Horses that ate people. And before them, a house of mourning, and a wrestling match with Death himself.
The Labours of Heracles · B2+
Labour Eight: The Mares of Diomedes
Had better, be bound to, provided that, wish + would, what-clefts, not until + inversion, supposed to have, in case, might as well and be used to: B2+ grammar for a wrestling match with Death and four terrible horses.
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SOPHIA
MARCOS
With Death?
The story
After the old stories of Heracles
On the way to Thrace, Heracles stayed with King Admetus, whose wife Alcestis had just died in his place. “You may stay,” said Admetus, “provided you respect that this is a house of mourning.” What Admetus needed was not sympathy, but a miracle. Heracles went to the tomb and wrestled Death, and won Alcestis back.
In Thrace, King Diomedes fed his mares on human flesh. The mares were supposed to have eaten dozens of travellers. “If you feed horses on meat, there’s bound to be trouble,” said Demetria.
Not until midnight did they reach the stables. The guards were asleep, so they might as well go at once. Heracles took chains in case the mares broke free. “You’d better tie them very carefully,” he told his friends.
At first, the mares weren’t used to eating grass. But they learned. And Demetria wishes Marcos would stop interrupting.
Had better; bound to
PHILO
You’d better tie them carefully.
DEMETRIA
Feed horses on meat, and there’s bound to be trouble.
SOPHIA
had better + bare verb: strong advice with a warning. be bound to: certain to happen.
Provided; in case; might as well
MARCOS
You may stay, provided you’re respectful. Take chains in case they escape. They’re asleep, so we might as well go.
SOPHIA
provided (that) = only if. in case = as a precaution. might as well = there’s no reason not to.
What-clefts; not until
PHILO
What Admetus needed was a miracle. Not until midnight did they reach the stables.
SOPHIA
A what-cleft puts the focus at the end. Not until… at the start causes inversion: did they reach.
Supposed to have; wish + would; be used to
DEMETRIA
The mares are supposed to have eaten dozens. I wish Marcos would stop interrupting. They weren’t used to eating grass.
SOPHIA
supposed to have + pp: what people say happened. wish + would: annoyance. be used to + -ing: accustomed to.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| had better + verb; be bound to | warning; certainty | You’d better tie them. There’s bound to be trouble. |
| provided; in case; might as well | condition; precaution; no reason not to | in case they escape |
| What X needed was… | cleft sentence | What he needed was a miracle. |
| Not until… did… | inversion | Not until midnight did they arrive. |
| supposed to have; wish + would; used to + -ing | report; annoyance; accustomed | They weren’t used to eating grass. |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the correct form.
1. You’d better ___ them carefully.
2. There’s ___ to be trouble.
3. You may stay, ___ you are quiet.
4. Not until midnight ___ the stables.
5. What Admetus needed ___ a miracle.
6. At first, they weren’t used to ___ grass.
B · Write
Write the missing word.
7. Take the chains in the mares break free.
8. The guards are asleep. We might as go now.
9. The mares are supposed to eaten travellers.
10. I wish you stop interrupting!
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “You had better to go now.”
12. “Not until dawn did the guards wake up.”
13. “I wish I would be braver.”
Now play Labour Eight yourself, as Heracles!Play the gamebook →