Tonight Heracles must fetch a belt, from the queen of the Amazons.
The Labours of Heracles · C1
Labour Nine: The Belt of Hippolyta
Were to, inverted should, so as not to, lest, albeit, whereby, nor did, on the grounds that, the more… the more and be that as it may: the language of diplomacy, for a mission to the queen of the Amazons.
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SOPHIA
MARCOS
A shopping trip.
The story
After the old stories of Heracles
If Heracles were to take the belt by force, there would be a war. So he left his weapons on the ship, lest the queen misjudge his intentions, and spoke softly so as not to alarm her guards.
Queen Hippolyta received him with courtesy. “Should you need anything during your stay, you have only to ask.” She agreed to give him the belt, albeit with some hesitation, and they reached an agreement whereby it would be given freely.
The queen didn’t want a war, nor did Heracles. Be that as it may, the goddess Hera had other plans. She spread a rumour that the queen was being kidnapped, and the more the rumour spread, the angrier the Amazons became.
The Amazons attacked on the grounds that their queen was in danger. Only the queen herself could stop them.
Were to; inverted should
PHILO
If Heracles were to take it by force, there would be war.
MARCOS
Should you need anything, just ask.
SOPHIA
if + were to + verb: a formal, hypothetical future. Should + subject + verb replaces if in formal offers.
So as not to; lest
DEMETRIA
He spoke softly so as not to alarm the guards, and left his weapons lest the queen misjudge him.
SOPHIA
so as not to + verb: negative purpose. lest + base verb (very formal) = for fear that.
Albeit; whereby; nor did
PHILO
She agreed, albeit with hesitation. An agreement whereby the belt would be given. She didn’t want war, nor did he.
SOPHIA
albeit + phrase = although. whereby = by which. nor + auxiliary + subject adds another negative.
On the grounds that; the more… the; be that as it may
DEMETRIA
They attacked on the grounds that she was in danger. The more it spread, the angrier they became.
SOPHIA
on the grounds that + clause: giving a reason. The double comparative shows two things changing together. And be that as it may = even so.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| if… were to + verb; Should you… | formal conditionals | If he were to take it… Should you need anything… |
| so as not to; lest + base verb | negative purpose | lest she misjudge him |
| albeit; whereby | although (+ phrase); by which | albeit reluctantly; an agreement whereby… |
| nor did…; on the grounds that | additional negative; reason | nor did Heracles |
| the more…, the -er…; be that as it may | changing together; concession | The more it spread, the angrier they became. |
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. If he ___ take it by force, there would be war.
2. ___ you need anything, just ask.
3. He spoke softly ___ alarm the guards.
4. He left his weapons, lest the queen ___ him.
5. She agreed, ___ with some hesitation.
6. The more it spread, ___ angrier they became.
B · Write
Write the missing word.
7. The queen didn’t want war, did Heracles.
8. They reached an agreement the belt would be given freely.
9. They attacked on the grounds she was in danger.
10. Be that as it , Hera had other plans.
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “Albeit he was tired, he kept going.”
12. “Should the queen agree, there will be peace.”
13. “He left early so as to not be seen.”
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