suggestion - suggest

2. Make +Noun as a fixed phrase

Ex:

Make a bed

speech

noise

date

DO & MAKE + OBJECT

1. An object can separated from its verb. This is not true when we use the nouns derived verbs alone.

Ex:

Make a decision - that is a very difficult decision for the president to make.

Make a suggestion - It would be a very valuable suggestion to make if it could be made possible.

2. A modifier can be used with the object

Ex:

He has made a stupid mistake.

She has done her dirty work

The gentleman made his kind offer of help to the lady.

The businessman did make several arrangements with your hornounable company.

Make an excuse - He is late today and how good an excuse he has made.

Do the shopping - The last shopping he did was on August 12th. Since then he had not been found anywhere.

Expressions

get stuck

make a fuss

I couldn't believe my eyes!