Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Curso de Ingles Woodward
Curso de Ingles Woodward
Curso de Ingles Woodward
BASICO
Adverbs of Frequency
We use some adverbs to describe how frequently we do an activity.
These are called adverbs of frequency and include:
Some people pronounce the 'T' in often but many others do not.
These are also known as Adverbs of INDEFINITE frequency as the exact frequency is not defined.
Subject + to be + adverb
They are never pleased to see me.
She isn't usually bad tempered.
When we use an auxiliary verb (have, will, must, might, could, would, can, etc.), the adverb is placed
between the auxiliary and the main verb. This is also true for to be.
every day
once a month
twice a year
four times a day
every other week
daily
monthly
These are also known as Adverbs of DEFINITE frequency as the exact frequency is specified.
See our video for details about these types of Adverbs:
My dog is slow.
Slow is an adjective since it describes the subject (my dog).
How is my dog? Slow
Adverbs describe verbs (actions).
Adverbs ending in -Y
For adjectives that end in -y, we remove the -y and add -ily:
crazy crazily
happy happily
Irregular Adverbs
Some adverbs are irregular:
Adjective Adverb Example
fast fast The man drives very fast (quickly).
good well You speak English very well.
I can speak Spanish. (= it is possible for me to speak Spanish = I have the ability to speak
Spanish)
He can swim well.
We can see our neighbour in the garden.
They can play the guitar.
For more uses of Can see: Modal Verbs: Can - Could
Negative
To form the negative we add "not" after can to form one word: cannot.
We can also contract the negative to form can't. (can't = cannot)
Questions
To from the question we change the position of the subject and the auxiliary verb.
The main verb is still in the infinitive without to.
You can see many stars at night from here. (= people in general can see many
stars)
It doesn't necessarily refer to you but people in general.
Do vs. Does
To make a question in English we normally use Do or Does. It is normally put at the beginning
of the question (before the subject).
Affirmative: You speak Spanish.
Question: Do you speak Spanish?
You will see that we add DO at the beginning of the affirmative sentence to make it a question.
We use Do when the subject is I, you, we or they.
Affirmative: He speaks Spanish.
Question: Does he speak Spanish?
When the subject is he, she or it, we add DOES at the beginning to make the affirmative
sentence a question. Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence
(because it is in third person) disappears in the question. We will see the reason why below.
We DON'T use Do or Does in questions that have the verb To Be or Modal Verbs (can, must,
might, should etc.)
Word Order of Questions with Do and Does
The following is the word order to construct a basic question in English using Do or Does.
Do/Does Subject Verb* The rest of the sentence
Do I / you / we / they have / buy
cereal for breakfast?
Does he / she / it eat / like etc.
*Verb: The verb that goes here is the base form of the infinitive = The infinitive without TO before the
verb. Instead of the infinitive To have it is just the have part.
Remember that the infinitive is the verb before it is conjugated (changed) and it begins with TO. For
example: to have, to eat, to go, to live, to speak etc.
Champagne is a drink.
Paris is a city.
France is a country.
French is a language.
Europe is a continent.
Note that we normally use an article (A / AN) before a singular noun.
Articles + Nouns
'A' or 'AN' are articles. In English we normally use articles before singular nouns.
A is used before a word that begins with a consonant.
AN is used before a word that begins with a vowel.
Vowels: A, E, I, O, U.
Consonants: B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z.
For example:
I wanted
You wanted
He wanted
She wanted
It wanted
We wanted
They wanted
So you just have to learn one word to be able to use it in the past tense. In this case we just needed to learn
the one word wanted which can be used for all subjects (or people).
play – played
cook – cooked
rain – rained
wait – waited
There are some exceptions with a slight change in spelling which you can see here:
Note: There are three different ways of pronouncing the –ed at the end of a verb in the past tense.
Negative sentences in the Past Tense
We use didn't (did not) to make a negative sentence in the past tense.
This is for regular AND irregular verbs in English.
(Exception is To Be and Modal Verbs such as Can)
Compare the following:
Present: They don't live in Canada.
Past: They didn't live in Canada.
The main verb (live in the example above) is in its base form (of the infinitive). The auxiliary DIDN'T shows that
the sentence is negative AND in the past tense.
NOTICE: The only difference between a negative sentence in the present tense and a negative sentence in the
past tense is the change in the auxiliary verb.
Both don't and doesn't in the present tense become didn't in the past tense.
Compare the negative sentences in the examples below:
Present: You don't need a mechanic.
Past: You didn't need a mechanic.
Present: You don't walk to work.
Past: You didn't walk to work.
Present: He doesn't speak Japanese.
Past: He didn't speak Japanese
BUT, as we mentioned before, it is only in its irregular form (went) in sentences that are affirmative/positive.
Compare the following using GO in the past tense.
Part One
The following is a list of Irregular Verbs in English:
* HANG - Hang has two different meanings. The first is "to attach (or hang) something in a high position" (e.g.
on the wall or on a hook). In this case we use the above verbs Hang-Hung-Hung.
BUT when Hang means "to kill someone by putting a rope around someone's neck and leaving them in a high
position without any support", we use different verbs: Hang-Hanged-hanged. This verb is typical of public
executions in the past. (e.g. They hanged him in the main square.)
** LIE - Lie has two meanings. When it means "to put your body in a horizontal position" (normally on a bed) it
uses the Lie-Lay-Lain verbs.
BUT it is regular Lie-Lied-Lied when it has the other meaning of "not to say the truth".
*** READ - Even though they are written the same, the pronunciation is different in the Past Tense and Past
Participle form.
Part Two
The following verbs can be regular or irregular:
The second form (burnt, dreamt etc.) is more common in British English.
Part Three
Verbs that have the same form in Present, Past and Past Participle form:
Singular Plural
car cars
house houses
book books
bird birds
pencil pencils
However:
1. When the noun ends in S, SH, CH, X or Z*, we add -ES to the noun.
Singular Plural
kiss kisses
wish wishes
match matches
fox foxes
quiz quizzes*
Singular Plural
boy boys
holiday holidays
key keys
guy guys
3. When the noun ends in a CONSONANT + Y, we remove Y and add -IES to the noun.
Singular Plural
party parties
lady ladies
story stories
nanny nannies
city cities
4. If the noun ends in F or FE, we remove the F/FE and add -VES to the noun.
Singular Plural
life lives
leaf leaves
thief thieves
wife wives
Some exceptions: roof - roofs, cliff - cliffs, chief - chiefs, belief - beliefs, chef - chefs
Singular Plural
tomato tomatoes
potato potatoes
echo echoes
hero heroes
Some exceptions: piano - pianos, halo - halos, photo - photos
NOTE: Volcano has two correct forms of plural. Both volcanos and volcanoes are accepted.
6. There are a number of nouns that don't follow these rules. They are irregular and you need to learn them
individually because they don't normally have an S on the end.
Singular Plural
man men
woman women
child children
foot feet
tooth teeth
goose geese
mouse mice
7. There are some nouns in English that are the same in the singular and the plural.
Singular Plural
fish fish
sheep sheep
deer deer
moose moose
aircraft aircraft
8. If the noun ends in IS, we change it to ES. Words that end in IS usually have a Greek root.
Singular Plural
analysis analyses
basis bases
crisis crises
9. If the noun ends in US, we change it to I. Words that end in US usually have a Latin root.
Singular Plural
cactus cacti
fungus fungi
stimulus stimuli
syllabus syllabi
Some exceptions: octupus - octupuses (because it is from Greek, not Latin), walrus - walruses
Possessive Adjectives
Possessive adjectives are used to show possession or ownership of something. While we use them when we
refer to people, it is more in the sense of relationship than ownership.
The possessive adjectives in English are as follows:
The possessive adjective needs to agree with the possessor and not with the thing that is possessed.
Examples
Possessive
Subject
Pronouns
I Mine
You Yours
He His
She Hers
It --- *
We Ours
You (pl) Yours
They Theirs
* We avoid using the possessive pronoun ITS.
Examples:
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs in English in the present tense follow very simple rules. The only change that is made to these
verbs is in the third person – for He, She or It.
1. If the verb ends in SS, X, CH, SH or the letter O, we add + ES in the third person.
2. If the verb ends in a Consonant + Y, we remove the Y and + IES in the third person.
Negative Sentence
To form the negative we use the auxiliary do not. Again, the only variation occurs in the 3rd person where we
use does not.
Positive Negative
I talk I do not talk
She talks She does not talk
You sleep You do not sleep
He sleeps He does not sleep
Carol studies Carol does not study
We study We do not study
In the negative, the main verb is always in the bare infinitive (without TO). It doesn't change for the third
person. We don't put an S on the end of the verb in the negative form. In the examples above - talk, sleep and
study do not change in the 3rd person.
He speaks Italian
He doesn't speak Italian.
Remember: Do not can be abbreviated to Don't and Does not can be abbreviated to Doesn't.
Present Tense vs Progressive Tense
Simple Present Tense
We use the simple present tense:
1. For facts
Permanent Temporary
Simon lives in Birmingham. Simon is living with his friends for now.
James smokes. James is smoking in the kitchen.
We walk to work. We're walking in the park.
I speak English. I am speaking English right now.
Different Meanings
In questions the same verb can change the meaning depending on if it is in the present or the present
progressive tense.
Statement Meaning
What do you do? What is your job?
What are you doing? What are you doing at the moment?
What do you read? What do you like to read?
What are you reading? What are you reading right now?
Present vs Progressive vs Past Tense
Present Tense
We use the present tense:
1. For facts.
3. For habits
4. For things that are generally true in the present time period.
We use the present tense when the beginning or ending of an action, event or condition is unknown or
unimportant to the meaning of the sentence.
Progressive Tense
We use the present progressive tense:
1. When somebody is doing something at the moment.
3. To talk about something that is happening around the time of speaking but not necessarily at that
exact moment.
A sentence in the Present Continuous indicates that the action, event or condition is ongoing. It is happening at
this point in time and emphasizing the continuing nature of an act, event or condition.
Past Tense
The Past Tense is used:
1. To indicate that an action, event or condition has started and finished. It can be included with a time
reference (for more information) or without.
It can be included with a time reference (for more information) or without it.
Progressive I'm living in Peru I'm not living in Peru. Are you living in Peru?
Past I lived in Peru. I didn't live in Peru. Did you live in Peru?
Object Pronouns
The seven basic pronouns have one form when they are used as subjects and another form when they are
used as objects.
Subjects are what the sentence is about. (See more about Subject Pronouns)
Objects are what is affected by the action of the subject.
PRONOUNS
I Me
You You
He Him
She Her
It It
We Us
You (plural) You
They Them
Object pronouns are used instead of nouns, usually because we already know what the object is. It makes the
sentence easier to read and understand and avoids repetition. We normally use object pronouns after a verb or
a preposition.
Examples
You are sitting on it! (The listener probably doesn't know what the speaker refers to).
The letter is on the sofa. You are sitting on it! (It is obvious in the second sentence that the reference is
to the letter)
Question Words in English
The most common question words in English are the following:
WHO
WHO is only used when referring to people. (= I want to know the person)
WHERE
WHERE is used when referring to a place or location. (= I want to know the place)
WHEN
WHEN is used to refer to a time or an occasion. (= I want to know the time)
WHY
WHY is used to obtain an explanation or a reason. (= I want to know the reason)
WHAT
WHAT is used to refer to specific information. (= I want to know the thing)
WHICH
WHICH is used when a choice needs to be made. (= I want to know the thing between alternatives)
With HOW there are a number of other expressions that are used in questions:
How much – refers to a quantity or a price (uncountable nouns)
In most cases, it is possible to give a short answer or a long answer to a question in English. In casual
conversation, short answers are much more common than long answers. Long answers are for more formal
conversations or if you want to give more information in your response.
Examples
You will notice that long answers often sound repetitive. A long answer to one of these questions would be
considered very formal in English, and in most cases, unnecessary.
Remember, when you are accepting or refusing something to say 'yes, please' or 'no, thank you'. It is much
more common to give short answers to questions like these:
Examples
Are you from Chile?
- Yes, I am. (= Yes, I am from Chile)
- No, I'm not. (= No, I am not from Chile)
Is he an engineer?
- Yes, he is. (= Yes, he is an engineer)
- No, he isn't. (= No, he isn't an engineer)
Simple Present Tense
The simple present tense in English is used to describe an action that is regular, true or normal.
We use the present tense:
1. For repeated or regular actions in the present time period.
go – goes
catch – catches
wash – washes
kiss – kisses
fix – fixes
buzz – buzzes
2. For verbs that end in a consonant + Y, we remove the Y and add -IES.
marry – marries
study – studies
carry – carries
worry – worries
NOTE: For verbs that end in a vowel + Y, we just add -S.
play – plays
enjoy – enjoys
say – says
Negative Sentences in the Simple Present Tense
To make a negative sentence in English we normally use Don't or Doesn't with all verbs EXCEPT To
Be and Modal verbs (can, might, should etc.).
Negative Contractions
Don't = Do not
Doesn't = Does not
I don't like meat = I do not like meat.
There is no difference in meaning though we normally use contractions in spoken English.
Infinitive ED form
to play played
to wait waited
to work worked
to rain rained
Spelling Exceptions
The following exceptions exist when spelling words ending in ED:
1). If a word ends in an E we just add the D to the end.
Infinitive ED form
to live lived
to love loved
to smile smiled
to dance danced
Infinitive ED form
to stop stopped
to admit admitted
to plan planned
to refer referred
to commit committed
What happened?
I entered through the back door.
She was offered a new position with a higher salary.
Many people are suffered from a lack of food and water.
4). BUT, we DO NOT double the final consonant when the word ends in W, X or Y or when the final syllable is
not stressed.
Infinitive ED form
to fix fixed
to enjoy enjoyed
to snow snowed
ED form ED form
Infinitive
(UK) (US)
to travel travelled traveled
to marvel marveled marveled
Spelling exceptions
The following exceptions exist when spelling words ending in ING:
1). If the verb ends in an E we remove the E and add ING.
People are living longer now than they were 100 years ago.
We are making a chocolate cake.
He was taking his time to get ready.
2). If the verb ends in a consonant + vowel + consonant, we double the final consonant and add ING.
What is happening?
They are offering a discount.
Many people are suffering from a lack of food and water.
4). But, we do not double the final consonant when the verb ends in W, X or Y or when the final syllable is not
emphasized.
Positive Sentences
We use there is for singular and there are for plural.
Contractions
The contraction of there is is there's.
Negative Form
The negative is formed by putting not after is or are:
Questions
To form a question we place is / are in front of there.
Again we use any with plural questions or those which use uncountable nouns.
We also use there is / are in short answers.
THEIR
Their is a possessive adjective which is used before a noun. It shows possession, that something belongs to
them.
THEY'RE
They're is a contraction of they are.
e.g. They're happy = They are happy
They're is usually before an adjective or a verb ending in ING.
Example sentence...
So now you know the difference let's try the original question:
Here is a chart we have created to show you more about the difference:
This - That - These -Those
- Demonstratives
This, That, These, Those are called demonstratives and they are used to show the relative distance
between the speaker and the noun.
Demonstrative Pronouns
We use this (singular) and these (plural) to refer to something that is here / near.
Examples:
We use that (singular) and those (plural) to refer to something that is there / far.
Examples:
Note that the verb changes (i.e. singular / plural) depending on the pronoun that you use.
You can also use Demonstrative Pronouns by themselves:
Demonstrative Adjectives
You can also use demonstratives before a noun. These are called demonstrative adjectives.
The Demonstrative Adjective needs to agree (= be the same form) as the noun.
Examples of demonstrative adjectives:
This is
The expression this is is commonly used when you talk on the phone or you introduce people.
Examples:
Alarmed - Alarming
Aggravated - Aggravating
Amused - Amusing
Annoyed - Annoying
Astonished - Astonishing
Astounded - Astounding
Bored - Boring
Captivated - Captivating
Challenged - Challenging
Charmed - Charming
Comforted - Comforting
Confused - Confusing
Convinced - Convincing
Depressed - Depressing
Disappointed - Disappointing
Discouraged - Discouraging
Disgusted - Disgusting
Distressed - Distressing
Disturbed - Disturbing
Embarrassed - Embarrassing
Encouraged - Encouraging
Entertained - Entertaining
Excited - Exciting
Exhausted - Exhausting
Fascinated - Fascinating
Frightened - Frightening
Frustrated - Frustrating
Fulfilled - Fulfilling
Gratified - Gratifying
Inspired - Inspiring
Insulted - Insulting
Interested - Interesting
Moved - Moving
Overwhelmed - Overwhelming
Perplexed - Perplexing
Pleased - Pleasing
Relaxed - Relaxing
Relieved - Relieving
Satisfied - Satisfying
Shocked - Shocking
Sickened - Sickening
Soothed - Soothing
Surprised - Surprising
Tempted - Tempting
Terrified - Terrifying
Threatened - Threatening
Thrilled - Thrilling
Tired - Tiring
Touched - Touching
Troubled - Troubling
Unsettled - Unsettling
Worried - Worrying
Adjectives - Word Order
An adjective is a word that describes something (a noun) or someone (a person).
Adjectives sometimes appear after the verb To Be
He is short.
She is tall.
Red car
Old hat
BUT… Sometimes you want to use more than one adjective to describe something (or someone).
What happens if a hat is both old AND ugly?
Do we say… an ugly old hat OR an old ugly hat?
An ugly old hat is correct because a certain order for adjectives is expected
(Note, you may hear the other version old ugly hat, though it doesn't sound natural)
So what is the correct order of adjectives when we put them before a noun or the thing they describe?
Here is a chart that shows the main word order for adjectives in English:
Shape / Weight / Length: Tells about the shape of something or how long or short it is. It can also refer to the
weight of someone or something.
If you look at the examples above, you can ask… what are the gloves used for? (gardening) What is the bag
used for? (shopping)
And after these we adjectives we have the…
Noun: The person or thing that is being described
Types of Adverbs
There are many types of adverbs, such as:
Adverbs of Frequency - always, sometimes, never, once a week, hourly, etc.
Adverbs of Manner - carefully, slowly, loudly
Adverbs of Time - tomorrow, now, this year, next week, soon, then
Adverbs of Place/Location - here, there, above, everywhere
Adverbs of Degree - very, extremely, rather, almost, nearly, too, quite
Adverbs of Quantity - a few, a lot, much
Adverbs of Attitude - fortunately, apparently, clearly
He speaks clearly.
When there is an object, the adverb is usually placed after the verb + object:
However, adverbs are never positioned between the verb and the object.
There are exceptions these rules such as Adverbs of indefinite frequency that go before the verb. See each
section we have about adverbs for more details and exceptions.
Adverbs vs. Adjectives
Adjectives
Adjectives describe nouns (things).
My dog is slow.
Adverbs
Adverbs describe verbs (actions).
He is very rich.
They are extremely happy.
She was totally crazy.
My dog is well trained.
Though sometimes we use well as an adjective when we are talking about health and well-being.
A: How are you today?
B: I'm well, thanks.
(I'm well is a better and more common answer to this question than 'Fine' or 'Good', although these are also
reasonably common.)
All - Every - Each
The difference between All, Every, and Each - Quick
Explanation
All means the total number of people or things considered as a group.
Every means all members of a group considered individually.
Each means all members of a group considered individually though we think of them more one by one.
Every book in the course must be read before the end of the semester.
Each book in the course must be read before the end of the semester.
(= This book and that book and that book etc. of the group of books) We use each when we think of them
more as one by one. There is a little less emphasis on the individual with Every when comparing it to Each.
However notice that every cannot be used when referring to two things and is not common with small
numbers.
We cannot use Each with the words Almost or Nearly. Here we use Every.
-- EVERY --
Every refers to all members of a group though considered individually. It can be used to talk about three or
more people/things.
I have visited every country in South America (we do NOT say: every countries)
I can understand every word our teacher says. (we do NOT say: every words)
Note, when you use every + noun as a subject, it uses a singular verb (verb + s)
We can also use every without a number and a singular noun to refer to regular intervals:
-- EACH --
Each refers to all members of a group though we think of them more one by one (individually). Each can be
used to talk about two or more people/things.
Each + one
One can be used to replace the singular countable noun if it has already been mentioned.
A: What do I have to do with these antique vases? B: You need to take each one out of the box very
carefully. (each one = each vase)
Notice how after each of the verb is usually in singular form though when speaking informally, you will
sometimes hear a plural verb used.
Each as a pronoun
Each can be used by itself (without a noun) as a pronoun.
When the students finished to course, each was given a certificate. (Each = each of the students)
Noun/Pronoun + each
Each can be used after the noun (or pronoun) it describes.
The parents gave their children some pocket money. To avoid problems, they each received the same
amount.
I have four books to sell and they are each worth around five dollars.
They have each been told their responsibilities.
Object + each
Instead of going before/after the subject, each can appear after the object.
This is common when the noun object refers to an amount, how many of something there is or when giving a
price.
My paintings are worth $100 each (= Each of my paintings are worth $100)
I gave my children each an ice cream.
-- ALL --
All refers to the total number of people or things of a group. They are considered as a group and not
individually. There are minimum three things in the group.
All + noun
We can use All with a plural noun to make a generalization about an entire group of something.
Note that All of + singular noun is not common and Whole or Entire used instead of all of.
We can also remove OF before the determiner + noun (but we must use OF before a pronoun)
Pronoun + all
Sometimes you can place All after a pronoun to emphasize that every single one of that group is included.
(= Goodbye John, goodbye Mary, goodbye Daniel… etc. until it has been said to ALL of the students
individually… Yes, there is a lot of repetition)
Another is a determiner (and a qualifier) that goes before a singular countable noun or a pronoun.
Another + One
Another can be placed before “one” when the meaning is clear from the text before it.
I have already eaten two sandwiches though now I want another one. (= an additional sandwich)
A: You can borrow more of these books if you like. B: Ok, I’ll take another one. (= another book, one
more book)
Another as a pronoun
Sometimes another is used as a pronoun.
That piece of cake was tasty. I think I’ll have another. (another = one more piece of cake)
I don’t like this room. Let’s ask for another. (another = another room)
Note: you can also say: “I think I’ll have another one.” and “Let’s ask for another one.”
Remember another is ONE word not two words (an other is incorrect)
Other + Ones
Other can be placed before the pronoun “ones” when the meaning is clear from the text before it.
Note: you can say other one when it refers to wanting the alternative.
Others as a pronoun
Others replaces “other ones” or "other + plural noun".
Only others can be used as a pronoun and not other.
I don’t like these postcards. Let’s ask for others. (others = other postcards)
Some of the presidents arrived on Monday. Others arrived the following day.
These shoes are too small. Do you have any other shoes?
These shoes are too small. Do you have any others? (no noun after others)
Articles
Definite, Indefinite and No Article
The Indefinite Article – A / AN
We use A/AN with:
1. Singular nouns and the first time we refer to a person, animal or thing.
a child
an elephant
a television
2. We don't use A/AN with possessive pronouns, demonstratives or cardinal numbers.
My shirt is dirty.
This car is expensive.
One person is in the reception.
3. We use ONE (or more) instead of A/AN when the number is important.
a book
a table
a clock
a university (because the beginning of university sounds like YOU-niversity)
AN is used when the next word begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
an apple
an elephant
an umbrella
an hour (because the H is silent)
The Definite Article – THE
We use THE with:
1. A singular or plural noun when it is clear/obvious which person or thing we are talking about.
There is a lamp in my bedroom. (we mention the lamp for the first time)
The lamp is next to the desk.
2. Anything which we identify immediately.
the sun
the moon
the internet.
5. Names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges and deserts (always in capitals).
the west
the south-east
the north-west.
No Article
We use no article with:
1. When we refer to general ideas, plurals or uncountable nouns we do not use THE.
Cape Town
Montana
Vietnam
(Exceptions – The USA, The UK, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, The Philippines).
4. Lakes, single islands, continents or mountains.
Lake Victoria
Jamaica
Asia
Mt Fuji
5. Planets
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
6. Sports or games
soccer
tennis
skiing
monopoly
7. Meals
breakfast
lunch
dinner
supper
Both - Either - Neither
We use both, either and neither to refer to two people or things.
BOTH
Both = the two; that one AND the other one; this one AND that one
Both can be used as a pronoun to refer to two things that we have already mentioned.
Both X and Y
= not only X but also Y
Both + Adjective + and + Adjective
To be + both
Both comes after To Be (or an auxiliary such as have or modal verbs).
Both - Negative
We don’t use both in negative structures. Instead, we normally use Neither.
Neither X nor Y
Neither … nor … is used as a conjunction. It is the opposite of “Both … and …” If a verb comes after this
phrase, that verb is in the singular form (Sometimes you will hear it used in the plural form though it is not
grammatically correct)
Neither John nor Fred likes doing the dishes. (= “Both John and Fred don’t like doing the dishes”)
I want neither the red shirt nor the blue shirt.
I neither smoke nor drink.
Neither of + Pronoun
When using Neither + of + pronoun (you, us, them), we need the preposition OF before that pronoun. (If a verb
comes after this phrase then it is in singular form)
EITHER
Either = any one of the two = this one or the other one
Either is accompanied by an affirmative singular verb and is mostly used in questions or negative sentences
Either X or Y
Either … or … is used as a conjunction. It is used to express alternatives and or a choice between two (and
sometimes more) things. It is used a verb in singular form (Sometimes you will hear it used in the plural form
though it is not grammatically correct).
There are only two options and I’m not interested in either film.
A: Do you want it ready for Thursday or Friday? B: Either day is fine for me.
We’ve been dating for 6 months and I haven’t met either of her parents.
I haven’t read either of these books.
I don’t want either of those apples. Do you have one that is not rotten?
Either + of + Pronoun
When using Either + of + object pronoun (you, us, them), we need the preposition OF before that pronoun.
Either can also be used alone. It means it doesn’t matter which alternative. Sometimes it is accompanied by
the pronoun “one”.
Both forms of pronunciation are correct and supposedly one is British English and the other American English.
However within each country you may hear both forms used.
The same happens with the pronunciation of the word Neither:
CAN
The three main uses of Can are: 1) ability 2) possibility and 3) permission. However there are some other used
of Canas we will see below.
1. To express ability
Can means to be (physically) able to do something OR to know how to do something.
You don't need to walk home. I can take you there if you like.
Can I carry your bags for you?
6. Can't: when you are sure that something isn't true or something is surprising
It can't be dark outside! It's only 4.30pm!
They can't have landed on the moon, I'm sure it's a hoax.
COULD
Could is similar to Can and often replaces Can in the past tense (though not always)
1. To express ability in the past
2. Polite word used to ask for permission or to request something (in the present)
That couldn't be my cat meowing outside, it was hit by a car last week.
He couldn't have painted that. He has no artistic ability at all.
Can vs Could
Comparatives and Superlatives
We use Comparatives and Superlatives to compare two or more nouns.
The formation of the comparative and superlative depends on the number of syllables in the adjective:
One-syllable Adjectives
To form the comparative, we add -er to the end of the adjective.
To form the superlative, we add -est to the end of the adjective.
* When an adjective ends in the letter E, we just add the -R (for comparatives) or -ST (for superlatives). We do
not write two Es together. Wider (correct) not wideer (incorrect).
** When an adjective ends in a consonant + short vowel + consonant (C + V + C), we normally double the last
letter. big - bigger - biggest, wet - wetter - wettest
Irregular Forms
Adjective Comparative Superlative
Puerto Montt is further / farther than Valdivia is from here (in Santiago).
If you require further information, please contact reception.
Remember that the opposites of 'more' and 'most' are 'less' and 'least', respectively.
**** Older - Eldest
We use elder / eldest when we are talking about family relationships and normally only before a noun (not by
itself unless it is a pronoun).
He is my elder brother. (We cannot say: My brother is elder than me. - incorrect)
The eldest sister would pass on her dresses to the younger one.
As you can see, each type of conditional has its own combination of tense used in the if-clause and tense used
the main clause. These different pairings of tenses give each type of conditional its own meaning.
The highlighted words are in the imperative. These sentences are similar to saying: If the first condition
happens, you must do this (in the second/imperative clause).
Would
Modal Verbs
Would is a modal verb. Would is often used in conditional sentences with a clause beginning with "If..." but it
can also be used in the following situations:
WOULD
1. Used as a polite invitation or to offer
It would like to point out that you need to review those numbers.
I wouldn't agree with that.
4. To describe past habits
When I was in Paris last year I would spend hours sitting at coffee shops writing ideas for my novel.
She promised she would send a postcard from Peru.
I told you he would help us.
6. Wouldn't: To describe a past unwillingness (refusal)
If I go to Paris next month for work, I'll visit the Eiffel Tower (Plans)
If I have time, I will help you. (Promise)
If you touch that wire, you will get an electric shock. (Warning)
If you eat my chocolate that is in the fridge, you'll sleep outside with the dog.(Threat)
If you take me to the mall, I'll buy you an ice cream. (Persuasion)
If she doesn't go to university, her parents won't be happy.
If it rains, we will cancel the trip.
If that candidate becomes President, the country will be in trouble.
If I win the competition, I will donate half of the prize money to charity.
Notice how we use a comma after the present tense clause.
We can also reverse the order and use:
If you are nice to me, I may buy you a gift when I'm in Peru.
If they train a little harder, they might win the match.
If he doesn't do his work, he could get fired.
Second Conditional
When we are thinking about a situation in the present or future that is hypothetical, unlikely or impossible,
we use:
If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world. (Though I am unlikely to win the lottery)
If I knew his name, I would tell you.
If I didn't have a headache, I would go to the party.
If I became President, I would reduce the salaries of all politicians. (Though it is unlikely I will become
President)
Notice how we use a comma after the past tense clause.
We can also reverse the order and use:
If I were ...
Note that with the verb To Be we use IF + I / HE / SHE / IT + WERE
The reason we use WERE instead of WAS is because the sentence is in the Subjunctive mood.
If you had been more careful, you wouldn't have had an accident.
If I had seen you, I would have said hello.
If he had asked me, I would have helped him.
If you had studied, they would have passed the exam.
If I had known, I wouldn't have done that.
Notice how this tense can be used to say that you regret doing something or when you are telling someone off
(reproaching someone). This type of conditional can also be used when making excuses.
We can also change the word order of the sentence...
I wouldn't have left my job if I had known how difficult it is to find another one.
I would have taken a photo if I had brought my camera with me.
He would have died if the ambulance hadn't arrived quickly.
She would have gone to your birthday party if she hadn't been sick.
He wouldn't have become lost if he had taken the map with him.
The team would have won if the referee hadn't taken the bribe.
You wouldn't haved needed fillings if you had brushed your teeth more frequently.
Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns
A) Most nouns have singular and plural forms. They are countable nouns.
e.g. One letter, two letters
B) Some nouns only have one form. They are uncountable nouns.
e.g. Money
I) There are a range of nouns that are uncountable in English but are countable in other languages.
These include: accommodation, advice, baggage, behaviour, bread, chaos, damage, furniture, information,
luck, luggage, news, permission, progress, scenery, traffic, weather and work.
J) For comparison purposes, look at these sentences:
Countable Uncountable
Sometimes both phrases are used in the same sentence to mean that you did something or something
happened non-stop or without pausing.
I have been studying all day, every day for the last two weeks.
You should wear an elegant dress for the wedding, not just an everyday one.
Even though he has won some money, it hasn't changed his everyday life.
Some everyday activities damage the environment.
Why do you always use those big words that are not common in everyday language?
You've been wearing that same shirt every day this week. You need to change it!
You should take a shower every day.
Low prices, every day! (A sign in a shop)
Woodward English publishes new material on Twitter every day.
Another tip is that the word everyday is followed by a noun and is not used by itself at the end of a sentence.
Pronunciation of Every day and Everyday.
The main difference in pronunciation between every day and everyday is where the accent (or word stress) is
placed.
Everyday: the stress is on the first syllable … EVeryday.
Every day: the stress is on the word day … every DAY.
For - Since
The use of FOR
We use For when we measure the duration – when we say how long something lasts.
For + a period of time
To measure a period of time up to the present, we use the present perfect tense and not the present tense.
Uses of For
FOR to mention a specific period (or SINCE to mention the starting point of a period of time
duration) of time. (continues to now).
I have been a doctor for fifteen years.
I have been a doctor since 1992. (starting point = 1994)
(duration = 15 years)
She has been a mother for six months. She has been pregnant since her first child was born.
My sister has lived in Frankfurt for nine
My sister has lived in Frankfurt since the beginning of March.
months.
Both For and Since are most commonly used with the perfect tense - we don't use these expressions in the
present tense.
Correct Incorrect
I have learnt Russian for three years. I learn Russian for three years.
They have taught geography since last year. They teach geography since last year.
He has owned his dog since his cat died. He owns his dog since his cat dies.
While we can use For in the simple past tense we can't use Since in the simple past tense. Since can only be
used in the perfect tense.
Correct Incorrect
She went to Japan for three years. She went to Japan since 2003.
I studied in New Zealand for one month. I studied in New Zealand since one month.
He walked his dog for four hours. He walked his cat since four hours.
It should be remembered that both For and Since have other meanings in English that are not associated with
time.
1. It does not change in the third person (i.e. he, she, it)
2. It is always combined with another verb in the base form (i.e. without 'to')
3. We don't use it with 'Do' in questions or negatives.
Examples of Will:
Contractions
It is possible to use contractions in both positive and negative sentences.
With positive contractions WILL becomes 'LL and is joined to the subject:
Positive
Contraction
I will I'll
You will you'll
He will he'll
She will she'll
It will it'll
We will we'll
You will you'll
They will they'll
Negative
Contraction
I will not I won't
You will not you won't
He will not he won't
She will not she won't
It will not it won't
We will not we won't
You will not you won't
They will not they won't
Questions
To form a question using WILL, we reverse the order of the subject and WILL:
They're going to retire to the beach - in fact they have already bought a little beach house.
I'm going to accept the job offer.
2. When there are definite signs that something is going to happen. (Evidence)
Something is likely to happen based on the evidence or experience you have.
Future Predictions
As you can see, both Will and Going to can be used for making future predictions without having a real
difference in meaning.
Positive Negative
The structure BE GOING TO is normally used to indicate the future in English. We use this structure:
1. When we have already decided or we INTEND to do something in the future. (Prior Plan)
The decision has been made before the moment of speaking.
2. When there are definite signs that something is going to happen. (Evidence)
Something is likely to happen based on the evidence or experience you have.
Subject BE GOING TO
Gonna
Sometimes when we speak quickly, GOING TO sounds like GONNA. While it is grammatically incorrect, it is
used a lot in very informal English. You will also occasionally see the word Gonna written in song titles or in
song lyrics.
I'm gonna go to the beach tomorrow.
= I'm going to go to the beach tomorrow.
He's gonna bring his girlfriend to the party.
= He's going to bring his girlfriend to the party.
How much? - How many?
When we want to know the quantity or amount of something, we ask questions starting with How
much and How many.
If the verb To Be is used with an uncountable noun, it is in singular form (= IS or WAS etc.)
2. To give permission
You may leave the table once you have finished your meal.
You may take only one brochure.
If you have finished the exam, you may leave the room.
May not can be used to NOT give permission or to prohibit someone from doing something.
Note: Might could also be used to request permission but it sounds very old and is not common.
4. May: to talk about typical occurrences
May is used in academic (or scientific) language to refer to things that typically happen in certain situations.
Drivers may feel tired if they do not take a break every 2 hours.
Adults may find it difficult to sleep if they use technology before going to bed.
These tablets may produce serious side effects if not taken in the correct dosage.
The following words are modal verbs: Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Shall, Should, Will, Would.
They are modal auxiliary verbs that provide additional information about the verb that follows it.
Modal verbs are used to express ability, obligation, permission, assumptions, probability and possibility,
requests and offers, and advice. Each modal verb can have more than meaning which depends on the context
of that sentence (or question).
You must not walk on the grass. (= You mustn't walk on the grass.)
As you can see in the examples above, contractions of the Modal verb + not are normally possible.
The negative of can is cannot ('not' is joined to 'can') and the contraction is can't
Can - Could
May - Might
Must
Should
Shall
Will
Would
Much - Many - Lot - Few - Little
We use these words as quantifiers that come at the start of noun phrases and they tell us something
about quantity.
We have lots of time to catch the plane, let's relax. (Uncountable noun)
There are lots of people in the queue today. (Countable)
Oh my, you have spent lots of money on clothes! (Uncountable)
I have lots of questions. (Countable)
She has a lot of money = She has lots of money
Much vs. Many
Much and Many are used to express that there is a large quantity of something.
Much and Many are used in negative sentences and questions.
Many is used with countable nouns
Much is used with uncountable nouns.
There are only a few days left until Christmas. (Countable noun)
I have a few crazy friends. (Countable noun)
I would like a little milk for my coffee. (Uncountable noun)
There is little hope of finding your wallet. (Uncountable noun)
While Few and Little usually have negative meanings, especially when used with very.
MUST
1. To express obligation or duty
This also refers to laws and regulations.
That must have been my mother calling me last night, nobody else has my number.
He must have won the lottery with the new house and car he has just bought.
She must have been at home - her car was there.
5. A strong recommendation
Something that is highly recommended (stronger than using should)
You must not drink that. (= it is forbidden to drink that; it is not allowed)
You don't have to drink that. (= you don't need to drink that but you can if you want)
You mustn't tell John (= Do not tell John)
You don't have to tell John (= you can tell John if you want to but it is not necessary)
Types of Nouns
A noun is a word that functions as the name of something. Nouns are the most common class of word
in English.
Below we have a list of the different types of nouns in English with an explanation of what each one is
and with examples of each type of noun.
Common Nouns
Common nouns are used to name a GENERAL type of person, place or thing.
Common nouns can be divided into smaller classes such as countable and uncountable nouns,
concrete and abstract nouns and collective nouns.
Examples of common nouns: girl, city, animal, friend, house, food
Proper Nouns
Proper nouns are used to name a SPECIFIC person, place or thing. In English, proper nouns begin
with a capital letter. Proper nouns do not normally have a determiner before them
(e.g. the London, the Mary etc.) though there are some exceptions (e.g. Is she the Mary that we met
at the conference?).
Examples of proper nouns: John, London, Pluto, Monday, France
Compound Nouns
Compound nouns are two or more words that create a noun. Compound nouns are sometimes one
word (haircut), words joined by a hyphen (son-in-law) or as separate words (bus stop). The main
stress is normally on the first part of the compound word (sunglasses, swimming pool)
Examples of compound nouns: toothbrush, rainfall, sailboat, mother-in-law, well-being, alarm clock,
credit card
Countable Nouns
Countable nouns are nouns that CAN be counted. They have a singular and a plural form and can be
used with a number. Sometimes countable nouns are called count nouns.
Examples of countable nouns: car, desk, cup, house, bike, eye, butterfly
See more information about Countable vs Uncountable Nouns.
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns are nouns that CANNOT be counted. These are sometimes called Mass Nouns.
Uncountable nouns often refer to:
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are words that refer to a set or group of people, animals or things.
Examples of collective nouns: staff, team, crew, herd, flock, bunch
See our list of Collective Nouns
Concrete Nouns
Concrete nouns are nouns which refer to people and things that exist physically and that at least one
of the senses can detect (can be seen, felt, heard, smelled/smelt, or tasted).
Examples of concrete nouns: dog, tree, apple, moon, coin, sock, ball, water
Abstract Nouns
Abstract nouns are nouns that have no physical existence and are not concrete. They refer to ideas,
emotions or concepts so you CANNOT see, touch, hear, smell or taste something that is an abstract
noun. Many abstract nouns are uncountable.
Examples of abstract nouns: love, time, happiness, bravery, creativity, justice, freedom, speed
Gerunds
A gerund, sometimes called a verbal noun, is a noun formed from a verb. Since all gerunds end in -
ing, they are sometimes confused as being a verb (present participle).
Example: Running is good for you.
Here running looks like a verb because of its -ing ending but it is a noun (gerund) because we are
talking about the concept of running, we are talking about a thing.
Examples of gerunds: reading, writing, dancing, thinking, flying
Parts of Speech
The parts of speech explain how a word is used in a sentence.
There are eight main parts of speech (also know as word classes): nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs,
adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections.
Most parts of speech can be divided into sub-classes.Prepositions can be divided into prepositions of time,
prepositions of place etc. Nouns can be divided into proper nouns, common nouns, concrete nouns etc.
It is important to know that a word can sometimes be in more than one part of speech. For example with the
word increase.
Increase can be a verb e.g. Prices increased
and increase can also be a noun e.g. There was an increase in the number of followers.
Sometimes teachers include Articles as a ninth part of speech so we have included it here. Note, an article is a
type of adjective.
If his passport had not been stolen, Adam would have gone to Brazil.
I wouldn't have known if you hadn't told me.
5. Passive Voice
The west coast of The USA was struck by torrential rain last night.
The painting was stolen in the middle of the night.
Participles as adjectives
Past Participles can also be used like an adjective in front of a noun:
List of Prepositions
The following is a list of prepositions in English:
About
Above
Across
After
Against
Along
Alongside
Around
At
Before
Behind
Below
Beneath
Beside
Besides
Between
Beyond
By
Despite
Down
During
Except
For
From
In
Inside
Into
Near
Of
Off
On
Onto
Opposite
Out
Outside
Past
Round
Since
Through
Throughout
To
Towards
Under
Underneath
Until
Up
Upon
With
Within
Without
Prepositions of Place
The chart demonstrates some of the most common prepositions of place in English.
Prepositions of Place are used to show the position or location of one thing with another.
It answers the question "Where?"
Below we have some more examples of Prepositions of Place:
In front of
A band plays their music in front of an audience.
The teacher stands in front of the students.
The man standing in the line in front of me smells bad.
Teenagers normally squeeze their zits in front of a mirror.
Behind
Behind is the opposite of In front of. It means at the back (part) of something.
When the teacher writes on the whiteboard, the students are behind him (or her).
Who is that person behind the mask?
I slowly down because there was a police car behind me.
Between
Between normally refers to something in the middle of two objects or things (or places).
Next to / Beside
Next to and Beside mean the same thing. It usually refers to a thing (or person) that is at the side of another
thing.
Near / Close to
Near and Close to mean the same thing. It is similar to next to / beside but there is more of a distance between
the two things.
Above / Over
Above and Over have a similar meaning. The both mean "at a higher position than X" but above normally
refers to being directly (vertically) above you.
Under / Below
Under and Below have a similar meaning. They mean at a lower level. (Something is above it).
I get up at 7 o'clock.
My English class starts at 10am.
She finishes work at 6.15
I left the party at midnight.
Midnight (and midday) is a specific hour which is why we use AT.
12am = midnight
12pm = midday / noon
We use AT for a holiday period of two or more days:
B: crabs, rubs
D: cards, words, rides, ends
G: rugs, bags, begs
L: deals calls, falls, hills
M: plums, dreams
N: fans, drains, runs, pens
NG: kings, belongs, sings
R: wears, cures
V: gloves, wives, shelves, drives
Y: plays, boys, says,
THE: clothes, bathes, breathes
VOWEL SOUNDS: sees, fleas
Pronunciation of S cheat sheet
Quantifiers
What are quantifiers?
Quantifiers tell us something about the amount or quantity of something (a noun).
Some quantifiers express a small or large quantity:
Examples of quantifiers
Quantifiers can be a single word (e.g. some) or a phrase (e.g. a lot of). Quantifiers that appear as a phrase are
often called Complex Quantifiers.
Simple Quantifiers: all, another, any, both, each, either, enough, every, few, fewer, little, less, many, more,
much, neither, no, several, some.
Complex Quantifiers: a few, a little, a lot of, lots of
some people
quantifier + adjective + noun
These books are old but some are still in good condition. (Some refers to some books)
Quantifier + Noun
CHART COMING SOON
Subject Reflexive
Pronouns Pronouns
I Myself
You Yourself
He Himself
She Herself
It Itself
We Ourselves
You (pl) Yourselves
They Themselves
If you are using YOU in the plural, the reflexive pronoun is yourselves.
Examples of sentences using reflexive pronouns:
Annabelle was pretty happy last night. I was pretty happy myself.
By + Reflexive Pronouns
We use by + myself/yourself/himself etc when we are alone or not with another person.
You shall be the first person to know. (= I promise that you will be the first person)
I shall get you a new bike for your birthday.
5. Confirmation (Statement of Fact)
Notice how each of these can easily be replaced by will.
A record shall be kept of all students arriving late to class (= school regulations)
Members of the board of directors shall be elected annually (= company regulations)
Shall
Should
Modal Verbs
Should is a modal verb.
After Should you use the base form of the infinitive (= verb without To e.g. Go instead of To Go)
Should + Verb (base form of infinitive)
e.g. You should go now (do not say: You should to go now.)
SHOULD
1. To give advice, a recommendation or a suggestion
This is to say that it is the right thing to do or the correct thing.
Does your tooth still hurt? You should make an appointment with the dentist.
I think you should study for the test so that you don't fail.
Your hair is too long. You should get a haircut.
You really should go to the new restaurant on Main Street.
2. Expresses that a situation is likely in the present
They should win the game because they are a much better team.
I posted the cheque yesterday so it should arrive this week.
It should be fine tomorrow.
4. Expresses an obligation that is not as strong as Must.
Sometimes Should is used instead of Must to make rules, orders or instructions sound more polite. This may
appear more frequently on formal notices or on information sheets.
On hearing the fire alarm, hotel guests should leave their room immediately.
Passengers should check in at least 2 hours before departure time.
You should never lie to your doctor.
You should pay more attention in class.
You should be at work before 9.
All of the above example sentences can have must instead of should making the obligation stronger and less
polite.
5. Was expected in the past but didn't happen (should + have + past participle)
This expresses the idea that the subject did not fulfill their obligation in the past or did not act responsibly.
You should have given your boss the report yesterday when he asked for it.
I should have studied more but I was too tired.
6. Not fulfilling an obligation (should + be + verb-ing)
This expresses the idea that the subject is not fulfilling their obligation or is not acting sensibly.
You should be wearing your seatbelt. (The person isn't wearing one right now)
We should be studying for the test. (We are not studying right now and we should)
7. Sometimes should is replaced by ought to without a change in meaning. Note that ought to sounds
more formal and is used less frequently.
Shouldn't
We use shouldn't to advise not to do something, usually because it is bad or wrong to do.
Should
So vs Such
The following rules explain the difference between So and Such in English.
SUCH + Nouns
such + a + (adjective) + singular noun + that + result
(It is common to put an adjective before the noun)
She has such big feet that she has to buy special shoes.
Woodward Restaurant has such good food that it's always full of people.
SO / SUCH in exclamations
In exclamations we drop the word 'that' and use:
i) such + noun (singular/plural)
ii) so + adjective
Such-and-such
This is used to talk about a particular type of person or thing that doesn't need to be specified. It is an unstated
generic placeholder.
A book
A guitar
A friend
A university (The start of the word university sounds like YOU, a consonant sound).
AN is used when the next word starts with a vowel sound.
An apple
An ice-cream
An orange
An hour (the letter H in this word is silent so it sounds like it starts with a vowel).
Learn more about Definite and Indefinite Articles.
Some and Any
We use SOME and ANY with plural nouns and uncountable nouns.
Some is generally used in positive sentences.
Any is generally used in negative sentences.
You can also use SOME and ANY in a sentence without a noun if the meaning of the sentence is clear.
You can also use SOME and ANY in a sentence without a noun if the meaning of the sentence is clear.
I didn't eat any salad but Peter ate some. (salad)
Sean took lots of photos of the mountains but Emma didn't take any. (photos)
Still - Yet - Already
Three adverbs that often cause difficulty are still, yet, and already.
They are all used when actions are going to happen, or are expected to happen, or were unexpected around
the present time. Here we go into more detail about the difference between still, yet and already:
STILL
Still is used to say an action or situation continues to the present because it has not finished.
It often refers to something happening for longer than expected.
Notice the position of still before the verb or adjective.
My grandfather is sixty-nine and he still works every day at the kiosk he owns.
Do you still live with your parents?
It's 8pm, and I can't leave the office because I still have work to do.
Are you still angry with your partner?
He is still asleep so don't wake him up.
If the verb has two parts, still goes between both the verbs:
She started her exam an hour ago and she is still answering the questions.
Is it still snowing? (= it continues to snow, it hasn't stopped)
When I went to bed, Angelica was still working.
But if one of the two verbs is negative, still goes before that negative verb:
Lucy has stopped smoking but her brother still hasn't quit.
I took the clock to the repair shop though it still isn't working.
YET
Yet refers to an action that is expected in the future. It is not used in the past.
To ask if something expected has happened. It is usually placed at the end of the sentence or question.
Are we there yet? (A typical question kids ask while taking car trips with their parents)
Is the report ready yet?
Hasn't your mother told you yet? We're moving to Alaska!
To say that something expected hasn't happened:
A: Ask Katie to send the article to her editor. B: She has already sent it.
I already know what I'm going to buy you for your birthday.
They've already seen "Spiderman 15" and really don't want to see it again.
Notice the placement of already in the examples below:
Is Mary already here? She must have driven very fast to get here before me.
How does he already have the answers to tomorrow's test?
Have they already obtained their visas?
In present tense sentences, it is placed between the subject and verb.
In present and present perfect questions, it comes immediately after the subject.
However, in present perfect sentences, the order is subject + have+ already + past participle.
To - Too - Two
The Difference between To, Too and Two is frequently confused in English, sometimes even for native
speakers.
Why? Because they are homophones, words that have the same pronunciation but have a different spelling
and meaning.
Sometimes To, Too and Two can all be used in the same sentence. While they all sound the same, it is in the
context that you can understand the meaning.
Examples:
TO
Can be used as a preposition of movement or direction. It indicates the place you arrive at as a result of
moving.
TOO
Can be used before an adjective or an adverb for reinforcement to mean 'very' or 'more than...'
TWO
Only used as a number. Two = 2
Examples:
Used to in Negative
If we want to make a negative sentence, the didn’t part shows that we are talking about the past tense.
It is NOT common to use Used to in negative form though we will show you how to do it anyway.
Compare the normal past tense:
Used to in Questions
As with normal questions in the past tense, we use the base form of the verb (not the verb in past tense), since
the auxiliary DID shows us that the question is in the past tense.
What did you use to do after school when you were a kid?
Where did you use to go on vacation with your parents?
So… you used to find this difficult, didn't you? (And now you don't)
Very - Too - Enough
The following grammar notes show the difference uses (and word order) of Very, Too and Enough.
WOULD
1. Used as a polite invitation or to offer
It would like to point out that you need to review those numbers.
I wouldn't agree with that.
4. To describe past habits
When I was in Paris last year I would spend hours sitting at coffee shops writing ideas for my novel.
She promised she would send a postcard from Peru.
I told you he would help us.
6. Wouldn't: To describe a past unwillingness (refusal)
What is an adjective?
An adjective is a word that describes something.
A red car (red is an adjective because it describes the car. How is the car? Red)
A big book (big is an adjective because it describes the book. How is the book? Big)
See our other grammar notes about Adjectives in English. (LINK)
But sometimes we use more than one adjective to describe something.
Compound adjectives
A compound adjective is an adjective that contains two or more words.
In general we put a hyphen between two or more words (before a noun) when we want them to act as a single
idea (adjective) that describes something.
Noun + Adjective
When we have a noun + adjective, we put a hyphen between the two words to make it a compound adjective.
Adjective + Noun
When we have an adjective + noun, we put a hyphen between the two words to make it a compound adjective.
I / he / she / it - WAS
We / you / they - WERE
This is correct when we are talking about the PAST TENSE.
BUT there is another situation in which WERE appears that is not the past tense. It also appears in the
SUBJUNCTIVE mood.
First, let's look at the following structure and meaning before explaining why it happens...
If I were you
If I were you ... is used when giving ADVICE about what you would do in the same situation as the other
person. You imagine yourself in their position or situation and what you would do or how you would react.
If I were not in debt, I would quit my job. (But the contrary is true, I AM in debt, so I cannot quit my job)
If he were taller, he'd be accepted into the team.
She would be still be correcting my grammar if she were still alive.
In informal English, you will hear some people say If I was... If he was... etc. Again, this usage doesn't sound
good though unfortunately it is common, especially on the internet (and social media sites).
If I was sick, she would give me medicine that tasted terrible. (indicative = states facts or asks
questions - in this case, IF can be replaced by WHENEVER)
If I were sick, I wouldn't be here. (subjunctive = hypothetical - I am not sick, but I'm imagining that
hypothetical situation)
AS
AS = the way; in the same way; in the same condition
The structure of the sentence is usually: AS + SUBJECT + VERB.
Nobody sings as she does. (= Nobody sings in the same way she does)
They went to the party as they were.
Please don't use my plate as an ashtray.
As I said before, we have to get ready.
Notice how you could replace AS with 'the way' or 'in the same way' and maintain the same meaning.
It is common in American English to use LIKE instead of AS. However, it is generally considered informal to
use it in this way.
LIKE vs. AS
Be careful, in similar sentences that use LIKE and AS, the meanings of each sentence are very different. For
example:
As your boss, I must warn you to be careful. (I am your boss - I am in the role of boss - REALITY.)
Like your boss, I must warn you to be careful. (I am not your boss, but he/she and I have a similar
opinion. - COMPARISON)
Another example with different meanings:
This curry is hot, like all good curries. (Like + Noun Phrase)
= Similar to all good curries
This curry is hot, as it should be. (As + Clause)
= Comparing to the way a curry should be. Notice how after AS there is a Subject + Verb (= a clause)
AS IF
In English we also use as if to make comparisons. However it has a few distinct characteristics to its use:
1. The verb after AS IF is always in the past subjunctive, no matter what tense the sentence is.
2. If the verb BE directly follows AS IF, we use were for all personal pronouns.
Using AS + Adjective + AS
We use this structure to talk about people, animals or things which are equal in some way. This is a form of
comparison.
Person A Person B
I am happy. So am I. = I am happy too.
I'm going to Brazil in the summer. So am I. = I am going to Brazil too.
You look nice today. So do you. = You look nice too.
Stephanie has a new boyfriend. So does Mary. = Mary has a new one too.
We went to the concert last night. So did I. = I went to the concert too.
I would love a coffee right now. So would I. = I would love a coffee too.
He will win a prize. So will I. = I will win one too.
They have finished their homework. So have I. = I have finished too.
I can speak two languages. So can I. = I can speak two too.
He should study more. So should I. = I should study more too.
We could see the mountains. So could we. = We could see them too.
My brother had eaten too much. So had I. = I had eaten too much too.
Sometimes you can use So + Auxiliary + Subject as a continuation of the first part of the sentence.
NEITHER
Neither is used to show agreement with negative statements.
Neither + Auxiliary + Subject (pronoun)
The Auxiliary needs to agree with the verb tense in the original statement.
It is similar to using either at the end of a sentence, although Neither is more commonly used, especially in
spoken English.
A: I don't understand Spanish.
B: Neither do I. (= I don't understand Spanish either.)
A: I cannot swim.
B: Neither can I. (= I can't swim either.)
Sometimes people respond Me Neither instead of Neither + Auxiliary + Subject though this is very informal
spoken English.
Person A Person B
I am not hungry. Neither am I. = I'm not hungry either.
I'm not going to quit. Neither am I. = I'm not going to quit either.
They don't speak French. Neither do I. = I don't speak French either.
Stephanie doesn't eat meat. Neither does Mary. = Mary doesn't eat meat either.
Mary didn't go to the party. Neither did I. = I didn't go either.
I wouldn't like to do his job. Neither would I. = I wouldn't like to do it either.
He won't stop talking. Neither will you. = You won't stop either.
You haven't finished your meal. Neither have you. = You haven't finished either.
I can't reach the top shelf. Neither can I. = I can't reach it either.
You shouldn't talk in the movie. Neither should you. = You shouldn't talk either.
We couldn't hear him. Neither could we. = We couldn't hear him either.
I hadn't seen her before. Neither had I. = I hadn't seen her before either.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Verbs in English can be divided into two groups:
Transitive verbs and Intransitive verbs.
TRANSITIVE VERBS
Transitive verbs require an object to complete their meaning.
Imagine that I say:
I bought.
This sentence is incomplete. There is information that is missing.
You are probably wondering what I bought. (What did you buy Rob?)
Why is this sentence incomplete?
Because BOUGHT (the past of buy) is a transitive verb and a transitive verb needs an object after it to
complete the sentence. The object after a transitive verb can be a noun or a pronoun.
I bought a car.
Now the sentence is complete and we can understand it. We added the object “a car” after the verb.
Let’s look at some other examples.
If someone says:
I invited Angelica.
You cannot just say I invited because the sentence is incomplete. The person who is listening would probably
ask “Whom did you invite?” So we need an object (in this case a person) after the transitive verb invite.
I cut my finger.
You cannot just say I cut because the sentence is incomplete. The person who is listening would probably ask
“Cut what?”
Cut is a transitive verb because you need to cut something (an object, a thing).
INTRANSITIVE VERBS
Intransitive verbs cannot have a direct object after them.
The subject is doing the action of the verb and nothing receives the action. An intransitive verb does not pass
the action to an object.
He arrived.
Here we cannot have an object after the intransitive verb arrive.
You cannot “arrive something” (incorrect).
An intransitive verb expresses an action that is complete in itself and it doesn’t need an object to receive the
action.
He runs along the beach every morning (intransitive: run – the action/sport)
He runs a small grocery store (transitive: run = manage)
The plane will take off in five minutes. (intransitive: take off = to leave the ground and begin to fly)
Please take off your shoes before entering the house. (transitive: take off = to remove something)
Examples of Whatever
Whatever you do, pay attention to the road when you are driving.
(You can do anything as long as you pay attention to the road)
They say you can buy whatever you desire in Harrods, as long as you have the money.
(You can buy anything in Harrods, if you have enough money)
The student was so intelligent that whatever we taught, she understood.
(She understood everything that she was taught)
The criminal said he would do whatever he could in order to get out of jail.
(He would do everything or anything he could to get out of jail)
Examples of Whenever
Whenever the neighbours flush the toilet, water comes through our ceiling.
(Every time they flush the toilet it happens)
Whenever she calls, the landlord is busy.
(Every time she calls the landlord, he/she is busy)
Call me whenever you need something.
(Call me any time you need something)
Whenever he comes home, he acts like a hungry dog.
(Ever time he comes home, she is like that)
Whenever I go to sleep early, I have extraordinary dreams.
(Every time I go to sleep early, I have these dreams)
Examples of Wherever
Wherever you go in the world, remember where you came from and where you are going.
(Anywhere you go in the world, remember those things)
With a good education in English, wherever you go, you will have a good time.
(If you are taught well, you will have a good time anywhere)
Wherever we put the TV in the room, the reception is bad.
(Anywhere we put the TV the reception is bad)
You can put the present that she gave you wherever you want, just don't let her know if you put it in the trash.
(You can put that present anywhere)
Examples of Whoever
Whoever broke the vase, can you please replace it?
(Any specific person who broke the vase, please replace it)
Whoever goes to the shop, please don't steal anything.
(Any one or more of the people who will go to the shop, don't steal anything)
Whoever it was that knocked on the door last night must have been drunk, because they dropped twenty
dollars as they ran away.
(The unknown person who knocked on the door dropped twenty dollars)
Whoever you just spoke to, she must have some special powers, because you look like you fell in love.
(The unknown person who you spoke with must have some special powers)
Examples of Whichever
You can drive whichever of the cars you want.
(You can choose to drive any of the cars)
Whichever dress I wear tonight, I'm worried that my butt will look fat. What do you think?
(Person is worried that the person's butt looks fat in any of the selected dresses)
Whichever road you take to Rome, you will need to drive carefully.
(There are a number of roads to take, and it is necessary to drive carefully on any one that you take)
Whichever pizza you ordered for her, it must have had some very delicious ingredients.
(The pizza that was ordered from those available had some special ingredients)
Examples of However
You can dress however you like for the party, it's not formal.
(You can dress the way that you want for the party)
However much she eats, she never puts on weight.
(It doesn't matter how much she eats, she never gets fat)
You can do it however you like, I don't really care as long as it gets done.
(you can do it any way that you want)
However rich they may be, it still isn't enough for them.
(It doesn't matter how rich they may be)
Describing Trends in IELTS Writing Task 1
IELTS Academic Writing
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 you will be tested on your ability to describe and interpret information
presented in a graph, table, chart or diagram.
You will need to describe trends, compare and contrast data or report statistical information. Occasionally you
will need to describe a process (which we will explain in another section).
In order to do well in this section, you need to know specific vocabulary related to describing trends.
Plunge and Plummet, when describing trends, have the same meaning.
Sentence examples using words that show a downward trend:
Prices of Model X dropped significantly once Model Y became available on the market.
Company profits decreased in 2013 by 15%.
To see the degree of intensity of these adverbs, look at the chart below.
The Bedroom
A bedside table, a night table, and a nightstand are all different names for a small table that is next to a bed.
This table normally has a lamp and an alarm clock on it. It is called an alarm clock because the clock makes a
loud sound in the morning to wake you up. Sometimes the clock is called a clock radio, because it plays
music from the radio instead of making a loud noise.
Also a box of tissues is often set on a nightstand. This way you can blow your nose at night before you go to
sleep or other emergencies.
Sometimes people use their bedrooms for other things. They change the furniture depending on the time of
day. A daybed, for example, is a bed at night, but becomes a sofa during the day with large pillows. The name
for the large pillows on a sofa is a cushion. A convertible sofa has a mattress underneath that can be pulled
out at night to sleep on. Some people also call it a sofa bed. A cot is small bed where babies sleep and is also
used to describe a small temporary bed, something that you do not sleep on normally.
The bed is the most important piece of furniture in a bedroom. It has many different parts. The mattress is the
large soft part of the bed where you sleep. Below the mattress is the box spring that holds the mattress up
and makes the bed comfortable.
The pillow is where you put your head when you sleep. It is smaller than a cushion and is covered with a piece
of cloth called a pillowcase. The pillowcase normally matches the sheets on the bed. There are two sheets for
every bed. One is a fitted sheet that covers the mattress and has a piece of elastic around the edge. The
other sheet is called the flat sheet, because it doesn't have any elastic. The person sleeps between the two
sheets. On top of the sheets there are blankets that are thicker to keep you warm. The blanket on the very top
is called a bedspread. It is a blanket that is made special for the size of the bed.
A dust ruffle, sometimes called a bed skirt, is a piece of fabric that hangs off the side of the bed, so that you
cannot see what is underneath the mattress and box spring.
There are many different sizes for beds. The smallest one is called a twin bed; it is a bed only for one person,
also called a single bed. Then there is a queen size bed, where two people can sleep. Bigger than that there
is a king size bed.
A canopy bed is a fancy bed with four large posts (one at each corner of the bed) holding a piece of fabric
high above the bed.
Kids like to sleep in bunk beds. Often there are two beds, one on top of the other.
A waterbed is when the mattress is filled with water instead of fabric. The bed moves with the person as he
sleeps.
A special type of blanket is called a quilt. It is made by sewing many small pieces of cloth together. It was a
traditional gift for families to give young couples on their wedding. Many woman would sew together to create a
large quilt. It takes many hours of work to make a quilt.
A duvet is a set of two thick sheets sewn together on the ends. You put a type of blanket inside the duvet. This
way you can change the look of the bed and change the thickness of the blankets on the bed depending on the
season.
An electric blanket keep you extra warm by running electricity through it to create heat. Some people have
a hot water bottle which is a container filled with hot water and sealed with a stopper.
A headboard is a large piece of wood or other material that goes above the bed against the wall.
A bureau is a large piece of furniture where people place their clothes that do not go in
the closet or wardrobe which are the same thing through a part of the house. Sometimes there is also a
small chest of drawers where people place their clean folded clothes and other small things like socks.
Clothes that are not folded go on coat hangers in the closet or wardrobe. Another name for the chest of
drawers is a dresser.
There are many different types of floor covering for bedrooms. Carpet is a common type that covers the floor
from wall to wall with a soft fabric. Many people however have wood or tile floors and cover only a small part of
the floor with small pieces of fabric called rugs.
Curtains hang on the wall near the window. They are large pieces of fabric that are used for
decoration. Blinds are smaller, either made of wood or plastic, and are used to block out the light.
Sometimes rather than paint the walls people glue large pieces of paper to the walls with designs on it. This is
called wallpaper.
Many times in the bedroom there is an area for the person to get ready in the morning. This area normally has
a mirror, so that the person can see how beautiful he or she is. Near the mirror, on top of the dresser the
person normally keeps a hairbrush or a comb, to fix their hair. Also on the dresser there is a small box that
holds all different types of jewellery that a woman wears. She keeps earrings, necklaces and bracelets in
her jewellery box.
Colors - Colours
What is the difference betwen Color and Colour?
Both words mean the same thing and its spelling depends on the country where the word is written.
The word Color is used in United States.
The word Colour is used in the rest of the English-speaking countries (England, Australia, NZ etc.)
The names of the more common colours in English appear in the chart below:
The words Light, Dark and Bright are placed before the colour.
Colours + ISH
If you are not exactly sure how to describe a colour, we normally use the suffix -ish.
e.g. Greenish (= approximately green but not exactly green)
Weekly Activities
What are some weekly activities that you do?
I go grocery shopping once a week at the local supermarket.
My family does the housework together every Saturday morning.
I usually do the washing on Sunday morning and when the machine is finished I hang the clothes out to dry.
On Sunday morning we go to church, and if there is lots of noise coming from next door, sometimes we fight
with the neighbour.
On Saturday night my parents stay at home and I go out with friends.
Even my friends that live at home call their parents each week.
Every evening, I water the garden.
I usually pay someone to wash the car, but my partner says I should do it, so sometimes I argue with my
partnerabout that.
If we are angry at the neighbour, we seek vengeance by annoying his dogs.
I work in an important office, so I have to shine my shoes each day.
Sometimes we hire a movie, because we don't like to illegally download music and films. I make sure that I
synchronise my iPod so I always have new music on it.
To get our shopping, we go to the mall in the car.
Last week I forgot to recharge my travel card, and I had to argue with a bus driver. I couldn't call the office
because I forgot to recharge my cellphone!
Days, Months & Seasons
Days of the Week
The days of the week in English begin with CAPITAL letters.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Saturday and Sunday are known as the weekend.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Seasons of the Year
summer
winter
spring
autumn / fall
Fall is used in United States, Autumn in the rest of the world.
Capital Letters
Remember, in English that the first letter of the day or month is always in capital letters.
My cat is dead.
It died yesterday.
Its death was a surprise.
Look at the following explanations containing a lot more details and examples. We have also included
popular idiomatic expressions for each one.
Dead = Adjective
We use the word dead to describe the lifeless state of something; it is the opposite of alive.
We can use dead in an informal way to describe a boring place with not many people or much activity
To go dead means to loose feeling in the part of the body due to temporary lack of circulation
My leg went dead after sitting on the floor for three hours
= My leg was numb, I couldn't feel it.
To be + dead + adjective (e.g. dead boring) is a slightly outdated British slang for 'completely' or
'totally'
Dead calm or dead silence means total/complete calm/silence, as if there was no life in an area
Death = Noun
The concept or idea of the state after life. Death is the opposite of life.
Die = Verb
The event (action) of death. The opposite of to be born
The past of die is died.
Michael Jackson died in 2009
= the moment in time when MJ stopped living.
My plants have died from thirst
= My plants are no longer living because I didn't water them
I nearly died when the waiter gave me the bill at the restaurant
= I was shocked by the amount of the bill
I almost died with embarrassment when I fell over in the street
= I was extremely embarrassed when I fell over.
He died a very rich/happy/lonely (etc) man
= He was very rich/happy/lonely (etc) when he died
She died a painful/peaceful (etc) death
= The moment of her death was painful/peaceful (etc)
Expressions using Die:
To be dying to do something
= to be desperate to do something e.g. "I'm dying to go on holiday"
To be dying of something
= literal or figurative, e.g. "I'm dying of hunger/heat"
Never say die
= never surrender/give up
The Dining Room
In the dining room there is usually a dinner table. This is the place where the family usually eat dinner. If you
have soup for dinner, or cereal for breakfast you will eat it out of a bowl. If you eat soup, you will use a soup
spoon, which is rounder and deeper than a dessert spoon. A soup bowl is sometimes deeper than a cereal
bowl.
When you eat dinner, you eat your food off a plate. The table might have a big salad bowl in the middle that
you can take salad from.
If you eat a lot of bread your table will probably have a breadbasket, and you might probably also have
a butter dish, which is a little plate especially for the butter. A butter knife is a knife that doesn't have a
serrated edge, while a steak knife is sharper, and does have teeth (a serrated edge). Most of the time the
table has just a knife to cut the food and fork to pick it up and put it in your mouth.
A cup is what you drink tea or coffee out of, but a mug is a bigger, heavier cup. In the morning the part of
the coffee machine that contains the liquid is the coffee pot, and the teapot is the pot (usually made of metal)
that you brew the tea in. You use the little spoon called a teaspoon for putting sugar in your coffee or tea. You
will get the sugar from the sugar bowl. When you drink tea you might use a saucer, which is the
little plate that goes with your tea cup. Some people pour milk or cream from a creamer into their coffee or
tea.
Sometimes in the morning you just have a glass of juice, and some families have a large jug or a pitcher of
juice on the table, because a jug holds more liquid.
For afternoon tea, you might have a cake on a cake stand, which is a raised flat plate that you put the cake
on. Sometimes people use a small plate called a side dish, for the cake. Usually there is always a little piece
of paper called a napkin or serviette, so you can wipe your mouth (or your fingers) after you eat the cake or
other food.
Cutlery is generic term for spoons, forks, and knives, and a placemat is the piece of material you put on the
table under your plates and cutlery to protect the tablecloth that covers the table. But, for putting under your
glass, cup or mug, you use a coaster, not a placemat!
The silverware doesn't have to be made of silver, but it includes the candlestick and sometimes the cutlery
too. For a romantic dinner you will usually use candles to have a little bit of light, or you might have
a chandelier - the big old style lights that hang from the ceiling.
When you want to drink wine, you usually drink from a wine glass, which is different from a champagne
flute which is tall and thin especially used for champagne.
Before you sit down, make sure the pepper shaker (for the pepper) and the salt shaker (for the salt) are both
on the table.
If you like flowers, the centerpiece of the table might be a vase of flowers in the middle of the table.
In an expensive restaurant the waiter may use the little cart with wheels called a serving cart, to bring your
food to the table. You probably use a serving platter at home, which is a big platter to carry a few different
types of food on it, maybe in bowls or on plates or if at a party, it might be food for eating with your fingers.
You might be surprised that we sometimes have china on the table. China is not just a country, china
or chinaware is also the name we use for fine porcelain. Most people don't use it everyday, instead they keep
it in the china cabinet. The buffet is where we might keep the other cups and plates.
Finally, before you ask people to come to the table, make sure there is a chair for each person to sit on!
Members of the Family
Immediate Family
Masculine Feminine
father mother
son daughter
brother sister
husband wife
When you have children, you are a parent.
If you are a male parent, you are a father.
If you are female parent, you are a mother.
If one of your children is a boy, he is your son.
If one of your children is a girl, she is your daughter.
When a couple gets married, the man is the husband, and the woman is his wife.
A brother and sister both have the same parents.
One collective word to describe brothers and sisters is siblings. However this word is normally only used in
written English, not orally.
Different Generations
Masculine Feminine
Forefathers
Great-great grandfather Great-great grandmother
Great grandfather Great grandmother
Grandfather Grandmother
Father Mother
Son Daughter
Grandson Granddaughter
Great grandson Great granddaughter
Great-great grandson Great-great granddaughter
Descendents
The In-Laws
The in-laws are the members of the family of your spouse (the person you are married to) or via a marriage in
your family:
father-in-law: the father of your spouse
mother-in-law: the mother of your spouse
son-in-law: the husband of your daughter
daughter-in-law: the wife of your son
brother-in-law: the husband of your sister
sister-in-law: the wife of your brother
Note: To refer to more than one brother-in-law or sister-in-law etc. we has an S to the brother/sister part.
e.g. My brothers-in-law are fun. My sisters-in-laws are crazy.
stepfather: the (new) husband of your mother but not your biological father
stepmother: the (new) wife of your father but not your biological mother
stepson: the son of your (new) husband / wife (he is not your biological son)
stepdaughter: the daughter of your (new) husband / wife (she is not your biological daughter)
stepsister: the daughter of your stepmother or stepfather
stepbrother: the son of your stepmother or stepfather
Sometimes one of your parents gets married again and they have more children. There
half-brother: the brother you have only one parent in common with .
half-sister: the sister you only have one parent in common with.
Even if your parent didn't get married (and had the child outside of marriage), they are still your half-brother or
half-sister.
However, note that it is common to still call your half-brother or half-sister just your brother or sister (without
adding the half- part).
Check out this chart comparing the relationships between different members of the family:
Free Time Activities
Free time = The time when you are not working, when you can choose what you do.
Free time = leisure time
What do you do in your free time?
avocado, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, peppers, pumpkin, squash, tomato, zucchini
Yes, that's right, the so called vegetables above are in reality fruit, not vegetables.
A piece of fruit
We often say a piece of fruit when we refer to one fruit (one apple, one orange etc) without specifying which
one it is.
The award he received is the fruit of his hard work and always trying to do his best.
The Living Room
Sometimes the living room is called a lounge. There are many things in a typical living room:
A bookcase is not only a place to put your books, but also the shelves can be used to display other things that
are important to you. Often people place photos or pictures on bookcases.
The words photos and pictures can be used interchangeably, but a picture also has the potential to be
a painting, where as a photo does not. Photos are often placed inside of picture frames that can either hang
on a wall or sit on a shelf.
It is often common to place books and pictures on your coffee table, a large low table in front of the sofa.
Another option is to place a small potted plant or vase of flowers on your coffee table, but not so large that
you can't see over it to watch television or talk to another person.
Unlike a coffee table a side table is normally much higher so that people sitting on the sofa (for two or more
people) or armchair (for one person) can easily place a glass or other object on the table. It is always next to
the seat or placed in between two seats.
A side table is also a good location to place a lamp. A lampshade helps direct the light downward to help you
see well.
People also like to decorate the windows in a room by hanging curtains on the wall, but sometimes these are
also referred to as drapes. The curtains are not only decorations but also help keep the light out of the room,
along with theshades that are placed in the windows.
Many homes have carpet on the floor of the living room. A carpet goes from one wall to the other, covering the
entire floor. Rugs on the other hand cover a small area of the floor and are placed over a wooden or tiled floor
to create a warmer feeling.
Some living rooms include a writing table, which is similar to a desk, but are often smaller.
Couch is another name for sofa. A fancy name for a sofa is called a settee. A settee is normally an antique.
A loveseat is a piece of furniture that is smaller than a couch and larger than a chair, just big enough for two
people to sit on.
An armchair is the name for a type of chair that is large and comfortable in a living room. It normally has large
padded cushions.
Pillows are smaller than cushions, which are the larges soft object on a chair or sofa where a person sits.
The fireplace is the area in the room where the fire is placed sot that it keeps the room warm, but also allows
the smoke to go up the chimney and not into the room. When you light the fire it is common to place
a fireguard in front, so that the warm air still comes through but that children stay safe. The type of wood that
is burned for a fire in general is called firewood, but the large pieces are often called logs. Above the fireplace
is the mantelpiece, which is normally a long piece of wood that provides a shelf on which to display things.
At Christmas time children hang their stocking from the mantelpiece to receive presents from Santa Claus.
Men are generally more concerned with the electronic equipment in the living room rather than the decorations.
Today videocassettes are rare; most people now watch DVDs on their DVD players rather than VCRs. People
have also started watching more Blu-ray Discs.
Along with the television and DVD player there is also often a stereo system on the shelves of the wall
unit holding all of the electronics used for entertainment. Of course with the stereo system it is vital to have a
good set of speakers in order to listen to the music.
The most important part of the living room to most men is the recliner. A recliner is a special chair that has the
ability to lean backwards so the person sitting in the chair is in a very relaxed position. Often men consider
their recliners to be their thrones, as if they were all kings. From the recliner the men use the remote
control to change the channels on the television or adjust the volume of the music from the stereo.
People often decorate the floors with rugs and the walls with pictures, but they often do not decorate the
ceiling of the room. Normally the only decoration from the above comes from the lights or the ceiling
fan which keeps you cool in summer.
Countries & Nationalities
The word 'Nationality' is not often used in spoken English. It is a formal and official word and it appears more
frequently in written English. You will find the word 'Nationality' is used a lot in the travel industry and for
immigration.
We almost never say: What is your nationality?
We usually say: Where are you from? OR Where do you come from?
To tell someone your nationality you DON'T say: My nationality is Chilean.
You say: I'm Chilean
Singular Plural
Country Countries
Nationality Nationalities
Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers are normally used when you:
count things: I have two brothers. There are thirty-one days in January.
give your age: I am thirty-three years old. My sister is twenty-seven years old.
give your telephone number: Our phone number is two-six-three, three-eight-four-seven. (481-2240)
give years: She was born in nineteen seventy-five (1975). America was discovered in fourteen ninety-
two
Notice how we divide the year into two parts. This is the form for year up to 1999. For the year 2000 and on,
we say two thousand (2000), two thousand and one (2001), two thousand and two (2002) etc.
Ordinal Numbers
You can normally create Ordinal numbers by adding -TH to the end of a Cardinal Number.
Ordinal numbers are normally used when you:
For the name of a king or queen in written English, Roman numerals are used = Henry VIII
but in Spoken English you would say Henry the Eighth.
Cardinal Numbers
1 - one
2 - two
3 - three
4 - four
5 - five
6 - six
7 - seven
8 - eight
9 - nine
10 - ten
11 - eleven
12 - twelve
13 - thirteen
14 - fourteen
15 - fifteen
16 - sixteen
17 - seventeen
18 - eighteen
19 - nineteen
20 - twenty
21 - twenty-one
22 - twenty-two
23 - twenty-three
30 - thirty
40 - forty
50 - fifty
60 - sixty
70 - seventy
80 - eighty
90 - ninety
100 - one hundred*
101 - one hundred and one
200 - two hundred
300 - three hundred
1000 - one thousand
1,000,000 - one million
10,000,000 - ten million
Ordinal Numbers
1st - first
2nd - second
3rd - third
4th - fourth
5th - fifth
6th - sixth
7th - seventh
8th - eighth
9th - ninth
10th - tenth
11th - eleventh
12th - twelfth
13th - thirteenth
14th - fourteenth
15th - fifteenth
16th - sixteenth
17th - seventeenth
18th - eighteenth
19th - nineteenth
20th - twentieth
21st - twenty-first
22nd - twenty-second
23rd - twenty-third
30th - thirtieth
40th - fortieth
50th - fiftieth
60th - sixtieth
70th - seventieth
80th - eightieth
90th - ninetieth
100th - hundredth
101st - hundred and first
200th - two hundredth
300th - three hundredth
1,000th - thousandth
1,000,000th - ten millionth
The Number 0
We normally say 'zero' for the number '0'.
BUT when we give our telephone number, we often say O like the name of the letter O.
e.g. 505-1023 = five-O-five, one-O-two-three
See our page about telephone numbers in English
1/2 - a half
1/3 - a third
2/3 - two thirds
1/4 - a quarter (a fourth)
3/4 - three quarters (three fourths)
1/5 - a fifth
2/5 - two fifths
1/6 - a sixth
5/6 - five sixths
1/7 - a seventh
1/8 - an eighth
1/10 - a tenth
7/10 - seven tenths
1/20 - a twentieth
47/100 - forty-seven hundredths
1/100 - a hundredth
1/1,000 - a thousandth
Notice that for 1/4, you can say a quarter OR a fourth.
IF we have a whole number with a fraction, we use the word AND between the two parts.
e.g. 2 3/5 = two and a three-fifths
For parts of whole numbers, we use a decimal point (and NOT a comma).
e.g. 2 1/2 (two and a half) = 2.5 (two point five)
If there is more than one number after the decimal point, we say each number individually.
e.g. 3,456.789 = three thousand, four hundred and fifty-six point seven eight nine.
The exception to this rule is when we are talking about dollars and cents (or pound and pence)
e.g. $21.95 = twenty-one dollars, ninety-five (cents). Saying the word cents at the end is optional.
Opposites - Adjectives
The following sentences contain examples of adjectives. They are in pairs that contain adjectives that are
opposite to each other:
I am happy when it is my birthday.
She was sad when her puppy died.
We were excited about going to the concert.
She was bored because there were many grammar exercises.
She is beautiful and wants to be a model.
A witch is normally very ugly.
The desert is very dry.
My towel is wet because it fell into the pool.
Children can be naughty when they are two years old.
Your children can visit me any time because they are well-behaved.
The party next door was noisy.
The mountains are very quiet when it snows.
A weightlifter is very strong.
He lost a lot of blood and was very weak.
The dogs were horrible to the cat.
The bird sang a nice song.
There was only enough space for one car on the narrow road.
The main avenue of the city was very wide.
There was a great disturbance when the bank was robbed.
There was a minor problem at work today though it wasn't serious.
I was late to work so my boss was angry.
It is important to be early.
I am tired after running for three hours.
I slept very well last night so I was energetic this morning.
When I have lots of money I am rich.
The people who don't have money are poor.
I didn't feel a thing. It was painless.
Having a tooth removed can be painful.
The lights didn't work, so it was very dark.
The sun was out in the middle of the day so it was very bright.
Be careful when you test-drive a new car.
He was careless with money is money and had many debts.
A new Porsche is expensive.
A potato is cheap.
Studying online has been very helpful to me.
During the exam I forgot everything, I was helpless.
Taking notes is a useful way to help learning.
Trying to memorise the dictionary is useless.
Learning a new language is not difficult.
Learning a new language is easy if you practice.
Eating and sleeping well will make you healthy.
She was sick so she went to the doctor.
After you wear your socks for three days they are dirty.
When I get out of the shower I am clean.
I bought a new car!
I sold my old car because it was slow.
A cup of coffee is hot.
I don't like winter because it is cold.
After I had diarrhea for a month I was very thin.
He is fat because he always eats a lot of burgers and fries.
Bacteria are so tiny that we can't see them.
The Pacific Ocean is enormous.
A mouse is small.
An elephant is large.
A lemon is sour.
I like sugar because it is sweet.
My baby is young.
My grandfather is old.
I drank all the water, now the glass is empty.
I put some more water into my glass and now it is full.
They had a beautiful wedding. They are married.
I don't have a wife. I am single.
Fire is dangerous.
Don't worry, the area is safe for children.
We need to be polite at the dinner table.
Eating with your feet on the table is rude.
Planes fly very high.
Before the plane crashed it was flying very low.
Sandpaper is rough.
Silk sheets are smooth.
She doesn't like to talk to strangers - she is very shy.
He loves meeting new people, he is very outgoing.
The ice was very hard.
The custard was soft.
A dwarf is short.
A basketball player is very tall.
A feather is light.
A cannonball is heavy.
Opposites - Verbs
We go when the traffic light is green.
We stop when the traffic light is red light.
I sleep at night.
I wake up in the morning.
He lived until he was eighty years old.
He died in the war.
People push their shopping cart around the supermarket.
The tow truck pulled the car behind it.
A boat floats on water.
Lead sinks when it is dropped into the water.
The room is cooled by the air conditioner.
Food can be heated in the microwave.
We throw the ball to the dog.
The dog likes to catch the ball in its mouth.
I want to pass my examination.
I failed the test because all of my answers were wrong.
I teach English to the students in my class.
My students learn a lot.
While you are waiting, you can sit on that chair.
The guard was standing next to the door.
The snow falls on the ground.
The sun rises in the East.
It was so cold I decided to put on a sweater.
You should take off your shoes before you go to bed.
He is very funny and I laugh at his jokes.
When I watch a sad movie I have to take tissues in case I cry.
We should smile when we meet someone new.
Sometimes we frown when we can't figure out a problem.
I do exercise at the gym to strengthen my muscles.
The earthquake had weakened the bridge and cars could not cross it.
If I don't like what someone is saying I can ignore it.
I always make sure to pay attention when I am in English class.
I broke the glass by dropping it onto the ground.
When my car broke down I took it to the shop to have it repaired.
When I drive on the highway I speed up to get home faster.
When you drive in the snow, you should slow down.
I buy milk at the local shop.
The supermarket sells a broad range of products
I love pussycats because they are small and cute and a little bit furry.
I hate it when people push in front of me to get service.
Some countries import goods because they are cheaper to buy overseas.
Chile is a country which exports copper to many parts of the world.
My boss gives me too much work and it stresses me.
If you look at the screen too long, you will need to relax your eyes.
The adventures wanted to find the treasure.
I lost my keys. Do you know where they are?
When we plant a tree we know it will be many years before it bears fruit.
We harvest the crops from the fields.
When I was bankrupt, the bank would not lend me any more money.
I decided to borrow some money from my parents.
They increased their prices and earned a lot more money.
To save money you should reduce your spending.
It is not important to understand every single idea.
Foreign people often misunderstand local customs.
Young people grow very fast.
Clothes washed in hot water might shrink.
When you really need it, help will appear.
The police looked for the killers, but they disappeared.
I gave my puppy a bone.
I like to receive e-mails from my friends.
I like to eat chocolate ice-cream.
He dislikes traveling on uncomfortable buses.
When you leave your house, you should lock the door.
You need a key to unlock the door.
Please do not enter through the back door.
We exit the plane near the cockpit.
Find out when the plane arrives so you can meet your friends at the airport.
You should leave the country before your visa runs out.
The lightning ignited a huge fire in the forest.
The firefighters used water to extinguish the flames.
We are wondering who will win the world cup this year.
My favourite team lost their game.
I have decided to spend my money on some new shoes.
I save money by walking to work instead of paying for the bus.
You should pick up money if you see it on the ground.
I usually put down my pen when I have finished writing.
You should have a plan so your business can succeed.
I would be upset if I failed my exam.
We need to inhale to fill our lungs with oxygen.
Humans exhale carbon dioxide.
Parts of the Body
The Face
eye, nose, mouth, ear, cheek, chin, nostril, eyebrow, eyelid, eyelash, lips.
1. hand
2. thumb
3. index finger
4. middle finger
5. ring finger
6. little finger (informal: pinky finger)
7. nail
8. knuckle
The Leg and Foot
knee, leg, shin, calf (muscle), ankle, heel, foot, toe
head - face - hair - tongue - tooth - back - waist - chest - hip - thigh - muscles
neck - this connects your head with your shoulders and the rest of your body.
tongue - the muscle at the bottom of your mouth that tastes things and helps you pronounce words
wrinkles - the lines in your skin caused by age. Old people have a lot of wrinkles.
Personal Information
Personal information questions are the basis for any conversation in English and so are important for when you
meet somebody for the first time. They are the building blocks from which the rest of the conversation can
develop.
Some common questions and a correct form for the answer are as follows:
Notice that we are giving our answers in complete sentences to practice using them though normally we only
give short answers.
Names
What is your name?
My name is _______.
What is your surname / last name?
My surname / last name is _______.
Do you have a nickname?
Yes, my nickname is _______ or No, I don't.
Marital Status
Are you married / single?
Yes, I am. or No I'm not.
Do you have a boyfriend / girlfriend?
Yes, I do. or No, I don't.
What is your partner's name?
My partner's name is _______.
Family
Do you have any children?
Yes, I have _______ children. or No, I don't
What are their names?
Their names are _______.
How many brothers and sister do you have?
I have _______ brothers and _______ sisters.
Age
How old are you?
I am _______ years old.
When is your birthday?
My birthday is on the _______ of _______.
Where were you born?
I was born in _______.
Contact Information
Where are you from?
I am from _______.
What is your address?
My address is _______.
What is your phone number?
My phone number is _______.
What is your cell phone number?
My cell phone number is _______.
Do you live with your parents?
Yes, I do. or No, I don't.
Do you live alone?
Yes, I do. or No, I don't.
Who do you live with?
I live with my _______.
Do you live in a house or an apartment?
I live in a/an _______.
What is your e-mail address?
My e-mail address is _______.
Habits
Do you have any bad habits?
Yes, one of my bad habits is _______.
Do you snore?
Yes, I do. or No, I don't.
Do you smoke?
Yes, I do. or No, I don't.
How many cigarettes do you smoke a day?
I smoke _______ cigarettes a day.
If you want to combine hair characteristics together in the same sentence, then the structure is:
Length + Style + Colour + Hair
Watch is when we talk about concentrating on something, like a movie or sports. Using watch suggests there
is a movement involved, so you can use that for TV or movies.
Watch - a movie, a TV program, a football match.
Listen is an action verb and you need to make a decision to do it. You can choose if you listen to something or
not. For example you can hear somebody talking but you need to listen to them to understand what they are
saying.
Listen - music, a speech.
It is also important to remember that the verb LISTEN is always followed by TO. Review the examples above
and you will see this principle.
Telephone Numbers
We normally give telephones by saying each individual number in it:
Our phone number is two six three, three eight four seven. (263-3847)
When there is a zero (0) in our telephone number, we often say O like the name of the letter O.
e.g. 505-1023 = five-O-five, one-O-two-three.
If a phone number contains two of the same numbers together, we usually say double (number).
If a phone number contains three of the same numbers together, we usually say triple (number)
e.g. (212-8555) two one two, eight triple five.
The above rules for telephone numbers also apply to fax numbers.
To ask for someone's telephone number we say:
What's your phone number? It's 555-2565.
What is Woodward's phone number? It's 2789-0135.
We don't normally say: What's your telephone number? (Though it IS grammatically correct)
When you reply, you can give just your telephone number OR say: It's + (your phone number).
Telling the Time
2) Say the minutes first and then the hour. (Minutes + PAST / TO + Hour)
For minutes 1-30 we use PAST after the minutes.
For minutes 31-59 we use TO after the minutes.
When it is 15 minutes past the hour we normally say: (a) quarter past
3:30 - It's half past three (but we can also say three-thirty)
O'clock
We use o'clock when there are NO minutes.
12:00
For 12:00 there are four expressions in English.
twelve o'clock
midday = noon
midnight
We use the structure AT + time when giving the time of a specific event.
It is chilly today.
It was warm yesterday.
It will be cold tomorrow.
The temperatures given are only an approximation to give you an idea of when to use them.
28°C (or more) - Hot
15 to 28°C - Warm
10 to 15°C - Cool
5 to 10°C - Chilly
0 to 5°C - Cold
0°C (or less) - Freezing
Remember, what is hot in one country may only be considered warm in another.
What may be chilly in one country may be freezing in another.
The following words refer to being MORE than hot and are used for temperatures over 30°C.
Boiling: very hot, often used in negative contexts
Humid: hot and damp. It makes you sweat a lot
Muggy: warm and damp in an unpleasant way
Scorching: very hot, often used in positive contexts
Stifling: hot and you can hardly breath
Sweltering: hot and uncomfortable
So what makes a day hot or cold? It depends on the weather…
Vegetables
A vegetable is the edible part of a plant that is used in cooking or can be eaten raw. They are different from
fruit in that vegetables don't have seeds. Vegetables are often consumed as salads or cooked as part of a side
dish or main meal.
A person who does not eat meat is considered a Vegetarian because they often only eat vegetables (and fruit).
The informal word for vegetables is veggies.
artichoke [C]
asparagus [U]
aubergine [C] and [U] - (called eggplant in United States)
beet [C] - (called beetroot in British English)
beetroot [C] and [U] - (called beet in United States)
bell pepper * [C] - (Just called pepper in British English or with its color beforehand just as red
pepper or green pepper. In Australia and New Zealand it is known as capsicum)
broccoli [U] - (broccoli is an uncountable noun so there is no plural of broccoli)
Brussels sprout [C]
cabbage [C] and [U]
carrot [C]
cauliflower [C] and [U]
celery [U]
corn ** [U]
courgette * [C] - (called zucchini in United States)
cucumber * [C] and [U]
eggplant * [C] and [U] - (called aubergine in British English)
green bean * [C] - (sometimes called French bean in the UK)
green onion [C] - (called spring onion in the British English)
leek [C]
lettuce [C] and [U]
mushroom *** [C]
onion [C] and [U]
pea [C]
pepper [C] - (called bell pepper in British English. In Australia and New Zealand it is known
as capsicum)
potato [C] and [U] - (the plural of potato is potatoes - potato is sometimes uncountable as in mashed
potato)
pumpkin * [C] and [U]
radish [C] - (the plural of radish is radishes)
spring onion [C] - (called green onion or scallion in United States)
squash * [C] and [U]
sweet potato [C] - (kumara in New Zealand)
tomato * [C] - (the plural of tomato is tomatoes)
zucchini * [C] - (called courgette in British English)
avocado, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, peppers, pumpkin, squash, tomato, zucchini
Wake up
Wake up = to stop sleeping and open your eyes.
When your alarm clock goes off in the morning you wake up because you are no longer sleeping.
You can wake up naturally (you body doesn't need to sleep any more) or something or someone
can wake you upsuch as an alarm clock or a friend (or dog) jumping on your bed.
Wake up is a phrasal verb so only the first part, the verb, changes according to the tense.
Example sentences of Wake up:
Get up
Get up = to get out of bed (usually to start your day).
Get up can also mean: To go from a lying position onto your feet.
Example sentences of Get up:
At random – al azar
Ejemplo: He chose the lottery numbers at random.
TO DO
El verbo "to do" que significa "hacer, llevar a cabo" suele ir acompañado de actividades, acciones y
trabajos.
To do
... business - hacer negocios
... an exam / a test - hacer un examen
... an experiment - hacer un experimento
... a course - hacer un curso
... a favour - hacer un favor
... the cooking - cocinar
... the housework - hacer las tareas domésticas
... the homework - hacer los deberes
... the ironing - planchar
... the shopping -hacer la compra
... the washing up / the dishes - fregar los platos
... the washing / the laundry - poner una lavadora / hacer la colada
... good -hacer bien, sentar bien
... evil - hacer el mal
... exercise - hacer ejercicio
... one's duty -cumplir con el deber de alguien
... one's hair - arreglarse el pelo
... one's face - maquillarse
... one's nails - arreglarse las uñas
... one's best - hacerlo lo mejor posible
... research - investigar
... well / badly - hacer algo bien / mal
TO MAKE
El verbo "to make" que significa "hacer" en el sentido de "realizar, ejecutar, fabricar, elaborar".
... an appointment- pedir cita
... the bed - hacer la cama
... the best of - aprovechar al máximo algo
... a bid - hacer una oferta, pujar
... a choice - hacer una elección
... a complaint - presentar una queja
... a decision - tomar una decisión
... an effort -hacer un esfuerzo
... an exception - hacer una excepción
... an excuse - poner una excusa
... a fortune -ganar una fortuna / forrarse
... a joke- gastar una broma
... a list -hacer una lista
... a mistake - cometer un error
.... a noise - hacer ruido
... an offer - hacer una oferta
... a phone call- hacer una llamada de teléfono
... a proposal - hacer una propuesta
... a request - hacer una petición
... a suggestion - hacer una sugerencia
... a trip / journey -hacer un viaje (breve), una excursión / hacer un viaje (largo)
... a wish -pedir un deseo
Hay que llevar especial cuidado con estas palabras si queremos que nos entiendan. A
continuación muestro una tabla con algunos False Friends. La tabla tiene cuatro columnas, la
primera contiene el False Friend, la segunda el significado correcto, la tercera el falso
significado y la cuarta la traducción al inglés de ese falso significado.
FALSE FRIENDS
FALSE FALSO
TRADUCCIÓN CORRECTA TRADUCCIÓN CORRECTA
FRIEND SIGNIFICADO
Palabras Similares 1:
¿Te haces un lío con palabras como specially y especially o lose y loose? Estas palabras
suelen causar bastante confusión ya que se deletrean de forma muy similar pero no significan
lo mismo. Aquí os dejamos una lista cortita de algunas de ellas con sus significados, frases
de ejemplo y un ejercicio para practicarlas :)
3. Lose vs Loose
Lose - "perder" (verbo)
I always lose at chess (siempre pierdo al ajedrez)
Loose – "flojo", "suelto" (adjetivo)
I like to wear my hair loose (me gusta llevar el pelo suelto)
4. Specially vs Especially
Specially – "particularmente", "especialmente", "expresamente" (para un propósito especial).
This dress was specially made for her (este vestido se hizo expresamente para ella)
Especially – "sobre todo".
I like vegetables, especially aubergines and carrots (me gustan las verduras, sobre todo las
berenjenas y las zanahorias)
5. Stationary vs Stationery
Stationary – "inmóvil", "parado" (adjetivo). Implica "sin movimiento".
I bought a stationary bicycle for just 50€ (me he comprado una bicicleta estática por sólo 50
euros)
Stationery – "papelería", "material para oficina" (sustantivo)
Students usually buy stationery like pencils, colours, books and so on at the beginning of the
school year (los alumnos suele comprar material escolar como lápices, pinturas, libros, etc
cuando comienza el curso)
6. Principle vs Principal
Principle - "principio" (regla fundamental). On principle → "por principios"
Our main principle is to meet the students' needs (nuestro principio fundamental es responder
a las necesidades de los estudiantes)
Principal – "principal", "esencial", "fundamental" (adjetivo) o "director" -de un colegio-
(sustantivo)
The principal idea is to improve Education (la idea principal es mejorar la educación)
The school principal expelled the student from school for his bad behaviour (el director del
colegio expulsó al estudiante por su mal comportamiento)
Palabras similares 2:
Camping vs Campsite, History vs Story, Politics vs Policy
En nuestro post Palabras similares 1 vimos una serie de palabras que suelen causar bastante
confusión porque se deletrean de manera muy similar pero tienen significados distintos, por
ejemplo: all together y altogether o specially y especially. Hoy os dejamos otra lista con sus
significados y un ejercicio para practicarlas :)
Politics - política
Policy - póliza
Know:
conocer a alguien durante un tiempo
saber hacer algo
tener conocimientos sobre algo
3. MAKE / DO
Make: hacer algo (crear)
4. WIN / EARN
Win:
ganar una competición
ganar dinero en una competición
5. LEND / BORROW
Lend: prestar, dejar prestado
1. LOSE / MISS
Lose: perder algo
I have lost my keys. I don’t know where they are
Miss: perder el autobús, tren etc./ echar alguien o algo de menos
I missed the 9 am train to work this morning
2. WEAR / CARRY
*Allow va seguido de "to". Ej: Their parents allow her to watch TV one hour a day.
(sus padres le dejan ver la televisión una hora al día)
2. LEND (prestar)
Ej: She lent me a book (me dejó un libro)
4. LEAVE
Leave (abandonar)
Ej: She left him two weeks ago (ella le dejó hace dos semanas)
We left Spain when we were young (nosotros dejamos España cuando éramos jóvenes)
He left his brother at home and went out with his friends
(él dejó a su hermano en casa y salió con sus amigos)
Leave (olvidarse)
Ej: I have no money because I left my purse at home.
(no tengo dinero porque me he dejado la cartera en casa)
¿Cómo se dice "Tener que" en inglés?
La perífrasis verbal "tener que" causa mucha confusión cuando queremos decir en inglés. En
este post, explicaremos de forma muy breve las formas que existen para decir en inglés
"tener que + infinitivo" o "no tener que + infinitivo" y las diferencias que existen entre ellas.
¿Cómo se dice en inglés "tener que"?
La expresión verbal "tener que" en inglés generalmente se usa con el verbo modal "must" y el
semimodal "have to".
"Tener que"
= have to (obligación externa, dada por una tercera persona o por normas)
You have to fasten your seat belt when driving (tienes que abrocharte el cinturón cuando
conduzcas)
= have to (para expresar necesidad. Se usa tanto en presente, como en pasado y futuro)
I have to do the shopping (tengo que hacer la compra)
We had to leave early (tuvimos que marcharnos pronto)
She doesn't feel well so she will have to go to the doctor's (no se encuentra bien, así que
tendrá que ir al médico)
= must (para expresar una necesidad mucho más urgente. Sólo se usa en presente)
I must do the shopping. (Tengo que hacer la compra -quizás no haya nada en el frigorífico)
1. A little / a few
Ambos significan "un poco", sin embargo utilizamos a little con sustantivos incontables y a few con
sustantivos contables.
3. Actually ≠ actualmente
Actually significa "de hecho", "en realidad". Para decir "actualmente" diremos nowadays.
5. Advise (verbo)
Significa aconsejar. Si escribimos advice estaremos haciendo referencia al sustantivo.
Advice (sustantivo) =consejo
Advise (verbo) = aconsejar
La terminación -ise suele aparecer en verbos mientras que -ice es característica de los sustantivos.
6. After ≠ afterwards
After actúa de nexo subordinante entre dos oraciones y significa "después de" / "después de que" y
suele ir seguido de:
1) un sintagma nominal
I'll call you after work (te llamaré después del trabajo [cuando salga del trabajo])
2) un sintagma verbal
She called me after I had lunch (me llamó después de comer [cuando terminé de comer])
3) una coma. Cuidado, nunca podemos poner "after," solo. Siempre debe ir una palabra
acompañando a after.
An hour after, we had lunch (una hora después, comimos)
→ En este caso se recomiendan también otras opciones como "an hour later" o "after an hour" (al
cabo de una hora).
7. All that
"Todo lo que" en inglés se dice "all that" o "everything that". Después de "all" y "everything" siempre
va "that", nunca "what".
All that you need is love = all you need is love (todo lo que necesitas es amor)
All what you need is love
9. Always that
Si queremos decir "siempre que" en inglés diremos "whenever" o "every time"
She blushed whenever / every time he kissed her (ella se sonrojaba siempre que él la besaba)
She blushed always that he kissed her
12. Appropriate
Apropiado en inglés se escribe "appropRiate" y no "appropiate". ¡Mucho cuidado!
14. Arrive
En inglés el verbo "arrive" nunca, nunca lleva detrás "to" sino "in" o "at".
Arrive IN: países, ciudades. I arrived in Madrid (llegué a Madrid)
Arrive AT: otros lugares. I arrived at Barajas Airport (llegué al aeropuerto de Barajas)
16. At home
At home significa "en casa". Con los verbos en movimiento no se utiliza "at".
I am at home (estoy en casa)
I go home (voy a casa)
Empieza por "B": 15 palabras que causan confusión en inglés
Tras nuestro post 16 palabras en inglés que empiezan por "A", hoy traemos 15 que empiezan
por "B". Otra pequeña dosis de palabras que conviene repasar porque causan bastante
confusión. Si se te ocurre alguna más, déjanos un comentario :)
1. be ≠ stay
Be significa "ser" o "estar" y stay "quedarse" o "pasar". Cuando queremos decir, por ejemplo,
"estuvimos en un hotel" se debe usar el verbo stay: We stayed at a hotel y no We were at a
hotel.
2. Be marry with someone
Cuidado, este es un error muy común. "Estar casado con alguien" en inglés es to be married
TO someone y "casarse con alguien", to get married to someone o to marry someone.
3. Beautifull
Cuidado con el sufijo -ful ya que sólo tiene una "l". La palabra correcta sería beautiful.
4. Because
Detrás de because siempre debe ir un sujeto seguido de un predicado.
The baby cried because was hungry
The baby cried because he was hungry
5. Before
Detrás de before irá un sustantivo, pronombre o verbo acabado en -ing.
"Antes de comer" sería before eating y no before to eat.
6. Below ≠ under
Cuidado con confundirlos. Ambos significan "debajo de" pero under suele utilizarse cuando
algo está justo debajo de otra cosa, por ejemplo: debajo de la mesa > under the
table. También se usa cuando algo está debajo de otra cosa y hay contacto físico.
Cuando queremos indicar que algo está debajo de otra cosa y no hay contacto físico ni está
justo debajo (en línea vertical) utilizaremos below. El valle de la muerte está a 86 metros por
debajo del nivel del mar > Death Valley is 86 meters below sea level
7. Besides ≠ beside
Beside = al lado de
Besides = además. Sinónimo de also.
8. Better ≠ best
Better than = mejor que
The best = el mejor (de todos)
9. Boring ≠ bored
Ambos significan "aburrido" con la diferencia de que boring hace referencia a una cualidad y,
por tanto, irá acompañado del verbo "ser" (the film is boring = la película ES aburrida),
mientras que bored hace referencia a un estado y, por tanto, irá con el verbo "estar" (I am
bored = yo estoy aburrida). Para más información ver el post: Adjetivos acabados en -ed y -
ing
10. Borrow ≠ lend
Borrow = pedir prestado o tomar prestado
Lend = prestar
El verbo to buy es un verbo ditransitivo regido por la preposición "for". Por tanto, lo correcto
sería decir I bought something for you (te compré algo).
13. Bycicle
Cuidado con la ortografía, bicicleta en inglés se escribe bIcYcle.
14. Boy
Si queremos decir que estamos saliendo con un chico, no podremos decir "I'm dating a
boy" ya que boy hace referencia a un niño menor de 12 o 13 años. Deberemos
usar guy o fellow. No obstante, para indicar que se sale con una chica sí podemos decir girl.
15. Become
Become significa "convertirse en". No se utiliza cuando queremos "convertir (algo) en (algo).
We must recycle to make the world a greener place
Sufijos para formar adjetivos
La sufijación es una técnica de formación de palabras mediante la cual añadimos sufijos o partículas
al final de una palabra para formar otra nueva. Por su parte, la prefijación consiste en añadir
partículas o prefijos al comienzo de éstas. Ambas técnicas son muy útiles tanto para memorizar el
vocabulario como para ampliarlo. Por ejemplo, partiendo del verbo "educate":
Resultado: múltiples palabras de diferentes categorías gramaticales, todas ellas relacionadas con la
palabra educación. Como véis, la prefijación y la sufijación son técnicas muy útiles para aprender
vocabulario de forma rápida y organizada.
La SUFIJACIÓN se usa para formar sustantivos, adjetivos, verbos y adverbios. En este post, nos
centraremos en la sufijación para formar adjetivos.
-FUL
help (n) (v) > helpful (adj)
success (n) > successful (adj)
--> variante -iful
beauty (n) > beautiful (adj)
-LESS
price (n) > priceless (adj)
use (v) > useless (adj)
--> variante -iless
mercy (n) > merciless (adj)
-ABLE
comfort (n) > comfortable (adj)
count (v) > countable (adj)
accept (v) > acceptable (adj)
-OUS
danger (n) > dangerous (adj)
fame (n) > famous (adj)
nerve (n) > nervous (adj)
--> variante -ious
luxury (n) > luxurious (adj)
-AL
education (n) > educational (adj)
magic (n) > magical (adj)
profession (n) > professional (adj)
-IVE
impress (v) > impressive (adj)
create (v) > creative (adj)
excess (n) > excessive (adj)
-ARY
caution (n) > cautionary (adj)
complement (n) (v) > complementary (adj)
scare (v) > scary (adj)
-Y
health (n) > healthy (adj)
cloud (n) > cloudy (adj)
smell (v) > smelly (adj)
-ENT
differ (v) > different (adjt)
independence (n) > independent (adj)
intelligence (n) > intelligent (adj)
-ORY
obligation (n) > obligatory (adj)
migrate (v) > migratory (adj)
-ED / - ING
interest (n) > interested / interesting
confuse (v) > confused / confusing
frighten (v) > frightened / frightening
shock (n) (v) > shocked / shocking
¿Cómo hacer una redacción en inglés? 10 consejos
¿Cómo escribir una redacción en inglés? ¿Cuáles son los trucos para redactar en
inglés? La expresión escrita o writing suele ser algo bastante difícil para todo
estudiante de inglés. Por eso, en este post os damos 10 consejos para hacer
redacciones en inglés.
Podemos hacer una especie de introducción y conclusión comodín que ocupe unas
dos líneas que podamos adaptar a cualquier redacción. Una buena introducción y
conclusión nunca fallan. Esto es súper útil.
5. Utiliza frases sencillas
Un error muy común y que más problemas trae es traducir del español al inglés. Esto
no solo hará que te surjan mil dudas porque habrá muchas cosas que no sabrás decir
en inglés, sino que también hará que tengas muchos errores gramaticales, como por
ejemplo, omitir el sujeto en muchas frases.
Intenta hacer frases sencillas que sepas decir en inglés pero ¡nunca traduzcas del
español al inglés!
6. Utiliza conectores
Los conectores son muy importantes en las redacciones ya que sirven para conectar
ideas. No te olvides de ellos y sal del "and" y "but" y utiliza otros como "moreover", "in
addition", "however", "in spite of that"... Eso dará mucha riqueza al texto y se tendrá en
cuenta a la hora de evaluarlo. No te pierdas estos enlaces:
Conectores de contraste 1
Conectores de contraste 2
Conectores de finalidad
Because, but, so
9. Revisa el texto
Lee el texto una o dos veces para identificar posibles errores del tipo:
Algún sujeto que se haya omitido
La -s de la tercera persona
El adjetivo detrás del sustantivo
Concordar mal el sujeto con el verbo
Uso incorrecto de mayúsculas
Los falsos amigos o false friends
10. Lee las correcciones
Cuando te entreguen la redacción corregida, por favor, toma nota de los
errores. Esto es importantísimo para asimilarlos y que no los vuelvas a repetir.
Atendiendo a las correciones de las redacciones aprenderás mucho más de lo que
crees.
El plural en inglés
Fijaos en los siguientes ejemplos:
(Singular = uno) La casa azul → The blue house
(Plural = más de uno) Las casas azules → The blue houses
El plural en inglés se usa en sustantivos. A diferencia del español, en inglés los adjetivos no tienen
plural. Como véis en el ejemplo, el artículo definido the tampoco tiene plural.
2. Los sustantivos que acaban en -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -o forman el plural añadiendo -es.
bus → buses
class → classes
dish → dishes
church → churches
box → boxes
tomato → tomatoes
3. Los sustantivos que acaban en consonante + -y, forman el plural cambiando la -y por -i y
añadiendo -es (-ies)
baby → babies
lady → ladies
theory → theories
library → libraries
4. Los sustantivos que acaban en vocal + -y, forman el plural añadiendo -s. (-ys)
boy → boys toy → toys
day→ days
valley → valleys monkey → monkeys
6. Los sustantivos que acaban en -f o -fe, forman el plural cambiando la -f por una -v y añadiendo
-es (-ves)
wolf → wolves
shelf → shelves
knife → knives
wife → wives
PLURALES IRREGULARES
Hay ciertos sustantivos que tienen un plural irregular.
Compara:
Él es una buena persona → He is a good person
Ellos son buenas personas → They are nice people OK They are nice persons X
Junto con children, people es uno de los plurales que más confusiones causa. Llevad cuidado si lo
traducís por gente, porque en español gente va con verbo en singular (la gente es) sin embargo en
inglés va con verbo en plural (the people are = las personas son, la gente es).
SUSTANTIVOS EN PLURAL
En inglés hay ciertos objetos o prendas de ropa que es escriben siempre en plural.
trousers (pantalones)
jeans (vaqueros)
glasses (gafas)
shorts (pantalones cortos)
pyjamas (pijama)
scissors (tijeras)
tights (medias)
Si queremos decir unos pantalones (refiriéndonos a un par) debemos usar partitivos como a pair
of (un par de) o el cuantificador some.
3. A los verbos que acaban en consonante + -y, cambian la "y" por "i" y añaden -ed (=-ied)
study → studied carry → carried try → tried
Casos especiales
Los verbos que acaban en vocal + consonante (stop, ban, occur, open, offer...)
Excepto los verbos que acaban en "l" que doblan la "l" aunque el acento no recaiga sobra la última
sílaba.
travel → travelled cancel → cancelled
¡Cuidado!
Los verbos de una sílaba con dos vocales no doblan la consonante.
cook → cooked
Reglas para añadir -ing
Para añadir -ing al verbo, lo que se conoce por muchos como participio presente (present
participle), hemos de tener en cuenta las siguiente reglas de ortografía (spelling rules):
4. Si el verbo acaba en vocal + consonante, hay que doblar la consonante antes de añadir -ing.
Stop→ stopping swim → swimming run→ running begin→ beginning
¡Pero cuidado!
4.1. Si acaba en -y o -w no doblamos. Esto se debe a que en fonética inglesa la y y la w se
consideran semivocales.
Play → playing buy → buying draw → drawing borrow → borrowing
*NOTA:
1 sílaba = eat → eat
2 sílabas = forget → for-get
3 sílabas = remember → re- mem- ber
Verbos Modales en inglés
Los verbos modales son verbos auxiliares, es decir, verbos que "ayudan" a otros verbos. Los verbos
modales acompañan a otros verbos para expresar diferentes funciones como: obligación, habilidad,
permiso, posibilidad, consejo, prohibición, entre otros.
WILL, CAN, COULD, SHOULD, MAY, MIGHT, MUST, SHALL, WOULD, OUGHT TO
Existen otros verbos que actúan como semi-modales y, por tanto, no siguen las reglas que
explicamos más abajo. Estos verbos son:
need, have to , be able to, be allowed to
1. Su forma no cambia. No lleva -s en la tercera persona del singular, ni -ed en el pasado ni -ing en
el gerundio.
Ej: He can swim. He cans swim He canned swim
4. En preguntas, siempre van delante del sujeto. No utilizan do, does ni did.
Ej: Can you dance? (not Do you can dance ), Can he dance?, Could you wake me up?
Recuerda
Se usan las formas no contraídas en un registro formal y las formas contraídas en un registro más
informal.
Comparative adjectives
Para comparar DOS cosas, animales o personas utilizamos los adjetivos en grado comparativo, el
cual se divide en: comparativo de superioridad, comparativo de igualdad y comparativo de
inferioridad.
1. Adjetivos cortos
Se consideran adjetivos cortos aquellos que tienen una sílaba . El comparativo se forma de la
siguiente manera:
añadiendo -er al adjetivo + than
Casos especiales:
Los adjetivos cortos que acaben en vocal + consonante (-b, -d, -g, -n, -p, -t) duplican la
consonante antes de añadir -er. Hot → hotter big → bigger thin → thinner
A los adjetivos de dos sílabas que acaben en consonante* + -y cambian la y por
una i, añadiendo por tanto -ier (hungry, empty, friendly, tidy, busy, dirty, funny, hungry, crazy, early,
lucky...) crazy → crazier happy → happier lucky→ luckier
Los adjetivos cortos que acaban en -e muda (no se pronuncia) sólo tendremos que añadir -
r. Nice → nicer large → larger
Los adjetivos cortos que acaben en -l, duplican la l antes de añadir -er. cruel → crueller . Si
acaban en doble l, sólo añadiremos -er. Tall → taller
* Aunque acaben en dos sílabas se consideran cortos a efectos de formación del grado comparativo.
Ejemplos:
She is taller than her sister. (Ella es más alta que su hermana)
John is thinner than Mike (John es más delgado que Mike)
My office is larger than hers (Mi oficina es más grande que la suya)
Her hair is curlier than mine (su pelo es más rizado que el mío)
Today is hotter than yesterday (Hoy hace más calor que ayer)
Adverbios
El grado comparativo en adverbios por lo general se forma como explicamos a continuación. No
obstante, algunos adverbios "cortos" como early (temprano), late (tarde) o near (cerca) añaden -er.
early → earlier late → later near → nearer
2. Adjetivos largos
Se consideran adjetivos largos aquellos que tienen dos sílabas o más. El comparativo de
superioridad se forma de la siguiente manera:
more + adjetivo / adverbio + than
Ejemplos:
His trainers are more comfortable than hers (sus zapatillas son más cómodas que las suyas)
A blouse is more elegant than a t-shirt (una camisa es más elegante que una camiseta)
Mercedes is more expensive than Hyundai (Mercedes es más caro que Hyundai)
She learns more easily than her sister (ella aprende con más facilidad que su hermana)
Excepciones
Quiet → quieter than
Los adjetivos de dos sílabas que acaben en -ow, -le y -er permiten ambas formas, si bien es más
común añadir -er.
Clever → cleverer than / more clever than
Narrow → narrower than / more narrow than
Simple → simpler than / more simple than
Irregulares
Algunos adjetivos adoptan una forma irregular para formar su grado comparativo.
Otras expresiones:
Con los comparativos no podemos usar "very" (muy). Sin embargo, sí podemos usar:
much / far (mucho más)*
Chinese is much / far more difficult than Spanish (el chino es mucho más difícil que el español)
a lot / lots (mucho más) (informal)
Chinese is a lot more difficult than Spanish
a little (un poco)
The blue dress is a little cheaper than the white one (el vestido azul es un poco más barato que el
blanco)
a bit (un poco) (informal)
The blue dress is a bit cheaper than the white one
any (algo) (enfático)
Do you feel any better? (¿te sientes algo mejor?)
even (incluso)
You cook even better than a chef (cocinas incluso mejor que un chef)
Verbos y sustantivos
Además de adjetivos y adverbios, también podemos usar la comparación de superioridad con verbos
y sustantivos.
She works more than he does (ella trabaja más que él)
They want more money (ellos quieren más dinero)
→ *Cuando el comparativo se usa con sustantivos, podemos modificarlo con much (para
incontables) y many (para contables).
Ellos tienen mucho más dinero que tú → They've got much more money than you do
Hay muchos más libros en esta estantería → There are many more books in this shelf
IMPORTANTE
→ Sólo podremos "than" cuando mencionemos las dos cosas que se están comparando.
The orange t-shirt is 15€. The blue t-shirt is 20€
The blue t-shirt is more expensive than the orange t-shirt (nombramos las dos)
The blue t-shirt is more expensive (sólo nombramos una)
As + adjetivo / adverbio + as
Negativas
Bastará con poner el verbo en forma negativa. En las negativas también podemos usar so... as.
My office isn't as large as hers (mi oficina no es tan grande como la suya)
Peter is not so successful as his father ( Peter no tiene tanto éxito como su padre)
Otras expresiones:
as much... as → se utiliza con sustantivos incontables (tanto + sustantivo + como)
She earns as much money as him (ella gana tanto dinero como él)
half as... as, twice as... as, three times as... as (la mitad de... que, el doble de... que, el trible de...
que)
My room is twice as big as yours (mi habitación es el doble de grande que la tuya)
as + adjetivo + a + sustantivo + as
También podemos poner un sustantivo singular entre el adjetivo y el segundo as.
We want a flight as cheap as possible = We want as cheap a flight as possible (queremos un vuelo
lo más barato posible)
Water is less expensive than coke (el agua es menos cara que la coca-cola)
The book is less popular than the film (el libro es menos conocido que la película)
He drives less carefully than his wife (él conduce con menos cuidado que su mujer)
I go to the cinema less often than you (voy al cine con menos frecuencia que tú)
Además de adjetivos y adverbios, también podemos usar este grado comparativo con sustantivos:
less + sustantivo incontable + than
He has less money than you (él tiene menos dinero que tú)
3. Para adjetivos que acaban con una vocal + un consonante añade consonante +est
6. Con algunos adjetivos con dos sílabas se puede añadir est ó most
7. Adjetivos irregulares
4. Para adjetivos que acaban con y añade iest (tidy, empty, dry, busy, dirty, funny, early)
5. Si el ajetivo tiene dos sílabas ó mas usa the most + el adjetivo (excepciones son los adjetivos
que acaban en y)
(1) the + expresión comparativa + sujeto + verbo, (2) the + expresión comparativa + sujeto +
verbo
Nota
Si el verbo de la segunda proposición va en futuro, la frase se convierte en condicional de tipo 1.
The less you eat, the thinner you will get (cuanto menos comas, más delgado estarás)
= If you eat less, you will get thinner (si comes menos, estarás más delgado)
→ Adjetivo comparativo
The more dangerous it is, the more she likes it (cuanto más peligroso sea, más le gusta)
The older he gets, the wiser he is (cuánto más mayor se hace, más sabio es)
The faster you drive, the sooner you will arrive (cuanto más rápido conduzcas, antes llegarás)
Cuidado:
The less water you drink, the worse you feel (cuanto menos agua bebes, peor te sientes)
The fewer problems I have, the happier I am (cuantos menos problemas tengo, más feliz soy)
A veces podemos usar una forma abreviada de la estructura the... the... cuando la frase acaba
en "the better" (mejor)
Otras veces no hace falta incluir el verbo, normalmente con el verbo to be.
The more expensive the restaurant is, the better the service is
= The more expensive the restaurant, the better the service
(cuanto más caro es el restaurante, mejor es el servicio)
Comparativos repetidos -Repeated comparatives
En inglés existen los llamados repeated comparatives o comparativos repetidos. Se trata de una
estructura que usamos para indicar que algo está cambiando (aumentando o disminuyendo).
Veamos cómo se forman.
AUMENTO
Se usan dos estructuras para indicar que algo aumenta: .... er and ..... er y more and more ..... que
suelen aparecer con los verbos get y become.
I'm getting older and older (cada vez me hago más mayor, me hago más y más mayor)
Laptops are becoming cheaper and cheaper (los portátiles son cada vez más baratos, los portátiles
se están volviendo más y más baratos)
We are getting closer and closer (cada vez estamos más cerca)
Adjetivos largos o con adverbios. Basta con escribir more and more y añadir a continuación el
adjetivo o el adverbio → more and more beautiful, more and more exciting
The situation is becoming more and more difficult (la situación cada vez se hace más difícil)
Smartphones are getting more and more expensive (los teléfonos inteligentes son cada vez más
caros)
We are going more and more slowly (cada vez vamos más lentos).
Sustantivos (tanto contables como incontables). Basta con escribir more and more y añadir a
continuación el sustantivo → more and more books, more and more children
(contable) More and more children use tablets in schools (cada vez son más los niños que usan
tablets en el colegio)
(incontable) We waste more and more money on things we don't need (cada día gastamos más
dinero en cosas que no necesitamos)
DESCENSO
Para indicar que algo disminuye podemos usar las estructuras: less and less.... y fewer and fewer...
As you get older, you become less and less flexible (a medida que te haces mayor, te vuelves
menos y menos flexible / a medida que te haces mayor, pierdes flexibilidad)
She needs less and less money everyday (ella cada día necesita menos dinero)
I have less and less time to cook (cada vez tengo menos tiempo para cocinar)
También podemos usarlo con verbos como dice la canción de Kaiser Chiefs: Everyday I love you
less and less (cada día te quiero menos)
Fewer and fewer people get married now (cada vez se casa menos gente en la actualidad)
There are fewer and fewer fish in the sea (cada vez hay menos peces en el mar)
Like y As
As y like son dos palabras que se confunden con mucha facilidad ya que ambas significan "como"
en español. De forma resumida diremos que:
1. Como conjunción para unir dos oraciones utilizaremos AS, con tres significados diferentes:
2. Para hacer referencia a la función (papel / profesión) que algo o alguien realiza.
She works as a secretary / as an architect (trabaja como secretaria / como arquitecto)
He used a knife as a screwdriver (utilizó un cuchillo como destornillador)
Excepción. La pregunta ¿Cómo es? para referirnos a cómo es alguien en cuanto a personalidad o
físico se dice así: What is he like? (personalidad) / What does he look like? (apariencia)
Too y Enough
Too significa demasiado. Se usa en los siguientes casos:
- Too + adjetivo → The coffee is too hot (el café está demasiado caliente)
- Too much + sustantivo incontable → I have too much work (tengo demasiado trabajo)
- Too many + sustantivo contable en plural → There are too many people (hay demasiada gente)
- Adjetivo + enough → Is the water warm enough? (¿Está el agua suficientemente tibia?)
- Enough + sustantivo incontable / contable
→ We haven't got enough money (no tenemos bastante dinero)
→I have got enough reasons (tengo suficientes motivos)
Las estructuras con too + adjetivo y adjetivo + enough pueden ir seguidas de un infinitivo con to.
The coffee is too hot to drink (el café está demasiado caliente para beberlo)
You are not old enough to go into this pub (no eres lo bastante mayor para entrar en este pub)
TOO
Indica exceso de cantidad y significa "demasiado" (más de lo necesario). Sólo se puede utilizar en
frases afirmativas.
I feel sick; I have eaten too much. (tengo náuseas. He comido demasiado)
I feel sick but I haven't eaten too much (tengo náuseas pero no he comido demasiado)*
Would you turn the music down? It is too loud (¿puedes bajar el volumen de la música. Está muy
alto)
VERY
Indica gran cantidad aunque no tiene porqué implicar exceso. Significa "muy" y puede usarse en
frases afirmativas y negativas.
I went to bed late last night. I am very tired (anoche me acosté tarde. Estoy muy cansada)
I feel sick but I haven't eaten very much (tengo náuseas pero no he comido demasiado)
Would you turn the music up? It is not very loud (¿puedes subir el volumen de la música. No está
muy alto)
Preposiciones de lugar en inglés - in /at / on
Las preposiciones son uno de los aspectos gramaticales más complicados del inglés. Aunque
existen reglas que definen su uso, hay muchas excepciones que dificultan su uso.
Las preposiciones de lugar in, on, at (en) son las más comunes para indicar lugar, situación, es
decir, dónde está alguien o algo. También pueden expresar tiempo (ver post preposiciones de
tiempo), sin embargo, en este post nos centraremos en ellas como preposiciones de lugar.
IN
Se utiliza para indicar que algo o alguien está "dentro de" algún área delimitada(ciudades,
pueblos, países, jardines...) o de algún edificio, habitación o cualquier otro tipo de espacio
cerrado (building, room, box...). Se puede traducir por "en".
I live in Madrid, in Spain (vivo en Madrid, en España)
The pictures are in the box (las fotos están en la caja)
Utilizamos in con los puntos cardinales: in the North (en el norte) , in the South (en el sur), in
the East (en el este), in the West (en el oeste)
EXPRESIONES
in bed (en cama) in hospital (en el hospital)
in a car (en un coche) in a taxi (en un taxi)
in a shop (en una tienda) in a city (en una gran ciudad)
in a town (en una ciudad) in a village (en un pueblo)
in a country (en un país) in a park (en un parque)
in the water (en el agua) in the sea (en el mar)
in a river (en un río) in the sky (en el cielo)
in the newspaper (en el periódico) in a row (en una fila)
in a queue (en una cola) in the street (en la calle)
in a photograph (en una foto) in a picture (en un cuadro, foto)
in an armchair (en un sillón) in the middle of (en medio de)
AT
Cuando hablamos de ciertos edificios en términos de la función que realizan o como
un punto de encuentro. Se suele traducir por "en".
I was at hospital for a week (estuve en el hospital una semana) = función (como paciente)
I'll see you at the theatre (nos vemos en el teatro) = punto de encuentro
I keep my tennis racket at the tennis club (me dejo la raqueta en el club de tenis) =función
Acontecimientos o eventos. Se suele traducir por "en".
We enjoyed a lot at the concert (lo pasamos muy bien en el concierto)
There were lots of people at the party (había mucha gente en la fiesta)
I saw you at the show! (¡te ví en el espectáculo!)
Lugares y posiciones en un punto en concreto; en la casa de alguien.
Turn left at the traffic lights (gire a al izquierda en los semáfaros)
There is someone at the door (hay alguien en la puerta)
I'm working at my desk (estoy trabajando en mi escritorio)
A: Where were you Yesterday? (¿Dónde estabas ayer?
B: I was at Kevin's (estaba en casa de Kevin)
También puede significar "cerca de", "junto a".
She was sitting at the window (estaba sentada junto a la ventana)
Cuando hacemos referencia a un punto concreto en una "línea fija" (una calle, la costa...)
You should visit Galway, on the West coast of Irland (deberías visitar Galway, en la costa oeste de
Irlanda)
There is a bank on High Street (hay un banco en la calle High Street)
EXPRESIONES
on the right (a la derecha) on the left (a la izquierda)
on the ground floor (en la planta baja) on the first floor (en la 1ª planta)
on a chair (en una silla) on a shelf (en un estante)
on the grass (en el césped) on the tree (en el árbol)
on the noticeboard (en el tablón de
on the coast (en la costa)
anuncios)
on a balcony (en un balcón, terraza) on the way to...(de camino a...)
CUIDADO
En el post preposiciones de lugar, explicamos las preposiciones in, at, on. En este post veremos más
preposiciones de lugar (prepositions of place), las traduciremos y pondremos algunos ejemplos. También
podréis realizar un ejercicio para practicarlas. Para saber más en nuestro CURSO DE INGLÉS GRATIS
Above → encima de (se diferencia de "on" en que "above" no toca la superficie sobre la que está)
There is a picture above the fireplace (hay un cuadro encima de la chimenea)
Behind → detrás de
The boy hid behind the door (el niño se escondió detrás de la puerta)
In front of → delante de (cuidado con traducirlo con enfrente de, sería incorrecto)
If you sit in front of me I can't watch the TV (si te sientas delante de mi no puedo ver la televisión)
Next to → al lado de
There is a bookshop next to the supermarket (hay una librería al lado del supermercado)
Opposite → enfrente de
The chemist's is opposite the hospital (la farmacia está enfrente del hospital)
Near → cerca de
There is a park near the school (hay un parque cerca del colegio)
Preposiciones de tiempo en inglés
Es importante saber usar las preposiciones de tiempo correctamente en inglés: in/on/at . Como tantas otras cosas
en inglés, hace falta aprender cuál va con cuál. En este post os daremos una serie de reglas y trucos para que
aprendáis a usar las preposiciones de tiempo en inglés. Una vez que hayas aprendido las reglas, intenta hacer el
ejercicio al final.
1. AT
Tips (consejos)
Algunos verbos en inglés van seguidos de una determinada preposición. A continuación os dejamos
una lista con algunos de los más usados.
Es muy importante recordar que en inglés, detrás de preposición, siempre va: un sustantivo, un
pronombre o un verbo seguido de -ing.
Agree with sth - estar de acuerdo con algo (pensar que es moralmente aceptable)
I agree with your political views.
Agree with sb about sth - estar de acuerdo con alguien acerca de algo
I agree with you about the exam.
Believe in - creer en
Christians believe in God.
Concentrate on - concentrarse en
I can't concentrate on my work if you are speaking to me.
Depend on - depender de
That decision depends on you.
Divide into - dividir en
They divided the birthday cake into 10 pieces.
Insist on - insistir en
You paid last time. I insist on paying now.
Laugh at - reirse de
They laughed at me because I fell down.
Listen to -escuchar
I love listening to rock music
Participate in - participar en
My students love to participate in class discussions.
Smile at - sonreir a
Why are you smiling at me?
Shout at - gritar a
Don't you ever shout at me again.
Speak to - hablar con, hablar a
I don't like to speak to strangers.
Throw sth to sb - tirar algo a alguien (en el sentido de lanzar / pasar para que lo cojan)
Thrown the ball to me!
1) A la hora de hacer preguntas con este tipo de verbos, si usamos partículas interrogativas como
What o How, la preposición se coloca al final.
2) En algunos casos el significado del verbo cambia en función de la preposición que le acompañe:
Look at - mirar a
Look at that girl. She is wearing the same t-shirt as you.
- Los verbos con preposiciones son verbos que van regidos por una determinada preposición. Esta
preposición no cambia el significado del verbo. Por ejemplo, en listen to sth /sb (escuchar algo o a
alguien), el verbo listen no cambia de significado, "escuchar". Lo mismo pasa con "look at" (mirar
algo o a alguien).
- Los phrasal verbs, sin embargo, van acompañados de una partícula adverbial o preposición que
junto con el verbo actúan como un todo, adoptando un significado que poco o nada tiene que ver con
el significado individual del verbo. Por ejemplo, "look after" adopta el significado de "cuidar de",
completamente diferente al verbo mirar > to look. Lo mismo ocurre con verbos como: ask
for(pedir), turn on (encender), take after (parecerse a), run into (tropezar con), etc.
La pasiva en inglés -The passive-
¿Cómo formar la pasiva en inglés? ¿Cómo hacer oraciones pasivas en inglés? Estas son las
preguntas más frecuentes que se hacen los estudiantes de inglés. Aunque no lo parezca, la pasiva
en inglés no es tan difícil, aunque sí es cierto que para para poder pasar los verbos de activa a
pasiva correctamente debemos tener un gran dominio de los tiempos verbales
Activa → Somebody added subtitles to the film (Alguien añadió subtítulos a la película)
En este ejemplo el sujeto es desconocido, por tanto sería más natural utilizar una construcción
pasiva para dar más énfasis a la acción que al sujeto.
Pasiva → Subtitles were added to the film (Traducción literal: Subtítulos fueron añadidos a la
película) (Traducción pronominal: Se añadieron subtítulos a la película)
La pasiva es propia del registro formal y es muy común ver esta construcción gramatical en
instrucciones escritas.
1º Sujeto paciente
2º "to be"
3º verbo en participio
4º Complemento agente
Formar la pasiva es muy sencillo si se siguen los siguientes pasos:
1. El objeto directo de la oración activa pasa a ser sujeto paciente en la oración
pasiva: the plants
2. Nos fijamos en el tiempo verbal del verbo de la oración activa: presente simple
3. Conjugaremos el verbo "to be" en el tiempo verbal de la oración activa (concordar con
el sujeto paciente): are
4. El verbo de la oración activa se coloca en participio pasado: watered
5. Si queremos indicar quien realizó la acción, el sujeto de la oración activa pasa a ser
complemento agente, se introduce por la preposición “by” y se coloca detrás del verbo en
pasiva: by my father*
*Nota 2: En todo caso, conviene apuntar que si el sujeto es un pronombre personal (I, you, he, her,
it, we, you, they) y lo queremos indicar en la pasiva, al pasar a complemento agente el pronombre
sujeto se transforma en pronombre objeto.
Todas ellas, como ya se ha dicho, se construyen poniendo el verbo “to be” en el mismo tiempo que el
verbo principal de la oración activa, seguido del verbo principal de la oración activa en participio.
Fijaos en los siguientes ejemplos y veréis claramente el cambio de verbos en pasiva.
Más ejemplos:
Coffee is grown in Colombia (el café es cultivado / se cultiva en Colombia)
The pyramids were discovered a long time ago (las pirámides se descubrieron hace mucho tiempo)
The project should be finished today (el proyecto se debería acabar hoy)
NIVEL AVANZADO: PASIVAS CON DOS COMPLEMENTOS (DOBLE PASIVA)
En inglés, si una oración activa tiene 2 complementos: directo e indirecto, cualquiera de los dos
puede ser sujeto paciente de la pasiva. Por tanto, ésta podrá construirse de dos formas distintas.
Otro ejemplo:
En inglés existen una serie de verbos como: say, believe, feel, expect, think, suppose, know,
understand, report, consider.... que tienen dos posibles construcciones pasivas cuando la oración
incluye una oración subordinada (that-clause).
1. It como sujeto de la oración pasiva
Esta estructura se forma de la siguiente manera: it + verbo introductorio (say, believe, feel...) en
pasiva + that-clause.
Activa: They say that you have many friends (ellos dicen que tienes muchos amigos)
Pasiva: It is said that you have many friends (se dice que tienes muchos amigos)
Activa: They say that you have many friends (ellos dicen que tienes muchos amigos)
Pasiva: You are said to have many friends (se dice que tienes muchos amigos)
To have something done se usa en inglés para indicar que alguien ha hecho algo por nosotros.
En español, por ejemplo, decimos "me he cortado el pelo". Sin embargo, según la gramática inglesa,
en realidad, no solemos cortarnos el pelo a nosotros mismos, sino que otra persona lo hace por
nosotros. Por tanto, en inglés se utiliza la estructura to have something done para indicar que la
acción la realiza otra persona por nosotros.
La estructura es la siguiente:
Sujeto + verbo to have (conjugado) + objeto + participio pasado (del verbo que expresa la acción)
Ejemplos:
Participio
Sujeto To have Objeto Traducción Equivalente en activa
Pasado
our
We had stolen Nos robaron el dinero =(somebody stole our money)
money
am going to =(The hairdresser is going to cut
I my hair cut Me voy a cortar el pelo
have my hair)
our Nos están pintando la =(The painters are painting our
We are having painted
room habitación room)
Quiero arreglar el
I want to have my car fixed =(I want the garage to fix my car)
coche
your Deberías revistarte la =(the ophthalmologist should
You should have checked
eyes vista check your eyes)
have just their Les acaban de limpiar =(Somebody has just cleaned
They cleaned
had house la casa their house)
-alguien haga algo o cambie algo que nos molesta (y que esa persona no tiene intención de
cambiar)
I wish the neighbours would stop making so much noise (ojalá los vecinos dejen de hacer tanto ruido)
I wish you wouldn't leave your room so untidy (ojalá no dejes tu habitación tan desordenada)
I wish you would stop smoking (ojalá dejes de fumar)
Nota:
No es común utilizar I wish I would puesto que si algo nos molesta y depende de nosotros, podemos
cambiarlo.
I wish I would go homo now (ojalá me fuera a casa) → no tendría sentido quejarnos por esta
situación porque está en nuestra mano realizar la acción de irnos a casa.
Usamos esta estructura para quejarnos o lamentarnos de una situación PRESENTE por no ser
ésta como nosotros queremos que sea.
→ Como veis escribimos pasado simple pero se traduce como un subjuntivo y hace referencia al
presente.
→ Podemos user were en lugar de was con I, he, she, it
Usamos esta estructura cuando queremos lamentarnos o expresar un deseo sobre una situación
o acción del pasado. Es como el condicional de tercer tipo, nos lamentamos de situaciones
respecto a las cuales no podemos hacer nada.
I wish I had passed all my exams (ojalá hubiera aprobado todos mis exámenes)
(but I didn't pass) (pero no los aprobé)
I wish I had been able to buy tickets for that concert (ojalá hubiera podido comprar entradas para ese
concierto)
(but I couldn't) (pero no pude)
Importante
I wish puede sustituirse con otros sujetos. En estos casos podemos optar por traducciones
como "lamentar" o "desear".
He wishes he were famous (él lamenta no ser famoso) (él desería ser famoso)
She wishes she had haver met him (ella lamenta haberlo conocido) (ella desearía no haberle
conocido)
They wish you would stop smoking (ellos desean que dejes de fumar)
Verbos irregulares en inglés
En este post veremos los verbos irregulares. Os daremos una lista de de verbos irregulares que se
compone de tres columnas:
1ª → infinitivo sin to (ej: eat-comer)
2ª → pasado simple (ej: ate-comí, comiste, comió...)
3ª → participio pasado (ej: eaten-comido, been-sido/estado, flown-volado)
4ª → traducción al español
Por tratarse de una lista bastante larga la hemos divido en dos: 1) verbos irregulares de la A a la L y
2) verbos irregulares de la M a la Z. En este post veremos el primer grupo. Si queréis saber cómo se
pronuncian, visitad la entrada Pronunciación de los verbos irregulares en inglés.
Look up to - admirar
Although - aunque
Even though - aunque
But - pero
Despite - a pesar de
However - sin embargo
Nevertheless - no obstante
Ejemplo: She felt ill. She went to work. (Se sentía enferma. Fue a trabajar)
*In spite of significa lo mismo que despite (a pesar de) - se puede usar de la misma manera.
1) Si va al principio, pondremos una coma* entre la oración introducida por although, though
o even though y la otra.
Ej: Although it was raining, we went for a walk (aunque llovía, fuimos a dar un paseo)
Though I'm a big fan of Oasis, I have never seen them live
(aunque soy un gran fan de Oasis, nunca los he visto en directo)
Even though it was raining, we went for a walk (aunque llovía, fuimos a dar un paseo)
*¡Cuidado! Tened en cuenta que los signos de puntuación se rigen por normas distintas en
inglés y en español.
IN SPITE OF / DESPITE + nombre / pronombre / verbo acabado en -ing. Significan "a pesar
de".
Ejemplos:
In spite of the rain, we went for a walk (a pesar de la lluvia, fuimos a dar un paseo)
Despite the rain, we went for a walk (a pesar de la lluvia, fuimos a dar un paseo)
In spite of her good marks, she is worried about her final exam.
(a pesar de sus buenas notas, está preocupada por su examen final)
Despite her good marks, she is worried about her final exam.
(a pesar de sus buenas notas, está preocupada por su examen final)
In spite of being ill, he went to work (a pesar de estar enfermo, fue a trabajar)
Despite being ill, he went to work (a pesar de estar enfermo, fue a trabajar)
¡Cuidado!
- Recuerda que despite no lleva "of".
Despite being ill, he went to work. Correcto
Despite of being ill, he went to work. Incorrecto
- Recuerda poner una coma para separar la frase principal de la frase introducida por
"despite" o "in spite of".
IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT / DESPITE THE FACT THAT + sujeto + verbo. Significan "a pesar
(del hecho) de que".
Ejemplos:
In spite of the fact that he arrived late, he didn't miss the train
(a pesar de que llegó tarde, él no perdió el tren)
Despite the fact that he arrived late, he didn't miss the train
(a pesar de que llegó tarde, él no perdió el tren)
ON THE ONE HAND, ... ON THE OTHER HAND, ... Significa "por una parte"... "por otra...".
Ejemplos:
On the one hand, London is a city with lots of things to do. On the other hand, it is too big.
(Por una parte, Londres es una ciudad con muchas cosas para hacer. Por otra, es demasiado
grande).
1) Si va al principio, pondremos una coma* entre la oración introducida por although, though
o even though y la otra.
Ej: Although it was raining, we went for a walk (aunque llovía, fuimos a dar un paseo)
Though I'm a big fan of Oasis, I have never seen them live
(aunque soy un gran fan de Oasis, nunca los he visto en directo)
Even though it was raining, we went for a walk (aunque llovía, fuimos a dar un paseo)
*¡Cuidado! Tened en cuenta que los signos de puntuación se rigen por normas distintas en
inglés y en español.
IN SPITE OF / DESPITE + nombre / pronombre / verbo acabado en -ing. Significan "a pesar
de".
Ejemplos:
In spite of the rain, we went for a walk (a pesar de la lluvia, fuimos a dar un paseo)
Despite the rain, we went for a walk (a pesar de la lluvia, fuimos a dar un paseo)
In spite of her good marks, she is worried about her final exam.
(a pesar de sus buenas notas, está preocupada por su examen final)
Despite her good marks, she is worried about her final exam.
(a pesar de sus buenas notas, está preocupada por su examen final)
In spite of being ill, he went to work (a pesar de estar enfermo, fue a trabajar)
Despite being ill, he went to work (a pesar de estar enfermo, fue a trabajar)
¡Cuidado!
- Recuerda que despite no lleva "of".
Despite being ill, he went to work. Correcto
Despite of being ill, he went to work. Incorrecto
- Recuerda poner una coma para separar la frase principal de la frase introducida por
"despite" o "in spite of".
IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT / DESPITE THE FACT THAT + sujeto + verbo. Significan "a pesar
(del hecho) de que".
Ejemplos:
In spite of the fact that he arrived late, he didn't miss the train
(a pesar de que llegó tarde, él no perdió el tren)
Despite the fact that he arrived late, he didn't miss the train
(a pesar de que llegó tarde, él no perdió el tren)
ON THE ONE HAND, ... ON THE OTHER HAND, ... Significa "por una parte"... "por otra...".
Ejemplos:
On the one hand, London is a city with lots of things to do. On the other hand, it is too big.
(Por una parte, Londres es una ciudad con muchas cosas para hacer. Por otra, es demasiado
grande).
DESPITE
1. Despite + nombre
Ej: despite the rain… (a pesar de la lluvia…)
IN SPITE OF
1. In spite of + nombre
Ej: In spite of the rain (a pesar de la lluvia)
2) So that. Significa "para que" y va seguido de sujeto, el verbo modal Can o Could* y el infinitivo sin
to.
¡Importante! Esta estructura se utiliza obligatoriamente cuando en la frase hay dos sujetos.
I turned down the TV volume so that my sister could read
(Yo bajé el volumen de la televisión para que mi hermana pudiera leer)
*Normalmente se construye con verbos modales, pero también puede aparecer sin ellos.
I'll take a jacket so that I don't get cold. (cogeré una chaqueta para que no pase frío/ para no pasar
frío) = I'll take a jacket so as not to get cold = I'll take a jacket in order not to get cold
3) For. Significa "para" y va seguido de un nombre (para referirnos a una finalidad general) o de un
verbo acabado en -ing (para hablar de la utilidad de un objeto).
WHOSE (=cuyo /a, cuyos / as, de quien, de quienes, del cual, de la cual, de los cuales, de las
cuales)
Usamos este pronombre relativo para indicar posesión, en lugar de los adjetivos posesivos
(my, his, her...). Nunca se puede omitir.
Ejemplo 1
I’ve got a friend. His brother is an actor (tengo un amigo. Su hermano es actor)
I’ve got a friend whose brother is an actor (tengo un amigo cuyo hermano es actor)
I’ve got a friend brother is an actor X
Ejemplo 2
I saw the man. His dog had died (ví al hombre. Su perro había muerto)
I saw the man whose dog had died (ví al hombre cuyo perro había muerto)
I saw the man dog had died X
Ejemplo 1
I stayed at a hotel. It was very small (me alojé en un hotel. Era muy pequeño)
The hotel where we stayed was very small (el hotel donde me alojé era muy pequeño)
The hotel we stayed AT was very small ✔
The hotel we stayed was very small X
Ejemplo 2
The house was very big. We lived there (la casa era muy grande. Nosotros vivíamos allí)
The house where we lived was very big (la casa donde vivíamos era muy grande)
The house we lived IN was very big ✔
The house we lived was very big X
WHEN (=cuando)
Usamos when para referirnos a nociones temporales. Se puede omitir.
Ejemplo
That was just the moment when we arrived (ese fue justo el momento cuando llegamos)
That was just the moment we arrived ✔
WHY / THAT (=por la que, por la cual, por el que, por el cual)
Why y that se usan a continuación de la palabra "reason" (razón, motivo). Se pueden omitir.
Ejemplo
Is there a reason why / that you don’t want to come to the party? (hay alguna razón por la que
no quieras venir a la fiesta?)
Is there a reason you don’t want to come to the party? ✔
WHOM
Se puede usar en sustitución al relativo who SÓLO cuando éste hace función de
objeto. Whom no es muy común en el inglés hablado, se usa más en un registro formal.
Ejemplos
(la persona a la que quería ver era francesa)
The person who I wanted to see was French = The person whom I wanted to see was French
Tine Harries, whose brother is the actor Paul Harris, is a good friend of mine
(Tine Harries, cuyo hermano es el actor Paul Harris, es un buen amigo mío)
Sarah Robbins, whom you met last week, will be at the party
(Sarah Robbins, a quien conociste la semana pasada, estará en la fiesta)
EJERCICIO
Une las siguientes frases usando los siguientes pronombres o adverbios relativos: when,
whose, where, why, whom. Fíjate en si es defining (no comas) o non-defining (comas).
There is y There are
En este post explicaremos there is y there are para describir sitios o decir dónde están las
cosas
En inglés utilizamos there is y there are para describir sitios o decir dónde están las cosas.
Significa "hay" pero, a diferencia del español, no es invariable. Usaremos:
THERE IS
Se utiliza cuando hay una única cosa, por tanto, irá acompañado de.
THERE ARE
Se utiliza cuando hay más de una cosa, por tanto, lo usaremos con sustantivos contables en
plural. En este caso los sustantivos suelen ir acompañados de un cuantificador como some, a
lot of... o de un numeral.
There are three pens on the table (hay tres bolígrafos encima de la mesa)
There are four bedrooms in the house (hay cuatro habitaciones en la casa)
Cuidado
Recordad que hay plurales irregulares que aunque no lleven la -s son plural y, por tanto, se
utilizan con there are.
There are a lot of people in the street ✔ (hay mucha gente en la calle)
There is a lot of people in the street X
FORMA NEGATIVA
Contable singular → There is not a lift in the building (no hay ascensor en el edificio)
Incontable → There is not any milk on the fridge (no hay leche en el frigorífico)
Contable plural → There are not any apples on the table (no hay ninguna manzana encima de
la mesa)
Contable plural → There are not four bedrooms in the house (no hay cuatro habitaciones en la
casa)
Contable singular → There isn't a lift in the building (no hay ascensor en el edificio)
Incontable → There isn't any milk on the fridge (no hay leche en el frigorífico)
Contable plural → There aren't any apples on the table (no hay ninguna manzana encima de la
mesa)
Contable plural → There aren't four bedrooms in the house (no hay cuatro habitaciones en la
casa)
¡Mucho cuidado!
En negativas, para indicar que no hay nada de algo utilizaremos ANY con incontables y con
contables en PLURAL.
Del mismo modo que hacíamos con el verbo to be en presente, pondremos primero el verbo
to be, es decir, is o are, y después añadiremos there → Is there...? Are there...?
Are there any shops in your street? (¿hay alguna tienda en tu calle?)
Yes, there are
No, there aren't / there are not
El Present Perfect 2
Se usa el present perfect con las palabras just, already, ever, never, this is the first time...etc
1. Just
Ejemplo:
Ejemplo:
Ejemplo:
Have you ever visited Scotland? ¿Has visitado Escocia alguna vez?
4. Never
Se usa el present perfect en frases con never para contestar preguntas con ever (ver arriba).
Ejemplo:
Se usa el present perfect con la expresión this is the first time….this is the second time…etc
Ejemplo:
This is the first time I have visited Scotland. Es la primera vez que visito Escocia.