Page 639 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

616 1
2
3 infinitive or -ing
After way (meaning 'method'l'manner') we can use an infinitive structure or o f . . .ing. There is no important difference between the two structures.
There's no way to prove I o f proving that he was stealing.
4 wayofandmeansof
S
Way ofis unusual before a noun (except in the common expression way of life). We use means ofor method ofinstead.
The 19th century saw a revolution in means oftransport. (NOT .•. ways iff ffllrtSfJ6f't. )
They tried all possible methods o f instruction, but the child learnt nothing.
in the way and on the way
These expressions are quite different. In the/ my/etc way is used for obstacles - things that stop people getting where they want to.
I can't get the car out because those boxes are in the way.
Please don't stand in the kitchen door - you're in my way.
On the/my etc way means 'during the journey/movement' or 'coming'.
We'll have lunch on our way. Spring is on the way. For by the llIay. see 157.8.
weak and strong forms What are weak and strong forms?
Some English words - for example at, for, have, and. us - have two pronunciations: one is used when they are not stressed, and the other when they are. Compare:
I'm looking at /at/ you. What are you looking at /f£t/? stressed or not?
Most of these words are prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions, articles and auxiliary verbs. Such words are not usually stressed, because they are generally found together with other more important words which carry the stress. So the unstressed ('weak') pronunciation is the normal one. This usually has the vowel /a/ or no vowel; a few weak forms are pronounced with /1/.
However, these words can be stressed when they are emphasised, or when there is no other word to carry the stress. In these cases the 'strong'
pronunciation is used. This has the vowel that corresponds to the spelling. Compare:
- I must /mas/ go now.
I really must /mAst/ stop smoking. (stressed for emphasis)
- I was /waz/ late.
It was /waz/ raining.
Yes, it was /WDZ/. (stressed at end of sentence: there is no other word to
be stressed.)
- Where have /av/ you been?
You might have /av/ told me.
What did you have /ha:!v/ for breakfast? (non-auxiliary verb) •
weak and strong forms 616
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