Speech patterns

1. ...there was something disturbingly resolute and self-impor­ tant in the way he asked her...

There was something strange in (about) the way he greeted me

that morning.

There was something disturbing (in) about the way the girl

entered the room.

There is something special in the way she dresses on Sundays.

2. He was a stocky man with large dark eyes so intense as to sug­ gest they were about to cross.

I think the speaker is about to conclude his speech.

I have a strange feeling that something terrible is about to

happen.

The satellite launch is about to commence.

3. This was the most she had said in all the months she had lived in the house.

This was the most he had eaten in a long time. This was the most I had heard from my family all year. While your pupil is recovering he can only read the book. This will be the most you can expect of him.

4. .. .tuned or not the Aeolian had never made such sounds. Clum­ sy or not she was a good basketball player.

Busy or not Mr Jones always finds time for his students.