Odysseus, in disguise, knocks on the door of his old swineherd, Eumaeus.
The Odyssey · B2
Book Fourteen: The Swineherd
Let him come, have them killed, if only, accused of, likely to, no use, insisted, however, few and neither: B2 grammar for a loyal servant who doesn’t know his master.
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SOPHIA
PHILO
Will Eumaeus recognise him?
The story
After Homer’s Odyssey
The dogs rushed at the beggar, but Eumaeus called them off. “Let him come in,” he said, and gave him food. “If only my master were here!” he said. “The suitors eat his pigs every day. He would have them all killed.”
Eumaeus didn’t believe the beggar’s stories. “Beggars are likely to say anything for a meal,” he said. “It’s no use telling me he’s alive.” He had been accused of foolishness before. However, he was kind.
Few men would share their last food with a beggar. Neither Eumaeus nor the beggar slept much. It was cold, and Eumaeus insisted that the beggar take his own cloak.
Let; have them killed
MARCOS
“Let him come in.” He would have them all killed.
SOPHIA
let + person + base verb. have + object + past participle: causative, someone else does it.
If only; likely to; no use
DEMETRIA
If only my master were here! Beggars are likely to say anything. It’s no use telling me.
SOPHIA
if only + past = strong wish. be likely to + verb. it’s no use + -ing.
Accused of; insisted; however; few; neither
PHILO
Accused of foolishness. He insisted that the beggar take his cloak. However, he was kind. Few men would share. Neither of them slept.
SOPHIA
accuse of + noun / -ing. insist that + base verb. few = not many.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| let + verb; have + obj + pp | permission; causative | He would have them killed. |
| if only + past; likely to | wish; probability | If only he were here! |
| no use + -ing; accused of | pointless; blame | It’s no use telling me. |
| insist that; few; neither | subjunctive; not many; not either | Few men would share. |
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. “___ him come in,” said Eumaeus.
2. He would have them all ___.
3. If only my master ___ here!
4. Beggars are likely ___ anything.
5. It’s no use ___ me he’s alive.
6. He was accused ___ foolishness.
B · Write
Write the missing word or words.
7. He insisted that the beggar his cloak. (take)
8. , he was kind.
9. men would share their last food. (not many)
10. Eumaeus nor the beggar slept much.
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “It’s no use to cry.”
12. “If only he were here!”
13. “He had them kill.”
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