ashamed/embarressed

[Anonymous]

Consider:
1-I was ashamed to talk to them about it.
2-I was ashamed to be talking to them about it.

3-I was embarrassed to talk to them about it.
4-I was embarrassed to be talking to them about it.

In which case:
a-I did talk to them.
b-I didn't talk to them.
c-One cannot tell.

 

[RonBee]

Consider:
1-I was ashamed to talk to them about it.
2-I was ashamed to be talking to them about it.

3-I was embarrassed to talk to them about it.
4-I was embarrassed to be talking to them about it.

In which case:
a-I did talk to them.
b-I didn't talk to them.
c-One cannot tell.

My opinion is that in all your examples the conversation did take place. If you would say "I was too embarrassed to talk to them about it" that would indicate that the person's embarrassment kept the conversation from taking place.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Consider:
1-I was ashamed to talk to them about it.
2-I was ashamed to be talking to them about it.

3-I was embarrassed to talk to them about it.
4-I was embarrassed to be talking to them about it.

In which case:
a-I did talk to them.
b-I didn't talk to them.
c-One cannot tell.

Good question. # 1 and #3 leave the reader in doubt as to whether the conversation took place. It may have or may not have occurred. In #2 and #4, because of the progressive infinitive, it is clear that conversation took place.