Inglés

Vaughan 4.0
Intermediate

Advanced
clases 1 a 20
21 a 40
41 a 60
61 a 80
81 a 100
101 a 120
121 a 140
141 a 160
161 a 180
181 a 195


Lists
Elementary
Intermediate
Advanced
Super-Advanced
Common Mistakes

lunes 5 octubre 2009
lunes 4 octubre 2010

grammar

negative questions

WHY + verbo "to be" en negativo
Es obligatoria la contracción (en hablado y escrito, y en estilo formal).
conjugación de la primera persona en negativo
You're not the teacher.
Why aren't I the teacher?

other

¿De qué depende? = What does it depend on?

so ... that

a) This pen is so hard that I can't break it.
b) This pen is so light that I could carry 80, but it's not as light as a feather.
so ... that = tan ... que
as ... as = tan ... como

my vocabulary

nosy = cotilla
seamstress = costurera
front row = primera fila
butcher = carnicero
well off = adinerado (adjetivo)
letrero = sign
dim = tenue

pronunciation

aren't en una sola sílaba.
butcher /'bʊtʃə(r)/
'good enough' junto se acentúa en 'good'
oven /'ʌvən/

exercises

ask me why (use pronouns)

- The book isn't on the table.
  Why isn't it on the table?
- I'm not single.
- My wife isn't American.
- She isn't a seamstress.
- They aren't there.
- He isn't in the front row.
- She isn't happy with the results.
- I'm not at the butcher.
- She isn't well-off.

negative questions with the verb 'to be' in the past

- I wasn't here on Sunday.
  Why weren't you here on Sunday?
- I wasn't at the party on Friday
  Why weren't you at the party on Friday?
- My best friend wasn't there.
  Why wasn't your best friend there?
- He wasn't feeling very well.
  Why wasn't he feeling very well?
- We weren't wearing white.
  Why weren't you wearing white?
- William wasn't working on Wednesday
  Why wasn't William working on Wednesday?
- Walter wasn't with me when they warned me.
  Why wasn't Walter with you when they warned you?
- Yesterday wasn't a good day for me.
  Why wasn't Yesterday a good day for you?
- The weather wasn't good enough.
  Whay wasn't the weather good enough?

so ... that

- Esta taza es tan grande como ésa.
  This cup is as big as that other.
  This cup is so big that I can't drink it.
- The book is very big, I can't put it in my pocket.
  The book is so big that I can't put it in my pocket.
- The test is very difficult, I can't pass it.
  The test is so difficult that I can't pass it.
- The sign is very faraway, I can't read it.
  The sign is so faraway that I can't read it.
- The candle light is very dim, I can't read the book.
  The candle light is so dim that I can't read the book.

vocabulary 1

to lift (verbo regular) levantar (un peso desde el suelo, p.e.)
to fire disparar (una pistola)
echar una persona de su puesto
oven horno
to guess adivinar
means (verbo, 3ra. persona) significa
martes 6 octubre 2009
martes 5 octubre 2010

grammar

there/over there

Si no hay referencia visual, se dice there:
Pepita vive en Francia.
¿Por qué vive ahí? - Why does she live there?
Pepita está en ese rincón.
¿Por qué está ahí? - Why is she over there?

other

couldn't help + gerund

so ... that/such a ... that

- The movie was so bad that I left after 20 minutes
  It was such a bad movie that I left after 20 minutes
- English is so difficult that ...
  English is such a difficult language that ...
noun + verb 'to be' + SO + adjective + that
subject + verb 'to be' + SUCH A/AN + adjective + noun + that -> contable singular
subject + verb 'to be' + SUCH + adjective + noun + that -> incontable o plural

my vocabulary

to get down to work = ponerse a trabajar
to help = evitar
T-bone steak = chuletón
and even so = y aun así

review

negative questions with the verb 'to be' in the present

They aren't members of that club. (Ask me why.)
I'm not ready.
We aren't in our teens.

negative questions verb 'to be' in the past

I wasn't here on Sunday. (Ask me why.)
My birthday wasn't yesterday.
You weren't sitting at your desk.
He wasn't on the flight.

rephrasing using 'so ... that'

- The apple looked delicious. I couldn't help eating it.
  The apple looked so delicious that I couldn't help eating it.
- Silvia is really pretty. She could be a model.
  Silvia is so pretty that she could be a model.
- The music was loud. We couldn't talk.
- Her accent was very strong. No one could understand her.

exercises

such ... that

- The book was so big that it didn't fit in my bag.
  It was such a big book that ...
- The T-bone steak was big. I couldn't eat it all.
  It was such a big T-bone steak that I ...
- The weather was very bad. We stayed at home.
  It was such bad weather that we ...
- The report is very long. Nobody is going to read it.
  It's such a long report that nobody's ...
- The shoes were very expensive. I couldn't afford them.
  They were such expensive shoes that I ...
- The film was very good. I didn't want it to end.
  It was such a good film that I didn't ...
- The journey was very long. We had to stop three times.
  It was such a long journey that we ...
- The food was very spicy. We had to ask for a glass of water.
  It was such spicy food that we ...

change the structure

- The movie was so boring that I fell asleep.
  It was such a boring movie that I fell ...
- It was such bad weather that we stayed at home.
  The weather was so bad that we stayed ...
- The shoes were so expensive that I couldn't afford them.
  They were such expensive shoes that I ...
- The course was so difficult that I didn't pass it.
  It was such a difficult course that I ...
- The plate is so hot that I can't hold it.
  It's such a hot plate that I can't ...
- It was such a good offer that I couldn't refuse.
  The offer was so good that I couldn't ...
- They are such well-behaved children that they do what they're told.
  The children are so well-behaved that they do ...
- The man was so old that he couldn't walk.
  He was such an old man that he couldn't walk.

vocabulary 2

red tapepapeleo burocrático
to clarifyclarificar
omelettetortilla
andar con dilaciones o aplazar to procrastinate
mutuallymutuamente
miércoles 7 octubre 2009
miércoles 6 octubre 2010

grammar

various

I'm more impressed with a person who ...
Why don't you do something about it?
Why doesn't she do something?
take sugar with my coffee

can't

what else can't you do?
Se usa "can't" para las negaciones de: see, hear, feel, find.

my vocabulary

go over = repasar
It's a piece of cake = es pan comido
cockroach = cucaracha
to get on well with, to get along with = llevarse bien con:
Pepe doesn't get on well with Juan
to realize = darse cuenta
ground floor = planta baja
parcel = paquete (de correo, por ejemplo)
'packet' o 'pack' es para cigarrillos, galletas, etc.
gulp = trago
I can't drink this cup of water gulp in one gulp

pronunciation

usual /'ju:ʒuəl/
Asia /'eɪʒə/
bury /'beri/
berry /'beri/

review

such ... that

- My neighbours are very friendly people, they always make me feel at home.
  My neighbours are such friendly people that they always make me feel at home.
- Madrid is a very big city, I always get lost.
- David Waddell is a very intelligent man, so I can never understand him.
- My neighbour's very nice, everybody loves him.

so/such

- David Waddell is such an intelligent man, that I can never understand him.
  David Waddell is so intelligent, that I can never understand him.
- The movie was so boring that I fell asleep.
  It was such a boring movie that I fell asleep.
- The shoes were so expensive that I couldn't afford them.
- The weather was so bad that I stayed at home.

exercises

negative questions with 'do', 'does' and 'did'

- I don't live in Albacete. (Ask me why.)
  Why don't you live in Albacete?
- My son doesn't speak Chinese.
- I didn't eat cockroaches last week.
- Jeremy's wife doesn't get on well with Jane.
- They didn't realize there was a problem.
- You don't work on the ground floor.
- The parcel didn't arrive on time.
- The boy doesn't pay attention in class.
- They don't take sugar with their coffee.
- Tom doesn't shave before going to work.
- It doesn't matter.
  Why doesn't it matter?
- The dog didn't bury the bone in the garden.

negative questions with "can't"

- This class can't last 20 hours. (Ask me why.)
  Why can't it last 20 hours?
- I can't hold my breath under water for 30 minutes.
- I can't swim.
- My father doesn't know how to swim.
- My father can't speak Russian.
- I can't cook paella.
- I can't find my wallet.

vocabulary 3

to defeat derrotar a (Real Madrid defeated Barça)
modesty modestia
iron planchar, planchar, hierro
to facilitate facilitar
recreation recreo
jueves 8 octubre 2009
jueves 7 octubre 2010

grammar

- My sister never comes to Spain = My sister doesn't ever come to Spain
  Why doesn't your sister ever come to Spain?
- En inglés mil o millón se dice en singular cuando sigue un objeto, 'two million books.
- Numbers: siempre se dice hundred and
- Años: las cuatro cifras se dicen en dos grupos de decenas.
- How long does it take to learn English?

my vocabulary

regidor [TV] = floor (floor manager)
It's about time! = ¡Ya era hora!
Did you get it? = ¿Lo pillaste?
to get by = manejarse, apañarse
basura = garbage [AM], trash [AM], rubbish [EN] (to throw away/out)
to shave = afeitarse, pero en inglés no es reflexivo:
It takes five minutes for me to shave everyday.
hacerse la corbata = to put your tie on
to do my tie
to do up a tie
to do a tie up
to tie a tie

pronunciation

son /sʌn/
sun /sʌn/
can [BR] /kæn/
can't [BR] /kɑ:nt/
minute /'mɪnɪt/

review

ask me why (don't, doesn't, didn't)

- I don't live in Albacete.
  Why don't you live in Albacete?
- My son doesn't speak Chinese.
- I didn't eat cockroaches last week.

ask me why (can't)

- This class can't last 20 hours.
  Why can't this class last 20 hours?
- I can't hold my breath under water for more than a minute.
- Jenny can't come to the party on Friday.
- My neighbour's dog can't speak.

exercises

numbers dictation

1,842,012 one million, eight hundred and fourty two thousand, twelve
13,743,330 thirteen million, seven hundred and fourty three thousand, three hundred thirty
27,989,111 twenty seven million, nine hundred and eighty nine thousand, one hundred and eleven
30,313,440 thirty million, three hundred and thirteen thousand, four hundred and fourty
4,671,902 four million, six hundred and seventy one thousand, nine hundred and two
64,286,330 sixty four million, two hundred and eighty six thousand, three hundred and thirty

numbers

341,562 three hundred and fourty one thousand five hundred and sixty two
2,607,880 two million six hundred and seven thousand eight hundred and eighty
55,414 fifty five thousand, four hundred and fourteen
50,212,660 fifty million, two hundred and twelve thousand, six hundred and sixty
90,420 ninety thousand, four hundred and twenty

ejercise

[activity, time] to make a cake, yesterday
It took half an hour to make a cake yesterday.
to make the bed, yesterday
to iron the clothes, everyday
to learn English
to throw the rubbish away, yesterday
to shave, everyday
to put your tie on
to brush your teeth, yesterday
to go and buy the newspaper from your house, everyday
to smoke a cigarette, everyday

vocabulary 4

to add upsumar
to presspulsar
moodhumor (estado de ánimo)
to contributecontribuir
acousticsacústica
viernes 9 octubre 2009
viernes 8 octubre 2010

grammar

How long

How long does it take to...?
How long do you think it'll take me?
How long will it take her?
It'll take a little more than six hours.
Para tiempo siempre se usa how long.
También es correcto how much time, pero sólo se usa con spend:
How much time did you spend in Colorado last year?
Se puede preguntar de tres formas equivalentes:
How much time did you spend in Colorado last year?
How long did you stay in Colorado last year?
How long were you in Colorado last year?

various

- to manage to + verbo = lograr + verbo:
I hope you manage to sleep in the plane
- numbers: and en donde hay un cero
2,322,086 ... two thousand and eighty six
1,218,406 ... and six

my vocabulary

to blow out = apagar soplando
to put out a forest fire = apagar un incendio forestal
to put out = apagar [fuego, luz]
to vacuum = pasar la aspiradora
write down = apuntar, anotar
jot down = apuntar, anotar
no confundir take/last
target es objetivo, blanco, diana
bull's eye = el centro de la diana
I can tell (if you're...) = lo noto
tren bala = bullet train (AVE)
carretera de peaje = toll road

pronunciation

iron /'aɪən/ (una sílaba)
"it'll" como "little" sin la primera "l"
target /'tɑ:gɪt/ (como get)
mutual /'mju:tʃuəl/

review

numbers

how long does it take you to... ?

- Tardo media hora en hacer una tortilla.
  It takes me half an hour to make an omelette.
- Tardé dos horas en hacer la cama ayer.
  It took me two hours to make the bed yesterday.
- Tardaré seis meses en aprender el inglés perfectamente.
  It'll take me six months to learn English perfectly.

exercises

rephrase

- I'll leave Madrid at 3pm and will arrive at Valencia at 6:30.
  It'll take you three and a half hours to get to Valencia.
- My wife started writing a book on the 15th of july and she finished it on the first of september.
  It took her one and a half month to write the book.
- They're writing a report. They started a long time ago. (They haven't finished.)
  It's taking them a long time to write the report.
- You swept the floor from midday to 1:30.
  It took me one and a half hour to sweep the floor.

translate

- Tardo media hora en preparar la clase.
  It take me half an hour to prepare the class.
- Ella tardó dos años en aprender ruso.
  It took her two years to learn Russian.
- Estoy tardando mucho en terminarlo.
  It's taking me a long time to finish it.
- Tardaremos un poco más.
  It'll take us a bit longer.

translate

- ¿Cuánto se tarda en aprender inglés?
  How long does it take to learn English?
- ¿Cuánto se tarda en volar a Londres?
  How long does it take to fly to London?
- ¿Cuánto se tarda en ir a Sevilla?
  How long does it take to go to Sevilla?
- ¿Cuánto se tardó?
  How long did it take?
- ¿Cuánto se tardará?
  How long will it take?
- ¿Cuánto tiempo tardas en vestirte?
  How long does it take you to get dressed?
- ¿Cuánto tiempo tardaréis en terminar el informe?
  How long will it take you to finish the report?
- ¿Cuánto tiempo han tardado hasta ahora?
  How long has it taken then [so far/until now]?
- ¿Se tarda mucho?
  Does it take long?
- ¿Tardó mucho?
  Did it take long?
- ¿Tardaste mucho?
  Did it take you long?
- ¿Tardaron toda la semana?
  Did it take them the whole week?

vocabulary 5

mushroomssetas
to conveytransmitir (una idea, p.e.)
mutualmutuo
questionnairecuestionario
suggestionsugerencia
lunes 12 octubre 2009
lunes 11 octubre 2010

grammar

- I'm glad to know that...
- Ask me how long it takes me to walk from my house to the car in the morning.
- wouldn't, musn't, shouldn't, couldn't, won't
- Ask me what you're we going to look at today.
  What are we going to look at today?
- to count with = to count at the same time with somebody

my vocabulary

downhill = cuesta abajo
uphill = cuesta arriba
on second thought... = pensándolo bien...
despite the fact that, in spite of the fact that, even though = aun cuando, a pesar de que
run for = presentarse como candidato (de unas elecciones)
mean = desagradable
to swear = jurar, maldecir
to meet up with = encontrarse, reunirse con
reliable, dependable, responsible
to count on
aprovechar el tiempo = to make the most of time

pronunciation

even though: hacer liaison

review

to take

- I'll leave Madrid at three, and arrive in Valencia at 6:30.
  It'll take you 3 and a half hours to get to Valencia.
- My brother started writing a book on July fifteenth and finished it on September first.
  It took him one and a half months to write the book.
- They leave home at eight and get to work at nine.
  It takes them one hour to get to work.
- You started studying medicine 8 years ago, and now you're a doctor.
  It took me 8 years to become a doctor.
- We'll leave here at 5 and arrive at the beach at 9.
  It'll take us 4 hours to get to the beach.

how long does it take... ?

- I have breakfast every day.
  How long does it take you to have breakfast?
- My neighbour will write a book next week.
  How long will it take your neighbour to write a book?
- I got ready for work this morning.
  How long did it take you to get ready for work this morning?
- My parents did the shopping yesterday.
  How long did it take your parents to do the shopping yesterday?
- I prepare a class everyday.
  How long does it take you to prepare a class?
- She finally found a husband.
  How long did it take her to find a husband?
- I'll sell my house next month.
  How long will it take you to sell your house?

exercises

negative questions (ask why... ?)

  • I wouldn't eat the shoe.
    Why wouldn't you eat the shoe?
  • I wouldn't work if I didn't have to.
    Why wouldn't you work if you didn't have to?
  • You mustn't kill anyone.
    Why mustn't I kill anyone?
  • You shouldn't smoke cigarettes?
    Why shouldn't I smoke?
  • You shouldn't be mean to your friends.
    Why shouldn't I be mean to my friends?
  • You shouldn't swear.
    Why shouldn't I swear?
  • You shouldn't cross the street without looking.
    Why shouldn't I cross the street without looking?
  • I couldn't meet up with my family yesterday.
    Why couldn't you meet up with your family yesterday?
  • I couldn't go to the beach last weekend.
    Why couldn't you go to the beach last weekend?
  • I couldn't save any money last year.
    Why couldn't you save any money last year?
  • I couldn't return your call yesterday.
    Whay couldn't you return my call yesterday?
  • I wouldn't do that if I were you.
    Why wouldn't you do that if you were me?
  • Because you shouldn't do things like that.
    Why shouldn't I do things like that?
  • Because you mustn't do things like that.
    Why mustn't I do things like that?

to count on somebody

  • Ask me why I can count on my boyfriend.
    Why can you count on your boyfriend?
    Because he's always there for me.
  • Ask me why I can count on my friends when I have a problem.
    Why can you count on your friends when have a problem?
    Because they help me out.
    You can count on them because they help you out.
  • Ask me why I can count on you to come to class.
    Why can you count on me to come to class?
    Because you're a very good student. So, why can I count on you?
    You can count on me because I'm a good student.
  • Ask me why I can count on my parents to look after me if I am ill.
    Why... ?
    Because they love me.
    You can count on them because...
  • Ask me why I can count on you to study.
    Why can you count on me to study?
    Because you're really a good student as well.

vocabulary 6

rooftejado
to deemestimar
R&DI+D
to dareatreverse a
to pass awayfallecer
martes 13 octubre 2009
martes 12 octubre 2010

grammar

- [Nobody/no one] wants to hire me.
  Why doesn't anybody want to hire you?
- When was the last time you saw a flying saucer?
  I've never seen a flying saucer.
- When was the last time you spoke to me in Chinese?
- When did you last make love to a goddess?

my vocabulary

to tell you the truth = para ser sincero
college/university AM/BR
to hire = contratar
flying saucer = platillo volante
appointed = nombrado, designado:
I've never been appointed prime minister
tender la ropa = hang the clothes on the line [hang, hung, hung]
poner la mesa = to lay / set the table

pronunciation

pronunciación de aren't, en BR más nasal (vocal más hacia dentro)

review

ask me why

- I wouldn't do that.
  Why wouldn't you do that?
- They mustn't press this button.
- You shouldn't smoke so much.

to count on (translate)

- Puedes contar conmigo.
  You can count on me.
- ¿Puedo contar contigo?
- ¿Podemos contar con ellos?
- No cuentes con ellos.
- No podemos contar con su apoyo.
- ¿Crees que podemos contar con él?

exercises

when was the last time ... ?

- When was the last time you went to the North Pole on a pogo-stick?
  I've never gone to the North Pole on a pogo-stick.
- When did you last buy a 20 euros car?
- When were you last in my house?
  I've never been in your house.
- When did you last milk a cow?
  I've never milked a cow.
- When was the last time you were able to read upside down?
  When were you last able to read upside down?
- When was the last time you turned off my TV?
- When were you last appointed Prime Minister?
- When did you last hang my clothes on the line?
- When did I last lay your table?

translate

- Nunca he discutido con mi mejor amiga.
  I've never argued with my best friend.

saxon genitive

¿De quién es este boli? = Whose pen is it?
El hueso del perro de Natasha = Natasha's dog's bone.
¿De quién es el hueso? = Whose bone is it?
¿Sabes de quién es el hueso? = Do you know whose bone it is?
El hijo del jefe de Paco = Paco's boss's son
La suegra del compañero de piso de Juanito = Juanito's roommate's mother in law

vocabulary 7

to peelpelar
to run riskscorrer riesgos
punishmentcastigo [castigar = to punish]
misinterpretationmalinterpretación
overwhelmingabrumador
miércoles 14 octubre 2009
miércoles 13 octubre 2010

grammar

- When was the last time you + verb (past) = When did you last + infinitive
  I've never + past participle
- I've never been to Mongolia, I've never been to Australia either.
- It belong to Pepe.
- That it's not mine, it's not Inés's either.
- We're trying to identify who this pen belongs to.
- Preguntas indirectas
* Ask me what we're going to do today.
  What are we going to do today?
* What do you want to know?
  I want to know what we are going to do today.
* Do you know what we're going to do today?
- Ever = alguna vez
I never eat potatoes on Sunday = I don't ever eat potatoes ...
- HAVE YOU EVER + verbo en pp? = ¿alguna vez has + verbo?
- Has María ever felt like killing a person? (¿Ha tenido alguna vez María ganas de matar a una persona?)
to feel like + verbo-ing = tener ganas de + verbo
- Have you ever been to Roma? = ¿Has estado en Roma? ¿Conoces Roma?
- Do you know Roma? = ¿Estás familiarizado con las calles de Roma? dando por sentado que conoces Roma.

my vocabulary

cheer you up = animarte
ladle = cucharón
stab = apuñalar
to tear out = arrancar (tear-tore-torn)
se dice paper clip, para distinguirlo de tie clip, alfiler de corbata
praiseworthy = digno de elogio
I'm very proud of her = Estoy muy orgulloso de ella.
tobogán para la nieve (trineo) = sled or sleigh
to spill the beans = revelar el secreto, chivarse, irse de la lengua
blow out = apagar soplando
spend the night in a hotel = pasar la noche en un hotel
to feel like + verbo-ing = tener ganas de + verbo
camión = lorry BR track AM

pronunciation

ladle /'leɪdḷ/
mansion /'mænʃən/
Carlos's se pronuncia carlos-is

review

I've never

- When did you last have soupe with a ladle?
  I've never had soupe with a ladle.
- When was the last time I stabbed you in the back?
- When did you last tear out a page from your favourite book?
- When did it last take you five hours to squeeze an orange?

saxon genitive in chain

- El hueso del perro de Natasha.
  Natasha's dog's bone (sin artículo al principio).
- Ask me what color Natasha's dog's bone is.
  What color is Natasha's dog's bone?
- Whose dog is it?
  It's Natasha's dog.
- Whose bone is it?
  It's Natasha's dog's bone.
- Ask me how big Natasha's dog's bone is.
  How big is Natasha's dog's bone?

exercises

saxon genitive

- Jesús's book is on Luis's boss's desk. Where is Jesús's book?
  It's on Luis's boss's desk.
- ¿De quién es el libro?
  Whose book is it?
- Es el libro de Jesús.
  It's Jesús's book.
- Es el libro del jefe de Jesús.
  It's Jesus's boss's book.
- Marcos, avión:
  It's Marcos's aeroplane.
- Matías, furgoneta:
  It's Matías's van.
- Inés, novio:
  He's Inés's boyfriend.
- La raqueta de tenis de Andrés:
  Andrés's tennis's racket.
- Es el mercedes de Mercedes.
  It's Mercedes's mercedes.
- La oficina de Liz.
  It's Liz's office.
- La guitarra de Nicolás.
  Nicolás's guitar.
- Es el tobogán de Nieves.
  It's Nieves's sled/sleigh.
- Es el horno de Tomás.
  It's Tomás's oven.
- Es la clase de Boris.
  It's Boris's class.
- Es la mejor amiga de la compañera de Denise.
  It's Denise's roommate's best friend.
- Es la lección de Fitz.
  It's Fitz's lesson.

given the answer, ask the question

- I've never read fifteen books in one day.
  Have you ever read fifteen books in one day?
- I've never driven to Mongolia.
- I've never been to the Moon.
- I've never flown in a hot air balloon.
- My brother has never driven a lorry.
- My uncle has never ridden a horse.

vocabulary 8

to overcomesuperar (un problema, una situación)
real estateinmobiliaria
to hinderentorpecer, poner trabas
to containcontener
to placecolocar, situar
jueves 15 octubre 2009
jueves 14 octubre 2010

grammar

to pay attention to
to do something to death = hacer algo hasta la muerte
to do numbers to death
If you can't understand numbers first time round, then ...
Are you good at numbers?
4,747,012
four million seven hundred and fourty seven thousand, twelve
109,002,003
one hundred and nine million, two thousand and three
8,080,808
eight million eighty thousand eight hundred and eight
I want you to + ...
It's back where it's supposed to be.
where it's supposed to be = donde tiene que estar [hablando de objetos]
do you want me to put them back?
where do you want me to put them?
what do you want me to do with them?
either one is correct = cualquiera de ellos es correcto (p.e. respuestas)

my vocabulary

you are in trouble = estás en problemas
to flip a coin = echar una moneda al aire (a cara o cruz)
heads or tails? = ¿cara o cruz?
on second thought ... = pensándolo bien ...
to make up = to constitute (the five countries that make up North Africa are ...)
full stop = punto
cat got your tongue? = ¿te comió la lengua el gato?
saludo en Australia: good day!
a gossip magazine
to run into = encontrase con alguien casualmente

pronunciation

sche + duled = sche + "jewel" + ed

review

saxon genitive

- Jesús's book is on Luis's boss's desk. Where is Jesús's book?
- Whose book is it?
- Whose desk is it?
- Inés's car is in Luis's garage. Where is Inés's car?
- Whose car is it?
- Whose garage is it?
- Tomás's son is playing with the actress's dog. Where is Tomás's son?
- Whose son is it?
- Whose dog is it?

Ask me have you ever

- I've never read 15 books in one day.
  Have you ever read 15 books in one day?
- I've never driven to Mongolia.
- I've never been to the Moon.
- I've never stolen a car.
- I've never seen a UFO.
- I've never broken a bone.
- I've never driven a Ferrari.
- I've never taught French.
- I've never lied to my boss.

exercises

the accusative

- Quiero que mis alumnos estudien todos los días.
  I want my students to study everyday.
- Ella querría que su marido le comprara flores un día sí y otro no.
  She'd like her husband to buy her flowers every other day.
- Ella quería que no la llamara más.
  She wanted him not to call her anymore.
- Quiero que se imprima ahora
  I want it to be printed now.
- Yo no quería que se encontrara con él
  I didn't want her to run into him.
- No me gustaría que se programara para mañana.
  I wouldn't like it to be scheduled for tomorrow.
- Quiero que me lo den en mano.
  I want them to give it to me in hand.
- (Yo) No quería que lo buscaras.
  I didn't want you to look for it.

vocabulary 9

to crushaplastar
misgivingsreservas, recelos
mistaken (también "wrong")equivocado
mountain rangesierra, cordillera
to contradictcontradecir
viernes 16 octubre 2009
viernes 15 octubre 2010

grammar

I want + pronombre complemento (object pronoun) + to + verbo
I want you to sit down and be still (quieto)
Lo mismo con would like:
I'd like you to be more polite
Las referencias de tiempo se dicen al final o al principio de la frase, pero no en medio.
however/nevertheless: sin embargo/no obstante
POSITIVE + however + NEGATIVE
Jaimito is a very diligent student, however he tends to talk to much in class
NEGATIVE + nevertheless + POSITIVE
Jaimito isn't a very good student, nevertheless he seems to be getting better
En caso de duda usar BUT o HOWEVER.

my vocabulary

to work out = hacer ejercicio (físico)
¿qué tal te parece ... ? = how about ... ?
soap-opera = telenovela, culebrón
informe detallado, en profundidad = in deep report

review

numbers

the accusative

quiero que me escuches
quieren que lo hagamos
no queremos que llueva
no quieren que vayamos
él no quiere que te quedes
ella no quiere que lo traigas

exercises

every other day

- Ask me who I call every other day.
  Who do you call every other day?
- I call my mum every other day. Who do I call?
  You call your mum every other day.
- Ask me what I have for dinner e.o.d.
  What do you have for dinner e.o.d.?
- I have roast chicken. What do I have e.o.d.?
- Ask me where I'd like to go e.o.d.
  Where would you like to go e.o.d.?
- I'd like to go to the spa e.o.d.

translate

- Voy a la carnicería una semana sí y otra no.
  I go to the butcher's e.o. week.
- Ella cena con sus primos un día sí, otro no.
  She has dinner with her cousins e.o.d.
- Ves la telenovela un día sí, otro no.
  I watch the soup-opera e.o.d.
- Quiero un informe detallado un lunes sí, otro no.
  I want [a detailed/an in depth] report every other monday.
- Veo a mi hermano un año sí, otro no.
  I see my brother every other year.
- Voy al trabajo en coche un día sí, otro no.
  I go to work by car every other day.
- Ese secador de pelo funciona un día sí, otro no.
  That hairdryer works every other day.
- Mi tía me llama un día sí, otro no.
  My aunt calls me every other day.

nevertheless/however

nevertheless
- It's raining, but I'm going to go for a walk.
  It's raining, nevertheless I'm going to ...
- They don't like him, but they're going to invite him to the party.
- Mary isn't from Italy, but she speaks Italian fluently.
however
- It's very cheap, but I can't afford to buy it.
- Nigel is rich, but he doesn't like to spend money.
- He has a good salary, but it's still not enought to support his four children.
- Jimmy has good potential, but he needs to work harder.
nevertheless
- They don't have a car, but they always arrive on time.

vocabulary 10

to whistlesilbar
slipperyresbaladizo
mussels (misma pronunciación que "muscles")mejillones
it was about time!¡ya era hora!
to confuseconfundir
lunes 19 octubre 2009
lunes 18 octubre 2010

grammar

where did you say it was? = ¿dónde dijiste que estaba?

fractions and percentages

I spend a/one fourth of my time teaching on the radio. [AM]
I spend a/one quarter of my time teaching on the radio. [BR]
Tenth per cent of the people in Spain smoke.
What percentage of the people in Spain smoke?
I would say, I would guess ...
One tenth is the same as ten per cent.
One fifth is the same as two tenths.
Twenty per cent is the same as two tenths and two tenths we're reduced to

my vocabulary

basin = cuenca (de un río)
golf course = campo de golf
is it worth visiting? = ¿vale la pena visitarlo?
the time is up for the moment ( = el tiempo se ha acabado ahora?????)
wing = ala
wings = bastidores (he's wainting in the wings)
to take over from sb = sustituir a alguien
to carry on = continuar
a pesar de = in spite of
to wave at = (agitar) saludar a, hacer un gesto de saludo o llamada con la mano a alguien
step on sth = pisar algo
to frown = verbo fruncir el ceño, sustantivo el ceño
roughly = aproximadamente, a ojo (rough = áspero, basto)
widow = viuda, widower = viudo

pronunciation

ant (hormiga): ænt y aunt (tía): ɑ:nt

review

every other day

- Ask me what I do every other day.
  What do you do every other day?
  Every other day I play tennis.
- Ask me who I call every other day.
  Who do you call every other day?
- Ask me what I buy every other day.
- Ask me where I go every other day.

linking with 'however' or 'nevertheless'

- I like driving, but I don't do it very often.
  I like driving, however I don't do it very often.
- I find English hard, but I'm getting better.
  I find English hard, nevertheless I'm getting better.

exercises

I want you to ...

- Ask me if they want me to lift the table.
  Do they want you to lift the table?
- Ask me if he wants me to wave at him.
  Does he want you to wave at him?
- Ask me if I want you to learn the vocabulary.
  Do you want me to learn the vocabulary?
- Ask me if my boss wants me to keep him up to date.
  Does your boss want you to keep him up to date?
- Yes, he wants me to keep him up to date.
- Ask me if Cristina wanted me to frown.
  Did Cristina want you to frown?
- Ask me if I want you to sing out loud.
  Do you want me to sing out loud?
- Ask me if the mouse wanted the cat to chase it.
  Did the mouse want the cat to chase it?
- Ask me if I want her to pick me up.
  Do you want her to pick you up?
- Ask me if the ant wanted me to step on it.
  Did the ant want you to step on it?

percentages and fractions

25% = 1/4: twenty five per cent is the same as a quarter
50% = 1/2: fifty per cent is the same as a half
75% = 3/4: seventy five per cent is the same as three quarters/fourhts
20% = 1/5: twenty per cent is the same as one fifth
40% = 2/5: fourty per cent is the same as two fifths
10% = 1/10: ten per cent is the same as one tenth
80% = 4/5: eighty per cent is the same as four fifths
60% = 3/5: sixty per cent is the same as three fifths
90% = 9/10: ninety per cent is the same as nine tenths

vocabulary 11

to annoymolestar (to molest = abusar sexualmente)
to deceiveengañar
on saleen rebajas
to fall asleepquedarse dormido
on account ofa causa de
martes 20 octubre 2009
martes 19 octubre 2010

grammar

percentages and fractions
[observación mía]: 1/3 people se usa como plural
One third of the people in Spain smoke.
Half the people vote one way, half the people vote the other way.
ten tenths, which equals one, ...
hate + infinitivo/gerundio:
I hate [to make/making] decisions
No creo que vaya a tener el tiempo suficiente para ...
= I don't think I'm going to have enough time to write them all down.

eeny, meeny, miny moe

Eeny, meeny, miny moe,
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers make him pay,
Fifty dollars every day.

separable phrasal verb

To copy down is a separable phrasal verb:
- Have you copied all the words down?
- Have you copied down all the words?

reported speech

presente simple -> pasado simple
presente perfecto -> pasado perfecto

my vocabulary

to dust the furniture = limpiar el polvo a los muebles
to sting = picar (un insecto)
stool = taburete
crew = tripulación

pronunciation

spinach 'spɪnɪtʃ rima con finish
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man,
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man.
I'm strong to the finish
Cause I eat me spinach.
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man.
secretary /'sekrətri/

review

I want you to

- Ask me if I want you to learn the vocabulary by heart.
- Ask me if my parents want me to run risks.
- Ask me if my brother wants me to dust his furniture.
- Ask me if my neighbour wants me to water his plants.

percentages and fractions

- 25% 1/4
  twenty-five per cent is the same as one quarter/fourth
- 50% 1/2 (a half)
- 75% 3/4
- 33.3% 1/3 (a third)

exercises

exercise: 3 phrasal verbs

to write down = apuntar
to copy down = copiar
to note down = anotar
- Did you write down her name? (ask the question)
- Did you copy down the information?
- Did you note down their idea?
- Have you written down the address?
- Have you copied all the words down?
- Has your boss written it down in his diary?
- Has his secretary noted it down somewhere safe?

reported speech

- Have you ever been to Rome?
  No, I haven't.
- I asked you if you had ever been to Rome
  and you said that you had never been to Rome.
- Have you ever been to Paris?
  Yes, I have.
- What did I ask you?
  You asked me if I had ever been to Paris.
- And what did you say?
  I said that I had been to Paris.
- Do you live in Madrid?
  Yes, I do. What did you ask me?
- I asked you if you lived in Madrid.
- Do you work at Vaughan Systems?
  Yes, I do. What did you ask me?
- I asked you if you worked at Vaughan Systems.
  And what did I say?
- You said that you worked at Vaughan Systems.
- Are you going to go to the beach tomorrow?
  No, I'm not. What did you ask me?
- I asked you if you were going to go to the beach tomorrow.
- Have you been improving your English?
  Yes, I have.
- What did I ask you?
  You asked me if I had been improving my English.

vocabulary 12

to financefinanciar
adverseadverso
foundationfundación y cimientos de un edificio
the fiftieslos años cincuenta
weddingboda
miércoles 21 octubre 2009
miércoles 20 octubre 2010

grammar

reported speech

present -> past
past -> past perfect
present perfect -> past perfect
- I'm going to teach ...
  Didn't you say you were going to teach ... ?
  I did?
  You just said you were going to teach ...
  What did I say I was going to do?
- Reported Speech with the Future
- I'll call you tomorrow. What did I just say?
- You told me you would call me tomorrow.
- I said I would call you ...
- will --> would
- can --> could
- presente continuo --> pasado continuo (pasado de "to be" + gerundio)

pronombres posesivos

'Pablo is a friend of mine' mejor que 'Pablo is my friend'
of mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs
I'm a friend of Pepe's
This pen is mine and this cup is Pepe's

my vocabulary

wealth = riqueza
tricky = difícil [problema, asunto]
to write down = to make a note of

review

3 phrasal verbs

write down, copy down, note down
- Did you write down her name?
- Did you copy down the information?
- Did you note down their idea?
- Ask me if I wrote down his adress.
- Ask me if I copied down the schedule.
- Ask me if I noted down the results.
- Did you write down the complaint?
- Did you copy down the figures?
- Did you note down the suggestions?

reported speech

- I live in Spain.
  Richard said he lived in Spain.
- I heard the news.
  Richard said he'd heard the news.
- I've done it.
  Richard said he'd done it.
- I like football.
- I sent the letter.
- I've seen her before.

exercises

reported speech

I will retire in three years time You said you'd retire in three years time
I can play the piano You said you could play the piano
I can't speak Russian You said you couldn't speak Russian
I won't be here tomorrow You said you wouldn't be here tomorrow
I'm speaking to them You said you were speaking to them
I'm speaking English You said you were speaking English
You're sitting down You said I was sitting down
They're watching us You said they were watching us
They're having a good time You said they were having a good time
They're laughing at us You said they were laughing at us
I won't go to work tomorrow You said you wouldn't go to work tomorrow

posesivos

He's my friend. He's a friend of mine.
Are they his friends? Are they friends of his?
You were Sam's friend. You were a friend of Sam's.
He isn't your friend. He isn't a friend of yours.
Are you Laura's friend? Are you a friend of [Laura's/hers]?
She's Alberto's friend. She's a friend of Alberto's.
We're their friends. We're friends of theirs.
I'm not my cousin's friend. I'm not a friend of my cousin's.
Is he your friend? Is he a friend of yours?
We were their friends. We were friends of theirs.
Mary is our friend. Mary is a friend of ours.
I'm not his friend. You're not a friend of his.

vocabulary 13

thunder stormtormenta eléctrica
a sayingun dicho
mergerfusión de empresas
inheritanceherencia
oilaceite o petróleo
jueves 22 octubre 2009
jueves 21 octubre 2010

grammar

reported speech

The only thing you said you would do were ...
He said he was going to do it, but I don't think he is going to do it.
If he said he would, he'll do it.

to keep

keep + gerundio = seguir o insistir haciendo algo

my vocabulary

surplus = superávit
I'll make you a bet = os hago una apuesta
time and time again = una y otra vez

pronunciation

suicide /'su:ɪsaɪd/

review

posesives

He's my friend. He's a friend of yours.
He's your friend. He's a friend of mine.
He's your cousin. He's a cousin of mine.
He's their cousin. He's a cousin of theirs.
He's our uncle. He's an uncle of ours.
She is Alberto's friend. She is a friend of [yours/Alberto's].
Es el primo de ellos. He's a cousin of theirs.
Es un primo nuestro. He's a cousin of ours.

reported speech

- Ask me if I will come here tomorrow.
  Will you come here tomorrow?
  Yes, I will. What did you ask me?
  I asked you if you would come here tomorrow.
  What did I say?
  You said you would.
- Ask me if I can swim.
  Can you swim?
  Yes I can. What did you ask me?
  I asked you if you could swim.
  What did I say?
  You said you could.
- Ask me if I'm going to the beach.
  Are you going to the beach?
  Yes I am. What did you ask me?
  I asked you if you were going to the beach.
  What did I say?
  You said you were.

exercises

numbers

2,005 two thousand and five
300,067 three hundred thousand and sixty seven
18,001 eighteen thousand and one
175,004 one hundred and seventy five thousand and four
3,776,003 three million, seven hundred and seventy six thousand and three

to keep + gerund

- keep going ( = sigue)
- keep trying
- keep studying
- I'm always spendig my money on shoes.
  Don't keep spending your money on shoes ( = deja de gastar ...).
- I'm always calling them.
  Don't keep calling them ( = deja de llamarles).
- I'm always going to bed very late.
  Don't keep going to bed very late.
- I'm always eating too much junk food
  Don't keep eating so much junk food
- Your car is always breaking down.
  My car keeps breaking down.
- Your mother-in-law is always calling you.
  My mother-in-law keeps calling me.
- My dog is always chewing on my shoes.
- The children are always interrupting the class.

vocabulary 14

red-headedpelirrojo
to exaggerateexagerar
oliveaceituna
to pull stringsrecurrir a enchufes
to commit suicidesuicidarse
viernes 23 octubre 2009
viernes 22 octubre 2010

grammar

to sort out

sort + sth + out
cuando el complemento de "sort out" es un nombre, puede ir antes o después de "out":
to sort out the problems or to sort the problems out
cuando el complemento es un pronombre es antes de "out"

from ... to, since & for

I lived in Oklahoma from 1961 to 1970.
I lived in Oklahoma for ten years.
I came to Spain in 1974. I'm still here (now is 2009).
I've been here for 35 years.
I've been living here since 1974.
Desde hace también es for:
Vivo en Madrid desde hace 35 años
I've been living in Madrid for 35 years

Peter, Peter pumpkin eater

Peter, Peter pumpkin eater,
Had a wife but couldn't keep her;
He put her in a pumpkin shell
And there he kept her very well.

my vocabulary

under lock and key = bajo llave
(he keep insisting) time and again, time and again = una y otra vez, una y otra vez
to drive sb nuts = volver loco a alguien [nut aquí es tuerca]
salirse con la suya = to get one's own way [she got her way]
to give in = ceder, darse por vencido
to sort out = resolver, arreglar, poner en orden [papeles]
that makes two of us = pues ya somos dos ...
moody = voluble, de estado de ánimo cambiante
I'm in a bad mood = estoy de mal humor
el penúltimo (día) = the next to last (day)
principios de 2005 = early 2005
mediados de 2005 = mid 2005
finales de 2005 = late 2005
to be in force = estar vigente, en vigor

pronunciation

los ordinales de los múltiplos de 10 hay que pronunciarlos + eth al final

review

numbers

to keep + gerund

exercises

to sort out

Did you sort out the arrangements?
Ask me if I sorted out the arrangements.
Ask me if I've sorted out my financial problems.
Did you manage to sort it out?
Ask me if I managed to sort it out.
Have you sorted out your problem with your boss?
Ask me if I've sorted out my problem with my boss.
Do you need time to sort out his papers?
Ask me if I need time to sort out his papers.
Has everything been sorted out?
Were the little matters sorted out last month?
Ask me if the little matters were sorted out last month.
Do we still have a lot of things to sort out?
Ask me if I still have a lot of things to sort out.
Will you be able to sort it out by tomorrow?
Ask me if I'll be able to sort it out by tomorrow?
Has your sister sorted out her holiday yet?

since & for

Con los datos, hacer una frase con since y otra con for
* Inés went to England on the 29th, it's now the 31th and she's still there.
She's been there since the 29th.
She's been there for two days.
* Paco went to NY on the 20th, its now the 25th and he's still there.
* My parents went to Naples on the 2nd. It's now the 10th. They're still there.

vocabulary 15

to faceenfrentar
spark (he has spark)chispa
rawcrudo
tournamenttorneo
stubborncabezota
lunes 26 octubre 2009
lunes 25 octubre 2010

grammar

there is, there are

there is, there are, there'll be
there may be, there might be, there must be, there has to be, there should be

... by tomorrow morning

... by tomorrow morning: se diferencia de for en que es fecha tope, como más tarde.

my vocabulary

during his term of office: hablando de un político, durante el tiempo en que estuvo, "mandato"
echar a alguien la bronca = to chew sb out
a few = unos pocos
quite a few = bastantes
I get the impression = tengo la impresión de ...
to get the impression = tener la impresión
injuries = heridos, lesionados [pronuncia claramente la "s" final en injuries]
flood = inundación, riada
so far, up to now = hasta ahora
pen pal = [US] alguien con quien se escribe cartas
grumpy = gruñón
lavabo = whashbasin
aún así, ... = even so, ...
- there's no point = no sirve de nada

pronunciation

squirrel /'skwɪrəl/

review

to sort out

Did you sort out the arrangements?
Did they sort out their problems?
Ask me if I've sorted out my financial problems.
Ask me if my brother has sorted out his vacation plans.
Do you sort out a lot of things at work?
Did you sort out a lot of issues last month?

since & for

Inés went to London on the 29th. Now is the 31th and she's still there.
Daniel went to NY on the 15th. Now is the 20th and he's still there.

exercises

there is, there are, ...

Hubo un terremoto en esa zona. There was an earthquake in that area.
Hay muchas ardillas en ese parque. There are a lot of squirrels in that park.
Ha habido un incremento en el número de nacimientos por año. There has been an increase in the number of births per year.
Hay un hombre gruñón que vive ahí. There's a grumpy man who lives there.
No había mucha gente en esa playa. There weren't many people on that beach [también "at that beach"].
Hay un fregadero sucio en la cocina. There is a dirty sink in the kitchen.
Había un jarrón en esa mesa. There was a vase on that table.
No había suficientes corbatas. There weren't enough ties.
¿Ha habido una ola de calor? Has there been a heatwave?
No había nada que pudéramos hacer. There wasn't anything we could do.
Ha habido muchos casos tan graves como ése. There have been a lot of cases as serious as that one.
¿Hay sesenta minutos en una hora? Are there sixty minutes in an hour?
No había más hormigas en la cocina. There weren't anymore ants in the kitchen.

there is

Hay una reunión. There is a meeting.
Hubo una ... There was a ...
Hubo reuniones. There were meetings.
Habrá una ... There will be a ...
Puede que haya una ... There may/might be a ...
Puede que haya más de uno. There may be more than one.
Debería haber. There should.
- Ask me if there will be a meeting tomorrow.
  Will there be a meeting tomorrow?
- No, there won't be a meeting tomorrow. Ask me why.
  Why won't there be a meeting tomorrow?
- Ask me if there was a meeting yesterday.
  Was there a meeting yesterday?
- No, there wasn't. Ask me why.
  Why wasn't there a meeting yesterday?
- There won't be any more meetings tomorrow. Ask me why.
  Why won't there be any more meetings tomorrow?
- Do you think there should be stricter traffic laws?
- Ask me if I thing there should be free tickets for football games.

vocabulary 16

to pile upirse amontonando
rapportrelación
moralemoral (ánimo)
to coordinatecoordinar
to pick uprecoger, coger
martes 27 octubre 2009
martes 26 octubre 2010

grammar

there is a problem

- there's a problem
- yesterday there was a p.
- tomorrow there will be a p.
- últimamente ha habido un p. = lately there has been a p., "there's been"
- podría haber un p. = there could be a p.
- puede que haya un p. = there may be a p.
- debe de haber un p. = there must be a p. [conclusión lógica]
- debe de haber habido un p. = there must have been a p.
- tiene que haber una solución = there has to be a solution
- debe de haber una s. = there must be a s.
- puede que haya una s. = there may be a s.
- parece haber una s. = there seems to be a s.
debe haber un técnico en todo momento = there must be a technician at all times
tiene que haber there have to be
debe haber there must be
puede que haya there may be
debería haber there should be
debería haber habido there should have been
podría haber there could be
podría haber habido there could have been

varios

- what are the people complaining about? = ¿de qué se queja la gente?
- the drinks are on the house = la casa invita a las bebidas
- invito yo = the drinks are on me
- yo invito a esta comida = this meal is on me
- Cuando se usa any, el sustantivo va en plural: there haven't been any changes.
- Did France win the last European Cup?
  No, they didn't.
- to change + sth no lleva ninguna preposición.

short answers

- Could you have gone to Rome last week if you had had enough time?
  Yes, I could have.

my vocabulary

steady (progress) = continuo, constante
at all times = en todo momento

pronunciation

resource AM:/'ri:sɔ:rs / EN:/rɪ'sɔ:s/
massacre /'mæsəkər /

review

there is

Hubo un problema con el informe. there was a p. with the r..
Ha habido muchos p. últimamente. There have been many problems lately.
Hubo un problema con el sistema. There was a problem with the system.
Hay una hucha ahí. There's a piggybank over there.
Ha habido un asesinato. There's been a murder.
No había tráfico en el camino. There wasn't any traffic on the way.
No ha habido ningún cambio. There haven't been any changes.
Habrá una reunión mañana. There will be a meeting tomorrow.
Puede que haya más de uno. There may/might be more than one.
Debería haber más de uno. There should be more than one.
Debería haber más bicicletas. There should be more bicycles.
Debe haber una razón para esto. There must be a reason for this.
Debería haber habido alguien aquí para ayudar. There should have been someone here to help.
Puede que haya una huelga. There may/might be a strike.
Debe haber un perro en esa casa. There must be a dog in that house [conclusión lógica].

exercises

there is

Puede que haya habido más. There may/might have been more.
Podría haber habido más. There could've been more.
Debería haber habido más. There should've been more.
Debe haber habido más. There must've been more.
Puede que haya habido un malentendido. There may have been a misunderstanding.
Podría haber habido un malentendido. There could've been a misunderstanding.
Debería haber habido un malentendido. There should've been a misunderstanding.
Debería haber habido suficiente dinero. There should've been enough money.
Debe haber habido muchos problemas. There must've been [a lot of/many] problems.
Podría haber habido otra manera. There could've been another way.
Puede que haya habido un retraso. There may/might have been a delay.
Podría haber habido más recursos. There could've been more resources.
Debería haber habido una reunión sobre el tema. There should've been a meeting on/about the subject/matter.
Debe haber habido un accidente. There must've been an accident.
Puede que haya habido otro examen. There may/might have been another test/exam.

short answers

vocabulary 17

mediocremediocre
to linkunir, vincular
play [sustantivo]obra de teatro
to come in handyser útil
massacremasacre
miércoles 28 octubre 2009
miércoles 27 octubre 2010

grammar

I'm really glad/I'm delighted, NO "very glad"
apetecer, tener ganas de = to feel like + gerundio
I feel like studying English.
I don't feel like [doing] it.

arithmetic

two plus two is/equals four
three minus two equals one
plus, minus (subtraction), multiplied by, divided by
take away = minus
if you want to take seven away from twelve, you have five
twelve take away/minus seven is/equals five
seven plus five is twelve, carry one
two times three is six
twenty divided by two is ten
four nines are thirty six

my vocabulary

to take roll = pasar lista
most likely = con toda probabilidad
there's always room for improvement
is there room for one more? = ¿hay sitio para uno más?
outrun = adelantar en una carrera, dejar atrás
out of courtesy = por cortesía
organizar una fiesta = to throw a party

review

there is

Puede que haya habido más. There may/might have been more.
Podría haber habido más. There could have been more.
Debería haber habido más. There should have been more.
Puede que haya habido una razón para ello. There might/may have been a reason for it.
Podría haber habido más dependientas en esa tienda. There could have been more shop assistants in that shop.
Debería haber habido más bicicletas. There should have been more bicycles/bikes.

short answers

Is my brother a human being?
Can a normal dog outrun a lion?
Will there be a new year celebration tonight?
Were Romeo and Juliet in love with each other?
Did I come to Spain before you were born?
Have you ever become dizzy?
Do you own a boat?
Should you obey the law?

exercises

to feel like + gerund

- Do you feel like studying English?
- Ask me if I feel like studying Spanish.
- Did you feel like studying English when you were 10 years old?
- Ask me if I felt like studying when I was 10 years old.
- I didn't feel like studying when I was 10 years old. Ask me why.
- Ask me if I feel like having ice cream.
- Ask me if I feel like going out tonight.
- Ask me if I feel like working every day.
- Nobody feels like working every day. Ask me why.
- Ask me if I feel like traveling around the world.
- Ask me if I feel like practising trigonometry.
- Ask me if I feel like going for a walk.
- Do you feel like having a party?

arithmetic

10 + 5 = 15     10 plus 5 is/equals 15
17 - 3 = 14     17 minus 3 equals 14
2 x 12 = 24     2 times 12 equals 24
81 : 9 = 9     81 divided by 9 equals 9
6 + 6 = 12     6 plus 6 equals 12
15 - 10 = 5     15 minus 10 is/equals 5
50 x 2 = 100     50 times 2 equals a hundred

vocabulary 18

to breatherespirar
to floodinundar
ricearroz
on the outskirtsen las afueras (alrededores)
to rule outdescartar
jueves 29 octubre 2009
jueves 28 octubre 2010

grammar

- Let's go over what we saw
- how about ...? tiene sentido de invitación, como ¿qué tal ...? ¿y por qué no ...?
- en cambio, what about ...? es más bien ¿qué pasa con ...?

conditional

futur conditional
If + presente + futuro
[sujeto a condición en futuro]
If it doesn't rain, I'll go to the park.
I'll give you a private class if you pay me.
present conditional
If it weren't raining now, I would go to the park.
If you payed me, I would give you a private class.
past conditional
Yesterday if it hadn't rained I would've gone to the park.
Last week, if you had payed me, I would've given you a private class.

my vocabulary

full speed ahead = avante a toda máquina
en UK: to fancy = to feel like y se usa igual, fancy + verbo-ING
me apetece ir = I fancy going
by the way = por cierto
to draw out money = sacar dinero [If there is a bank we'll draw out some money]

review

to feel like

Me apetece ir contigo. I feel like going with you.
Me apetece ver aquella película. I feel like watching that film.
Me apetece quedarme en casa. I feel like staying at home.
No me apetece trabajar. I don't feel like working.
No me apetece hacer nada. I don't feel like doing anything.
No me apetece estudiar. I don't feel like studying.
¿Te apetece estudiar? Do you feel like studying?
¿Te apetece venir? Do you feel like coming?
¿Te apetece tomar una cerveza? Do you feel like having a beer?

arithmetic

16 plus 21 equals 37
15 minus 8 equals 7
17 times 2 equals 34
49 divided by 7 equals 7

exercises

futur conditional

If you have time, will you visit them?
If it's on sale, will you buy it?
If you're in Spain, will you come to the party?
If it rains, will you go to the beach?
If there's a bank, will you draw out some money?

numbers

Yesterday there were 746,976 people at the bus stop.
Last year there were 1,562,024 complaints in the company.
The poet sold 80,069 books two years ago.

vocabulary 19

recklessimprudente
to prayrezar
stainmancha
profit and losspérdida y beneficio
t-shirtcamiseta
viernes 30 octubre 2009
viernes 29 octubre 2010

grammar

We still have a long way to go.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow, I'll go to the beach. But if it rains, I won't.
If you play the lottery, you'll possibly win some money, but if you don't, you won't.
Pablo promised to come to the party on the condition that María's there.
He said: "I'll go to the party as long as María's there.
"I won't go unless she's there".
"If she's not there, count me out".

my vocabulary

cliff = precipicio
to step down = dimitir
your side of the story = mi versión (de un hecho)
blackout = apagón
fine = multa, multar
to feed = dar de comer
shift = turno (de trabajo)
to stay up = quedarse levantado (sin dormir)

review

futur conditional

- Will you do it if I help you?
  Yes, I'll do it if you help me.
- Will they come if I call them?
  Yes, they'll come if you call them.
- Will you go out if the weather is good?
  Yes, I'll go out if the weather is good.
- Will you visit them if you have time?
  Yes, I'll visit them if I have time.
- Will you buy it if it's on sale?
  Yes, I'll buy it if it's on sale.
- Will you take yours if I take mine?
  Yes, I'll take mine if you take yours.

numbers in context

- There are 479,792 people watching this program.
  How many people are there watching this program?
- There are 250,842 words in the English language?
  How many words are there in the English language?

exercises

futur conditional

- Always answer no.
Will you go out if it rains?
Will you improve if you don't study?
Will you laugh if I tell you a Spanish joke?
Will you frown if you don't understand my joke?
If you don't catch the bus this evening, will you walk home?
Will you go swimming if it snows tomorrow?
If I start singing, will it rain?
Will you run if you're late?

futur conditional

translate
- No podré ayudarte si no me cuentas tu versión.
  I won't be able to help you if you don't tell me your side of the story.
- Si no me lo explicas, no aprenderé.
- No podremos ver el partido si hay un apagón.
  We won't be able to watch the match if there's a blackout.
- No te multarán si conduces con cuidado.
  They won't fine you if you drive carefully.
- El bebé no llorará si le das de comer.
  The baby won't cry if you feed it.

futur conditional

- ¿Vendrán si les invitamos?
  Will they come if we invite them?
- ¿Le llevarás si él no tiene coche?
  Will you take him if he doesn't have a car?
- ¿Saldrás si llueve?
  Will you go out if it rains?
- ¿Estudiarás si te pago?
  Will you study if I pay you?
- ¿Mejorará mi inglés si sigo viendo este programa?
  Will my English improve if I keep watching this program?
- ¿Ella cogerá el tren si pierde el autobús?
  Will she take the train if she misses the bus?
- ¿Lloverá mañana si no llueve hoy?
  Will it rain tomorrow if it doesn't rain today?
- ¿Habrá otra reunión si hay cambios?
  Will there be another meeting if there are any changes?
- ¿Comenzarás la clase si los alumnos no aparecen?
  Will you start/begin the class if the students don't show up?

vocabulary 20

salespersonvendedor
unavoidableinevitable
stamimafondo, aguante (físico)
to nail downrematar
to sort outresolver
lunes 2 noviembre 2009
lunes 1 noviembre 2010

grammar

to enter

to enter + INTO -> una discusión, una conversación (argument)
to enter into a discussion
to enter into an argument
otros casos, sin INTO: to enter the labour market

even though

even though = incluso si, aun cuando, a pesar de
se usa cuando se sabe que se da la condición
cuando no se sabe si se da la condición, se usa even if
I'll go even though it's raining =
I'll go in spite of the fact that it's raining.
(I'll go despite the fact that it's raining)
I give this class even though they don't pay me.
I would give this class even if they didn't pay me.

to make up

  • inventar
  • componer
    el comité está compuesto por 7 miembros)
  • maquillaje
  • reconciliarse
  • compensar, enmendar
    How can I make it up to you? I'm sorry, I hurt you.
    Is there any way I can make up for what I did? I didn't mean to hurt your feelings,
    I didn't mean to do it (lo hice sin querer).

my vocabulary

willing = dispuesto a
parking lot = aparcamiento (AM) (BR: car park)
tartamudear = to stutter
kiss and make up = reconciliaos

pronunciation

pronunciación de "won't" la "o" como en "go", diferente a "want"
pronunciación de "oven" la "o" es corta

review

futur conditional

- Will you go if it rains?
  No, I won't go if it rains.
- Will you improve if you don't study?
  No, I won't improve if I don't study.
- Will you lose your job if you're ever ill?
  No, I won't lose my job if I'm ever ill.
- Will I hit you if you make a mistake?
  No, you won't hit me if I make a mistake.

interrogative

- ¿Vendrán si les invitamos?
  Will they come if we invite them?
- ¿Le llevarás si él no tiene coche?
  Will you take him if he doesn't have a car?
- ¿Irán al cine si tienen las entradas?
  Will they go to the cinema if they have the tickets?

exercises

even though/if

Saldré aunque está lloviendo. = I'll go out even though it's raining.
(sabemos que está lloviendo)
Saldré aunque esté lloviendo. = I'll go out even if it's raining.
(no sabemos si llueve)
even though = although (aunque), pero se usa más "even though"
It's raining, but you want to go to the park anyway:
I'm going to the park even though it's raining.
It isn't raining, but you want to go to the park whether it rains or not:
I'll go to the park even if it rains.
It's snowing, but I will go for a run anyway:
I'll go for a run even though it's snowing.
It isn't snowing, but I want to go for a run whether it snows or not:
I'll go for a run even if it swnows.
I'm not hungry, but I will eat anyway:
I'll eat even though I'm not hungry.

make up with someone

- Have you made up with your brother yet?
  I've already made up with my brother.
- Ask me if my best friend made up with his wife yesterday?
- Have you ever helped friends make up?
- Do you think Tweety will ever make up with Silvester?
- Is Superman going to make up with Lex Luthor?
- Deberías reconciliarte con ella = You should make up with her.
- No sabes hacer las paces con la gente = You don't know how to make up with people.
- Aunque es un poco brusco está intentando hacer las paces =
  = Even though he's a little bit abrupt, he's trying to make up.
- ¿Alguna vez te ha enviado alguien flores para hacer las paces? =
  = Has anyone ever sent you flowers to make up?

vocabulary 21

translationtraducción
sponsorpatrocinador
ivorymarfil
to approachacercarse a
controversycontroversia
martes 3 noviembre 2009
martes 2 noviembre 2010

grammar

because of = a causa de, debido a
due to = debido a
in spite of = despite = a pesar de
due to + [sustantivo]
due to the fact that + [verbo]

my vocabulary

good day! saludo en Australia
washer = arandela (para poner entre tornillo y tuerca)
to jeopardize = hacer peligrar
incertidumbre = uncertainty

review

even if, even though

- Voy a ir al parque aunque está lloviendo.
  I'm going to the park even though it's raining.
- Lo haré aunque no me apetece.
  I'll do it even though I don't feel like it.
- Iremos en taxi aunque igual tardamos en encontrarlo.
  We'll take a taxi even if it takes us long to find it.
- Sara no va a venir aquí aunque dijo que lo haría.
  Sara isn't going to come even though she said she would.

to make up with

- Have you made up with your brother?
- How long does it take you to make up with somebody?
  It doesn't take me long to make up with someone.
- Ask me if I have just made up with my neighbours.
  Have you just made up with your neighbours?
- Would we make up quickly if we had a fight?
- Did Batman make up with Joker?
- Do you think Luke Skywalker would ever make up with Darth Vader?

exercises

because, because of

- I couldn't go because it was snowing.
  I couldn't go because of the snow.
- I arrived late because of the traffic.
  I arrived late because there was a lot of traffic.
- The flight was delayed because it was windy.
  The flight was delayed because of the wind.
- The game was cancelled because of the rain.
  The game was cancelled because it was raining.
- He went to the doctor because of his cold.
  He went to the doctor because he had a cold.
- Daniel made a mistake because he was careless.
  Daniel made a mistake because of his carelessness.
- She missed her flight because of her backache.
  She missed her flight because she had a backache.
- The meeting was posponed because the president was absent.
  The meeting was posponed because of the president's absence.
- David won an Oscar because he performed well.
  David won an Oscar because of his good performance.
- We couldn't continue because of the problems.
  We couldn't continue because there were a lot of problems.
- They argued because there was a misunderstanding.
  They argued because of a misunderstanding.

due to

- My flight arrived late due to the fact that there was a delay.
- I sweted a lot due to the heat.
  I sweted a lot due to the fact that it was very hot.

vocabulary 22

almondalmendra
toweltoalla
spicypicante
safe and soundsano y salvo
to slipresbalarse
miércoles 4 noviembre 2009
miércoles 3 noviembre 2010

grammar

present conditional

Se usa cuando se hace hipótesis en general o imaginando una alternativa del presente.
I don't have any money, but if I had some money, I would buy some chocolate.
IF + PAST SIMPLE + THEN + WOULD + verbo

my vocabulary

I make a living teaching = me gano la vida enseñando
to make a killing = forrarse (de dinero)
to rule out = descartar
demonstration = mani (manifestación)
members worldwide = miembros en el mundo
reluctance = reticencia, desgana
bid = oferta, puja
a brisk pace = un ritmo ligero

pronunciation

yate = yacht /jɑ:t /

review

because, because of

- I couldn't go because it was snowing.
  I couldn't go because of the snow.
- I arrived late because of the traffic.
  I arrived late because there was a lot of traffic.
- The game was cancelled because it was raining.
  The game was cancelled because of the rain.
- He went to the doctor because of his cold.
  He went to the doctor because he had a cold.
- David made a mistake because there was a misunderstanding.
  David made a mistake because of a misunderstanding.
- The company went bankrupt because he was careless.
  The company went bankrupt because of his carelessness.

due to, due to the fact that

- My flight arrived late due to the fact that there was a delay.
  My flight arrived late due to a delay.
- I felt dizzy due to the heat.
  I felt dizzy due to the fact that it was very hot.
- Daniel missed two days of work due to the fact that his father died.
  Daniel missed two days of work due to his father's death.

exercises

numbers in context

There were 50,225 people at the demonstration. How many people were there at the demonstration?
There are 882,258 words in this book. How many words are there in this book?
There are 230,345 books in/at the librery. How many books at the librery.
270,112 soldiers died in that battle. How many soldiers died in that battle?
There are 483,660 members worldwide. How many members are there worldwide?
There are 825,916 pieces in the Museum's collection. How many pieces are there in the Museum's collection?

present conditional

If you had more money, would you buy a helicopter?
If you had 3,000 children, would you need a bigger house?
If you lived in Hungry, would you speak Hungarian?
If you went to London, would you buy a souvenir?
If you ate three million hamburgers, would you explote?
If you spoke German, would you go on holiday to Germany?
If this program lasted five hours, would you watch all of it?

vocabulary 23

referralreferencia
no doubtsin duda
suddenrepentino
to dominatedominar
to punishcastigar
jueves 5 noviembre 2009
jueves 4 noviembre 2010

grammar

present conditional

con el verbo "to be" siempre es "were"

other

that's what's funny

my vocabulary

get it out of the way = quítatelo de en medio
to be squinting at someone = mirar a alguien entrecerrando los ojos
twice as many = el doble
If there were twice as many, would you share? = Si hubiera el doble, ¿compartirías?
to suit fit = quedar bien (una prenda de ropa)

review

numbers in context

72,302 people went to the rock concert. How many people went to the concert?
88,000 people went to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium last weekend. How many people went to the stadium?
81,245 people went to Cristiano Ronaldo's presentation. How many people went?
66,606 people went to Kaka's presentation. How many people went?

present conditional

If you had more money, would you buy a Corvette?
Would you understand German if you lived in Germany?
Would you speak perfect English if you grew up in the United States?

exercises

present conditional

answer in negative
Would you go out if it rained?
Would you mind if I didn't tell you?
Would you be here if your English were perfect?
Would I be here if my English weren't perfect?
Would your boss buy a Rolex if he won the lottery?
Would this class be helpful if I spoke to you in Spanish?
Would your neighbours move if you asked them to?
Would you eat a spider if I payed you?
Would you steal a coat if you were cold?
Would you get angry if I borrowed your pen?
Would your doctor prescribe you medicines if you were fine?
Would you mind if we did another example?

present conditional with were

  • If you were rich would you stop working?
  • Would you support the Spanish national site if you weren't Spanish?
  • Would I realize if you were lying?
  • If there were some in your size, would you buy them?
  • If there were twice as many, would you share?
  • If it weren't so salty, would you eat it?
  • If it were built of brick, would it fall down?
  • If I were fed up, would I be smiling?
  • If it were raining, would you go outside?
  • If he weren't so fat, would the suit fit?
    Yes, if he weren't so fat, the suit would fit.

vocabulary 24

a loudmouthbocaza
threateningamenazador
the Moorslos moros
in the long runa la larga
handkerchief (handky)pañuelo
viernes 6 noviembre 2009
viernes 5 noviembre 2010

grammar

continue [watching/to watch]: valen ambas formas
from now on = de ahora en adelante, desde ahora

my vocabulary

there are ups and downs = hay altibajos
to throw in the towel = tirar la toalla (sentido figurado, igual que en esp.)
maletero (del coche) = the trunk (of my car) [AM]
the boot of the car [EN]
to soak = poner a remojo
to soak wet = empaparse, calarse hasta los huesos
it's pouring down = está lloviendo a cántaros

pronunciation

résumé /'rezəmeɪ/ (AmE)

review

present conditional

Answer in the negative.
- Would you go out if it rained?
- Would you come if I asked you to?
  No, I wouldn't go if you invited me.
- Would you help me if I asked you to?
- Would England win the World Cup if it had a better team?
- Would you buy a cosmetics company if you had a lot of money?
- Would you watch this program if you spoke perfect English?

present conditional with the verb to be in the if clause

- If you were rich would you buy a yacht?
- If you were the President of Spain would you invade France?
- If it were raining now would you go outside?
- If this program were more interesting would you watch it?

exercises

present conditional

- ¿Te lo comprarías si fuese más barato?
  Would you buy it if it were cheaper?
- ¿Harías más deporte si tuvieras más tiempo?
  Would you do more sports if you had more time?
- ¿Si hubiese mucho ruido, podrías concentrarte?
  If there were a lot of noise, would you be able to concentrate?
- ¿Lo vaciarías si estuviera lleno?
  Would you empty it if it were full?
- ¿Si ella insistiera, esperarías?
  If she insisted, would you wait for her?
- ¿Lo harías si estuvieras en mi lugar?
  Would you do it if you were in my shoes?
- Si tú le dejaras, ¿lo entendería?
  If you let him, would he understand?
- ¿Probarías el pastel si no estuvieras a régimen?
  Would you try the cake if you weren't on a diet?
- Si los vecinos se quejaran, ¿bajarías el volumen?
  If the neighbours complained, would you turn down the volume?
- Si yo necesitara dinero, ¿me lo dejarías?
  If I needed money, would you lend it to me ?

despite, in spite of

- The weather was bad, but he went anyway.
  He went despite the bad weather.
  He went in spite of the bad weather.
  He went despite the fact that the weather was bad.
  He went in spite of the fact that the weather was bad.
- I had a cold, but I went to class anyway.
  I went to class despite my cold.
  I went to class in spite of my cold.
  I went to class despite the fact that I had a cold.
  I went to class in spite of the fact that I had a cold.
- It was very hot, but everyone had a good time anyway.
  Everyone had a good time despite the heat.
  Everyone had a good time in spite of the heat.
  Everyone had a good time despite the fact that it was hot.
  Everyone had a good time in spite of the fact that it was hot.

vocabulary 25

masterydominio
in the wayen medio (del camino) (quítate de en medio = get out of the way)
CV (se dicen las letras) o résumé (AmE)curriculum vitae
well-treatedbien tratado
giantgigante
lunes 9 noviembre 2009
lunes 8 noviembre 2010

grammar

instead of

insted of + gerund = rather than + gerund
- "instead of" es más neutro que "rather than", que muestra más preferencia personal
- Ante la duda, usar "instead of"

my vocabulary

ongoing = en curso
posh = pijo
so what? = ¿y qué?
to get even = desquitarse
dropped them off = dejarlos (ahí)
no way! = ¡para nada!
star of stage and screen = actor famoso

pronunciation

catering /'keɪtərɪŋ/
directly /də'rektli/ , /daɪ- / se puede decir de ambas formas

review

translate

- ¿Te lo comprarías si fuese más barato?
  Would you buy it if it were cheaper?
- ¿Harías más deporte si tuvieras más tiempo?
  Would you do more sports if you had more time?

rephrase: despite, in spite of

- Even though she accepted the job, the conditions were terrible.
  Despite the bad conditions, she accepted the job.
  Despite the fact that the conditions were terrible, she accepted the job.
  In spite of the bad conditions, she accepted the job.
  In spite of the fact that the conditions were terrible, she accepted the job.

exercises

Instead of + gerund

- Don't phone her, send her an e-mail.
  Instead of phoning her, send her a e-mail.
- They didn't pay in cash, they paid by credit car.
- Pepe didn't do his homework, he went to the party.
- They didn't prepare the food thenselves, they called a catering company.
- We didn't wait for the bus, we decided to catch a taxi.
- I didn't come here first, I went directly to the meeting.
- Don't get angry, get even.
  Instead of getting angry, get even.
- She didn't marry Carlos, she married his brother.
- We didn't increase the budget, we cut some expenses.
- He didn't hire an assistant, he did everything himself.
- Don't send a letter, send her some flowers.
- They didn't pick up their children, they dropped them off.

rather than + gerund

- He wants to go to the cinema, not to the theatre.
  Rather than going to the theatre, he wants to go to the cinema.
- He steals, he doesn't pay for things.
  Rather than paying for things, he steals.
  He steals, rather than paying for things.
- He saw the film, he didn't read the book.
  Rather than reading the book, he saw the film.
  He saw the film, rather than reading the book.
- En lugar de hacerlo así, hazlo de esta manera.
  Rather than doing it like that, do it this way.
- Él robó en vez de pagar por las cosas.
  He stole rather than paying for things.
- Lo compró a crédito en lugar de utilizar sus ahorros.
  He bought it on credit rather than using his savings.

vocabulary 26

well-informedbien informado
a politicianun político
to buryenterrar (a burial = un entierro)
thresholdumbral
the lyricsla letra (canción)
martes 10 noviembre 2009
martes 9 noviembre 2010

grammar

past conditional

IF + PAST PERFECT (had + participio), WOULD'VE + participio

my vocabulary

ya veremos = we'll see
it takes up less space = ocupa menos
to lean on = apoyarse en (físicamente)
bareback = a pelo (adverbio)
beggar = mendigo, pordiosero
"Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home"
to do a good deed = hacer una buena obra
to head to/towards = dirigirse a/hacia
to muddle up = confundir

pronunciation

email, e-mail /'i:meɪl/

review

instead of + gerund

- Don't phone her, send her an e-mail.
  Instead of phoning her, send her an e-mail.
- They didn't pay in cash, they paid by credit card.
  Instead of paying in cash, they payed by credit card.
- We didn't go to the concert, we went to the cinema.
  Instead of going to the concert we went to the cinema.

translate

- En vez de quejarte, haz algo al respecto.
  Instead of complaining, do something about it.
- En vez de llorar, llámale.
  Instead of crying, call him.
- En vez de salir a cenar, comimos en casa.
  Instead of going out for/to dinner, we ate at home.

rather than + gerund

- He stays at home, he doesn't go out on Friday night.
  Rather than going out on Friday night, he stays at home.
- He likes to go to the cinema, not to the theatre.
  Rather than going to the theatre, he likes to go to the cinema.
- He steals, he doesn't pay for things.
  Rather than paying for things, he steals.
- He saw the film, he didn't read the book.
  He saw the film rather than reading the book.

exercises

past conditional: affirmative

If you'd been there, would you've spoken to me?
Would you have told me if you'd known?
If I'd needed your help, would you have stayed?
Would you have sold your car if you'd moved abroad?
If you'd caught a taxi, would you've arrived on time?
Would he have passed the exam if he'd studied?
If you'd attended the meeting, would you have voted in favour?

past conditional: negative

Would you have won if you hadn't trained?
If Paco hadn't helped you, would you have finished?
Would you have hurt yourself if you had slipped?
If it had been cold the metro had been stuffy?
If Mary had had time, would she had gone?
If the phone had rung would you've picked up?

vocabulary 27

expertisehabilidad
volumevolumen
hakemerluza
bureaucracyburocracia
tamemanso
miércoles 11 noviembre 2009
miércoles 10 noviembre 2010

grammar

past conditional

Contracciones: Would you have ... ? = Would you've ... ?
- I had = I'd, etc.

my vocabulary

de ahora en adelante = from now on
desde entonces = from then on
to cheat = engañar, hacer trampas
to blush = ruborizarse
blush = rubor
la letra pequeña = the small print (en un documento)
hardly ever = casi nunca
once in a blue moon = de higos a brevas
to go blank = quedarse en blanco

review

past conditional: affirmative

Would you have clapped if you had liked the show?
If you had cheated would you have confessed?
If I had forgotten, would you have reminded me?

past conditional: negative

Would you have won if you hadn't trained?
If Paco hadn't helped you, would you have finished?
If she hadn't fallen over, would she have blushed?
If the dog had eaten, would he have attacked?

exercises

past conditional: interrogative (translate)

Si te hubiesen invitado, ¿habrías ido?
  If they'd invited you, would you've gone?
Si hubiera sido importante, ¿me lo habrían dicho?
  If it'd been important, would they've told me?
Si ella hubiera estudiado más, ¿habría aprobado el examen?
  If she'd studied more, would she've passed the exam?
Si hubiera llovido, ¿habrías ido a la playa?
  If it'd rained, would you've gone to the beach?
Si hubieras hecho un esfuerzo, ¿habrías ganado?
  If you'd made an effort, would you've won?
¿Lo habrías hecho si lo hubieses sabido?
  Would you've done it if you'd known?
¿Habrías firmado el contrato si hubieras leído la letra pequeña?
  Would you've signed the contract if you'd read the small print?

to go blank

When did you last go blank?
  I last went blank two weeks aqo.
Did you often go blank?
  No, I hardly ever go blank.
Ask me when I last went blank.
  When did you last go blank?
Do you sometimes go blank in class?
  Yes, I sometimes go blank in class.
Do you sometimes go blank on stage?
  I've only gone blank once on stage.
Ask me if I ever go blank in class.
  Do you ever go blank in class?
Ask me if I ever go blank on set.
  Do you ever go blank on set?
If I introduce you to Martin Scorsese will you go blank?
  Yes, if you introduce me to Martin Scorsese I'll probably go blank.
Do you go blank when you're nervous?
  Yes, I sometimes go blank when I'm nervous.
Do you go blank when you're sad?
  No, I don't go blank when I'm sad.
Do you go blank when you're angry?
  No, I don't go blank when I'm angry.
Did you go blank in our last class?
  No, I didn't go blank in our last class.

vocabulary 28

foresightvisión de futuro, previsión
tentativeprovisional, temporal
burglarladrón (de casas)
recruitmentcontratación de personal
to preventprevenir, evitar
jueves 12 noviembre 2009
jueves 11 noviembre 2010

grammar

as much ... as

con incontables
  • There's less butter in my house than in yours.
  • There isn't as much butter in my house as in yours.
  • There isn't as much ...
  • LESS ... THAN
  • ISN'T AS MUCH ... AS
  • I don't know as much about industrial processes as an industrial engineer.
  • There are a lot of things that I don't know very much about.
  • Spanish people know much more than me about Spanish language.
  • Do you know as much as me about Texas history?
  • Do you know as much as I do?

others

  • "The United States" es un país, es singular:
    The US is a big country in area in and population.
  • Ginebra = gin [bebida]
  • Ginebra = Geneva [dʒɪ'nɪ:və] [ciudad]
  • Ginebra = Guinevere [female given name, King Arthur's wife]

my vocabulary

regañar = to tell off
coal = carbón
carbon = carbono
omitir = leave out

pronunciation

envy /'envɪ/
population /'pɑ:pjə'leɪʃən /
coal /kəʊl/

review

past conditional

Si te hubiesen invitado, ¿habrías ido?
Si (él) hubiera copiado, ¿habría aprobado el examen?
Si no te hubiera dicho la verdad, ¿habrías discutido con él?
¿Les habrías regañado si hubieran llegado tarde?

to go blank

Have you ever gone blank when speaking on the phone?
Do nervous people usually go blank like me?
Ask me what I would do if I went blank on the show.
Ask me if I have ever gone blank in a class.

exercises

less than > not as much as

  • I have less time than I used to have.
    I don't have as much time as I used to have.
  • The Spanish are less patient than the English.
    The Spanish aren't as (much) patient as the English.
  • I have less water than you do.
    You don't have as much water as I do.
  • I have less money than the Queen of England.
    I don't have as much money as the Queen of England.
  • I am less tired than I was yesterday.
    (I'm not as much tired as I was yesterday.)
    You aren't as (much) tired as you were yesterday.
  • There's less rain in Spain than there is in England.
    There isn't as much rain in Spain as (there is) in England.

as much as > less than

  • I didn't spend as much money as I thought I would.
    I spent less money than I thought (I would).
  • I don't know as much about South American history as David does.
    I know less about South American history than David does.
  • I don't have as much free time as I used to have.
    I have less free time than I used to have.
  • I don't drink as much wine as he does.
    I drink less wine than he does.
  • She didn't buy as much food as she thought she would.
    She bought less food than she thought.
  • They don't have as much work as their partners do.
    They have less work than their partners do.
  • He doesn't cause as much trouble as his little sister does.
    He causes less trouble than his little sister does.
  • Salamanca doesn't have as much polution as Madrid does.
    Salamanca has less polution than Madrid does.

vocabulary 29

to justifyjustificar
relatedrelacionado [relacionado "con" = related "to"]
peasguisantes
way of livemodo de vivir
to reactreaccionar
viernes 13 noviembre 2009
viernes 12 noviembre 2010

grammar

  • This is not working out = no sale bien esto
  • to go back to the drawing board (and start again from scratch) = hacer borrón y cuenta nueva

  • no dicen "decenas de coches" en inglés
  • sí: dozens, hundreds of cars, thousands of cars, tens of thousands of, millions of,
  • pero se dice "I saw three million cars", "million" en singular

  • Everybody needs to improve their English, even Steven
    even = incluso
  • Nobody likes extremely hot weather, not even the Beduins
    even no = ni siquiera
  • Otros significados de "even": par (número par) y adjetivo "llano, nivelado"
  • EVEN
    Va después del sujeto cuando no hay verbo auxiliar:
    Él incluso habla español = He even speaks Spanish
    Si hay auxiliar, va después:
    Él incluso podría cantar = He could even sing

my vocabulary

to scratch = rascar, arañar
to start from scratch = empezar desde cero
bumper = parachoques

pronunciation

weight /weɪt/ homófono con wait

review

exercises

less than, not as much as

  • I have less patience than my mother.
    I don't have as much patience as my mother.
  • Spaniards are less patient than the English.
  • I have less money than she does.
  • I have less time than I used to.
  • I'm less intelligent than Einstein.
    You're not as intelligent as Einstein.
  • I didn't eat as much pasta as you did.
  • I didn't lose as much weight as I thought.
  • When I was in England I didn't speak as much English as I wanted to.
  • I don't know as much about Spanish history as I would like.
  • I don't have as much time as I would like.

quantities

  • Three point seven million people vote her ...
    Millions of people vote her ...
  • There were seven hundred and fifty two people at the concert.
    There were hundreds of people at the concert.
  • He's got seventy two thousand stamps in his collection.
    He's got thousands of stamps in his collection.
  • He's watched six hundred movies.
    He's watched hundreds of movies.
  • There are two thousand five hundred and fifty four offices all over the world.
    There are thousands of offices all over the world.
  • Three million six hundred and fifty four thousand rabbits are run over every year.
    Millions of rabbits are run over every year.
  • The company had to lay off one hundred and fifty four people.
    The company had to lay off hundreds of people.
  • Two million six hundred thousand books were lost in the fire.
  • She has been to two hundred cities all over the world.
    She has been to hundreds of cities all over the world.
  • Fifty million, five hundred thousand children watch that TV show.
    Millions of children watch that TV show.
  • She has two hundred and fifty pairs of shoes.
    She has hundreds of pairs of shoes.
  • Five point nine million parents are attending the course.
  • Six thousand mobile phones were found in the factory.
  • She sent her CV to 234 places.

even

  • Hablé con mucha gente, incluso hablé con Mark.
    I spoke to many people, I even spoke to Mark.
  • Ella puede hablar muchos idiomas, incluso puede hablar el chino.
    She can speak many languages, she can even speak Chinese.
  • Él incluso conoció a Elvis.
    He even met Elvis.

vocabulary 30

to take a napechar una siesta
to regardconsiderar (te considero una persona educada)
relievedaliviado
self-confidentseguro de sí mismo
self-employedautónomo (trabajador)
lunes 16 noviembre 2009
lunes 15 noviembre 2010

grammar

- conforme seguía lloviendo = as it continued raining
- Eeny, meeny ...
  My mother told me to pick this one.
- I don't even know ...
- He hasn't even been to ...
- ni siquiera la he visto = I haven't even seen her
- to ask questions
- What would you've done this morning if your car hadn't started?
  This morning, if my car hadn't started, I would've got a cab ( = taxi, taxi cab).
- What would you've done if you hadn't been able to find a taxi?
  Good question, what would I have done if I hadn't been able to find a taxi ...
  If I hadn't been able to find a taxi, I would've got a bus.

my vocabulary

dar una palmadita en la espalda = to give a pat on the back
lo mereces = you deserve it

review

quantities

- 3.7 million people bought her new album.
  Millions of people bought her new album.
- There were 760 people at the concert.
  There were hundreds of people at the concert.
- He's got 72.000 stamps in his collection.
  He's got thousands of stamps in his collection.
- They spent 5.9 million dollars on the house.
  They spent millions of dollars on the house.
- 500 children attended the fair.
  Hundreds of children attended the fair.
- She donated 7.5 million dollars to the charity.
  She donated millions of dollars to the charity.
- He ate 48 doughnuts before he got sick.
  He ate dozens of doughnuts before he got sick.

even

- Hablé con mucha gente, incluso hablé con José.
  I talked to a lot of people, I even talked to José.
- Todo el mundo vino a la fiesta, incluso mis padres vinieron a la fiesta.
  Everyone came to the party, my parents even came to the party.
- Todos en el partido marcaron, incluso el portero marcó.
  Everyone on the team scored, the goalkeeper even scored.
- Ella puede hablar varios idiomas, incluso ella puede hablar ruso.
  She can speak a lot languages, she can even speak Russian.

exercises

even

  • I can't remember anything, I can't remember what date it is either.
    You can't even remember what date it is.
    You can't even remember what time it is.
  • Ni siquiera su mujer se acordó de su cumpleaños.
    Not even his wife remembered his birthday.

to ask a question

  • Have I asked you a lot of questions so far today?
  • Do you want me to stop asking you so many questions?
  • Have I ever asked you an embarrasing question?
    No, you've never asked me an embarrasing question.
  • How many questions do I ask you per class?
  • Do you get sick of me asking you questions?
  • When did you last asked me a question in Russian?
    I've never asked you a question in Russian.
  • Has anyone ever asked you a question you didn't know how to answer?
    Yes, someone has asked me a question I didn't know how to answer.
  • Do you mind people asking you questions?
  • Is this the last question I'm going to ask you?

vocabulary 31

to incapacitateincapacitar
pebbleguijarro
parking lotaparcamiento exterior
to keep a secretguardar un secreto
to take afterparecerse a [en la personalidad]
martes 17 noviembre 2009
martes 16 noviembre 2010

grammar

- whose birthday is it?
- not even = ni siquiera
Ni siquiera sabes qué hora es = You don't even know what time it is.
- to want
No quiero que nos desanimemos = I don't want us to get discouraged

my vocabulary

parking garage = aparcamiento interior
to get rid of = deshacerse de

review

not even

  • Ni siquiera sabes qué hora es.
    You don't even know what time it is.
  • Ni siquiera sabes la fecha.
    You don't even know the date.
  • Ni siquiera sabes tu nombre.
    You don't even know your name.

to ask

  • Have I asked you a lot of questions today?
  • Do you want me to stop asking you so many questions?
  • How do you say "Te voy a hacer una pregunta"?
    I'm going to ask you a question.
  • Ask me where María's from.
    Where is María from?
  • Ask me if I know how old she is.
    Do you know how old she is?

exercises

let's

  • Vayámonos = Let's go
  • Cenemos = Let's have diner
  • Empecemos = Let's start
  • Sigamos = Let's [continue/carry on]
  • Paremos de momento = Let's stop for now
  • Digámosles lo que pensamos = Let's tell them what we think
  • Pongámonos en huelga = Let's go on strike
  • Tomemos un té = Let's have a cup of tea
  • Quitemos la mesa = Let's clear the table
  • Hagamos un esfuerzo = Let's make an effort
  • No vayamos = Let's not go
  • No causemos problemas = Let's not cause problems
  • No vayamos a trabajar mañana = Let's not go to work tomorrow
  • No cortemos el césped hoy = Let's not cut the grass today
  • No continuemos = Let's not carry on
  • No vayamos al cine otra vez = Let's not go to the cinema again
  • No tomemos pizza otra vez = Let's not have pizza again
  • No hagamos nada = Let's not do anythink
  • Shall we have breakfast?
    Okay, let's have breakfast.
  • Shall we have a drink?
    Okay, let's have a drink.
  • Shall we study "let's"?
    Okay, let's study "let's".

should get rid of

  • Their camera never works.
    They should get rid of their camara.
  • These shoes are giving me blisters.
    You should get rid of those shoes.
  • Your radio sounds terrible.
    I should get rid of my radio.
  • My car keeps breaking down.
    You should get rid of your car.
  • My aunt has to many clothes.
    She should get rid of some clothes.
  • Our secretary never arrives on time.
    We should get rid of our secretary.
  • Her boyfriend keeps cheating on her.
    She should get rid of her boyfriend.
  • Your watch keeps falling behind.
    I should get rid of my watch.
  • His cell phone doesn't work.
    He should get rid of his cellphone.
    AM cellphone, cell
    UK mobile
  • His brother's car keeps breaking down.
    His brother should get rid of his car.

vocabulary 32

saffronazafrán
shieldescudo
hookanzuelo, gancho
regretfullamentable
blisterampolla
miércoles 18 noviembre 2009
miércoles 17 noviembre 2010

grammar

- There aren't as many ... as ...
- fewer es para contables y less para incontables
fewer ... than = as many as
less ... than = as much as
- Let me explain it [to you]: el complemento es el objeto de explicación it

review

let's

  • I want us to have a cup of coffee.
    Let's have a cup of coffee.
  • I want us to go to the party.
  • I want us to buy a new car.
  • I want us to call Pepe and María.
  • I want us to practice a new structure.
  • I don't want us to leave the studio.
    Let's not leave the studio.
  • I don't want us to attend the meeting.
  • I don't want us to make dinner.
  • I don't want us to watch that film.
  • I don't want us to use their resources.

should get rid of

  • My car keeps breaking down.
    You should get rid of your car.
  • My aunt has too many clothes.
    She should get rid of some clothes.
  • My computer keeps turning off.
  • Our secretary never arrives on time.
  • Your watch keeps breaking.
  • His cellphone doesn't work.
  • His dog has too many toys.

exercises

fewer than, not as many as

  • There are fewer cars in Spain than in China.
    There aren't as many cars in Spain as in China.
  • Zamora receives fewer turists than Málaga.
    Zamora doesn't receive as many turists as Málaga.
  • Fewer things were said at the meeting than after it.
    Not as many things were said at the meeting as after it.
  • The dog buries fewer bones in the garden than in the park.
    The dog doesn't bury as many bones in the garden as in the park.
  • I should eat fewer biscuits than I do.
    I shouldn't eat as many biscuits as I do.
  • My boss drinks fewer coffees than he used to.
    My boss doesn't drink as many coffees as he used to.
  • We will travel with fewer suitcases than them.
    We won't travel with as many suitcases as them.

fewer than, not as many as

  • Last year I didn't buy as many shoes as I did this year.
    Last year I bought fewer shoes than this year.
  • I don't know as many people in France as Sarkozi does.
  • I don't have as many problems as Zapatero.
  • I don't have as many gold medals as Michael Phelps.
  • There aren't as many people in Madrid as in New York.
  • There aren't as many camels in Spain as in Egypt.
  • We don't have as many minuts as we had before.

vocabulary 33

to threatenamenazar
to ratevalorar, tasar
whiplátigo
the Third Worldel Tercer Mundo
to slow downdesacelerar [to speed up = acelerar]
jueves 19 noviembre 2009
jueves 18 noviembre 2010

grammar

- There isn't as much water ... as
- there aren't as many people ... as
- used to + INFINITIVO
I used to be
I used to know
- Diciendo "I used to ... " no se dice cuándo ni por cuánto tiempo.
  Actualmente no ocurre lo que indica el verbo.
- I used to be have a lot of money: se entiende que ahora no tienes mucho dinero.
- Incorrecto:
FG used to be the president of Spain for 14 years.
[Correcto: He was the ... for 14 years.]
FG used to be the president of Spain in 1980's and the 1990's.
[Correcto: He was the ... from 1982 to 1996]
- Se usa "used to" para hablar del pasado. Se concreta con el pasado simple:
I used to live there. I lived there in the 1960's.
- Se dice, pero está mal dicho "I'm good", debe ser "I'm well".

my vocabulary

to get out (a pencil) = sacar (un boli)
to take out, lo mismo, pero de un sitio concreto
great-grandmother = bisabuela

pronunciation

opposite /'ɒpəzɪt/

review

fewer than > not as many as

  • There are fewer cars in Spain than in China.
    There aren't as many cars in Spain as [there are] in China.
  • Our company has fewer employees than most companies.
    Our company doesn't have as many employees as most companies.
  • He made fewer changes than we expected.
    He didn't make as many changes as we expected.

not as many as > fewer than

  • Last year I didn't buy as many shoes as I did the year before.
    Last year I bought fewer shoes than [I did] the year before.
  • We didn't eat as many doughnuts this morning as we did yesterday morning.
    We ate fewer doughnuts this morning than yesterday morning.
  • My house doesn't have as many windows as your house does.
    My house has fewer windows than your house [does].

exercises

years

  • Ask me when Disneyland was opened to the public.
    When was Disneyland opened to the public?
    Disneyland was opened to the public in 1955.
  • Ask me when John Lennon was murdered.
    When was John Lennon murdered?
    John Lennon was murdered in 1980.
  • Ask me what year Pablo Picasso was born.
    What year was Pablo Picasso born?
    Pablo Picasso was born in 1881.
  • Ask me when Vaughan Systems was founded.
    When was it founded?
    Vaughan Systems was founded in 1997.
  • Ask me what year the colonization of Australia took place.
    When did the colonization of Australia take place?
    The colonization of Australia took place in 1788.
  • Ask me what year her great-grandmother was born in.
    What year was her great-grandmother born in?
    Her great-grandmother was born in 1905 [nineteen o five].
  • Ask me when Christopher Columbus discovered America. [1492]
  • Ask me what year CD's were invented in. [1965]
  • Ask me what year Audrey Hepburn was born. [1929]
  • Ask me when El Quijote was first published. [1605]

used to

  • I don't go out on Friday night anymore.
    You used to go out on Friday night.
  • I don't ride my bike anymore.
  • I don't like beer anymore.
  • My parents don't visit me anymore.
  • My brother doesn't go to the gym anymore.
  • I don't eat junk food anymore.

vocabulary 34

to lengthenalargar
outgoingextrovertido (persona)
blendmezcla
physicianmédico
napkinservilleta
viernes 20 noviembre 2009
viernes 19 noviembre 2010

grammar

- I used to see him at least once a week.
- Con verbos auxiliares se usa "use to" en lugar de "used to".

review

years

  • Ask me when I first came to Spain.
    When did you first come to Spain?
    You first came to Spain in 1991.
  • Ask me when the Olympic Games took place in Barcelona. [1992]
  • Ask me when Madrid held the Football World Cup Championship. [1922]

used to

  • I studied more when I was younger.
    I used to study more when I was younger.
  • Peter isn't a vegetarian anymore.
  • Caroline collected marbles when she was little.
  • It doesn't float anymore.
  • You belived in ghosts. You don't, now.
  • Jack's wife doesn't pick up her kids from school anymore.

exercises

did ... use to?

  • My hair isn't green anymore.
    Did you use to have green hair?
    Did your hair use to be green?
  • I don't like artichokes anymore.
    Did you use to like artichokes?
  • He doesn't read the newspaper anymore.
    Did he use to read the newspaper?
  • She doesn't live in London anymore.
    Did she use to live in London?
  • They don't play soccer anymore.
    Did they use to play soccer?
  • My neighbor isn't a doctor anymore.
    Did your neighbor use to be a doctor?
  • This class isn't in French anymore.
    Did this class use to be in French?
  • I don't like him anymore.
    Did you use to like him?
  • I don't play the violin anymore.
    Did you use to play the violin?
  • She doesn't take the metro anymore.
  • He doesn't live with her anymore.
  • My neighbor doesn't live in this neighborhood anymore.
  • Pepe doesn't teach Spanish anymore.
  • They don't have a dog anymore.
  • She doesn't read the newspaper anymore.

¡no lo es tanto!

  • His neighbor is fat, but he's not that fat.
  • Her house is big, but it's not that big.
  • The cake is delicious, but it's not that delicious.
  • English is hard, but it's not that hard.
  • Spain is big, but it's not that big.
  • Barcelona is a good team, but they're not that good. ["they" por ser un equipo]
  • This mug is heavy, but it's not that heavy.
  • The clothes are expensive/costly, but they're not that expensive.
  • The journey is far, but it's not that far.
  • The water is cold, but it's not that cold.
  • It's humid, but it's not that humid.
  • Juan is a nice guy, but he's not that nice.

vocabulary 35

partnersocio, pareja ("couple" es pareja como conjunto de dos)
palm treepalmera
paceritmo ("can you keep up with the pace?")
perseveringperseverante, perserverancia
phasefase
lunes 23 noviembre 2009
lunes 22 noviembre 2010

grammar

  • everyday, every single day:
    day by day
    day after day
    day in, day out
  • it drives me nuts
    it drives me mad
    it drives me insane
    it drives me crazy
    it drives me up the wall
  • me estoy volviendo loco = I'm going crazy
    me está volviendo loco = it drives me crazy
  • I didn't use to have gray hair
  • direct and indirect (or reported) speech
  • Get lost! = ¡Piérdete!
  • The elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November
  • En el speech de Kennedy:
    "Ask not what your country can do for you,
    ask what you can do for your country"
    "Ask not" estilo antiguo, "Don't ask" moderno.
  • [Reported speech:] He told them not to ask what their country could do for them, but what they could do for their country.
  • Se dice más "hard" que "difficult"
  • Me cuesta = I have trouble, it's hard for me
  • It's hard for me to keep from blinking = Es difícil para mí no dejar de parpadear
  • It's hard for me not to blink = it's hard for me to keep from blinking
  • To keep from blinking = evitar parpadear
  • I can't help + gerundio = no puedo evitar + verbo
  • To congratulate you on finishing ... = felicitaros por acabar ...

reported speech

  • Me dijo que no lo hiciera
    He told me not to do it
  • Me dijo que lo hiciera ahora.
    He told me to do it now.
  • Me pidió que llamara ahora.
    He asked me to call now.
  • Me pidió que no la llamara.
    He asked me not to call her.
  • Me suplicó que no lo hiciera.
    He begged me not to do it.
  • Me suplicó que lo hiciera más tarde.
    He begged me to do it later.
  • will > would

my vocabulary

stress out = agobiado
to work out = salir bien
to buttom up = abotonar
to zip up = cerrar la cremallera

review

did ... use to ... ?

  • My hair isn't green anymore.
    Did your hair use to be green?
  • I don't like artichokes anymore.
  • He doesn't read the newspaper anymore.
  • They don't play soccer anymore.
  • This class isn't for beginners anymore.

it's not that ...

  • His neighbour is fat.
    But he's not that fat.
  • English is difficult.
  • His house is big.
  • This cake is delicious.
  • They're rich.

exercises

imperative in indirect speech

  • I said to my neighbor don't step on the lawn.
    I told him not to step on the lawn.
  • I will say to my children: don't live the milk out of the fridge.
    I will tell them not to live the milk out of the fridge.
  • The priest said to the boy: don't lie.
    He told him not to lie.
  • Jack said to me: don't tell people off.
    He told you not to tell people off.
  • Laura said to you: don't get stress out about work.
    She told you not to get stress out about work.
  • The mother said to her son: don't worry, everything will work out.
    She told him not to worry, and that everything would work out.
  • Rachel said to Mark: don't turn the music up.
    She told him not to turn the music up.
  • The man said to Sara: don't take the leash off your dog.
    He told her not to take the leash off the dog.
  • I said to you: don't worry about making mistakes.
    I told you not to worry about making mistakes.
  • Sandra said to Sam: don't buttom up your shirt.
    She told him not to buttom up his shirt.
  • I said to you: don't ever stop studying English.
    I told you not to ever stop studying English.
    I told you to never stop studying English.

not to + verb

  • They made a decision that they will not go to the farewell party in the end.
    They decided not to go to the farewell party in the end.
  • I can't help crying when I watch sad movies.
    It's hard not to cry when I watch sad movies.
  • I can't help smiling when I feel happy.
    It's hard not to smile when I feel happy.
  • I can't help thinking about the heat.
    It's hard not to think about the heat.
  • The Romans decided that they would not to invade Ireland.
    They decided not to invade Ireland.
  • The student made a decision that he will not study this weekend.
    He decided not to study this weekend.
  • The Vikings made a decision that they would not attack North Africa.
    They decided not to attack North Africa.
  • Elvis Presley can't help falling in love with you.
    It's hard not to fall in love with you.
    ["Can't help falling in love with you"]
  • I can't help eating too much.
    It's hard not to eat too much.
  • You can't help looking well.
    It's hard not to look well.
  • They made a decision that they will not drive the car.
    They decided not to drive the car.
  • The Government made a decision that they will not lower taxes.
    They decided not to lower taxes.
  • I can't help worrying about unemployment.
    It's hard not to worry about unemployment.
  • I can't help thinking about the future.
    It's hard not to think about the future.

vocabulary 36

to illustrateilustrar
to injurelesionar
to implyinsinuar
to go for a walkir a dar un paseo
to demonstratedemostrate
martes 24 noviembre 2009
martes 23 noviembre 2010

grammar

- Let's get started, but first, before we move forward we need to step back.
- How many times have I told him? ... And he doesn't do it.
  What do I have to do to make ... ?
  What do I have to do to get this fellow to switch?
- There is a saying in English: you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
- se usa más
could I borrow some sugar?
que
could you lend me some sugar?
- I think so = creo que sí
- I remember him telling me not to ...
- My dream didn't come true.
- As I got older, my dream is changed.

to remember

to remember + gerund: acordarse de algo
Me acordé de cuando me casé = I remembered getting married
to remember + TO + infinitive: recordar una acción
Recordé apagar la luz = I remembered to turn off the light

my vocabulary

to run out of = quedarse sin, agotar
Have you run out of sugar?
Se me ha agotado la paciencia con vosotros = I have run out of patience with you
I'm running out of patience with you and you're running out of time with me.
gasolina = gasoline, gas [AM], petrol [BR]
petóleo = petroleum, oil
to tear out = arrancar [tear, tore, torn]

pronunciation

- run /rʌn/
  ran /ræn/

review

not to + verb

  • I told my neighbour: don't step on the lawn.
    You asked your neighbor not to step on the lawn.
  • I'll tell my children: don't leave the milk out of the fridge.
    You'll tell your children not to leave the milk out of the fridge.
  • I told my boss: don't blame the assistant.
    You asked your boss not to blame the assistant.
  • I always tell my mother: please, don't worry.
    You always tell your mother not to worry.
  • I told my students: don't speak Spanish in class.
    You told your students not to speak Spanish in class.
  • They made a decision that they won't go to the party.
    They decided not to go to the party.
  • I can't help crying when I watch sad films.
    It's hard not to cry when you watch sad films.
  • I can't help feeling great when our rivals lose.
    It's hard not to feel great when our rivals lose.
  • I made a decision that I won't participate in the project.
    You decided not to participate in the project.
  • I can't help eating a lot during the holidays.
    It's hard not to eat a lot during the holidays.

exercises

to run out of

  • Have you ever run out of petrol?
  • Ask me if I ever run out of gas.
    Many times I was running on fumes, but I've never run out of gas.
  • Ask me if I ever run out of money.
  • Ask me where I was when I ran out of money.
  • Ask me what I did.
  • Have you ever run out of money?
  • Ask me if I ever run out of sugar.
  • Ask me what I did when I ran out of sugar.
  • Well, guess what, ask me what we're running out of now.
    What are we running out of now?

to remember

  • You met me a few months ago.
    I remember meeting you a few months ago.
  • You got married a year ago.
    I remember getting married a year ago.
  • Last week was your wedding anniversary and you had to buy a present for your husband; fortunately, you did.
    I remembered to buy a present for my husband.
  • You tore out a piece of paper and put it in your pocket.
    I remember tearing out a piece of paper and putting it in my pocket.
  • Don't forget to call me for my birthday.
    Remember to call me for my birthday.
  • She told him to locke the door. He didn't forget.
    He remembered to locke the door.
  • You put the cake in the oven an then you went to the lounge.
    I remember putting the cake in the oven and then going to the lounge.
  • You switched off the lights when you left in the morning.
    I remember switching off the lights when I left in the morning.
  • I told you to do your homework. You haven't forgotten.
    I've remembered to do my homework.

vocabulary 37

all the timetodo el tiempo
to kidnapsecuestrar
itemconcepto
to appreciateagradecer
to leave outomitir
miércoles 25 noviembre 2009
miércoles 24 noviembre 2010

grammar

  • We'll start by going over some of the things we saw yesterday
  • Go over + pronombre: el pronombre siempre después
    go over it = repásalo (go over with the fine-tooth comb)
  • Recuerdo varias ocasiones ... = I remember several times running out of gasoline
  • Sube = hop in [coloquial, formalmente sería "get in", por entrar a un coche]
  • BC = Before Christ / BCE = Before the Common Era
    AD = Anno Domini
  • I used to have a Porsche = antes yo tenía un Porsche
    I'm used to having a Porsche = estoy acostumbrado a tener un Porsche
    to be used to + gerundio = estar acostumbrado a
  • To be used to it = estar acostumbrado

my vocabulary

  • kennel = caseta para perro
  • show up = aparecer

review

to run out of

  • Have you ever run out of sugar?
    Yes, sometimes I have run out of sugar.
    Ask me if everybody runs out of sugar.
    Does everybody run out of sugar?
  • Ask me if my phone ran out of battery last week.
    Did your phone run out of battery last week?
  • Ask me why my phone is always running out of battery.
    Why is your phone always running out of battery?
  • Ask me if I'm running out of patience with you.
    Are you running out of patience with me?
  • Ask me if I ran out of money when I was travelling around Europe.
  • Have you ever ran out of money?
  • Ask me if I ran out of beer in that trip.

exercises

BC/AD

  • Ask me when the Roman Empire fell.
    When did the Roman Empire fall?
    It fell in 476 AD.
  • Ask me when Confucius was born?
    When was Confucius born?
    He was born in 551 BC.
  • Ask me when Julius Caesar was assassinated.
    When was Julius Caesar assassinated?
    He was assassinated in 44 BC.
  • Ask me when printing was invented.
    When was printing invented?
    Printing was invented in 730 AD.
  • Ask me when Buda was born.
    When was Buda born?
    Buda was born in 563 BC.
  • Ask me when the Moors invaded Spain.
    When did the Moors invade Spain?
    The Moors invaded Spain in 711 AD.
  • Ask me when Socrates was born.
    When was Socrates born?
    Socrates was born in 469 BC.
  • Ask me when the first civilization was founded.
    When was the first civilization founded?
    The first civilization was founded between 4,000 and 3,500 BC.

to be used to

  • My neighbor's boss isn't accustomed to getting up early.
    My neighbor's boss isn't used to getting up early.
  • I'm not accustomed to asking people for favors.
  • I'm not accustomed to giggling in class.
  • My cousin is accustomed to showing up late.
  • The dentist is accustomed to pulling out teeth.
  • The dog is accustomed to sleep in a kennel.

vocabulary 38

conveniencecomodidad
townhousechalé adosado
mildtemplado, suave (salsa, temperatura, no personas)
delighfulencantador
spideraraña
jueves 26 noviembre 2009
jueves 25 noviembre 2010

grammar

- con los verbos de sentido (feel, smell, hear, sound, look, taste, etc.) se usa good y no well
- to be used to = estar acostumbrado a
  I'm used to teaching,
  I'm used to using ... = estoy acostumbrado a usar ...
- I used to use = antes usaba
  Now, I'm used to = ahora, estoy acostumbrado.
- I'm not used to it yet, but I'm starting to get used to it slowly, I'm gradually gettig used to it.
- I used to have problems with the noise, but now I'm starting to get used to it.
- It takes some getting used to = lleva cierto tiempo acostumbrarse

pronunciation

accustomed /ə'kʌstəmd/

review

BC/AD

  • Ask me when the Roman Empire fell.
  • Ask me when Confucius was born?
  • Ask me what year it was 1,000 years ago.
    What year was it 1,000 years ago?
    It was 1009 ('ten o nine') AD 1,000 years ago.
  • Ask me what year it was 2,000 years ago.
    What year was it 2,000 years ago?
    It was 9 AD.
  • Ask me what year it was 3,000 years ago.
    What year was it 3,000 years ago?
    It was 10 or 9 BC.
  • Ask me when people first arrived in Ireland.
    When did people first arrive in Ireland?
    People first arrived in Ireland around 8,000 BC.

to be used to

  • My neighbour's boss isn't accustomed to getting up early.
  • Vaugham System's teachers are accustomed to dealing whit a lot of students.
  • You're accustomed to my accent.
  • You're accustomed to appearing on TV.
  • Foreigners are not accustomed to the hot summers in Madrid.

exercises

used to

  • Ask me again if I'm used to living in Madrid.
    Are you used to living in Madrid?
  • Ask me how long it took me to get used to living in Madrid.
    How long did it take you to get used to living in Madrid?
  • Ask me if I'm used to teaching English.
    Are you used to teaching English?
  • Ask me how long it took me to get used to teaching English.
    How long did it take you to get used to teaching English?
  • How long did it take you to get used to my accent?
    It took me a year to get used to your accent.
  • How long will it take you to get used to speaking English perfectly?
    It will take me three or more years to get used to speaking English perfectly.
  • Ask me if my father is used to speaking English.
    Is your father used to speaking English?
  • Ask me how long it took him to get used to it.
    How long did it take him to get used to speaking English.
    It took him a few years to get used to speaking English.
  • Ask me if he's used to speaking English now.
    Is he used to speaking English now?
  • Ask me if I'm used to his accent.
    Are you used to his accent?
  • Are you getting used to the question "used to"?
    Yes, I'm used to the question "used to".

getting used to

  • Does living in Spain take much getting used to?
    No, living in Spain doesn't take much getting used to.
  • Does living in Bangladesh take much getting used to?
    Yes, living in Bangladesh takes much getting used to.
  • Does eatting sushi take much getting used to?
    No, eatting sushi doesn't take much getting used to.
  • Does working at night take much getting used to?
    Yes, working at night takes much getting used to.
  • Ask me if teaching English takes much getting used to.
    Does teaching English take much getting used to?
  • Does driving in England take much getting used to?
    Yes, driving in England takes much getting used to.
  • Does moving from a big city to a village take much used to?
    Yes, moving from a big city to a village takes much used to.
  • Does becoming a vegeterian take much getting used to?
    No, becoming a vegeterian doesn't take much getting used to.
  • Did being a student on TV take much getting used to?
    No, being a student on TV didn't take much getting used to.

vocabulary 39

tow truckgrúa para remolcar
meticulousmeticuloso
spicesespecias
to complain aboutquejarse de
to comply withcumplir con
viernes 27 noviembre 2009
viernes 26 noviembre 2010

grammar

  • I'm starting to get used to seeing you there.
  • u Let's go over, some of the things we saw on the previus day in class 39.
  • ... and you can kindly leave, the door is over there, please close the door from the outside, unless you're willing to work hard ...
  • cambiar de + {canal, lado, casa, } = to change + {channels, sides, houses, }
  • we are not on speaking terms = no nos hablamos
  • Peter fell out with his boss and then they can't hardly stand each other
    can stand = aguantar, soportar

my vocabulary

  • wishful thinking = idealismo
  • to sleep in = dormir hasta tarde
  • to fall out with somebody = pelearse, separarse, romper una amistad
    to [fall/have a falling] out with somebody = pelearse con alguien
  • bond = vínculo
  • lieutenant = lugarteniente

pronunciation

lieutenant     BR: /lef'tenənt/
AM: /lu:'tenənt/

review

to get used to

  • It takes English people a long time to get accustomed to driving on the right.
  • Did you get accustomed to waking up so early?
    Yes I got used to waking up so early in the morning.

it takes much getting used to

  • Does sleeping in take much getting used to?
    No, sleeping in doesn't take much getting used to.
  • Does waking up early take much getting used to?
  • Does working until late take much getting used to?
  • Does winning the lottery take much getting used to?
  • Would writing with your left hand take much getting used to?

exercises

conditional + unless

  • The plant will grow if you water it every day.
    The plant won't grow unless you water it every day.
  • They'll go to the party if we invite them.
    They won't go to the party unless we invite them.
  • He'll help her if she pays him.
    He won't help her unless she pays him.
  • I'll do it if you back me up.
  • They won't approve the project if we change the budget.
    They'll approve the project unless we change the budget.
  • The car won't break down if you replace the engine.
  • You won't be cold if you put on a coat.
  • I won't report the problem if they improve the security.
  • Your English will improve if you practice every day.

to fall out

  • Do you ever fall out with your brother?
  • Ask me if I fall out with my sister.
  • Ask me how often I fall out with my sister.
  • Ask me if I've ever fallen out with my boss.
  • Have you ever fallen out with your boss?
  • Have you ever fallen out with your mother?
  • Have you ever had a falling out with a friend?
  • Ask me if I've ever fallen out with my neighbour.

vocabulary 40

to draw up [draw, drew, drawn]elaborar (contratos)
sloppychapucero
nosycotilla
to withdrawretirar, sacar dinero
no wonder ...no me extraña que ...
lunes 30 noviembre 2009
lunes 29 noviembre 2010

grammar

- There is hardly any water in my cup.
  Casi no hay agua en mi copa.

to get

- I'm getting tired of getting married.

to get = to receive, to obtain
- phrasal verb:
I get by = Me las apaño
You'll get over it = Ya lo superarás
- reflexive:
casarse = to get married
cansarse = to get tired
ponerse malo, enfermo = to get sick/ill
Ask me when the last time I got sick was.
When was the last time you got sick?
recuperarse = to get over
empeorarse = to get worse
mejorar = to get better
enfadarse = to get angry
disgustarse = to get upset
perderse = to get lost
confundirse = to get confused
liarse = to get mixed-up
no me malinterpretes = don't get me wrong
él siempre se sale con la suya = he always gets his way
acostumbrarse = to get used
- BR get, got, got
  AM get, got, gotten

my vocabulary

unless = a menos que
AM: to have a falling out with = to fall out with

review

unless

  • The plant will grow if you water it every day.
    The plant won't grow unless you water it every day.
  • He'll help her if she pays him.
  • Your English will improve if you practice every day.

to fall out with someone

  • Did you fall out with your neighbours last year?
  • Ask me if I've ever fallen out with my boss.
    Have you ever fallen out with your boss?
  • Did you fall out with your best friend last month?
  • Do you fall out with people usually?
  • Did they fall out over the inheritance?

exercises

to get

  • Ella se asustó cuando vió la araña.
    She got scared when she saw the spider.
  • Siempre me aburro cuando él habla de política.
    I always get bored when he talks about politics.
  • ¿Cuánto tardas en organizarte al llegar al trabajo?
    How long does it take you to get organized when you get to work?
  • ¿Te deprimirías si te dijera que tu inglés está yendo cuesta abajo?
    Would you get depressed if I told you your English is going downhill?
  • Mi sobrino se aburre mucho cuando no va al parque.
    My nephew gets bored when he doesn't go to the park.
  • Si te tiro un vaso de agua, ¿te mojarías?
    Would you get wet if I threw a glass of water at you?

vocabulary 41

to enforcehacer cumplir
to dripgotear
novelnovela
to drop outdarse de baja
nurseenfermera
martes 1 diciembre 2009
martes 30 noviembre 2010

grammar

to get

  • to get: nervous, scared, bored, wet, drunk, high (to get high = colocarse), depressed, dressed, organized, dirty
  • to get = conseguir, obtener
    conseguir un objetivo = to achieve/accomplish your objective.
  • to get = llegar a
  • to get: verbo reflexivo
  • I'll never get tired of her [más categórico]
    I don't think I'll ever get tired of her [menos categórico]

to agree

You [don't agree/desagree] with me on this point.

my vocabulary

  • give or take = más o menos [tras decir una cifra]
  • tachar = to cross out
  • fair and square = con justicia (adverbio)
    You won fair and square
  • forrarse [de dinero]
    to make a killing
    to make a fortune
  • estar forrado
    to be loaded
    to be filthy rich
    to be rolling in it
    to be swimming in money
    to have big bucks
  • well off = acomodado [más formal]
  • tacaño = tight, mean [BR]

review

to get + adjective

  • Se casaron hace dos semanas.
    They got married two weeks ago.
  • Me estoy cansando de aprender inglés.
    I'm getting tired of learning English.
  • Me puse malo en el viaje.
    I got sick on the trip.
  • [Se] Están empeorando.
    They're getting worse.
  • [Se] Están mejorando.
    They're getting better.
  • Mi inglés [se] está mejorando.
    My English is getting better.
  • No te enfades.
    Don't get angry.
  • Me he perdido dos veces esta semana.
    I've got [gotten] lost twice this week.
  • Siempre me confundo con sus nombres.
    I always get confused with their names.
  • Ella se asustó cuando vió la araña.
    She got scared when she saw the spider.
  • Siempre me aburro cuando él habla de política.
    I always get bored when he speaks about politics.
  • A los gatos no les gusta mojarse.
    Cats don't like to get wet.
  • Sólo se emborracha en su cumpleaños.
    He only gets drunk on his birthday.
  • No te deprimas.
    Don't get depressed.
  • Se vistió rápidamente.
    He got dressed very quickly.
  • El equipo se organizó para el torneo.
    The team got organized for the tournament.
  • Los niños se ensucian cuando juegan.
    Children get dirty when they play.

exercises

to agree

  • Ask me if I agree with your points.
  • Ask me if I agree with Florentino Pérez's strategy.
  • Do you agree with Zapatero?
  • Do you agree with the high price Pérez paid for Cristiano Ronaldo?
  • Ask me if I agreed with George Bush.
  • Ask me if I agree with my boss.
  • Ask me if I agree with people very easily.
  • Do you agree with the Government raising taxes?
  • Ask me why I don't agree with anything.

estar forrado

  • ¿Se ha forrado ya?
    Has he made a killing yet?
  • Él está forrado.
    He's filthy rich, he's loaded, he's rolling in it.
  • Ella se forrará con ese invento.
    She'll make a fortune with that invention.
  • Ellos están forrados desde que nacieron.
    They've been filthy rich since they were born.
  • Aunque está forrado, es muy tacaño.
    Even though he's loaded, he's tight.

vocabulary 42

maximummáximo
to cheathacer trampa
soulalma
demoralizingdesmoralizar
toothpastepasta de dientes
miércoles 2 diciembre 2009
miércoles 1 diciembre 2010

grammar

to get around to

  • No he encontrado el momento para comprarlo
    I didn't get around to buying it/I haven't got [BR]
  • To get around to doing something
    llegar a hacer algo (que hasta entonces se va posponiendo)

my vocabulary

  • wealthy = adinerado
  • to get around = viajar, moverse por ahí
  • cortar el césped = to mow the lawn
    cortacésped = lawnmower

review

to agree

  • Estoy de acuerdo contigo.
    I agree with you.
  • No estamos de acuerdo con los cambios.
    We don't agree with the changes.
  • ¿Estás de acuerdo con él?
    Do you agree with him?
  • Él está de acuerdo con vuestra decisión.
    He agrees with your decision.
  • ¿Estarás de acuerdo con el nuevo presidente?
    Will you agree with the new president?
  • La madre de Carlos no estaba de acuerdo con el matrimonio.
    Carlos's mother didn't agree with the marriage.

forrarse

  • ¿Se ha forrado (él) ya?
    Has he made a killing/fortune yet?
  • Se forraron con su empresa.
    They made a killing with their company.
  • Él está forrado.
    He's [filthy rich/loaded/rolling on it].

exercises

to get around to

  • ¿Cuándo llegarás a hacerlo?
    When will you get around to doing it?
  • (Él) Nunca llegará a hacerlo.
    He'll never get around to doing it.
  • ¿Crees que él llegará a aprender ruso?
    Do you think he'll get around to learning Russian?
  • Llegué a hacerlo después de las vacaciones.
    I got around to doing it after my holidays.
  • No creo que jamás llegues a llamarle.
    I don't think you'll ever get around to calling him.
  • Él no llegó a mandarle ese e-mail.
    He never got around to sending him that e-mail.
  • Algunas semanas ella no llega a cortar el césped.
    Some weeks she doesn't get around to mowing the lawn.
  • ¿Has llegado a leer El Quijote?
    Have you got around to reading El Quijote?
  • Ellos nunca llegaron a hacerlo.
    They never got around to doing it.
  • Nunca llegaré a ordenar el armario.
    I'll never get around to tidyng the closet.

years

  • I went to Africa in 2004 (two thousand and four). What year did I go there?
  • My dog was born in the year 2000 (two thousand). What year was my dog born?
  • The Soccer World Cup will take in place South Africa in 2010 (two thousand and ten). When will it take place?
  • The Olympics tooke place in China in 2008 (two thousand and eight). When did they take place?
  • I started working with Vaughan Systems in 2004. When did I start working with them?
  • I met my girlfriend in 2006. When did I meet her?
  • The terrorist attack on New York tooke place in 2001. When did it take place?
  • The current recession began in 2008. When did it begin?
  • I first drank Casera in 2003. When did I first drink it?
  • I fell in love with Spain in 2003. When did I fall in love with Spain?
  • I started working on TV in 2009, when did I start working on TV?
  • Italy won the Soccer World Cup in 2006. When did they win it?
  • The Icelandic economy collapsed in 2008. When did it collapse?

vocabulary 43

burialentierro
cabbagerepollo, col
CEO Chief Executive Officerdirector general, presidente
ckecking account, current accountcuenta corriente
cattleganado (vacuno)
jueves 3 diciembre 2009
jueves 2 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • Finally I got around to calling him.
  • It took me seven days to get around to repairing a silly plug in the bathroom, I finally got around to doing it.
  • Some people never get around to doing anything in life.
  • Cómo se dicen los años:
    desde 2000, como el número
    antes, en dos grupos
  • by way of XX = vía XX
    She flew from A to B by way of C

to prefer

  • to prefer A to/over B
  • si A o B son verbos, se usa el gerundio:
    I prefer water to drinking coke
    I prefer learning french to learning german
  • Si se usa condicional: el verbo debe estar en infinitivo:
    Preferiría aprender francés a aprender alemán
    I would prefer to learn french than to learn german
  • I would rather: para expresar una preferencia
    I'd rather be a sparrow than a snail
    I'd rather be a hammer than a nail
  • Which do you prefer?
    Which would you rather have? parece más "en caso de que te lo ofrecieran, ¿cuál prefieres?"
    respuesta: I'd rather have a million pounds than a million dollars.
    respuesta: I'd prefer that you give me a million pounds.
  • En inglés se usa "prefer" para preferencias muy generales, y se utiliza mucho menos que en español "preferir".

my vocabulary

  • cheat sheet = chuleta (hoja de papel para trampas)
  • to put off = aplazar
  • XX is not my cup of coffee = XX no es de mi agrado

review

to get around to + gerund

  • I'll get around to it [tomorrow].
  • ¿Cuándo llegarás a hacerlo?
    When will you get around to [doing] it?
  • I'll get around to [doing] it later.
  • Ask me if I have anything I have to get around to.
    Do you have anything you have to get around to?

years

exercises

to prefer + noun

  • Do you like tea? / I prefer coffee.
  • Do you like beaf? / I prefer chicken.
  • Does your mother like cheese? / She prefers ham.
  • Ask me if I like fruit.
    Do you like fruit?
    I prefer vegetables.
  • Do you like orange juice?
    I prefer coke.
  • Does your brother like apples?
    He prefers oranges.
  • Do you like movies? / I prefer books.
  • Ask me if I like English / Do you like English? / I prefer Spanish.
  • Does he like tennis? / He prefers football.

to prefer + gerund

  • Do you like watching tennis? / I prefer watching football.
  • Do you like making paella? / I prefer making omelettes.
  • Do you like driving? / I prefer walking.
  • Ask me if I like eating fruit.
    Do you like eating fruit?
    I prefer eating chocolate.
  • Does he like travelling? / He prefers staying at home.
  • Do you like drinking beer? / I prefer drinking rum.
  • Do they like gardening? / They prefer bird-watching.
  • Ask me if I like walking / Do you like walking? / I prefer jogging.
  • Does she like sailing? / She prefers driving.

I'd rather [not]

  • Shall we go?
    I'd rather stay.
    I'd rather not go.
  • Why don't you sell your car?
    I'd rather keep it.
    I'd rather not sell it.
  • Shall we make it up?
    I'd rather read it.
    I'd rather not make it up.
  • Shall we pick it up?
    I'd rather leave it there.
    I'd rather not pick it up.
  • Why don't we lock the door?
    I'd rather leave it open.
    I'd rather not lock the door.
  • Why don't we substitute him?
    I'd rather keep him.
    I'd rather not substitute him.
  • Shall we do it this way?
    I'd rather do it another way.
    I'd rather not do it that way.
  • Why don't we put off the meeting?
    I'd rather do it today.
    I'd rather not put it off.

vocabulary 44

logisticslogística
ashamedavergonzado
to bleedsangrar
to be under oathestar bajo juramento
malfunctionavería
viernes 4 diciembre 2009
viernes 3 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • Normalmente es prefer + gerund, pero se puede decir "I prefer to watch"

my vocabulary

  • add = añadir
  • add up = sumar
  • drawbridge = puente levadizo

pronunciation

  • mountain /'maʊntɪn/
  • literature /'lɪtrətʃə(r)/

review

to prefer

Prefiero ir ... = I'd rather go ...
  • Do you like tea? / I prefer beer.
  • Do you like watching tennis? / I prefer watching. football
  • Do you like fish? / I prefer meat.
  • Do you like the beach? / I prefer the mountains.
  • Do you like pop music? / I prefer classical music.
  • Do you like French literature? / I prefer American literature.
  • Do you like acting in movies? / I prefer acting in movies to acting in the theatre.

I'd rather not

  • Why don't you sell your car? / I'd rather not sell it.
  • Why don't you study tonight?
  • Why don't you have your hair cut?
  • Why don't you have some water? / I'd rather not have some water.
  • Why don't you shut the window?
  • Why don't you shut the door?
  • Why don't you turn off the lights?

exercises

no, I'd rather

  • Do you want Juan to do it? / No, I'd rather you did it.
  • Does Juan want me to do it? / No, he'd rather you did it.
  • Do they want María to help them? / No, they'd rather Juan helped them.
  • Does Pepe want me to call him? / No, he'd rather she called him.
  • Do you want Jose to fix it? / No, I'd rather she fixed it.
  • Does he want you to organize the meeting? / No, he'd rather you organized the meeting.
  • Does she want me to send it? / No, she'd rather I sent it.
  • Do you want Georges to teach you? / No, I'd rather you taught me.
  • Do they want me to pick them up? / No, they'd rather he picked them up.
  • Do they want us to make diner? / No, they'd rather he made diner.

vocabulary 45

perseveranceperseverancia
deservingmerecedor
athleteatleta
it doesn't make any senseeso no tiene sentido
contact lenseslentillas

translation list 1

  1. Voy a subir mi nivel de inglés.
    I'm going to raise my English level.
  2. ¿Has sumado todas las columnas?
    Have you added up all the columns?
  3. Nos quedan dos todavía.
    We still have two left.
    ¿Cuántos nos quedan? = How many do we have left?
    ¿Cuánto nos queda? = How much do we have left?
  4. ¿Cómo quieres que empiece yo la carta?
    How do you want me to start the letter?
  5. ¡Ésta no es una carta cualquiera!
    This isn't just any letter!
  6. Está dirigida al Presidente/presidente.
    It's adressed to the President/chairman.
  7. Fírmala en el reverso.
    Sign it on the back.
    ¿Lo has firmado en el reverso? = Have you signed it on the back?
    Why haven't you signed it on the back?
    Where do you signed it?
  8. Si no hubiera sido por tí ...
    If it hadn't been for you ...
    Si no hubiera sido por tí, no hubiéramos venido.
    If it hadn't been for you, we wouldn't have come.
  9. Antes de que te vayas, quiero que eches un vistazo a esto.
    Before you leave/go I want you to take/have a look at this.
    Before leaving ...
  10. Quiero que me cuentes toda la historia de principio a fin.
    I want you to tell me the whole story from [begining to end/from start to finish].
  11. Va a haber otra reorganización.
    There's going to be another reorganization.
    Is there going to be another reorganization?
    Why isn't there going to be another reorganization?
  12. No se nos permite usar esos programas.
    We're not allowed to use those programs.
lunes 7 diciembre 2009
lunes 6 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • prefer = preferencia general
    would rather > preferencia concreta, puntual
  • would you rather play football or tennis?
    would you rather + infinitivo (sin to)?
    would you like to + infinitivo?
    would you mind + gerundio?
  • to go home = ir a casa
    to get home = llegar a casa
    to leave home = salir de casa
    to be/stay at home = estar/quedarse en casa

my vocabulary

  • raise = subir
  • rise = subir por fuerza propia
    the sun rises, nobody raises the sun
  • personal = privado
  • personnel = relativo al equipo humano
  • to be on the right track = estar bien encaminado

pronunciation

shrewd /ʃruːd/

review

I'd rather + sujeto + verbo en pasado

  • Do you want Juan to do it? / Not, I'd rather you did it.
  • Does Juan want me to do it? / No, he'd rather I did it.
  • Do they want us to make dinner? / No, they'd rather they made dinner.
  • Do you want José to send it? / No, I'd rather you sent it.
  • Does Pepe want me to call him? / No, he'd rather I called him.

exercises

I'd rather + infinitive

  • ¿Preferirías jugar al tenis o al pádel?
    Would you rather play tennis or paddle?
  • Ella preferiría jugar con los niños.
  • Would you rather go to the cinema or to see a play?
  • Ask me if I'd rather play golf or play cricket.
  • Would you rather speak English or Spanish with me?
  • Ask me if I'd rather speak English or Spanish.
  • Ask me if I'd rather have a cup of tea or a cup of coffee.

going home

  • Quiero irme a casa.
    I want to go home.
  • ¿Te vas a casa ahora?
    Are you going home now?
  • Ella no quiere volver a casa todavía.
    She doesn't want go home yet.
  • Deberías irte a casa si no te sientes bien.
    You should go home if you're not feeling well.
  • Le dije a ella que volviera a su casa.
    I told her to go home.
  • ¿Irás a tu casa antes de ir a la fiesta?
    Will you go home before going to the party?
  • Cuando viajo siempre tengo ganas de volver a casa.
    When I travel I always feel like going [back] home.
  • Tengo que ir a mi casa a buscarlo.
    I have to go home to [look for it/pick it up].
  • Susan siempre vuelve a casa para comer.
    Susan always goes [back] home to have lunch.
  • (Yo) Estaba de camino a casa cuando me encontré con él.
    I was on my way home when I run into him.

vocabulary 46

pickpocketcarterista
skepticalescéptico
shrewdastuto
reliabilityfiabilidad
sickeningrepugnante
martes 8 diciembre 2009
martes 7 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • ... if you are exposed to English for 585 straight hours
    straight hours = horas seguidas
    585 hours in a row
    585 consecutive hours
  • deep down = en el fondo
  • thank you for sticking up for me, thank you for covering for me, thank you for lying.
  • Would you rather learn English or have a beer?
  • to pick on = meterse con alguien
    Did you pick on people when you were younger?
    Did people pick on you?
    Yes, when I was in grammar-school I was picked on.
    Because I would never stick up for myself.
    stick up for oneself = hacerse valer, dar la cara, defenderse
    stick up for someone = defender a
  • to gang up on sb. = atacar en grupo a alguien
  • to back somebody up = respaldar a alguien
  • Tiene sentido = it makes sense
    ¿Tiene sentido? = Does it make sense?
    No tiene sentido = It doesn't make sense
  • ¿Darías la cara por mí? = Would you stick up for me?
    ¿Diste la cara por mí el año pasado? = Did you stick up for me last year?
  • Things are going fine, thanks for your concern and worrying about me.
  • ¿Me queda algo por hacer? = Do I have anything left?

my vocabulary

  • word of mouth = boca a boca (word in mouth is a good advertising tool)
  • to stick up for sb = dar la cara por alguien, defender, cubrir
  • to stand up for sb = defender a alguien
  • decidirse = to make up one's mind
    ¡decídete! = make up your mind!
    Did you ever have to make up your mind?
  • pace = ritmo
    The pace is too fast, I can't keep up, I'm falling behind
    "rhythm" es sólo para música
  • tendencia [personal] = tendency
  • tendencia [de una curva] = trend
  • left-overs = restos (de comida)
    I'm going to eat left-overs

review

I'd rather

  • Do you want to play tennis or would you rather play paddle?
    I'd rather play tennis.
  • Do you want to eat ice cream or would you rather not?
    I'd rather eat ice cream.
  • Do you want to go to the cinema or would you rather go to the theatre?
  • Do you want me to teach you English or would you rather I taught you Irish?
    I'd rather you taught me English.
  • Do you want to pay income tax or would you rather not?
  • Do you want the hot weather to continue or would you rather it didn't.
    I'd rather the hot weather continued.
  • Do you want me to look at you or would you rather I looked at the floor?
    I'd rather you looked at me.
  • Do you want to improve your English or would you rather not?
    I'd rather improve my English.

home

  • Quiero irme a casa = I want to go home
  • ¿Te vas a casa ahora? = Are you going home right now?
  • Ella no quiere volver a casa todavía = She doesn't want to go back home yet.
  • I wanted to go home yesterday. What did I want to do?
    You wanted to go home yesterday.
  • I would want to go home next month if I could afford it.
    You would want to go home next month if you could afford it.
  • I was going home yesterday when it started to rain. What happened?
    You were going home yesterday when it started to rain.

exercises

vocabulary 47

to recruitbuscar y contratar a personal
to kick outechar a patadas
to trainformar o entrenar
to aggravateagravar
to let downdefraudar, decepcionar

translation list 2

  1. Ya ha habido tres en los dos últimos años.
    There have already been three in the last two years.
  2. No pueden decidirse.
    They can't make up their mind (minds).
  3. Te acostumbrarás a nuestro ritmo.
    You'll get used to our pace.
  4. Tenían que haber llegado hace diez días.
    They should've [arrived/gotten here/been here] ten days ago.
  5. Él siempre convoca reuniones en el último momento.
    He always calls [meetings at the last minute/last-minute meetings].
  6. ¿Cómo van las cosas?
    How are things going?
  7. No nos podemos quejar.
    We can't complain.
  8. ¿Queda algo por hacer?
    Is there anything left to do?
    ¿Qué queda por hacer? = What is there left to do?
  9. Preferiría estar en la playa, ¿tú no?
    I'd rather be at the beach, wouldn't you?
    on the beach = sobre la playa, en la arena
    I'd much rather be at the beach than here.
  10. Hay muchos cabos sueltos que atar.
    There are a lot of loose ends to tie [up].
  11. Ella ni siquiera me saludó.
    She didn't even say hello to me.
  12. Sólo te han contado la mitad de la historia.
    They've only told you half the story.
miércoles 9 diciembre 2009
miércoles 8 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • Do you want this pencil or another pencil?
    Do you want this pencil or another?
    Do you want this pencil or another one?
  • How's this one? = ¿Qué tal éste?
  • I have other pencils too/ I've some other pencils too.
  • No quiero éste, quiero otro. = I don't want this one, I want another one.
  • No quiero estos porque quiero otros. = I don't want these, because I want some other ones.
  • I don't want these papers, I want [other/some other] papers.
  • No quiero esta taza, quiero cualquier otra = I don't want this cup, I want another.
  • I don't want these papers, I want [others/other papers].

my vocabulary

  • to tie my tie = atar la corbata
  • tight = apretado
  • loose = suelto
  • to complain = quejarse
    a complaint = una queja
  • different strokes for different folks
  • quilt = colcha, edredón
  • rattle = sonajero
  • broom = escoba
  • flask = termo
  • milk shake = batido
  • They pay him peanuts = Le pagan una miseria

exercises

another + noun

  • I didn't want that quilt.
    You didn't want that quilt, you wanted another quilt.
  • Sam doesn't want his piggy bank.
    ..., he wants another piggy bank.
  • You won't want that necklace.
    I won't want that necklace, I'll want another necklace.
  • They didn't want that lawnmower.
  • The baby doesn't want his rattle.
  • You didn't want that broom.
    I didn't want that broom, I wanted another broom.
  • They didn't want that beach towel.
  • The boy didn't want that teddy bear.
  • The woman didn't want that eyeliner.
  • You don't want that flask.
    I don't want that flask, I want another flask.
  • He didn't want his milk shake.

other + countable noun in plural

  • Not all people own a house.
    True, some people own a house, and other people don't.
  • Not all novels are entertaining.
    True, some novels are entertaining and other novels aren't.
  • Not all women like shopping.
    True, some women like shopping and other women don't.
  • Not all men play sports.
    True, some men play sports and other men don't.
  • Not all children break things.
    True, some children break things and other children don't.

vocabulary 48

advancementavance
to turn intoconvertirse en
peanutscacahuetes
to undermineminar
to jeopardizeponer en peligro
jueves 10 diciembre 2009
jueves 9 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • The more I look at it, the more I'm convinced this room is square.
  • dimensiones: six by five
  • metros cuadrados = metres squared [BR]/square meters [AM]
  • en total = in all
    6 m long, 5 m wide, 30 square meters in all
  • ¿Cómo es el tiempo? [¿Qué tiempo hace?]= What's the weather like?
    What are you like? = ¿Cómo eres?
    (What do you like? = ¿Qué te gusta?)
    ¿Cómo estás? = How are you?
    ¿Cómo eres? = What are you like?

my vocabulary

  • preocupado = worried [con ansiedad], concerned
  • polka-dot = lunar [en un diseño]
  • metro = metre [BR]/meter [AM]
  • plot of land = parcela, terreno
    parcel = paquete, envío
  • for good = para siempre

pronunciation

dimension: dos pronunciaciones /de'mentʃən/ , /daɪ- /

review

another + noun

  • My neighbour doesn't want his car.
    Your neighbour doesn't want his car, he wants another car.
  • My sister's boss doesn't want his mobile phone.
  • George doesn't want his belt.
  • Sara won't want that polka-dot dress.

other + noun in the plural

  • Not all people own a house.
    True: some people own a house and other people don't.
  • Not all novels are entertaining.
  • Not all couches are comfy.

exercises

metres squared

  • Ask me how big my neighbor's plot of land is.
    How big is your neighbor's plot of land?
  • Ask me how big my parent's house is.
    How big is your parent's house?
  • Ask me how big the president's yacht is.
    How big is the president's yacht?
  • How big is your house?
  • How big is your bedroom?
  • Ask me how big my apartment is.
  • Ask me how big Carlos's parent's farm is.
  • Ask me how big my co-worker's studio is.

vocabulary 49

biologybiología
sheltercobijo
sherryjerez
to think overreflexionar
box officetaquilla

translation list 3

  1. ¿Te puedes imaginar cómo sería esta oficina sin Pedro?
    Can you imagine what this office would be like without Pedro?
  2. Cuanto antes hables con él, mejor.
    The sooner you [speak/talk] to him, the better.
  3. Él está esperando que digas algo.
    He's waiting for you to say something.
  4. ¿Qué quieres que le diga?
    What do you want me to tell him?
  5. Había doscientas personas presentes en la inauguración.
    There were two hundred people [on hand/present] for/at the inauguration.
  6. Diviértete y no te metas en líos.
    [Have a good time/have fun/enjoy yourself] and don't get into trouble.
  7. Eso es lo último que esperaba de tí.
    That's/was the last thing I expected from you.
  8. ¿Para qué sirve llamarla ahora?
    What good does it do to call her now?
    What's the point of calling her now?
  9. Es una pérdida de tiempo.
    It's a waste of time.
  10. La he dejado para siempre.
    I've left her for good.
  11. Empezaron mal.
    They got off to a bad start (they started badly).
  12. Estás luchando por una causa perdida.
    You're fighting for a lost cause.
viernes 11 diciembre 2009
viernes 10 diciembre 2010

grammar

whether = si (conjunción copulativa):
I don't know whether the weather will be good tomorrow or not.

my vocabulary

  • pointless = sin sentido, inútil
  • for good = definitivamente
  • for ever = hasta la eternidad
  • I don't get it = no lo entiendo
  • to keep track = mantener en la cabeza un récord (una cifra, una cantidad)
  • to attend = asistir a
    Asisto a tu clase = I attend your class
  • either way = en cualquier caso

pronunciation

whether /'hweðər / AM /'weðə(r)/ EN

review

metres squared

  • Ask me how big my neighbour's plot of land is.
  • Ask me how big my sister's bedroom is.
  • Ask me how big my house is.

translation

  • No quiero seguir.
    I don't want to go on.
  • Despídete de ellos.
    Say goodby to them.
  • Cuanto antes hables con él, mejor.
    The sooner you speak to him, the better.

exercises

it depends on

  • It depends on the weather.
  • It depends on my schedule.
  • It depends on the situation.
  • Depende de a qué hora llega el vuelo.
    It depends on what time the flight arrives.
  • Depende de los puntos que tengas.
    It depends on the points I have.

it depends whether

  • Depende de si me llama o no.
    It depends whether she calls me or not.
  • Depende de si hay entradas o no.
    It depends whether there are tickets or not.
  • Depende de si tengo suficiente dinero o no.
    It depends whether I have enough money or not.
  • Depende de si nos pagan o no.
    It depends whether they pay us or not.
  • Depende de si hay clases o no.
    It depends whether there are classes or not.
  • Depende de si hace buen tiempo o no.
    It depends whether it's nice weather or not.
  • Depende de si me cae bien o no.
    It depends whether I like him or not.
  • Depende de si vienen a la reunión o no.
    It depends whether they attend the meeting or not.
  • Depende de si aprueban los cambios o no.
    It depends wheter they approve the changes or not.
  • Depende de si (él) coge el tren o no.
    It depends whether he catches the train or not.

vocabulary 50

passwordcontraseña
to investinvertir (dinero o tiempo)
patternpauta
to think out loudpensar en voz alta
to insinuateinsinuar
lunes 14 diciembre 2009
lunes 13 diciembre 2010

grammar

depende de = it depends on
no es necesario usar "on" con "it depends" cuando hay una palabra interrogativa:
it depends what time it is
it depends when they arrive
it depends on how much ...

my vocabulary

Gross Domestic Product, GDP = producto interior bruto, PIB
income = renta, ingresos

review

it depends on

  • Depende del tiempo.
    It depends on the weather
  • Depende de tí.
    It depends on you.
  • Depende del día.
    It depends on the day.
  • Depende del sitio.
    It depends on the place.
  • Depende.
    It depends.
  • Depende de la persona.
    It depends on the person.
  • Depende de la situación.
    It depends on the situation.

it depends whether

  • Depende de si me llama o no.
    It depends whether he calls me or not.
  • Depende de si hay entradas o no.
    It depends whether there are tickets or [not/there aren't].
  • Depende de si tengo suficiente dinero o no.
    It depends whether I have enough money or not.
  • Depende de si me contrata o no.
    It depends whether he hires me or not.

exercises

it depends (sin "on")

  • Depende de lo que quieras.
    It depends what you want.
  • Depende de cuándo termines.
    It depends when you finish.
  • Depende de cuánto tengas.
    It depends how much you [have/'ve got].
  • Depende de dónde vivas.
    It depends where you live.
  • Depende de cómo lo hagas.
    It depends how you do it.
  • Depende de a qué hora empieza.
    It depends what time it starts.
  • Depende de cómo lleguemos.
    It depends how we [get/arrive] there.
  • Depende de si mi profesor es un profesor bueno.
    It depends if my techer is a good one.

vocabulary 51

shovelpala
sinnerpecador
to digcavar
to tightenapretar
nervous breakdowncrisis nerviosa/ataque de nervios

translation list 4

  1. Como regla general prefiero dejar a mi gente sola.
    As a general rule I prefer to leave my people alone.
  2. Que yo sepa, no ha habido cambios.
    As far as I know, there haven't been any changes.
  3. En cuanto a mí, puedes hacer lo que quieras.
    As far as I'm concerned, you can do whatever you want.
  4. En el mejor de los casos tenemos suficiente dinero para llegar a mayo.
    At best we have enough money to get through April.
    At best we have enough money to get to the end of May.
    At best we have enough money to get to May.
  5. Tuvimos la oportunidad de hablar detenidamente sobre el asunto.
    We had the chance to [talk/speak] at length about the [affair/ matter].
  6. ¿Eres consciente de lo que podría ocurrir si fueras adelante con esa idea?
    Are you aware of what could happen if you went ahead with that idea?
  7. Hemos tardado meses en romper el hielo.
    It's taken us months to break the ice.
  8. Volverás con las manos vacías, ya verás.
    You'll come back empty-handed, you'll see.
  9. Tenemos que partir de cero otra vez.
    We have to start from scratch again.
  10. A la larga todo saldrá bien.
    In the long run everything will turn out fine.
  11. Mientras tanto quiero que hagas esto.
    In the meantime I want you to do this.
  12. En nombre del Presidente quiero expresar nuestro agradecimiento.
    On behalf of the [President/chairman] I want to express our appreciation.
martes 15 diciembre 2009
martes 14 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • That's what it's for = es por lo que está
  • Who is in charge of the cameras?
  • "responsible" es un adjetivo:
    I'm responsible for certain elements
  • el responsable = the manager
    I'd like to see the manager, please
    can I speak to the person in charge?
  • in charge of + gerund (después de preposición, gerundio)
    who is in charge of telling me that it's time to take a break?
  • How much is it worth?
    to be worth = valer
  • It's not worth it = no vale la pena

my vocabulary

scratch = rascar
scratch = cero en los dos casos siguientes:
to play scratch golf = jugar golf con handicap cero (jugador profesional)
to start from scratch = empezar de cero

pronunciation

progress /'prɑ:grəs / ||/'prəʊgres/ nombre
progress /prə'gres/ verbo

review

it depends

  • Depende de lo que quieras = It depends what you want
  • Depende de cuándo termines = It depends when you finish
  • Depende de cuánto tengas = It depends how much you have
  • Depende de dónde vivas = It depends where you live
  • Depende de cómo lo hagas = It depends how you do it
  • Depende de cómo lo hagan = It depends how they do it

exercises

in charge of

  • Are you in charge of the sales department?
  • Ask me who is in charge of that department.
  • Who is in charge of you?
    Your boss is in charge of you, unless you're self-employed
  • Ask me if I'm in charge of helping you [to] improve your English.
  • If you were the CEO of the company, would you be in charge of everything?
  • Is Bill Gates in charge of Microsoft?
  • Ask me if I'm in charge of teaching you English.
  • Who is in charge of Vaughan Systems?
  • If you report to Sara, who is in charge of you?

translate

  • Ella hizo una entrevista para ser responsable del departamento de marketing.
    She had an interview to be in charge of the marketing department.
  • No te gustaría ser responsable de tanta gente.
    You wouldn't like to be in charge of so many people.
  • ¿Estarías dispuesto de encargarte del proyecto?
    Would you be willing to be in charge of the project?
  • Prefiero que él sea el responsable de eso.
    I prefer him to be in charge of that.
  • Él será el responsable del progreso de sus alumnos.
    He'll be in charge of his students progress.

to be worth

  • ¿Cuánto vale? = How much is it worth?
  • ¿Vale la pena? = Is it worth it?
  • Valió la pena = It was worth it
  • Vale la pena = It's worth it
  • No vale la pena = It's not worth it
  • Ask me if I think it's worth it to study everyday.
  • It's worth it to practice your English.

vocabulary 52

shamefulvergonzoso
shamevergüenza
rulerregla para medir
también es el jefe de un grupo humano, país
to underlinesubrayar
scarcityescasez
miércoles 16 diciembre 2009
miércoles 15 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • grado de temperatura: centigrade or Celsius
  • above/below zero
    what's the temperature?
    it's 17 degrees above zero
  • z [BR zed, US zɪ:]
  • grade = calificaciones (notas), categorías (gasolina)
  • to tell = percibir
    you can't tell how hot it is here
  • freezing (it's freezing)
  • to chill = enfriar (un vino, comida)
  • chill out! = ¡tranquilo!
  • chilling = escalofriante
  • breeze = brisa (marina y cualquier corriente de aire)
  • mild weather = clima templado
    mild = suave
    mild cigarette
    mild manners
  • warm (it's warm)
  • sunny, cloudy, overcast, rainy, foggy, boiling hot
  • a principios de los cincuenta
    the early fifties
  • a mediados de los cincuenta
    the mid fifties
  • a finales de los cincuenta
    the late fifties

review

in charge of

  • Are you in charge of the sales department?
  • Are you in charge of me?
  • Who is in charge of the Vatican?
  • Who was in charge of the Spanish Team when they won the European Championship?
  • Who is in charge of them now?
  • Who is in charge in your house?
  • Who is in charge of me?
  • Who is in charge of the U.S. government?
  • Have you ever been in charge of a charging bull?

it's worth it

  • Do you think it's worth it?
  • Are you worth it?
  • Is becoming a doctor worth it?
  • Ask me if it's worth buying a travel card every month.

exercises

temperature and weather

  • I was in Leeds last week and it was around three degrees in the morning.
    What was the temperature? How hot was it?
    It was cold.
  • I was in Las Vegas last summer and it was over fourty five degrees in the shade.
    It was boiling.
  • My brother was in Iceland in winter and it was minus fifteen degrees.
    It was freezing.
  • My neighbor was in New York last fall and it was twenty three degrees.
    It was mild.
  • My friends were in Madrid last summer and it was about thirty eight degrees.
    It was hot.
  • Your sister was in Canada in December and it was minus five degrees.
    It was very cold.

vocabulary 53

to stuttertartamudear
to teasetomar el pelo
to tearrasgar
skyscraperrascacielos
to simplifysimplificar

translation list 5

  1. Llegaron sanos y salvos.
    They arrived safe and sound.
  2. Tarde o temprano lo vas a tener que hacer.
    [Sooner or later/eventually] you're going to have to do it.
  3. Estás rizando el rizo.
    You're splitting hairs.
  4. Nací en los años cincuenta
    I was born in the fifties.
  5. No han cruzado la meta todavía.
    They haven't crossed the finish line yet.
  6. Tendrás que recurrir a enchufes para conseguir eso.
    You'll have to pull some strings to get that.
  7. Tuve que recurrir a amenazas.
    I had to resort to threats.
    No quiero tener que recurrir a amenazas.
    I don't want to have to resort to threats.
  8. Vamos a forrarnos en este negocio.
    We're going to make a killing in this business.
  9. No me gusta correr riesgos.
    I don't like to run risks.
  10. ¿Quién dirige este cotarro?
    Who's running this show?
    Who runs this show?
  11. No puedo aguantar el ritmo.
    I can't stand the pace.
  12. ¿Por qué no te echas una siesta?
    Why don't you take a nap?
jueves 17 diciembre 2009
jueves 16 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • to take risks = arriesgar calculando (en negocios)
    [business people are risks takers]
  • to wish = desear (I wish you a Merry Christmas)
    I wish I were ...
    I wish + pasado = Ojalá ... cuando no es posible
    I hope ... cuando sí es posible.

my vocabulary

  • to sizzle = chisporrotear
    a sizzling pace = un ritmo fuerte, sofocante
  • aprovechar (una oportunidad) = to take advantage of
  • aprovechar (tiempo, rendimiento) = to make the most of
  • it comes down to money, it boils down to money = se reduce a dinero

pronunciation

knew /nu: / ||/nju:/

review

temperature

boiling, hot, mild, cold, freezing
  • I was in Leeds last weekend and it was around three degrees in the morning.
    What temperature was it? How hot or cold was it?
    It was cold.
  • Last year I was there in August and it was around fourty degrees in the afternoon.
    It was boiling.
  • It was minus twenty degrees when I last went to Russia.
    What was the temperature?
    It was freezing.
  • Last night I couldn't sleep very well because it was around thirty degrees.
    It was hot.

exercises

I wish

  • Ojalá tuviera más dinero = I wish I had more money
  • Ojalá conociera a Brad Pitt = I wish I knew Brad Pitt
  • Ojalá fuera más alta = I wish I were taller
  • Ojalá no viviera en esta ciudad = I wish I didn't live in this city
  • Ojalá él fuera mi jefe = I wish he were my boss
  • Ojalá fuera rica = I wish I were rich
  • Ojalá no fuera tan torpe = I wish I weren't so clumsy
  • Ojalá tuviera un buen coche = I wish I had a good car
  • Ojalá no hiciera tanto calor = I wish it weren't so hot
  • Ojalá pudiera hablar francés = I wish I could speak French
  • Ojalá no fuera tan difícil = I wish it weren't so difficult
  • Ojalá tuviera más tiempo libre = I wish I had more [free/spare] time
  • Ojalá conociera a George Clooney = I wish I knew George Clooney

I wish/if only

  • Ojalá tuviera un buen coche
    I wish I had a good car = If only I had a good car
  • I wish it would rain = If only it would rain
  • I wish I had more money = If only I had more money
  • I wish I had more friends
  • I wish my English were perfect
  • I wish María told me that there are only ten seconds left

vocabulary 54

performanceactuación, rendimiento
oysterostra
issuecuestión a debatir
      problem, matter, issue: usar matter
postponementaplazamiento
to underrateinfravalorar
viernes 18 diciembre 2009
viernes 17 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • I wish I were.
  • I wish I did, but I don't.
  • Don't you ever wish you could get away from the noise?
    Don't you wish you could fly like Peter Pan?
    Don't you wish you could do that?
  • Ojalá hubiera una manera = I wish there were a way
  • ya que estamos ... = might as well ...
  • Why are you always in such a hurry?
  • bastante/bastantes:
    delante de plural: quite a few
    tengo bastantes problemas = I have quite a few problems
    delante de singular: quite a bit/lot of
    tengo bastante azúcar en casa = I have quite a bit/lot of sugar at home
    delante de comparativos: quite a bit/lot
    He's quite a bit taller than I am
    He's quite a bit taller than I thought

my vocabulary

to knit = tejer
seesaw = columpio, balancín, subibaja
outskirts = afueras
to be in a rush = tener prisa

review

I wish

  • Ojalá tuviera más dinero.
  • Ojalá conociera a Brad Pitt.
  • Ojalá fuera más alto.
    I wish I were taller.
  • Ojalá no viviera en una cueva.
  • Ojalá él fuera mi jefe.

I wish > If only

  • Ojalá tuviera un buen coche.
    If only I had a good car.
  • Ojalá no hiciera tanto calor.
    If only it weren't so hot.
  • Ojalá tuviera más vacaciones.
    If only I had more vacations.
  • Ojalá fuera más fácil.
  • Ojalá supieran la verdad.
  • Ojalá no fuera mi jefe.

exercises

wish

  • Ask me if I'd like to earn more money.
    Do you wish you earned more money?
  • Ask me if I'd like to be happier.
    Do you wish you were happier?
  • Ask me if I'd like to have a house near the sea.
    Do you wish you had a house near the sea?
  • Ask me if I'd like my brother to live closer to Spain.
    Do you wish your brother lived closer to Spain?
  • Ask me if I'd like to know how to knit.
    Do you wish you knew how to knit?
  • Ask me if I'd like to have a house with a garden.
    Do you wish you had a house with a garden?
  • Ask me if the boy would like there to be a seesaw in the park.
    Does the boy wish there were a seesaw in the park?
  • Ask me if I'd like to live in the outskirts.
    Do you wish you lived in the outskirts?
  • Ask me if I'd like to work few hours.
    Do you wish you worked few hours?
  • Ask me if I'd like to know how to cook as well as my mum.
    Do you wish you knew how to cook as well as your mum?
  • Ask me if the model would like to be taller.
    Does the model wish she were taller?

vocabulary 55

reliablede fiar
prior toantes de
prideorgullo
praiseworthydigno de elogio
to adviseaconsejar

translation list 6

  1. ¿Me puede sumar estas cifras?
    Can you add up these figures for me?
  2. Siempre tienes prisa.
    You're always in a hurry.
  3. Hemos tenido bastantes problemas con el nuevo sistema.
    We've had quite a few problems with the new system.
  4. Aprovecha mi generosidad mientras puedas.
    [Take advantage/Make the most] of my generosity while you can.
  5. Puede que él no sea tan generoso en el futuro.
    He may not be so generous in the futur.
  6. Es como si le conociera desde hace años.
    It's as if [I knew/I'd known] him from years.
  7. En cuanto llegues al banco, llámame.
    As soon as you get to the bank, call me.
  8. Él es bastante más alto de lo que pensé.
    He's quite a bit taller than I thought.
  9. Hemos sufrido una serie de contratiempos que están retrasando la producción.
    We've suffered a series of setbacks that are delaying production.
  10. Él es, [con mucho/con mucha diferencia], el mejor jugador del país.
    He's by far the best player in the country.
  11. Aparte de unos problemas al principio, todo anda bien.
    [Aside/apart] from [a few/some] problems at the beginning, everything is running/going well.
  12. Quedan bastantes.
    There are still quite a few left.
lunes 21 diciembre 2009
lunes 20 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • We're ten classes away from the end = estamos a 10 clases del final
  • quedan ... = there are ... left
    me quedan ... = I have ... left

it's a good thing

  • ¡Menos mal, que ella está aquí! = It's a good thing she's here!
  • No se usa that para formar la frase
  • It's just as well = Menos mal (más formal que "it's a good thing")
    It's just as well you came when you came.
    Menos mal que viniste cuando viniste.

to look forward to

  • to look forward to:
    I'm looking forward to sending you a letter and I'm looking forward to receiving your reply.
  • to look forward to
    forward = hacia adelante
    backward = hacia atrás
    sideward
    toward = hacia
  • "to look forward to" es una expresión muy corriente, tanto formal como informal
  • para terminar una carta de trabajo:
    "looking forward to your reply, yours ... " = en espera de su respuesta, ...
  • I'm looking forward to it = lo espero con ilusión
  • I'm looking forward to + gerund
  • "I look forward to hearing from you" = a la espera de sus noticias (formal)
    por eso se suele usar en presente continuo, es más natural y coloquial:
    I'm looking forward to seeing you in our next class

other

  • no pain, no gain = no sufres, no consigues

my vocabulary

drowsy = somnoliento, amodorrado

review

wish

  • Ask me if I'd like to own a yatch.
    Do you wish you owned a yatch?
  • Ask me if I'd like to know Brad Pitt's phone number.
  • Ask me if I'd like there to be a cinema near my house.
    Do you wish there were a cinema near your house?

exercises

it's a good thing (it's just as well)

  • Menos mal que no llovió = It's a good thing it didn't rain
  • Menos mal que nevó = It's a good thing it snowed
  • Menos mal que no había mucha gente = It's a good thing there weren't many people
  • Menos mal que no llovió = It's just as well it didn't rain
  • Menos mal que nevó = It's just as well it snowed
  • Menos mal que no había mucha gente = It's just as well there weren't many people

to look forward to something

  • Are you looking forward to your holidays?
  • Are you looking forward to our next class?
  • Are you looking forward to your birthday?
  • Are you looking forward to going to the doctor's next week?
  • Are you looking forward to visiting your parents next month?
  • Are you looking forward to cleaning your house?
  • Ask me if I'm looking forward to the weekend?
  • Ask me if I am looking forward to my birthday?
  • Ask me if I am looking forward to going to the gym after class?

vocabulary 56

to keep up withmantenerse con (el ritmo)
to look upbuscar (como consulta, en diccionario, en internet)
to ignoreno hacer caso
to make certainasegurarse
to manufacturefabricar
martes 22 diciembre 2009
martes 21 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • ... and then María would be in the dog house.
  • "lately" siempre con present perfect o present perfect continuous
  • a shop es también un taller
  • bring it in = tráemelo (aquí dentro)
  • think about, think of
    Pienso llamarla mañana = I'm planning to call her tomorrow
    Estoy pensando en llamarla mañana = I'm thinking about calling her tomorrow
  • I'm still in bed

my vocabulary

trustworthy = digno de confianza
to master = llegar a dominar

review

it's a good thing / it's just as well

  • Menos mal que no llovió.
    It's a good thing that it didn't rain.
  • Menos mal que no había mucha gente.
  • Menos mal que sabían reparar la máquina.
    It's just as well they knew how to fix the machine.
  • Menos mal que el coche paró a tiempo.
    It's a good thing the car stopped in time.

to look forward to

  • Are you looking forward to your holidays?
  • Are you looking forward to resting tonight?
  • When you were kid, did you use to look forward to going to school everyday?
    Yes, when I was a kid, I used to look forward to going to school everyday.
  • Are you looking forward to our next class?
  • Are you looking forward to the next exercise?
  • Are you looking forward to finishing this class?

exercises

thinking about

  • Are you thinking about moving house?
  • Are you thinking living now?
  • Have you ever thought about learning Arabic?
  • Are you thinking about eating a ham sandwich right now?
  • Are you thinking about not answering my next question?
  • Are you thinking about writing a book?
  • Are you thinking about composing a greate opera?
  • Are you thinking about giving up English?
  • Are you thinking about working harder on your English?
  • Are you thinking about making me a cup of coffee?
  • Are you thinking about inventing an electric aeroplane?
  • Are you thinking about eating raw chicken?
  • Are you thinking about giving up smoking?
  • Are you thinking about taking up smoking?
  • Are you thinking about what to eat for diner?
  • Are you thinking about Brad Pitt?
  • Are you thinking about telephoning Brad Pitt?
  • Are you thinking about running for President?
  • Are you thinking about baking a cake?
  • Are you thinking about invading Brazil?
  • Are you thinking about cutting your hair?
  • Are you thinking about eating raw chicken?

vocabulary 57

to refusenegarse a
cheetahguepardo
ruinsruinas
acquisitionadquisición
to misspellcometer faltas de ortografía

translation list 7

  1. El llegar a dominar el inglés cuesta mucho trabajo.
    Mastering English takes a lot of work.
  2. Quiero averiguar quién lo hizo.
    I want to find out who did it.
  3. Cuídate.
    Take care of yourself.
  4. ¿Estás levantado?
    Are you up?
  5. Me estoy quedando atrás.
    I'm falling behind.
  6. Ellos carecen de recursos naturales.
    They lack natural resources.
  7. Están obligados a importar materias primas.
    They are forced to import raw materials.
  8. Los costes laborales han subido.
    Labor costs have [risen/gone up].
  9. No pierdas tu tiempo cumplimentando esos pedidos.
    Don't waste your time filling those orders.
  10. No es probable que prorroguen el plazo.
    [They're not likely to /It's not likely that they will] extend the deadline.
  11. Será un proceso doloroso, pero no tenemos más remedio.
    It'll be a painful process, but we [have no other choice/don't have any other choice].
  12. Tenemos que eliminar los obstáculos que nos impidan progresar.
    We have to remove the obstacles that keep us from progressing.
miércoles 23 diciembre 2009
miércoles 22 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • I'm really glad/I'm delighted -> NO "very glad"
  • to think about = reflexionar, meditar, pensar en
  • I'm thinking about + gerund = estoy pensando en +
    I'm thinking about going to NY
  • I'm planning = pienso (planeo, tengo intención de)
  • that keep us from progressing = que impiden progresar
    ella impide que yo pueda salir de aquí = she keeps me from leaving this room
    to keep from + gerundio = evitar/impedir + verbo
    a fence is to keep the dog in
    the purpose of the fence is to keep the dog [from going out/in]
  • Saludo: "Cuídate" = "take care"
    'Take care of yourself' es un consejo.
  • Pienso mañana pensar las posibilidades de qué hacer este verano
    I'm planning to think about what I'm going to do this coming summer
  • to plan = planear, planificar
    se usa "present simple" or "present continuous"
  • back to back = consecutivos
  • I prefer that this be = prefiero que esto sea

my vocabulary

remover = stir
quitar = remove
homebody = casero, hogareño

exercises

to plan to

  • Are you planning to go away this summer?
  • What are you planning to do at the weekend?
  • Ask me if I'm planning to go out at the weekend.
  • Are you planning to sell your house next month?
  • How long are you planning to stay in London?
    I'm planning to stay in London for two weeks.
  • Ask me if I'm planning to teach Korean next week.
  • Is your neighbor planning to move?
  • Who are you planning to visit next month?
  • What are you planning to wear to the party?
  • When are you planning to do it?
  • When are you planning to call them?
  • When are you planning to call your brother?
  • Ask me when I'm planning to call my brother.
  • Ask me when I'm planning to visit my family in California.
  • When are you planning to visit your relative in Extremadura?
  • What time are you planning to have dinner tonight?
  • Ask me what time I'm planning to have dinner tonight.
  • Who are you planning to have dinner with?
  • What are you planning to do after dinner?

adjectives

  • Un vuelo de tres horas = A three-hour flight
  • Una reunión de dos horas = A two-hour meeting
  • Una carta de cinco hojas = A five-page letter
  • Un niño de tres años = a three-year old child
  • Escribieron un informe de doce páginas sobre el tema.
    They wrote a twelve-page report [on the matter/about the subject].
  • Él escribió un libro de doscientas páginas.
    He wrote a two-hundred-page book.
  • Vimos una película de tres horas.
    We saw a three-hour movie.
  • Me gustaría tener unas vacaciones de dos meses.
    I'd like to have a two-month holiday.
  • Necesito unas vacaciones de dos semanas.
    I need a two-week holiday.
    holiday (sin "s")

vocabulary 58

to sign up forapuntarse (a un curso)
prescriptionreceta (médica)
pressure groupgrupo de presión
to make sureasegurarse
to make sensetener sentido
lunes 28 diciembre 2009
jueves 23 diciembre 2010

my vocabulary

actual = real, contrario de "fictitious"
actualmente = currently

review

exercises

to plan to

  • Are you planning to go away this summer?
  • What are you planning to do at the weekend?
  • Are you planning to catch up with your friends tonight?
    to catch up = ponerse al día
  • What are you planning to do for homework?

adjectives

  • Ayer estuve en una reunión de ocho horas = Yesterday I was in an eight-hour meeting
  • Fué un vuelo de tres horas = It was a three-hour flight
  • Escribieron un informe de doce páginas sobre el tema =
    = They wrote a twelve-page report [on the matter/about the subject]
  • Ella me mandó una carta de cinco páginas = She sent me a five-page letter
  • Vimos una película de cuatro horas = We watched a four-hour [film/movie]
  • Estudié una carrera de cinco años = I studied a five-year degree

exercise

  • Siento haberlo hecho = I'm sorry I did it
    No debería haberlo hecho = I shouldn't have done it
    Ojalá no lo hubiera hecho = I wish I hadn't done it
  • I'm sorry I saw him
    I shouldn't have seen him
    I wish I hadn't seen him
  • I'm sorry I lost the match
    I shouldn't have lost the match
    I wish I hadn't lost the match
  • It's a pitty they didn't bring me some water
    They should've brought me some water
    I wish they had brought me some water
  • I'm sorry your English isn't perfect
    Your English should be perfect
    I wish your English were perfect
  • I'm sorry I came
    I shouldn't have come
    I wish I hadn't come
  • I'm sorry I wrote it
    I shouldn't have written it
    I wish I hadn't written it

I wish

  • You didn't know the answer
    I wish I'd known the answer
  • You didn't win the tennis match
    I wish I'd won the tennis match
  • You went to that party
    I wish I hadn't gone to that party
  • They didn't call
    They wish they'd called
  • He took that job
    He wishes he hadn't taken that job
  • You sold your house
    I wish I hadn't sold my house
  • You didn't go to the doctor when you were sick
    I wish I'd gone to the doctor when I was sick
  • They had some milk for breakfast
    They wish they hadn't had any milk for breakfast
  • I didn't turn off the lights this morning
    You wish you'd turned off the lights this morning
  • She cut her hair before her wedding
    She wishes she hadn't cut her hair before her wedding

vocabulary 59

to shaveafeitarse
praiseelogio
coppoli (policía)
round tripida y vuelta
prayeroración

translation list 8

  1. Has hecho una evaluación precisa de la situación actual.
    You've made an accurate assessment of the current situation.
  2. ¿Te importaría decirlo para que todo el mundo te pueda oir?
    Would you mind saying it so that everyone can hear you?
  3. Lo traje para que tú lo usaras.
    I brought it so that you could use it.
  4. Él se ha marchado de la empresa para siempre.
    He's left the company for good.
  5. Estoy confiado en que los acontecimientos me darán la razón.
    I'm confident that the events will prove me right.
  6. ¡Menos mal!
    It's a good thing!
  7. Que yo sepa, las cosas marchan bien.
    As far I know, things are going [well/fine].
  8. Es muy arriesgado levantar el embargo.
    It's very risky to lift the embargo.
  9. He encontrado un atajo que nos ahorra mucho tiempo.
    I've found a shortcut that saves us a lot of time.
  10. ¡Habérmelo dicho!
    [Why didn't you tell me!/You should've told me!]
  11. Casi nunca piden perdón ellos por sus errores.
    They hardly ever [apologize/apologise] for their mistakes.
  12. Tendrás que pasar por un período de prueba de tres meses.
    You'll have to go through a three-month trial period.
martes 29 diciembre 2009
viernes 24 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • I didn't do it.
    You should've done it
    I know I should've done it.
    I wish I had done it
  • I wish I had, but I didn't

my vocabulary

casi nunca = hardly ever
casi siempre = almost always
things are running smoothly = sin sobresaltos
trial by fire = prueba de fuego
can you tell? = ¿lo notas?
to put down sb. = insultar a alguien
to yell at sb. = gritar, regañar a alguien
to give up = darse por vencido
to be over the Moon = to be very happy

review

rephrase with "I wish"

  • You didn't win the tennis match.
    I wish I had won the tennis match.
  • You went to the party.
    I wish I hadn't gone to the party.
  • You broke his nose.
    I wish I hadn't broken his nose.
  • You were late.
    I wish I hadn't been late.
  • You lost all your money.
    I wish I hadn't lost all my money.
  • You didnt know.
    I wish I had known.
  • You weren't there.
    I wish I had been there.
  • You didn't know what to do.
    I wish I had known what to do.
  • You were very rude.
    I wish I hadn't been so rude.

exercises

I wish

  • You didn't do your tax return on time.
    [I wish/If only] I'd done my tax return on time.
  • You ate the poisonous mushroom.
    I wish I hadn't eaten the poisonous mushroom.
  • You didn't hear the news.
    I wish I'd heard the news.
  • You put them down.
    I wish I hadn't put them down.
  • You lost your wallet.
    I wish I hadn't lost my wallet.
  • You yelled at her.
    I wish I hadn't yelled at her.
  • You spoke to her.
    I wish I hadn't spoken to her.
  • You took an antihistamine.
    I wish I hadn't taken an antihistamine.
  • You didn't find your passport.
    I wish I'd found my passport.
  • You gave up.
    I wish I hadn't given up.

to be over the Moon

  • Were you over the Moon when Spain won the European Cup?
  • Were you over the Moon when this class started?
  • If I bought you a present would you be over the Moon?
  • Did you use to get over the Moon when it was Christmas?
  • Ask me if I would be over the Moon if I won the lottery.
  • Were you over the Moon when I told you the good news?
  • If your boss gave you a new company car, would you be over the Moon?
  • Were you over the Moon when your alarm clock went off this morning?
  • Will you be over the Moon in our next class?

vocabulary 60

plot (or land)parcela
pregnantembarazada
to loosenaflojar
to make ends meetllegar a fin de mes
to make fun ofburlarse de
miércoles 30 diciembre 2009
lunes 27 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • ¿A qué sabe? = What does it taste like?
  • ¿A qué huele? = What does it smell like?
  • ¿A qué suena? = What does it sound like?
  • "I wish somebody would ..." expresa un deseo puntual

my vocabulary

arrepentirse = to regret
to bug someone = dar la lata a alguien

review

I wish/If only

  • You didn't do your tax return.
    If only I'd done my tax return.
  • You ate the poisonous mushroom.
    If only I hadn't eaten the poisonous mushroom.

To be over the Moon

  • Were you over the Moon when Spain won the European Cup?
  • Ask me if I was over the Moon when I've found out that you were my student

exercises

I wish + sb + would

  • He's making a lot of noise.
    I wish he would [be quiet/shut up].
  • She's frowning at me.
    I wish she [wouldn't frown/would smile] at me.
  • They're rude.
    I wish they [wouldn't be rude/would be polite].
  • The dog's barking.
    I wish the dog [would be quiet/wouldn't bark].
  • She never says what she thinks.
    I wish she [would say what she thinks/wouldn't keep things to herself].
  • He's always spending money.
    I wish he [wouldn't spend so much/would save more] money.
  • He's always bugging her.
    I wish he [wouldn't bug her/would leave her alone].
  • He always drives quickly.
    I wish he [wouldn't drive quickly/would slow down].
  • My neighbor is always wearing high-heeled.
    I wish my neighbor [wouldn't wear high-heeled/would flat shoes].

vocabulary 61

to mistreatmaltratar
sculptureescultura
privacyintimidad
to look alikeparecerse
corporationsociedad anónima o corporación

translation list 9

  1. La formación es una preocupación continua en esta empresa.
    Training is an ongoing concern in this company.
  2. Hay bastantes pedidos nuevos.
    There are quite a few new orders.
  3. Adivina quién va a convocar la reunión.
    Guess who's going to call the meeting.
  4. Tengo intención de demandarles.
    I intend to sue them.
  5. Guárdalo por si acaso.
    Keep it just in case.
  6. Nunca sabes cuándo te puede hacer falta.
    You never know when you might/may need it.
  7. Si bajas el precio ganarás cuota de mercado.
    If you lower the price you'll gain market share.
  8. ¿Cómo se pronuncia ésto?
    How do you pronounce this?
  9. No te voy a cobrar la mano de obra.
    I'm not going to charge you for labour.
  10. Esto implicará a más gente de lo que crees.
    This will involve more people than you think.
  11. Tropecé con él en un quiosco.
    I run into him at a newsstand.
  12. Si pulsas ese botón, bajaremos.
    If you press/push that button, we'll go down.
lunes 4 enero 2010
martes 28 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • ¿Cómo se escribe esto? = How do you spell this?
    How do you write this? > con boli o lápiz
  • Do you want to go down or go up?
    Neither one, I want to get out.
    What floor do you want to stop on?
    What floor do you want to get out on?
  • ¿Estás bromeando?
    Are you joking?
    Are you pulling my leg?
  • to joke with people = bromear con
  • to tell a joke = contar un chiste
  • to play a joke on sb. = gastar una broma a alguien
  • kid
    cabrito
    niño, hijo
    to kid sb. = tomar el pelo a alguien
  • You've got to be kidding = Estás bromeando
  • To pull the wool over sb's eyes = tomar el pelo a alguien

my vocabulary

bromear, tomar el pelo a alguien = to have sb. on (NO en América)
gullible = crédulo
twins:
identical twins = gemelos
fraternal twins = mellizos
on my on = by my self
to study on her on
she reached a high level on her on
to take after = parecerse (en la forma de ser)
to look like = parecerse físicamente

review

wish + would

  • Ojalá que él viniese = I wish he would come
  • Ojalá que no hiciese tanto ruido = I wish he wouldn't make so much noise
  • Ojalá que ella se diese prisa = I wish she would hurry up

exercises

to pull one's leg/to have sb. on

  • Are you having me on?
  • Ask me if I'm having you on.
  • Do you like pulling my leg?
  • Did anyone pull your leg last week?
  • Was he having her on?
  • Are you pulling his leg?
  • Are you pulling her leg?
  • Are you pulling my leg?
  • Does your brother have you on a lot?
    Yes, he has me on a lot.
  • Do your parents pull your leg?
  • Tell me to stop pulling your leg.
  • Tell me to stop having you on.
  • Did anyone pull your leg this morning?
  • Did anyone have you on last month?
  • Ask me if I like pulling my mum's leg.
  • Did anyone pull your leg last week?
    Yes, someone pulled my leg last week.
  • Did anyone have you on last week?
    Yes, someone had me on last week.
  • How many times have your leg been pulled so far this month?
    How many times has someone pulled your leg so far this month?
  • Does your sister have you on a lot?
  • When did you last pull your brother's leg?

to look like sb.

  • Do I look like my mum?
  • Do I look like your dad?
  • No me parezco nada a George Bush.
    I don't look anything like George Bush.
  • Do you look like a celebrity?
  • Ask me if I look like Nicole Kidman.
  • Do you look like your sister or your brother?
  • No me parezco en nada a mi hermana.
    I don't look anything like my sister.
  • Por más que insistas, no te pareces a Elsa Pataky.
    No matter how much you insist, you don't look like Elsa Pataky.
  • Me parezco a la familia de mi padre.
    I look like my dad's side of the family.
  • Mis manos se parecen a las de mi madre.
    My hands look like my mum's.
  • Cuando era pequeña me parecía más a mi madre, pero ahora me parezco maś a mi padre.
    When I was a kid I used to look like my mother, but now I look like my father.

vocabulary 62

remarkcomentario (con crítica)
danishdanés
chinbarbilla
to reinforcereforzar
to tackleresolver
martes 5 enero 2010
miércoles 29 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • con verbos de sentidos se usa "like"
  • to seem: incluye varios sentidos
  • cuando en español se usa un sólo sentido y se dijera "parecer",
    en inglés se usa "look like" o "sound like", según el sentido
  • "to seem" es más global, más confuso
  • you can sound tired, but not look tired

my vocabulary

can you tell the difference between ... ? = ¿notas la diferencia entre ... ?
to go off: bombas y despertadores

pronunciation

doubt /daʊt/ [la "b" es muda]

review

to have sb on/to pull sb's leg

  • Are you having me on?
  • Ask me if I'm pulling your leg.
  • Were they pulling your leg?
  • Were they pulling my leg?
  • Ask me if I was pulling his leg.

to look like

  • Do you look like your father?
  • Do you look like your mother?
  • Ask me the same question.
  • Ask me if I look like my mother.
  • Do you have a brother or a sister?
  • Do you look like your sister?

exercises

to look + adjective

  • Do I look tired?
  • Do I look happy?
  • Does it look difficult?
  • Does that book look interesting?
  • Did he look angry?
  • Did she look sad?
  • Did the food look good?
  • Do they look bored?
  • Does José's class look boring?
  • Did he look upset?
  • Does he look frustated?
  • Does she look worried?
  • Did they look interested?
  • Did it look expensive?
  • Does the project look complicated?
  • Does Luis look happy?

vocabulary 63

I guess sosupongo que sí
fortnightquincena
housingvivienda
every now and thende vez en cuando
frightenedasustado

translation list 10

  1. ¿Suben ustedes o bajan?
    Are you going up or down?
  2. Menos mal que tengo un cerebro grande.
    It's a good thing I have a big brain.
  3. ¿Qué tienen que ver los curas con nuestras perspectivas de futuro?
    What do priests have to do with our future prospects?
  4. María es, sin duda, la mujer más inteligente que he conocido.
    María is, without [a] doubt, the most intelligent woman I've ever met/known.
  5. Si abres tu portafolios, estallará la bomba.
    If you open your briefcase, the bomb will go off.
  6. Me temo que nuestras pérdidas vayan a ser mayores de lo previsto.
    I'm afraid our losses are going to be greater than forecasted.
  7. La impresora no imprime como se supone que debe hacerlo.
    The printer doesn't print like it's supposed to.
  8. ¿Cómo se supone que debe imprimir?
    How is it supposed to print?
  9. Esto nos proporcionará una oportunidad para romper el hielo.
    This will give/provide us [with] an opportunity to break the ice.
  10. Deja una propina del 15%.
    Leave a [tip of 15 percent/15 percent tip.]
  11. Por un lado, me gusta.
    On [the] one hand, I like it.
  12. Pero por otro lado, nos podría crear algunos problemas.
    But on the other hand, it could create/cause us some problems.
    But on the other hand, it could create some problems for us.
jueves 7 enero 2010
jueves 30 diciembre 2010

grammar

  • I see no connection = I don't see any connection
  • on the other hand = [por otro lado/en cambio] para significar contraposición
  • to take a walk = to go for a walk
  • to go for a walk, for a drive, for a run, for a jog, for a swim
  • I go for a drive = voy a paseo (en coche)
    I go out for a drive = salgo de paseo (en coche)

esperar

  • hope, expect, wait
  • Espero que no esperes que yo te espere.
    I hope you don't expect me to wait for you.
  • wait for: es algo negativo
    expect: es algo positivo
    I'm expecting a telephone call, I hope the person calls at the time I expect the call, and I don't want to have to wait.
    If everything goes as planned, I expect to finish this class in about twenty minutes.

my vocabulary

stroll = paseo tranquilo
stroller = cochecito de niño [GB]

review

to look + adjective

  • Do I look tired?
  • Do I look angry?
  • Does this book look interesting?
  • Did he look angry?
  • Does it look difficult?
  • Ask me if the exam looks easy.
  • Do I look happy?
  • Did she look sad?
  • Did the food look good?

exercises

to go for a ...

  • Did you go for a four-mile walk yesterday?
    I am thirty-one years old
    I am a thirty-one year old man
  • Ask me if I went for a four-mile run yesterday.
  • Why didn't you go for a four-mile run yesterday?
    Because I went the day before, I was taking the day off.
  • Ask me if my sister went for a four-mile run yesterday.
  • Ask me if I've ever gone for a two-thousand-mile drive.
    Ask me where I drove to.
    Where did you drive to?
  • Have you ever gone for a very long drive like this?
    Yes, I have.
    Where did you go to or from?
    I went from ... to ...
    So, you did like a circle, a loop, and how long did it take you, how long was this trip?
  • I don't like driving to go to work or driving in the city, I like to drive to go on a trip with friends and good music.
  • Ask me if I'm planning to go for a two-mile jog this afternoon.

I hope

  • Espero llegar a tiempo.
    I hope I get there in time.
  • Espero que no tarden demasiado.
    I hope it won't take them long/I hope it doesn't take them too long.
  • Ask me if I hope it rains tomorrow.
    Do you hope it rains tomorrow?
    No, I don't hope it rains tomorrow.
  • Ask me if people are hoping the recession will end soon.
    Do you think that people ...?
  • Ask me if I hope the weather will cool down at the weekend.
  • Ask me if I hope to travel to Ireland soon.
  • Ask me if I hope I locked the front door this morning.
  • Ask me if I hope to be home in no time this evening.
    Do you hope to be ...?
  • Ask me if I hope fewer people will be illiterate in the future.
  • Ask me if I hope the long-range weather forecast will be good.
  • Ask me if I hope to attend any concert soon.
  • Ask me if I hope the phone won't keep ringing tomorrow.
  • Ask me if I hope Spain's economy improves soon.
    Do you hope Spain's economy will improve soon?
  • Ask me if I hope that our students are practicing everyday.
    Do you hope our students will be practicing everyday?

vocabulary 64

in no timeen un abrir y cerrar de ojos
illiterateanalfabeto
lockcerradura
long-rangede largo alcance, a largo plazo
leakgotera
viernes 8 enero 2010
viernes 31 diciembre 2010

grammar

join me = únete a mí

my vocabulary

Waiting "is not my cup of tea" (no es de mi agrado)
keep me posted = manténme al día, informado

pronunciation

figure BR /'fɪgə(r)/AM /'fɪgjər /

review

to go for ...

  • Did you go for a four-mile walk yesterday?
  • Did you go for an eight-mile run at the weekend?
  • Is it a ninty-five-mile drive to Toledo?
  • Ask me if I'll go for a six-mile jog at the weekend.

to hope

  • Espero llegar a tiempo.
    I hope I arrive on time.
  • Espero que no tarden demasiado.
    I hope it doesn't take them too long.
  • Espero que me entiendas.
    I hope you understand me.
  • Espero que no os importe.
    I hope you don't mind.
  • Espero que sea verdad.
    I hope it's true.
  • Espero que te presentes a la siguiente clase.
    I hope you show/turn up to the next class.
  • Espero que vengas a la fiesta.
    I hope you come to the party.
  • Espero que les guste el regalo.
    I hope they like the gift/present (BR/AM).

exercises

to wait for someone or sth.

  • ¡Espera!
    Wait!
  • ¡Espérame!
    Wait for me!
  • Te estoy esperando.
    I'm waiting for you.
  • Te espero abajo.
    I'll wait for you downstairs.
    (arriba = upstairs, fuera = outside, dentro = inside)
  • Nos están esperando en la oficina.
    They're waiting for us in the office.
  • Esperé el autobús durante dos horas.
    I waited for the bus for two hours.
    During the class we talk about ... during a period, an activity ...
  • Estoy esperando el tren.
    I'm waiting for the train.
  • What are you waiting for? Who are you waiting for?
    I'm waiting for my brother.
  • Espéranos en el restaurante.
    Wait for us in the restaurant.
  • Espéranos fuera.
    Wait for us outside.
  • Le esperé en el cine.
    I waited for him in the cinema.
    at the theatre, at the movies
  • ¿A qué estás esperando?
    What are you waiting for?
  • ¿A quién estás esperando?
    Who are you waiting for?
  • To wait for someone to do something:
    Are you waiting for him to call you?
    Are you waiting for them to send you a copy?
    Are you waiting for it to get easier?

vocabulary 65

mandatoryobligatorio
luxuriousde lujo
loyalleal
manufacturingfabricación
narrow-mindedde mente estrecha, cerrada

translation list 11

  1. Esto no está al día.
    This isn't up to date.
  2. Tenemos que actualizar las cifras.
    We have to update the figures.
  3. El restaurante estaba tan lleno que fuimos a otro.
    The restaurant was so crowded that we went to [another one/another].
  4. Por mucho que le hables no le vas a convencer.
    No matter how much you talk to him you're not going to convince him.
  5. Ingresé en la empresa a mediados de los sesenta.
    I joined the company in the mid sixties.
  6. Me casé con ella a finales de los cincuenta.
    I married her in the late fifties.
  7. Me jubilé a principios de los ochenta.
    I retired in the early eighties.
  8. Hasta ahora pareces tener todas las cosas bajo control.
    [So far/Up to now] you seem to have everything under control.
  9. El paro ha bajado dos puntos en tres meses.
    Unemployment has [gone down/fallen] two points in three months.
  10. Es cómodo tener una farmacia justo a la vuelta de la esquina.
    It's convenient to have a farmacy/chemist just around the corner.
  11. Tenemos muy pocas cosas en común.
    We have very few things in common.
  12. Ni siquiera sé cómo se llaman.
    I don't even know what their names are.
lunes 11 enero 2010
lunes 3 enero 2011

grammar

to wait, to expect and to hope

  • I expect it will rain, but I hope it doesn't.
  • What do you expect to get out of this cours?
    to get out of = to extract [en este caso]
  • Do you expect to get a lot out of this cours?
  • we expect with our head
    we hope with our heart
    we wait with our body

bound

  • bound, pasado de bind = encuadernar
  • to be bound for = poner rumbo a
    bound for English = rumbo al Inglés
    homeward bound = rumbo a casa
  • they're bound to have problems = seguro que tienen problemas

my vocabulary

a binder = un cuaderno de anillas
to be bound to do sth. = it's going to happen

pronunciation

chemist /'keməst /

review

to wait

  • Te estoy esperando.
    I'm waiting for you.
  • Estoy esperando a que me digas algo.
    I'm waiting for you to tell me something.
  • Esperé el autobús durante dos horas.
    I was waiting for the bus for two hours.
  • Estoy esperando a que él tome una decision.
    I'm waiting for him to make/take a decission.
  • Él me está esperando.
    He's waiting for me.
  • Él está esperando a que yo le llame.
    He's waiting for me to call him.

exercises

to expect

  • Do you expect I'll be here tomorrow?
  • Do you expect it will rain tomorrow?
  • Do you expect to get home safely today after this?
  • Do you expect to see Alberto Alonso on TV tomorrow?
  • Do you expect RM to win the league this year?
  • Do you expect me to keep speaking English?
  • Do you expect them to pay attention at home?
  • Do you expect to learn a lot from these classes?
  • Do you expect to stay in Spain forever?
  • Do you expect me to stay in Spain forever?
  • Do you expect to snow in Madrid this winter?
  • Do you expect to be cold in Canada this winter?
  • Are you expecting a baby?
  • Am I expected to keep speaking English?
  • Do you expect me to keep speaking English until the show is over?
  • Do you expect your mother to call you soon?
  • Do you expect to learn from this episode?
  • Do you expect David B. to make another album?
  • Do you expect him to grow his hair back?
  • Am I expected to correct all your mistakes?
  • Are you expected to answer the questions properly?
  • Do you expect to answer this next question properly?
  • Do you expect them to answer it properly?
  • Are you expecting an important phone call right now?

to be bound to do sth

  • It's bound to rain (In my mind it's obvious).
  • Do you think she'll pass the exam?
    She's bound to pass the exam.
  • Did you know he failed the exam?
    He was bound to fail the exam.
  • Do you think he'll go to the party?
    He's bound to go to the party.
  • Did you know and John and Mary broke up?
    They were bound to break up.
  • Do you think my couple will go to Mexico?
  • Will your cousin call you tonight?
    Oh, he's bound to call me tonight.
  • Do you think she's at the Gym?
    I think she's bound to be at the Gym.
  • Will the packet arrive this afternoon?
    It's bound to arrive this afternoon.
  • Did you know the packet was lost?
    It was bound to get lost.
  • Have you heard the company went bankrupt?
    It was bound to go bankrupt.
  • Will it rain this evening?
    It's bound to rain this evening.

vocabulary 66

open-mindedmente abierta
pulloverjersey
nestnido
overpopulatedsuperpoblado
out of stockagotado
martes 12 enero 2010
martes 4 enero 2011

grammar

  • Con el verbo to expect se puede usar indistintamente of o from (más físico):
    Do you want to know what I expect of/from you?
  • You wouldn't happen to know by any chance where camera one is, would you?
  • ¿No sabrías por casualidad dónde está Pepe?
    Primera versión:
    You wouldn't know by [any] chance where Pepe is [would you]?
    la pregunta es "you wouldn't know . . . "
    es condicional y negativo:
    you wouldn't + verb + by [any] chance
  • ¿No sabrías por casualidad dónde está Pepe?
    Segunda versión:
    You wouldn't happen to know where Pepe is?
    you wouldn't happen to + verb
  • You wouldn't have by any chance a felt-tip pen, would you?
    You wouldn't happen to have a felt-tip pen, would you?
  • Combinación de las dos versiones:
    ¿No tendrías por casualidad una taza igual que ésta?
    You wouldn't happen to have, by any chance, a cup like this one, would you?
  • En afirmativo: I happen to know a person ... = Resulta que conozco una persona ...

my vocabulary

estar en la punta de la lengua = to be on the tip of my tongue
casualty = herido, víctima, urgencias de un hospital
"injure" más grave que "hurt"
holy = santo
feel like = apetecer, siempre con gerundio

pronunciation

phase/face
price/prize (precio/premio)

review

do you expect ...?

  • Do you expect you'll be late?
  • Are you expecting a baby?
  • Did you expect to be here today?
  • Did you expect to see me today?
  • Did you expect to be on this program this week?
  • Are you expecting a lot of questions?
  • Are you expecting a thunderstorm tomorrow?
  • Are you expecting me to stand up?
    No, I'm not expecting you to stand up.
  • Are you expecting me to kill you?

to be bound to

  • Do you think she'll know the anser?
    She's bound to know the answer.
  • Did you know that Paul and Beth have split up?
    They were bound to split up.
  • Did you know that the Italians lost the football match?
    Yes, they were bound to lose the football match.
  • Do you think he'll be late?
  • Do you think he'll be nervous?

exercises

by chance/happen to

Would you happen to know what time the meeting begins?
  • By chance, you know Tim.
    Would you happen to know Tim?
    Yes, I happen to know him.
  • By chance, were you there when the bomb went off?
    By chance, I was there when the bomb went off.
    I happen to be there when the bomb went off.
  • You want to know where the hospital is:
    Would you know by any chance where the hospital is?
    Would you happen to know where the hospital is?
  • Would you happen to know what time it is?
  • Would you happen to know where she works?
    Yes, I happen to know where she works.
  • Cuánto tiempo llevan viviendo aquí:
    Would you happen to know how long they have been living here?

vocabulary 67

refreshingrefrescante
puppetmarioneta
screwtornillo
room and boardhabitación y pensión completa
raw materialsmaterias primas

translation list 12

  1. Eso va en contra de la política de la compañía.
    That goes against company policy.
  2. Me lesioné la espalda en el accidente.
    I injured/hurt my back in the accident.
  3. Quiero introducir progresivamente la nueva organización.
    I want to phase in the new organization.
  4. Entonces, quieres "discontinuar" progresivamente la antigua.
    So/then, you want to phase out the old one.
  5. Los fines de semana para mí son sagrados.
    Weekends for me are sacred.
  6. Tengo ganas de acostarme.
    I feel like going to bed.
  7. Le mandaron al extranjero en cuanto supo suficiente inglés para apañarse.
    They sent him abroad as soon as he knew enough English to get by.
  8. El fin no justifica los medios.
    The end doesn't justify the means.
  9. A juzgar por su aspecto yo diría que está desesperado.
    Judging by his appearance, I would say [that] he is desperate.
  10. Creo que ha habido un malentendido.
    I think there's been a misunderstanding.
  11. No me importan los problemas de Oriente Medio.
    I don't care about the problems in the Middle East.
  12. Cuanto antes, mejor.
    The sooner, the better.
miércoles 13 enero 2010
miércoles 5 enero 2011

grammar

it's about time

ya es/era hora
it's about time + sujeto + verbo presente/pasado

once

  • twice (se puede decir "two times"), three times (thrice)
  • I went to London alone
    Once I went to London alone
    I once went to London alone
    I went to London alone once

my vocabulary

to deal with = tratar con

review

by chance/to happen to

  • By chance, you know my brother.
    I happen to know your brother.
  • By chance, you live in the same town.
    I happen to live in the same town.
  • By chance, you're very familiar with Cleveland.
    I happen to be very familiar with Cleveland.
  • By chance, you love baseball.
  • By chance, you were there when he arrived.
    I happened to be there when he arrived.
  • By chance, you grew up in the same town.
    I happened to grow up in the same town.
  • By chance, we sat next to each other.
    I happened to sit next to each other.
  • You wouldn't know, by any chance, where the bus is?
    Wouldn't you happen to know where the bus is?
  • You want to know who Hannah is:
    You wouldn't know, by any chance, who Hannah is?
  • You want to know when the show starts:
    You wouldn't know, by any chance, when the show starts?
    You wouldn't happen to know when the show starts?

exercises

it's [about/high] time

El verbo en inglés debe estar en pasado (en español está en presente de subjuntivo)
it's about time > más énfasis
it's high time > y más énfasis
  • Ya es hora de que empieces a tomar el inglés en serio.
    It's time you started taking English seriously.
  • Ya es hora de que te cases.
    It's time you got married.
  • Ya es hora de que escuches la verdad.
    It's time you heard the truth.
  • Ya es hora de que termines tus estudios.
    It's time you finished your studies.
  • Ya es hora de que nos devuelvan la llamada.
    It's time they called us back.
  • Ya es hora de que trates con ellos.
    It's time you delt with them.
  • Ya es hora de que ganen un partido.
    It's time they won the match.

one, twice

  • He estado en Bilbao una vez y en San Sebastián, dos veces.
    I've been to Bilbao once and San Sebastián, twice.
  • Ask me how many times I've been to Vietnam.
  • Ask me how many times I've been to Tailand.
  • Ask me how many times I've played pocker.
  • Ask me how many times I've gone snowboarding.
  • How many times have you been to Madagascar?
  • Ask me how many times I've gone skiing.

vocabulary 68

the fortieslos cuarenta (años)
thicknessgrosor
territoryterritorio
theoreticalteórico
take it easytomárselo con tranquilidad
jueves 14 enero 2010
viernes 7 enero 2011

grammar

  • It's about time you come = Ya es hora de que vengas
    It's about time you came = Ya era hora de que vinieras
  • ¿No crees que ya es hora de que ella haga algo? = Don't you think it's about time she do something?
  • ¿Cuánto pesa ella? = How much does she weigh?

the passive voice

  • No se ha hecho./No ha sido hecho.
    It hasn't been done.
  • Columbus discovered America in 1492.
    America was discovered by Columbus in 1492.
  • Cervantes wrote El Quijote in the early sixteen hundreds.
    El Quijote was written by C. in the early sixteen hundreds.
  • ¿Cuándo se hará?
    When will it be done?
  • ¿Cuándo se hace?
    When is it done?
  • ¿Se está haciendo?
    Is it being done?
  • ¿Cuándo se hizo?
    When was it done?
  • ¿Cuándo [ha sido hecho/se ha hecho]?
    When has it been done?
  • Se descubrió.
    It was discovered.
  • Se va a descubrir.
    It's going to be discovered.
  • ¿Cuántas veces se ha hecho?
    How many times has it been done?

my vocabulary

to get along with sb = llevarse bien con alguien

pronunciation

sewn |səʊn|

review

it's time

  • Ya es hora de que empieces a ahorrar dinero.
    It's [about/high] time you started saving money.
  • Ya es hora de que te compres una casa.
    It's time you bought a house.
  • Ya es hora de que se vayan.
    It's time they left.

once, twice

Van después de "to be", delante de otros verbos
  • He ido a Barcelona una vez y a Bilbao, dos veces.
    I've been to Barcelona once and Bilbao, twice.
  • Una vez fuí a Sevilla.
    I once went to Seville.
  • Una vez estuve en Polonia.
    I was once in Poland.
  • Una vez estuve en Berlín.
    I was once in Berlin.

exercises

Passive voice (present simple and present continuous)

  • Se vende en Francia.
    It's sold in France.
  • No se vende en Suecia.
    It's not sold in Sweden.
  • ¿Se vende en Irlanda?
    Is it sold in Irland?
  • El puente se está construyendo ahora.
    The bridge is being built now.
  • No se está construyendo el puente todavía.
    The bridge isn't being built yet.
  • ¿Ya se está construyendo el colegio?
    Is the school being built yet?
  • ¿Cada cuánto se limpian las habitaciones en ese hotel?
    How often are rooms cleaned in that hotel?
  • Se limpian las habitaciones un día sí y otro no.
    Rooms are cleaned every other day.
  • En el otro hotel tampoco se limpian las habitaciones todos los días.
    In the other hotel rooms aren't cleaned everyday either.
  • Se está cosiendo la camisa.
    The shirt is being sewn.
  • ¿No se están cosiendo los pantalones también?
    Aren't the trousers being sewn too?
  • No se cosen el resto de las cosas.
    The rest of the things aren't being sewn.
    (en español se usa presente simple cuando en inglés se usa el contino)
  • Se come mucho pan en esta ciudad.
    A lot of bread is eaten in this city.
  • ¿Se come cocodrilo en Australia?
    Is crocodile eaten in Australia?

vocabulary 69

thoughtfulconsiderado
to attemptintentar
to bearaguantar
to be overweightestar en sobrepeso
thoroughbredpurasangre

translation list 13

  1. Hemos tenido un aumento enorme en las ventas este año.
    We've had a huge increase in [the] sales this year.
  2. ¡Acelera el ritmo!
    Speed up the pace!
  3. No hay mucha probabilidad de que eso ocurra.
    There isn't much likelihood that that will happen.
  4. Es un alivio saber que no tendrás que pasar por esas penurias otra vez.
    It's a relief to know that you won't have to go through those hardships again.
  5. Esta lista se está poniendo difícil.
    This list is getting difficult.
  6. ¿Crees que te lo mereces?
    Do you think you deserve it?
  7. Ella vale su peso en oro.
    She's worth her weight in gold.
  8. Puedes hacer caso omiso a ese punto.
    You can disregard that point.
  9. ¿Qué tal te llevas con ellos?
    How do you get along with them?
  10. Deberías poner un encabezamiento aparte para esta información.
    You should put a separate heading for this information.
  11. Hay un antiguo refrán que dice lo mismo.
    There is an old saying that says the same thing.
  12. Tenemos que elaborar un presupuesto.
    We have to draw up a budget.
viernes 15 enero 2010
lunes 10 enero 2011

grammar

  • to translate into English
  • sacar provecho de algo, aprovechar = to take advantage of
    ¿Estás aprovechando este programa? = Are you taking advantage of this program?
  • hacer lo mejor posible = to make the most of
    you have to make the most of your time
    to make the most of your time = to extract the greatest amount of advantage from your time

passive voice

  • Se va a hacer.
    It's going to be done.
  • Se hará.
    It will be done.
  • Está a punto de hacerse.
    It's about to be done.
  • ¿Cuándo se hizo?
    When was it done?
  • ¿Se ha hecho ya?
    Has it been done yet?
  • ¿No se ha hecho?
    Hasn't it been done?
  • ¿Por qué no se ha hecho?
    Why hasn't it been done?
  • Si no se ha hecho todavía, ¿cuándo se hará?
    If it hasn't been done yet, then when will it be done?
  • ¿Cuándo se va a hacer qué?
    When is what going to be done?
  • When is the house going to be painted?
    ¿Cuándo se va a pintar la casa?
  • Ya se ha pintado/Ya ha sido pintada
    It's already been painted.
  • Has the house been painted yet?
  • Se pintará pronto.
    It'll be painted soon.
  • No se pintará pronto.
    It won't be painted soon.
  • ¿Se pintará pronto?
    Will it be painted soon?
  • ¿La casa se va a pintar mañana?
    Is the house going to be painted tomorrow?
  • No se va a pintar mañana.
    It's not going to be painted tomorrow.
  • ¿Se va a pintar mañana o no?
    Is it going to be painted tomorrow or not?
  • Si no se va a pintar mañana, entonces ¿cuándo se va a pintar?
    If it's not going to be painted tomorrow, then when is it going to be painted?
  • Se va a pintar cuando yo diga que se pinte.
    It's going to be painted when I say that it's time to be painted.
  • Está a punto de pintarse.
    It's about to be painted.
  • Pero al final no se pintó.
    But finally it wasn't painted.
  • ¿Y por qué no se pintó?
    And why wasn't it painted?
  • No se pintó porque nadie quería que se pintase.
    It wasn't painted because nobody wanted it to be painted.
  • Nunca se pintará.
    It won't never be painted.
  • Nunca se va a pintar.
    It's never going to be painted.

my vocabulary

idle time = tiempo muerto

review

passive voice

  • Se vende en Francia.
    It's sold in France.
  • Where is it sold?
    It's sold in France.
  • What's sold in France?
    Cheese is sold in France.
  • El puente se está construyendo ahora.
    The bridge is being built right now.
  • Se hace todos los días.
    It's done everyday.
  • No se hace todos los días.
    It's not done everyday.
  • Se está haciendo ahora mismo.
    It's being done right now.

exercises

passive voice (future)

  • Se hará pronto.
    It'll be done soon.
  • No se hará pronto.
    It won't be done soon.
  • ¿Se hará pronto?
    Will it be done soon?
  • Se va a hacer mañana.
    (It's going to be done tomorrow.)
  • No se va a hacer mañana.
    (It's not going to be done tomorrow.)
  • ¿Se va a hacer mañana?
    Is it going to be done tomorrow?
  • Está a punto de hacerse.
    It's about to be done.
  • No está a punto de hacerse.
    It's not about to be done.
  • ¿Está a punto de hacerse?
    Is it about to be done?
  • What will it be done tomorrow?
  • Se pintará pronto.
    It'll be painted soon.
  • No se pintará pronto.
    It won't be painted soon.
  • ¿Se pintará pronto?
    Will it be painted soon?
  • Se va a pintar mañana.
    (It's going to be painted tomorrow.)
  • Está a punto de pintarse.
    It's about to be painted.
  • No está a punto de pintarse.
    It's not about to be painted.
  • ¿Está a punto de pintarse?
    Is it about to be painted?
  • Se cancelará dentro de una semana.
    It'll be cancelled within a week.

to make the most of

  • Are they making the most of this course?
  • How are they making the most of this course?
    by studying, reading out loud, by listenig to the radio ...
  • Do you make the most of your summer vacation?
  • Do you make the most of your weekends?
  • Did you make the most of last weekend?
  • Do you make the most of your trips to Ikea?
  • Are you making the most of your studying time?
  • Do you make the most of the money you spend?
  • Do you make the most of your electronic devices?
  • Ask me if I make the most of my phone.
  • Ask me if I make the most of my vacation.
  • Ask me if I always make the most of my trips to Canada.
  • Ask me if I'm making the most of my time in Spain.
  • Ask me if I make the most of my lunch break.
  • Ask me if I make the most of my money.

vocabulary 70

to boreaburrir
to benddoblar (antes de llegar a "to fold")
to begrogar
to demoralizedesmoralizar
to blufftirarse un farol
lunes 18 enero 2010
martes 11 enero 2011

grammar

to need + gerund

my vocabulary

to call sb's bluff = poner a alguien en evidencia

review

passive voice (future)

  • Se hará pronto.
    It'll be done soon.
  • Se va a hacer mañana.
    It's going to be done tomorrow.
  • Está a punto de hacerse.
    It's about to be done.
  • No se pintará pronto.
    It won't be painted soon.
  • No se va a pintar mañana.
    It's not going to be painted tomorrow.
  • No está a punto de pintarse.
    It's not about to be painted.
  • ¿Se enviará pronto?
    Will it be sent soon?
  • ¿Se va a enviar mañana?
    Is it going to be sent tomorrow?
  • ¿Está a punto de ser enviado?
    Is it about to be sent?

to make the most of something

  • Are you making the most of this course?
  • Do you make the most of your summer vacation?
  • Espero que estés sacando mucho provecho de esta clase.
    I hope you're making the most of this class.
  • Siempre se aprovechan de nosotros.
    They always take advantage of us.
  • Does your boss advantage of you?
  • Do you make the most of your money?
  • Do your children advantage of you?

exercises

to need

  • Does your hair need cutting?
  • Does your face need shaving?
  • Does the grass need cutting?
  • Did the house need painting?
  • Do my shoes need polishing?
  • Ask me if my car needs washing.
  • Ask me if my nails need clipping.
  • Ask me if my hair needs brushing.
  • Ask me if my Spanish needs improving.
  • Do Tom Cruise's teeth need whitening?
  • Ask me if my watch needs winding.
  • Ask me if my coffee needs stiring.
  • Does your shirt need ironing?
  • Ask me if the floor needs scrubbing.
  • Ask me if the floor needs sweeping.
  • Ask me if my house needs cleaning.

vocabulary 71

to disappointdecepcionar
to furnishamueblar
to orientorientar
to go for a drivedar un paseo en coche
to have a drinktomar algo de beber

translation list 14

  1. Tiene un micrófono incorporado.
    It has a built-in microphone.
  2. Tenemos una amplia gama de alternativas.
    We have a [broad/wide] range of alternatives.
  3. Nuestro negocio básico es el acero.
    Our core business is steel.
  4. Te estás tirando un farol.
    You're bluffing.
  5. Esto nos permitirá doblar nuestros objetivos a un coste menor.
    This will enable us to achieve our objectives at a lower cost.
  6. Esta reunión no está llegando a ninguna parte.
    This meeting is going nowhere.
    This meeting [is getting nowhere/isn't getting anywhere].
  7. ¿No conocerías por casualidad a un tipo llamado Harvey, verdad?
    You wouldn't know by any chance a guy by the name of Harvey, would you?
  8. La naturaleza es muy sabia.
    Nature is very wise.
  9. Hablarías inglés mejor si no fueras tan tímido.
    You would speak English better if you weren't so shy.
  10. No te acerques al borde.
    Don't go near [to] the edge.
  11. No sé cómo puedes ser tan ingenuo a veces.
    I don't know how you can be so [naïve/naive] at times.
  12. Voy a retirar la oferta.
    I'm going to withdraw the offer.
martes 19 enero 2010
miércoles 12 enero 2011

grammar

over, under, around and through

over, under

  • to oversleep = quedarse dormido (más de lo deseado)
  • to overspend = gastar más de la cuenta
  • to underestimate = subestimar
  • to overeat
  • you look overworked (estresado de trabajar demasiado)
  • to over cook
  • to under cook

more or less

  • There are between four and five million people in this city.
    There are four to five million people in this city: se usa más que la anterior forma.
  • There are [close to/about/approximately/around] ...
  • The population in XXX is close to YYY, but not quite.
    not quite = no del todo, casi
    almost, nearly
    just a little less than YYY
  • just a bit more than YYY

my vocabulary

bargain = ganga
tuxedo (AM) = esmoquin

review

to need + gerund

  • Does your hair need cutting?
  • Does your car need washing?
  • Do your cloths need ironing?
  • Does your bicycle need repairing?

exercises

over, under

  • Do you always overspend at Christmas?
  • Did you under cook the turkey?
  • Did you overeat last Christmas?
  • Ask me if I overate last Thanksgiving.
  • Did you overwork last year?
  • Did I overwork last year?
  • Did the boss overwork yesterday?
  • Did some people overdo it [by] insisting too much?
  • Have you ever over cooked a pie?
  • Have you ever over cooked chicken?
  • Did you oversleep this morning?
  • Have you ever underestimate your own abilities?
  • Do you under use phrasal verbs?
  • Sometimes did the English teachers overuse them?
  • Am I underdressed for this TV show?
    (If I wear here a tuxedo you'll feel underdressed.)
  • Do a lot of construction projects go overbudget?
  • Do you think Madrid is overbudget whit their Olympic bid?
  • Ask me if I under use accents in Spanish.
  • Ask me if I over cooked my dinner yesterday.
  • Ask me if I underdressed for my friends wedding.
  • Ask me if I overslept this morning.

numbers: approximately ... to ...

  • There were 7 to 8 hundred people at the concert.
    Approximately, how many people were at the concert?
    There were approximately 7 to 8 hundred people at the concert.
  • There were 12 hundred to 13 hundred students.
    Approximately, how many students were there?
  • There were 350 to 400 books at the Fair.
    Approximately, how many books were there at the Fair?
  • There were 100 to 125 pencils on the table.
    Approximately, how many pencils were on the table?
  • There were approximately 500 to 550 razors.

vocabulary 72

to purchasecomprar
to pinpointlocalizar
to sweatsudar
to run the showdirigir el cotarro
to overlookpasar por alto
miércoles 20 enero 2010
jueves 13 enero 2011

grammar

verbos con "over" y "under"

  • to oversleep
  • to go/be overbudget = pasarse de presupuesto
    to be underbudget
  • to overestimate, to underestimate
  • "to overwork" no se usa, se usa to be/feel overworked
  • to overeat
  • to overtake: pasar a alguien (en coche o ¿caminando?)
    to undertake = emprender (una iniciativa, acciones)
    undertaker = enterrador
  • to overreact = tener una reacción exagerada
  • to overdo it = pasarse, hacer algo en exceso
  • to overcook, overcooked, undercooked
  • to overspend

passive voice

  • The painting was stolen. It was stolen last week, did you hear?
  • That's the second time in history that ML has been stolen.
  • Who stole it? Nobody knows. But it was stolen in broad daylight.
  • Who was stolen by?
  • When was stolen? It was stolen in the afternoon.
  • What time was it stolen?
  • It has only been stolen twice.
  • Will it be recovered? Will it be destroyed? Will it be damaged?
  • The only thing we know is that it has been stolen and that it hasn't been recovered yet.
  • We don't know where it has been taken, we don't know how it was stolen, we don't know who it was stolen by.

my vocabulary

  • curator of the museum = conservador del museo
  • I think you're getting hang of it
    to get hang of it = cogerle el truco
  • lograr + verbo = manage to + verb
  • guinea pig = cobaya
    y también, en sentido figurado conejillo de indias
  • to lose and to miss:
    lose: you can find (you lose a pen)
    miss: if you miss a work day, it's gone (you miss the train, the bus, an interview)

pronunciation

musemum |mjuːˈzɪəm|

review

verbos con "over" y "under"

  • Did you oversleep last night?
  • Did you undersleep?
  • Do you overuse expressions in English?
  • Are you overdressed today?
  • Am I underdressed?
  • Ask me if the producer gets angry if I overrun the time for this class.
  • Do you think I overuse typical Canadian expressions sometimes?

numbers

  • There were sixty to seventy people in the office. So, how many people were in the office?
  • There were eight to nine hundred people in the concert.
  • Ask me how many people there are in Canada.
  • How many people are there in Spain?
  • There are fifteen to twenty people at the party. How many people are there?
  • There are five to six hundred players in the league.
  • There are thirty to forty million trees in the province.
  • There are twenty to thirty unions registered in the system.
  • There are seven to eight hundred complaints filed.
  • There are five to ten different accents.
  • There are sixty to seventy people invited.
  • There are two to three thousand students enrolled.

exercises

passive voice (past simple)

Verb "to be" in Past Simple tense + pp
  • Se canceló.
    It was cancelled.
  • No se canceló por la mañana.
    It wasn't cancelled in the morning.
  • ¿Por qué se canceló?
    Why was it cancelled?
  • Se hizo la semana pasada.
    It was done last week.
  • Se descubrió el mes pasado.
    It was discovered last month.
  • Se rompieron dos veces el año pasado.
    They were broken twice last year.
  • Se mandó cinco veces ayer.
    It was sent five times yesterday.
  • ¿Por qué se pintaron tantas veces?
    Why were they painted so many times?
  • ¿Por qué se entregó en la dirección errónea?
    Why was it delivered to the wrong address?
  • ¿Por qué se guardó el archivo?
    Why was the file saved?

vocabulary 73

weaknessdebilidad
witchbruja
willvoluntad
wedding ringanillo de bodas
vintage winevino añejo

translation list 15

  1. Este cuadro presenta un desglose de las ventas por regiones.
    This chart shows a breakdown of [the] sales by region.
  2. Si no les animas, perderán su entusiasmo.
    If you don't encourage them they'll lose their enthusiasm.
  3. Este remedio servirá por ahora.
    This remedy will do for [the time being/the moment/now].
  4. ¿Cómo va la campaña de publicidad?
    How is the advertising campaign [going/coming along]?
  5. Ella se negó a darle la mano a él.
    She refused to shake his hand.
  6. Es asombroso cómo logras convencer a la gente de lo que sea.
    It's amazing how you manage to convince people about anything.
  7. ¿Cómo puedes permitirte el lujo de perder tantos días de trabajo?
    How can you afford to miss so many working-days/workdays?

  8. No hagas caso a lo que te dije ayer.
    [Never mind what/Don't worry about] I told you yesterday.
    [Don't pay any/Pay no] attention to what I told you yesterday.
  9. Lo que importa es lo que te estoy diciendo ahora.
    What matters is what I'm telling you now.
  10. Es una etapa difícil de nuestro crecimiento.
    It's a difficult stage in our growth.
  11. No hacemos previsiones a largo plazo.
    We don't make [long-term/long-range] forecasts.
    short > se dice "short-term"
jueves 21 enero 2010
viernes 14 enero 2011

grammar

yet, already, still

  • I'm going to choose a pencil from this container.
  • I don't know which one yet, but I'm going to choose one and take it out.
  • Have I chosen a pencil yet?
  • I'm going to choose this one.
  • Have I chosen one yet?
  • Yes, you have chosen a pencil, you have already chosen one.
  • Have I taken it out of the holder yet?
  • No, you haven't taken it out of the holder yet.
  • Is it still in the pencil holder?
  • Yes, it is, it's still in the pencil holder.

to make do

I have to make do with this cup.
to make do with = conformarse con
I can make do with very few things.

review

to cancel

  • Se canceló.
    It was cancelled.
  • No se canceló por la mañana.
    It wasn't cancelled in the morning.
  • ¿Por qué se canceló?
    Why was it cancelled?
  • [answer] Paul forgot to cancel it.
    [question] Who forgot to cancel it?
  • [answer] He forgot to cancel it yesterday.
    [question] When did he forget to cancel it?
  • [answer] He forgot to cancel his appointment with the president.
    [question] Who did he forget to cancel his appointment with?
  • [answer] The flight was cancelled because of strike.
    [question] Why was the flight cancelled?
  • [answer] He cancelled the meeting by telephone.
    [question] How did he cancel the meeting?
  • [answer] The opera would be cancelled if the soprano has laryngitis.
    [question] Why would the opera be cancelled?
  • [answer] The show was cancelled in the morning.
    [question] When was the show cancelled?

exercises

passive voice (present perfect)

  • Ya se ha hecho = It's already been done
  • No se ha hecho aún = It hasn't been done yet
  • ¿Se ha hecho ya? = Has it been done yet?
  • La casa ya se ha vendido = The house has already been sold
  • La casa no se ha vendido aún = The house hasn't been sold yet
  • ¿Se ha vendido la casa ya? = Has the house been sold yet?
  • Se ha enviado dos veces esta semana = It's been sent twice this week
  • No se ha enviado aún = It hasn't been sent yet
  • ¿Se ha enviado ya? = Has it been sent yet?
  • Ya se ha decidido = It's already been decided
  • No se ha decidido aún = It hasn't been decided yet
  • ¿Se ha decidido ya? = Has it been decided yet?
  • Se ha actualizado una vez este mes = It's been updated once this month
  • No se ha actualizado aún = It hasn't been updated yet
  • ¿Se ha actualizado ya? = Has it been updated yet?

to make do

  • Did you make do with a knife?
  • Did you make do with a sandwitch?
  • Did you make do with a fifteen minutes break?
  • Did you make do with an older recipie?
  • Did you make do with one tank of gasoline?
  • Did you make do with two hundred dollars?
  • Did you make do with some old grammar books?
  • Did you have to make do with what was left from the night before?
  • Did you have to make do with original documents?
  • Did you have to make do with just one vehicle?
  • Did you have to make do with just one piece of bread all day yesterday?
  • Will you have to make do with last year's version?
  • Will you have to make do with a set of golf clubs?
  • Will you have to make do with whatever you have?
  • Will you have to make do with your tennis shoes?
  • Will you have to make do with a pen?
  • Will you have to make do with an imitation version?
  • Will you have to make do with a cheaper model?
  • Will you have to make do with just a few books?

vocabulary 74

wristbandpuño (de ropa)
aside fromaparte de
artificialartificial
would you mind (+ gerund)?te importaría
an overviewresumen
viernes 22 enero 2010
lunes 17 enero 2011

grammar

the point/pointless

  • Is there any point to continue?
    Or is everything pointless?
  • Is life pointless?
    Is any point in living?
    What's the point in living?
  • What's the point in studying English?
  • it's pointless = es inútil (pérdida de tiempo)
    it's pointless to watch it
    it's a waste of time
    there's no point in watching the show

my vocabulary

to raise/to lower
plenty of = más que suficiente
give up = abandonar, tirar la toalla
give in = dar el brazo a torcer

pronunciation

launch |lɔːntʃ|
lunch |lʌntʃ|

review

passive voice (present perfect)

  • La casa ya se ha vendido.
    The house has already been sold.
  • La casa no se ha vendido aún.
    The house hasn't been sold yet.
  • ¿Se ha vendido la casa ya?
    Has the house been sold yet?
  • Se ha hecho dos veces esta semana.
    It's been done twice this week.
  • No se ha prestado a nadie.
    It hasn't been lent to anyone.
  • Siempre se ha hecho a mano.
    It's always been made by hand.
  • Siempre se ha guardado bajo llave.
    It's always been kept under lock and key.
  • Se ha perdido.
    It's been lost.

to make do with (to get by)

  • What did you make do with yesterday?
    I made do with five euros.
  • Did you make do with pizza for dinner last night?
    No, I didn't make do with pizza.
  • Will you be able to make do with the screwdriver?
  • Did you have to make do with the CD?
    Yes, I have to.
  • Will you be able to make do with a jack if you had to change the tire?
  • Can you make do with a needle and thread?

exercises

point

  • get to the point = ir al grano
  • what's your point? = ¿qué quieres decir? , ¿qué me estás contando? (un poco duro)
  • no sirve de nada = there is no point, it's pointless
  • there is no point in + gerundio = es inútil + verbo
    no sirve de nada decírselo (a ella) = there is no point in telling her
    ¿sirve de algo decírselo? = is there any point in telling her?
    respuesta: [there is no/there isn't any] point in telling her
  • You're not going to go to the meeting.
    There is no point in going to the meeting, is there?
    (There isn't any point in going to the meeting, isn't there?)
  • No sirve de nada ir a Salobreña.
    There is no point in going to Salobreña.
    Is there any point in going to Salobreña?
  • She's not going to apologize.
    No sirve de nada pedir perdón.
    There's no point in apologizing to her.
  • She's not going to study.
    Is there any point in studying?
  • No sirve de nada comprar un (billete) de lotería.
    There is no point in buying a lottery ticket.

vocabulary 75

at lengthdetenidamente
attemptintento
ribscostillas
a breakthroughun avance
at all costsa toda costa

translation list 16

  1. Sólo lanzamos misiles de largo alcance.
    We only launch long-range missiles.
  2. Esta reunión es una pérdida de tiempo.
    This meeting is a waste of time.
  3. Es inútil continuar.
    It's pointless to go/carry on.
  4. Me sentía tan violento que quería esconderme.
    I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to hide.
  5. Hay tiempo de sobra para todo eso.
    There's plenty of time for all [of] that.
  6. Él al final cedió ante la presión.
    He finally gave in to the pressure.
  7. No podía aguantar la presión.
    He couldn't stand the pressure.
  8. No estoy aquí para resolver tus problemas.
    I'm not here to solve your problems.
  9. Estamos ante un gran reto.
    We are facing a great challenge.
  10. Los políticos van a estropear todo.
    The politicians are going to ruin everything.
  11. No te quedes atrás.
    Don't fall behind.
  12. No lograron avisar a la gente a tiempo.
    They failed to warn/advise the people in time.
lunes 25 enero 2010
martes 18 enero 2011

grammar

  • when was the last time you + verb? = when did you last you + verb
  • En frases afirmativas, el adverbio last va delante del verbo, salvo con el verbo "to be", en donde va después:
    You last ate spaghetti last Thursday.
    She was last with her cousin last month.

my vocabulary

  • on time = puntual
  • to steal sth. = robar algo (es imposible to steal a house)
  • to robe = robar algo de un sitio
    to be mugged = to be robed
    NO stolen
  • facilities = instalaciones

pronunciation

missile 'mɪsaɪl, US 'mɪsəl

review

[there's no/there isn't any] point in + gerund

  • You're not going to call him because ...
    there's no point in calling him.
  • You're not going to tell her.
  • You're not going to go there.
  • You're not going to fix the machine.
  • You're not going to drive all the way to the city.
  • You're not going to request to the full license.
  • You're not going to pay the full subscription price.
  • You're not going to file the request.
  • You want to ask about tickets.
    Is there any point in asking about tickets?
  • You want to call the reservation number.
    Is there any point in calling the reservation number?
  • You want to look for a solution.

exercises

passive voice

  • Were you mugged last week?
  • Would you like to be promoted?
  • Did they steal your passport at the airport last month?
  • Will they paint your house next week?
    No, my house won't be painted next week.
  • Did you see a pickpocket steal anyone's wallet yesterday?
  • Will they prevent forest fires next summer?
    Yes, forest fires will be prevented next summer.
  • Did Madrid promot the city well enough?
    Yes, Madrid was promoted well enough.
  • ¿Pintarán ellos tu casa la semana que viene?
    Will they paint your house next week?
    Will my house be painted next week?

I last/first did something

  • The last time I ate spaghetti was last Thursday.
    You last ate spaghetti last Thursday.
  • The last time she was with her cousin was last month.
    She was last with her cousin last month.
  • The first time I came to Spain was when I was in college.
    You first came to Spain when you were in college.
  • The last time I visited LA was at Christmas.
    You last visited LA at Christmas.
  • The first time they closed the facilities was last fall.
    They first closed the facilities last fall.
  • The last time he had a problem with his back was in 2007.
    He last had a problem with his back in 2007.
  • The last time you were with your sister was two months ago.
    I was last with my sister two months ago.

vocabulary 76

whistlesilbato, pito
to riskarriesgar
hornbocina, cuerno
the welfare stateel estado del bienestar
shut up!¡cállate!
martes 26 enero 2010
miércoles 19 enero 2011

grammar

  • When was the last time you were told to wear a sweater in class?
    I've never been told to wear a sweater in class.
    (se usa mucho en inglés la voz pasiva de "to tell")
    However I was told not to wear a green sweater in class, I was told at the begining.
  • Have you ever been told (to) keep your back straight?
    I've been told to keep my back straight a thousand times.
  • Have you ever been told to get lost?

when did you last ...?

  • When did you last study German?
    (I've never studied German.)
    When did you last speak to me about the problems in Turkey?
    (I've never spoken to you about the problems in Turkey.)
  • When was the last time you flew to Pakistan? = When did you last fly to Pakistan?
    (I've never flown to Pakistan.)

my vocabulary

  • to get lost: equivalente a "ir a freir espárragos"
  • to jump in a lake: idem
  • I'm not crazy about sherry = no soy gran aficionado del sherry
    (it's not my cup of tea)
  • cardigan = rebeca, chaqueta de punto (jersey abierto)
  • to air = emitir
  • necessity = necesidad básica (food, shelter and clothing)
  • to stick = pegar (golpear con un palo y, también, adherir)
  • para abreviar ... = to make a long story short ...

review

passive voice

  • Me robaron el coche.
    My car was stolen.
  • Me robaron el abrigo.
    My coat was stolen.
  • ¿Robaron (ellos) tu pasaporte en el aeropuerto el mes pasado?
    Was your passport stolen at/in the airport last month?
  • ¿Pintarán tu casa la semana que viene?
    Will your house be painted next week?

the last time I did ... > I last did ...

  • The last time I went to the cinema was last Saturday.
    I last went to the cinema last Saturday.
  • The last time they visited me was two years ago.
    They last visited me two years ago.
  • The first time I came to Spain was when I was seven.
    I first came to Spain when I was seven.
  • The first time he spoke to me was in January.
    He first spoke to me in January.

exercises

last/first

  • I last went to France in May.
    When did you last go to France?
  • I last went shopping at Easter.
    When did you last go shopping?
  • She first came to Madrid when she was three years old.
    When did she first come to Madrid?
  • He was first promoted for an half year ago.
    When was he first promoted?
  • She last ironed her cardigan two days ago.
  • They first told us what their plans were a few months ago.
    When did they first tell us what their plans were?
  • I last ran into him on Wendsday.
  • You were last in a bad mood one week ago.
  • Paul last baked a cake in 2003.
  • It was first aired in January.
  • I first travelled abroad when I was nine.

vocabulary 77

to run overatropellar
thundertrueno
rolepapel
inconvenientincómodo
to translatetraducir

translation list 17

  1. Me quedan bastantes listas para escribir.
    I have quite a few lists left to write.
  2. Es impresionante lo informado que está ese tío.
    It's impressive how knowledgeable that guy is.
  3. Tenemos que casar nuestros recursos con vuestras necesidades.
    We have to match our resources with your needs.
  4. Ensaya tu discurso todas las veces que puedas.
    Rehearse your speech as [many times/much] as you can.
  5. Ponte delante de un espejo.
    Stand in front of a mirror.
  6. He venido para pedir un anticipo.
    I've come to ask for an advance.
  7. ¡Eres un pesado!
    You're a pain in the neck[/ass]!
  8. Este "celo" es muy pegajoso.
    This tape is very sticky.
  9. Él pasó su niñez en un orfanato.
    He spent his childhood in an orphanage.
  10. ¿Quién es el encargado aquí?
    Who's [the manager/in charge] here?
    Who runs the show here?
  11. Ésta es mi última advertencia: no te acerques a mi novia.
    This is my last warning: [don't go near/stay away from] my girlfriend.
  12. Estas directrices fueron elaboradas por un equipo de expertos.
    These guidelines were drawn up by a team of experts.
miércoles 27 enero 2010
jueves 20 enero 2011

grammar

  • provided/providing [that]
    as long as
    on the condition that
  • Yo seguiré aquí a condición de que tú sigas también.
    "I'll stay here on the condition that you stay here" es correcto, pero no se usa.
    "provided that" es algo formal
    lo más corriente es "as long as" = siempre que
    I'll teach you as long as you make an effort to learn
  • Work hard, it will pay off.

review

last/first

  • La última vez que la ví fue en Semana Santa.
    I last saw her in Easter.
  • La última vez que comí pasta fué ayer.
    I last ate pasta yesterday.
  • La última vez que hablé con él fué hace dos años.
    I last spoke to him two years ago.

exercises

what's the point?

  • ¿Para qué intentarlo si no vas a esforzarte al máximo?
    What's the point of trying if you're not going to try your hardest?
  • ¿De qué sirve limpiar la cocina si se va a volver a ensuciar?
    What's the point of cleaning the kitchen if it's going to get dirty again?
  • ¿Para qué preguntarle si sabes que no va a contestarte?
    What's the point of asking him if you know he's not going to answer you?
  • ¿Para qué llevártelo si sabes que no vas a usarlo?
    What's the point of bringing it if you know you're not going to use it?
  • ¿Para qué ir al gimnasio si luego no comes sano?
    What's the point of going to the gym if you're not going to eat well?
  • ¿De qué sirve comprar un ventilador si hace frío?
    What's the point of buying a fan if the weather is cold?
  • ¿Para qué trabajar si no pueden pagarte?
    What's the point of working if they can't pay you?
  • ¿De qué sirve pescar si no hay peces?
    What's the point of fishing if there are no fish?
  • ¿Para qué comprarlo si mañana será más barato?
    What's the point of buying it if tomorrow it'll be cheaper?
  • ¿Para qué pedir más comida si no puedes comerte la que ya tienes?
    What's the point of ordering more food if you can't eat what you already have?
  • ¿De qué sirve comprarse un coche si no tienes dónde aparcarlo?
    What's the point of buying a car if you have nowhere to park?
  • ¿Para qué sirve querer aprender inglés si no estás dispuesto a responder en voz alta?
    What's the point of wanting to learn English if you're not willing to answer out loud?

provided/providing [that]

  • I'll go to your house for dinner if I'm not tired after work.
    I'll go to your house for dinner provided that I'm not tired after work.
  • I won't go to the doctor if I'm feeling better.
  • I'll make a big dinner if I'm really hungry.
  • We'll study English if we have enough time on/at (US/BR) the weekend.
  • I'll go to the football game if it doesn't rain.
  • He'll go to the meeting if he gets back from his trip on time.
  • She'll go to the cinema if there's an interesting movie.

vocabulary 78

to throwlanzar
shortageescasez
scaredasustado
to suggestsugerir
a postcardpostal
jueves 28 enero 2010
viernes 21 enero 2011

grammar

  • to be willing to + verbo = estar dispuesto a
  • provided = siempre que
    I'll be here trying to teach you provided you're here everyday trying to absorb everything.

telephone numbers

  • se dicen cifra a cifra, y "o" para "0", en lugar de "zero", aunque también se use.
    lo mismo para "scores" (puntuaciones en juegos, por ejemplo).
    zero to zero
    nil to nil [BR]
    3 - 0: three to nothing [US]
    3 - 0: three nil [BR]
  • empate = tie [US], draw [BR]
  • en US no suelen usar "double" en cifras o letras (spelling), mientras que en BR, sí, incluso "treble":
    "007" = double o seven, y en US lo dicen al estilo BR
    spelling the word "book": BR b-double o-k, AM b-o-o-k
  • habitaciones de hotel:
    3 dígitos: se puede decir en forma decimal, cifra a cifra, o piso y habitación
    4 dígitos: nunca en forma decimal, se suele decir en dos grupos decimales

my vocabulary

  • expenditures = gastos de inversión
  • expenses = gastos corrientes

pronunciation

Tottenham /ˈtɒtnəm/

review

what's the point of

  • ¿De qué sirve estar a régimen si te comes quince galletas cuando tienes hambre?
    What's the point of being on a diet if you eat fifteen biscuits when you're hungry?
  • ¿De qué sirve comprarse muchas camisetas si siempre llevas puesta la misma ropa?
    What's the point of buying a lot of t-shirts if you always wear the same clothes?
  • ¿De qué sirve pedir un consejo si nunca lo sigues?
    What's the point of asking for advice if you never take it?
  • No sirve de nada hacer eso.
    There's no point in doing that.

provided/providing [that]

= siempre que, siempre cuando
"that" es opcional
  • I'll go to the party if you come with me.
    You'll go to the party providing I go with you.
  • It'll be a fantastic surprise if he doesn't find out.
    It'll be a fantastic surprise provided that he doesn't find out.

exercises

zero, o, nil, love

  • 1907 (año): nineteen o seven
  • 1805 (año): eighteen o five
  • ... (más años)
  • números de teléfono, igual: o
  • ... (más teléfonos)
  • El Madrid ganó al Manchester United 4-0.
    Real Madrid beat Manchester United four-nil.
  • ... (más scores)
  • En tenis el cero se dice "love" (quizás venga del francés "l'oeuf")
    15-0: fifteen-love
    ... (más scores)

vocabulary 79

to spillderramar, tirar
to skipsaltar, omitir
samplemuestra
runwaypista de aterrizaje
shotgunescopeta

translation list 18

  1. El plazo termina mañana.
    The deadline is tomorrow.
  2. Tengo derecho a una pensión.
    I'm entitled to a pension.
  3. Tendrás que tragar tu orgullo.
    You'll have to swallow your pride.
  4. Has hecho progresos fenomenales en los tres últimos meses.
    You've made terrific progress in/over the last three months.
  5. Fue una experiencia gratificante.
    It was a rewarding experience.
  6. ¡Vaya follón!
    What a mess!
  7. ¿Cómo voy a salir de este lío?
    How am I going to get out of this mess?
  8. Están conspirando para derrocar al gobierno.
    They're plotting to overthrow the government.
  9. Hicieron puente.
    They took a long weekend.
  10. ¿Cuándo piensas renovar tu permiso?
    When [are you planning/do you plan] to renew your permit?
  11. El chismorreo ha alcanzado niveles insoportables.
    Gossip has reached unbearable levels.
  12. Doy por sentado que sabes el desenlace.
    I take for granted you know the outcome.
viernes 29 enero 2010
lunes 24 enero 2011

grammar

  • I'm glad to know you're ok.
  • I'm glad to meet you.
  • I'm glad he's happy.
    I'm glad he knows.
    I'm glad you're here.
  • I'm glad I have this job.
    I'm glad I [came/have come] yesterday.
  • Si en español se usa subjuntivo, en inglés se usa indicativo.

my vocabulary

  • to bet = apostar
  • ¡A por ello! = Let's have a go at it!
  • to have a go at = hacer un intento
  • let me have a go at it! = ¡déjame intentarlo!

review

cero

Se dice "o": room numbers, dates (years), time (it's four-o-five), telephone numbers. "Nil" es BR
  • En el año 1805 Juan ganó el partido 6-0, 6-1, 6-0.
    In eighteen o five Juan won the match six-love, six-one, six-love.
  • Dormí en la habitación 302.
    I slept in room number three-o-two.
  • Mi abuelo vino a Canadá en 1908.
  • Son las tres y cinco.
    It's three-o-five.
  • Murió en 1903.
    He died in nineteen-o-three.

exercises

I'm glad

  • Me alegro de haber venido a España hace dos años.
    I'm glad I came to Spain two years ago.
  • Me alegro de que no tuvieras que ir a una reunión tan aburrida.
    I'm glad you didn't have to go to such a boring meeting.
  • Me alegro de que no tuvieras que hacer la cena para tanta gente.
    I'm glad you didn't have to [make/cook] dinner for so many people.
  • Me alegro de que al final no fueras a Australia.
    I'm glad you didn't go to Australia [in the end/after all].
  • Me alegro de haber estudiado mucho.
    I'm glad I studied a lot.
  • Me alegro de haber llegado a ser médica.
    I'm glad I became a doctor.
  • Me alegro de haber cocinado [mucho/tanto].
    I'm glad I cooked [a lot/so much].
  • Me alegro de haber llegado a ser taxista.
    I'm glad I became a taxi driver.
  • Me alegro de haber llegado a ser cocinero.
    I'm glad I became a cook.

being sarcastic

  • (You fail an exam.) I bet you're glad you took the exam. [En tono sarcástico.]
    Yes, I'm glad I took the exam. [En tono sarcástico.]
  • I bet you're glad you studied for the test.
    Yes, I'm glad I studied for the test.
  • I bet you're glad you drank that bottle of wine.
    Yes, I'm glad I drank that whole bottle of wine.
  • I bet you're glad you called there.
    Yes, I'm glad I called there.

to have a go at

  • Did you have a go at learning Swahili last year?
  • Ask me if I had a go at skiing.
  • Have you ever had a go at playing guitar?
    No, I've never had a go at it.
  • Ask me if I've ever had a go at playing guitar.
    ... But I have a go at it sometimes with my friends.
  • Ask me if I've ever had a go at salsa dancing.

vocabulary 80

to frightenasustar
to give uprendirse
onioncebolla
to throw a partyhacer una fiesta
out of contextfuera de contexto
lunes 1 febrero 2010
martes 25 enero 2011

grammar

  • I have a lot of problems teaching this things.
    I have lots of problems ...
    I have loads of problems ...
    I have heaps of problems ...
    heap = montón (físico)
    a heaping spoonful = una cucharada colmada [AM]
    I have piles of problems ...
  • a bunch (racimo, para contables):
    There's a whole bunch of people outside waiting for you.

my vocabulary

  • to look up to sb. = admirar a alguien
  • my hat's off to you = me quito el sombrero por tí
  • oodles of = muchísimo de (no sale en diccionarios normales)
  • to come in handy = resultar útil

pronunciation

appropriate /ə'prəʊpriət/ NO /... priəit/

review

I'm glad

  • Are you glad you're here?
  • Are you glad you're learning English?
  • Ask me if I'm glad I was chosen for this program?
  • Ask me if I'm glad I came to Spain twelve years ago?
  • Ask me if I'm glad I decided to become a teacher?
  • What am I glad about?
  • Are you glad you're wearing blue?
  • What are you glad about?

to have a go at

  • Did you have a go at learning Chinese last year?
  • Ask me if I had a go at learning German five years ago.
  • What is the last thing you had a go at?
  • Ask me if I had a go at snowboarding.
    I was very sore, but I had a go at snowboarding.

exercises

montones de

lots of, loads of, a bunch of (countable), heaps of (muy australiano), stacks of, piles of, bags of (para money),
  • Does Bill Gates have bags of money? Ella tiene un montón de libros.
    She has loads of books.
  • Tengo un montón de trabajo que hacer para el 31 de Julio.
    I've loads/piles of work to do by the 31th of July.
  • Había un montón de gente que no conocía.
    There were a bunch of people that I didn't know.
  • Ella tiene un montón de zapatos.
    She has a loads of shoes.
  • Hay un montón de acentos en español.
    There are loads/oodles of accents in Spanish.
  • There are oodles and oodles of people in China.
  • Había un montón de gente en el concierto.
    There were loads of people in the concert.
    (every one and their dog was there)
  • Tienen un montón de copias de revistas antiguas en la tienda.
    They have piles of copies of old magazines in the shop.
  • Tienen un montón de nuevos productos.
    They have loads of new products.
  • Tengo un montón de amigos.
    I have loads/lots of friends.
  • Ella tiene un montón de vestidos.
    She has [a pile/loads] of dresses.
  • Quieren un montón de nuevos productos.
    They want of new products.
  • Había un montón de gente cuando llegué a la fiesta.
    There were loads of people by the time I got to the party.

vocabulary 81

concernedpreocupado
depthprofundidad
slotranura
loose changecalderilla
to witnessser testigo de

translation list 19

  1. He sido nombrado jefe de grupo.
    I've been appointed group leader.
  2. Una agenda de bolsillo resulta útil a veces.
    A pocket agenda/diary (AM/BR) comes in handy at times.
  3. Tendrás que someterte a varias pruebas.
    You'll have to undergo several tests.
  4. Quiero rematar las fechas lo antes posible.
    I want to nail down the dates as soon as possible.
  5. Cuanto más anunciamos, más ingresos ganamos.
    The more we advertise, the more revenue we earn.
  6. Mientras tanto, investiga el otro asunto.
    In the meantime, look into the other matter.
  7. Tendrás éxito si no bajas la guardia.
    You'll succeed if you don't [lower your guard/let your guard down].
  8. Este encabezamiento no es el más apropiado.
    This heading isn't the most appropriate.
  9. El descubrimiento del átomo fué un gran avance científico.
    The discovery of the atom was a great scientific breakthrough.
  10. Es improbable que te hagan seguir ese procedimiento.
    It's unlikely that they'll make you follow that procedure.
  11. Esto sólo es el comienzo.
    This is only the beginning.
  12. Ví a dos hombres discutiendo delante del quiosco.
    I saw two men arguing in front of the newsstand/kiosk.
martes 2 febrero 2010
miércoles 26 enero 2011

grammar

  • Why ...? Because ...; that's why.
  • The basic necessities are food, clothing and shelter
  • Why on Earth have you ...?
    Why in the World, why in God's name,

my vocabulary

  • to discuss = discutir (sin pelea), no lleva "about", ni preposición
    we are discussing politics
  • to argue = discutir (con cierta violencia, subiendo la voz), sí lleva "about"
    we're arguing about money
  • to figure it out = averiguarlo, descifrarlo
  • to cool down, to cool off = refrescar, enfriar (quitar calor)
  • affordable = asequible, barato (sin connotación algo cutre de cheap)
  • caro = costly

pronunciation

desert /'dezərt / desierto
dessert /dɪ'zɜ:t/ postre

review

montontes de

  • Él tiene un montón de dinero.
    He has loads/bags of money.
  • Había un montón de gente en el concierto.
    There were loads of people at the concert.
  • Tenía un montón de problemas con el sistema.
    He'd [a bunch/oodles] of problems with the system.
  • Había un montón de gente cuando llegué a la fiesta.
    There were a bunch of people when I got to the party.

exercises

that's [the reason] why

  • Es por eso que estoy aquí.
    That's [the reason] why I'm here.
  • Por eso vine.
    That's why I came.
  • Es por eso que discutí con ella.
    That's why I argued with her.
  • She bought him a present because it was his birthday.
    That's [the reason] why she bought him a present.
  • They went to the beach because it was very hot.
  • They went to the Moon because it wasn't very expensive.

why on Earth ... ?

  • ¿Por qué demonios le llamaste idiota?
    Why on Earth did you call him an idiot?
  • ¿Por qué demonios se comió ella toda la comida?
    Why on Earth did she eat all the food?
  • ¿Por qué demonios se gastó todo el dinero en ropa?
    Why [on Earth/in the World] did she spend all her money on [clothes/clothing]?
  • ¿Por qué demonios no vino él a la fiesta?
    Why on Earth didn't he come to the party?
  • ¿Por qué demonios no comió ella el postre?
    Why on Earth didn't she eat dessert?
  • ¿Por qué demonios fuímos a Holanda solas?
    Why on Earth did we go to Holland [alone/by ourselves/on our own]?
  • ¿Por qué demonios no le limpiaron el dormitorio?
    Why on Earth didn't they clean the room?
  • ¿Por qué demonios te acostaste tan pronto?
    Why on Earth did you go to sleep so early?

vocabulary 82

coppercobre
revengevenganza
nailuña, clavo
to restrictrestringir
to delayretrasar
miércoles 3 febrero 2010
jueves 27 enero 2011

grammar

  • I'm doing it for your own good.
  • hasta cierto punto = to a certain extent
    (más frecuente que to a certain degree)
  • si se usa since, necesariamente debe usarse present perfect:
    Since I was a child, I've loved acting.

would you mind if

¿Te importaría [que + presente/si + pasado] de subjuntivo? = Would you mind if + past simple ?

my vocabulary

profit and benefit:
profit = beneficio económico
benefit = beneficio no necesariamente económico

review

that's why

  • She bought him a cake because it was his birthday.
  • They went to the beach because it was extremely hot.

why on Earth

  • Ask me why on Earth I decided to come to Spain.
  • Ask me why on Earth I decided to become a teacher.
  • Why on Earth did you decide to become an actor?
  • Why on Earth did you decide to become my student?

exercises

would you mind?

  • No, I wouldn't mind if you sat next to me.
    Would you mind if I sat next to you?
  • No, I wouldn't mind if you opened the window.
  • No, I wouldn't mind if you borrowed my spoon.
  • No, I wouldn't mind if she invited me to dinner.
  • Yes, I would mind if you punched me in the face.
  • I'd mind if a bear attacked me in the forest.
  • Yes, I'd mind if you shot me and set fire to me.
  • Yes, I'd mind if you smoked.
  • No, I wouldn't mind if you played the piano.
  • Yes, I'd mind if you played the saxofon in the kitchen at four o'clock in the morning.
  • Yes, I'd mind if you released cockroaches in my house.
  • (Would you mind if I asked you some more?)
  • I wouldn't mind if you took that chair.
  • Yes, I'd mind if you spilled coffee all over my shirt.
  • No, I wouldn't mind if you asked me a question.
  • I wouldn't mind if you gave me a piece of advice.
  • I'd mind if you stabbed me in the back.
  • I'd mind if you poisoned me.
  • I'd mind if you pronounced Spain as "Espain".

vocabulary 83

used toacostumbrado a
accuracyprecisión
napsiesta
to delightencantar
naïveingenuo

translation list 20

  1. Tropecé con un antiguo amigo mío.
    I ran into an old friend of mine.
  2. Hacía años que no le veía.
    I hadn't seen him for years.
    Hace años que no le veo = I haven't seen him for years
  3. No me decepciones.
    Don't let me down.
  4. Tienes que dar ejemplo a los demás.
    You have to set an example in front of the rest of the people.
  5. La rentabilidad es mi única preocupación.
    Profitability is my only concern.
  6. Lo has resumido con bastante elocuencia.
    You've summed it up quite eloquently.
  7. El nuevo modelo presenta unas características completamente nuevas.
    The new model has/presents some completely new features.
  8. El consumo ha bajado.
    Consumption has [gone down/declined/fallen/dropped/decreased].
  9. Estás en medio.
    You're in the way.
  10. Quítate de en medio.
    Get out of the way.
  11. Enseguida vuelvo, no te vayas.
    I'll be right back, don't go away.
  12. Yo nunca hubiera hecho semejante cosa.
    I [would never have/never would've] done such a thing.
jueves 4 febrero 2010
viernes 28 enero 2011

grammar

to start + [gerund/TO + infinitive]

  • This morning, when ... , it [started/began] [raining/to rain].
  • Cuando el verbo start está en gerundio, entonces el otro verbo es en infinitivo:
    It's starting to rain.
    NO: It's starting raining.

varios

  • I was seeing her out of the corner of my eye = Estaba viéndola por el rabillo del ojo
  • dejar de hacer algo = to stop + gerund
  • Voy a dejar de fumar = I'm going to [stop/quit/give up] smoking
  • "to stop + to verb" tiene el sentido de "parar con el objetivo de hacer algo"
  • to keep + gerund

my vocabulary

  • a sum = una suma
  • to sum: no es nada
  • to sum up = resumir
  • in the way = en medio (obstaculizando)
  • on the way = en camino
  • poner un ejemplo = to give an example
  • marcharse = to leave
  • irse (desaparecer) [también objetos: una mancha]= to go away

pronunciation

some /sʌm/
sum /sʌm/

review

would you mind if

Dada la respuesta negativa, hacer la pregunta.
  • No, I wouldn't mind if you sat next to me.
    Would you mind if I sat next to you?
  • No, I wouldn't mind if you opend the window.
  • No, I wouldn't mind if you used my computer.
  • No, I wouldn't mind if you sent it to me next week.

exercises

to start

  • ¿Puedes empezar a prestar un poco más de atención, por favor?
    Could you start [to pay/paying] a little more attention, please?
  • Empecé a sentirme cansada después del primer partido.
    I started [to feel/feeling] a little tired after the first game.
  • Empezó a llover cuando nos marchamos de la oficina.
    It started [raining/to rain] when we left the office.
  • ¿Podéis empezar a quitar la mesa?
    Could you start [clearing/to clear] the table, please?
  • Empezó a gritar cuando le contamos la verdad.
    He started [shouting/to shout/to yell] when we told him the truth.
  • Estás empezando a mejorar.
    You're starting to get better.
  • Están empezando a hacerlo bien sin la ayuda de nadie.
    They're starting to do it well without anyone's help.
  • Estoy empezando a apreciar tu esfuerzo.
    I'm starting to appreciate your effort.
  • Están empezando a comprender la importancia.
    They're starting to understand the importance.
  • Se empiezan a parecer a sus padres.
    They're starting to look like their parents.
  • Me estaba empezando a encontrar mal antes de que llegara ella.
    I was starting to feel a little sick, before she arrived.
  • No empecé a aprender inglés hasta que tenía veinte años.
    I didn't start to learn English until I was twenty years old.
  • Ask me how old I was when I started learning Spanish.

stop + gerund

  • When didn't you stop studying?
  • Dejó de llover cuando salió el sol.
    It stopped raining when the sun came out.
  • Dejé de gatear cuando aprendí a andar.
    I stopped crawling when I learnt how to walk.
  • Dejó de jugar cuando se cayó al suelo.
    He stopped playing when he fell down.
  • Dejó de nevar cuando dejó de hacer tanto frío.
    It stopped snowing when it stopped being so cold.
  • He stopped laughing when he understood the joke.

vocabulary 84

to lie downtumbarse
poisonveneno
pickyquisquisollo
to look forward to [ + gerund]esperar con ilusión
to demandexigir
viernes 5 febrero 2010
lunes 31 enero 2011

grammar

stop

  • No se usa dos gerundios seguidos. Aunque tras "start" puede usarse gerundio, si el tiempo verbal de "start" es "starting", debe seguir "to + infinitive".
  • I started driving ... and I stopped to have a coffee.
  • I stopped driving because I wanted to stop to have a coffee.
  • When I finished having my coffee, I went back to the car, I got into my car and started driving again.
  • When I reached Medinaceli, I stopped driving, I stopped the car, I stopped to fill the gas tank.
  • I stopped driving, I stopped to have lunch.
  • To stop to smoke = Parar para fumar
    To stop smoking = Dejar de fumar

my vocabulary

  • tener algo a tu alcance = to have sth. at your fingertips
  • ¿de quién es la culpa? = whose fault is it?
  • to quit = dejar de hacer algo para verbos de más acción
  • burst out = estallar, prorrumpir
    She had cracked up, she had burst out laughing
  • catnap = cabezada, pequeña siesta
  • scoop = bola de helado (scoop = pala)

review

start, stop

  • Empezó a llover cuando salimos de la oficina.
    It started raining when we left the office.
  • Empecé a sentirme cansada después del primer set.
    I started to feel tired after the first set.
  • Empezó a gritar cuando vió dos ratones debajo de la mesa.
    She started shouting when she saw two mice under the table.
  • Ella dejó de hablar con él después de la pelea.
    She stopped speaking to him after the fight.

exercises

to stop + infinitive

  • ¿Parasteis en Ávila para tomar algo?
    Did you stop in Ávila to have something to drink?
  • De camino a Valencia ¿tenías que parar para ir al baño?
    On the way to Valencia did you have to stop to go to the bathroom?
  • Tuvimos que parar dos veces porque hubo problemas con el coche.
    We had to stop twice because there were problems with the car.
    We had to stop to fix the car.
  • No me gusta parar para fumar en la sala de fumadores en los aeropuertos.
    I don't like to stop to smoke in the smoking room at the airports.
  • Ask me if I had to stop to ask for directions in New York.
  • Ask me if I stopped to buy an ice-cream cone yesterday.
  • Ask me if I had to stop to tie my shoe when I was running yesterday.
  • Ask me if I wanted to stop to take a picture at the museum.
  • When was the last time you stopped to light a cigarette?
    I can't remember the last time I stopped to light [up] a cigarette.
  • When was the last time you stopped to drink a coffee?

vocabulary 85

politicsla política
to shivertemblar, tiritar
rowfila
to look likeparecerse a (físicamente)
scapegoatcabeza de turco

translation list 21

  1. ¡Decídete!
    Make up your mind!
  2. ¿Recibiste mi fax?
    Did you get my fax?
  3. Está entrando un fax.
    A fax is coming in.
  4. Diles que lo manden de nuevo.
    Tell them to send it again.
  5. ¿Qué le pasa?
    What's [the matter/wrong] with it?
  6. Sólo la mitad superior se imprimió.
    Only the top half printed out.
  7. No aguanto este calor.
    I can't stand this heat.
  8. Se han hecho intentos de sobornarles.
    Attempts have been made to bribe them.
    to grease their palm
  9. No han tenido éxito.
    They haven't succeded.
  10. Salga del coche e identifíquese.
    Get out of the car and identify yourself.
  11. Es como si estuviéramos sin gravedad.
    It's as if/though we were without gravity.
  12. Hablas como si supieras lo que pasó.
    You talk as if/though you knew what happened.
lunes 8 febrero 2010
martes 1 febrero 2011

grammar

(Sinatra, 1965) That's life

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
a poet, a pawn and a king.
I've been up and down and over and out,
and I know one thing:
each time I find myself flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race.

had better

  • should = debería, recommendation or suggestion without power
  • You had better + infinitive (sin "to") = más te vale + verbo
  • You had better not (cross the street again without your mother)

my vocabulary

  • en todo momento = at all times
  • to be in the ball = to be alert, ready
  • to be successful: triunfar en general
  • to succed: tener éxito en un proyecto concreto

review

to stop to

  • Would you rather stop to eat in a nice restaurant or would you rather stop eating in nices restaurants?
  • Él paró cinco minutos para fumar un cigarro.
    He stopped for five minuts to smoke a cigarette.
  • Siempre paramos para hacer un descanso después de la reunión.
    We always stop for a break after the meeting.
    Para seguir el modelo, debería ser:
    We always stop to take a break after the meeting.
  • Pararon a repostar en Toronto.
    They stopped to get gas in Toronto.
  • Paramos a cenar en un buen restaurante.
    We stopped to eat in a nice restaurant.
  • Paramos para ver el desfile.
    We stopped to see the parade.
  • Dejamos de trabajar para ver el final del partido.
    We stopped working to see the end of the match.

exercises

to be on the ball

  • Are you on the ball today?
  • Are you on the ball everyday?
  • Is it easy to be on the ball everyday?
  • Do you have to be on the ball to learn English?
  • Are you on the ball at work?
  • Ask me if I am on the ball at work.
  • Are you on the ball first think in the morning?
  • Does an athlete have to be on the ball?
  • Tell me when the last time you weren't on the ball was.
  • Why weren't you on the ball last Saturday morning?

had better

you'd better [not] do it
  • Más vale que estudies.
    You'd better study.
  • Más vale que te des prisa.
    You'd better [hurry up/get a move on].
  • Más vale que vengas.
    You'd better come.
  • Más vale que se lo digas a él.
    You'd better tell him.
  • Más vale que lo hagas pronto.
    You'd better do it soon.
  • Más vale que le llames a él.
    You'd better call him.
  • Más vale que les escribas.
    You'd better write [to them/them] [BR/AM].
  • Más vale que él lo haga.
    He'd better do it.
  • Más vale que ella me lo diga.
    She'd better tell me.

vocabulary 86

countermostrador
needleaguja
to stirremover
resourcefulcon recursos (persona ingeniosa)
to deploydesplegar
martes 9 febrero 2010
miércoles 2 febrero 2011

grammar

Santa Claus is coming to town

You'd better watch out,
you'd better not cry
you'd better not pout
I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He's making a list
and checking it twice
he's going to make sure
who's naughty or nice
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He knows when you are sleeping,
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!

Pop Goes the Weasel

Around, around the mulberry bush
the monkey chased the weasel
the monkey thought it was a joke
pop! goes the weasel!

pronunciation

envy /'envi/
enviable /'enviəbəl/

review

to be on the ball

  • Tienes que estar espabilado.
    You have to be on the ball.
  • Él no está muy espabilado hoy.
    He's not very on the ball today.
  • Nunca estoy espabilado por la mañana.
    I'm never on the ball in the morning.
  • Esa chica es increíble, siempre está espabildada.
    That girl is amazing/incredible, she's always on the ball.
  • No estabas muy espabilado en la reunión.
    You weren't very on the ball in the meeting.
  • Si durmieran más, estarían más espabilados en el trabajo.
    If they slept more, they'd be more in the ball at work.

had better

  • Más vale que estudies.
    You'd better study.
  • Más vale que te des prisa.
    You'd better [get a move on/hurry up].
  • Más vale que descansemos.
    We'd better rest.
  • ... que remuevan el café.
    They'd better stir the coffee.
  • ... que (yo) gaste menos dinero.
    I'd better spend less money.
  • ... que te ates los cordones.
    You'd better tie your shoelaces.
  • ... que hagas los deberes.
    You'd better do your homework.
  • ... que termines el informe.
    You'd better finish the report.
  • ... que (yo) aliñe la ensalada.
    I'd better dress the salad.

exercises

had better not

  • Más vale que no vuelvas a hacer eso.
    You'd better not do that again.
  • Más vale que no se lo contemos.
    We'd better not tell him.
  • I'd better insult my boss.
    You'd better not insult your boss.
  • I'd better drive the car while I'm drunk.
    You'd better not ...
  • I'd better teach you how to pronounce badly.
  • I'd better allow you make a lot of mistakes.
    No, you'd better not allow me make a lot of mistakes.
  • I'd better get really fat.
  • I'd better bet all my money on horses.
  • I'd better say very nasty things to my students.
  • I'd better not buy my girlfriend a birthday present.
  • I'd better fall asleep in the middle of this program.
  • I'd better walk out of this room right now.
  • I'd better stop talking.
  • I'd better eat raw chicken.
  • I'd better break all the windows in your house.
  • I'd better eat 150 k of potatos.
  • I'd better drink filthy rain water.
  • I'd better take my boss's car without asking him.
  • I'd better break my arms and legs with a hammer.

vocabulary 87

restlessinquieto
to replyresponder, contestar
gluepegamento
to resembleparecerse a (to look like: físicamente)
overcoatgabardina

translation list 22

  1. Tengo mis formas de enterarme de las cosas.
    I have my ways of finding out things.
  2. Estás en una posición endiable.
    You are in an enviable position.
  3. A mucha gente le gustaría tener lo que tú tienes.
    Many people would like to have what you have.
  4. El perro persiguió al gato alrededor de la casa.
    The dog chased the cat around the house.
  5. Seguidme y os llevaré a la Tierra Prometida.
    Follow me and I'll take you to the Promised Land.
  6. ¿Me sujetas esto un momento?
    Can you hold this for me for a minute?
  7. Me gusta cómo firmas las cartas.
    I like the way you sign letters.
  8. ¿Por qué siempre me miras así?
    Why do you always look at me like that?
  9. Tómalo o déjalo.
    Take it or leave it.
  10. Vamos a implantar una nueva política.
    We're going to implement a new policy.
  11. De ahora en adelante todas las mujeres han de llevar faldas.
    From now on all women are to wear skirts.
  12. Le gusta causar problemas.
    He likes [making/to make] trouble.
miércoles 10 febrero 2010
jueves 3 febrero 2011

grammar

to be getting at

  • what are you getting at? = ¿qué quieres decir?
  • that's what I'm getting at = eso es lo que quiero decir

yet, already, still, about, anymore

  • yet, still, anymore, about
  • about: Am I about to take it out? = ¿Estoy a punto de sacarlo?

review

had better not

  • Más vale que no vuelvas a hacer eso.
    You'd better not do that again.
  • Más vale que no se lo contemos.
    We'd better not tell him.
  • Más vale que no vuelvas a hacer ese fallo.
    You'd better not make that mistake again.
  • Más vale que no comas en ese restaurante.
    You'd better not eat at that restaurant.
  • ... que no cojas esa carretera.
    You'd better not take that road.
  • ... que no se te olvide.
    You'd better not forget that.

exercises

to be getting at

  • ¿Qué quieres decir?
    What are you getting at? (What do you mean?)
  • ¿Qué quieren decir?
    What are they getting at?
  • ¿Qué quiere decir él?
    What's he getting at?
  • ¿Qué quiere decir ella?
    What's she getting at?
  • No sé lo que quiere decir ella.
    I don't know what she's getting at.
  • No sé lo que quieres decir.
    I don't know what you're getting at.
  • No sé lo que quieren decir ellos.
    I don't know what they're getting at.
  • No sé lo que él quiere decir.
    I don't know what he's getting at.
  • No sabía lo que querías decir.
    I didn't know what you were getting at.
  • (Yo) No sabía lo que ellos querían decir.
    I didn't know what they were getting at.
  • Tú sabes bien lo que quiero decir.
    You know very well what I'm getting at.
  • Tú sabes bien lo que quieren decir.
    You know very well what they're getting at.
  • Tú sabes bien lo que él quiere decir.
    You know very well what he's getting at.

still

  • ¿Todavía coleccionas sellos?
    Do you still collect stamps?
  • Todavía estamos esperando.
    We're still waiting.
  • ¿Sigues viviendo en Canadá?
    [Do you still live/Are you still living] in Canada?
  • Todavía estoy esperando que me lo digan.
    I'm still waiting for them to tell me.
  • No me lo han dicho todavía.
    They haven't told me yet.
  • ¿Sigues saliendo con ella?
    Are you still going out with her?
  • Todavía estoy enamorado de ella.
    I'm still in love with her.
  • ¡Todavía no has hecho tus deberes!
    You still haven't done your homework!
    excepción: still en negativo, con sorpresa
    normalmente se dice: you haven't done your homework yet
    Have you done your homework yet?
    Yes, I've already done my homework.
  • Siguen intentando arreglar el problema.
    They're still trying to fix the problem.
  • Todavía estoy trabajando en ello.
    I'm still working on it.

vocabulary 88

to harmdañar
paunchpanza
pathsenda, sendero, camino
The Middle AgesEdad Media
to installinstalar
jueves 11 febrero 2010
viernes 4 febrero 2011

grammar

still, yet, already, anymore

  • anymore ≠ nunca más = never again
  • no longer, not any longer = not anymore
    I'm not using the other camera anymore.
    I'm not using the other camera any longer.
    I'm no longer using that camera.
  • Empleo redundante:
    I still haven't taken a sip yet.
  • Ya he empezado, pero no he terminado todavía.
  • I've already started, but I haven't finished yet.
  • Yet is used in questions and in negatives.

my vocabulary

  • una cita de negocios = an appointment
  • una cita amistosa = a date
  • to end up doing sthg = terminar/acabar [por hacer/haciendo] algo

pronunciation

  • schedule ['ʃedjʊ:l, US 'skedʒʊəl]
  • joya: jewel /'dʒu:əl/

review

to be getting at

  • ¿Qué quieres decir?
    What are you getting at?
  • Sabes muy bien lo que quiero decir.
    You know very well what I'm getting at.
  • I can't remember what they're getting at.
  • He had no idea what they were getting at.
  • I hope I'll understand what they're getting at.
  • What do you think she's getting at?
  • What are you getting at?
  • Did you know what I was getting at?
  • Ask me if I knew what you were getting at.
    Did you know what I was getting at?
    Yes, I knew what you were getting at.
  • What was Hamlet getting at?
    Hamlet was getting at a lot of things.
  • Is it hard to know what they're getting at?

still, not anymore

  • Ella todavía me quiere.
    She still loves me.
  • Todavía estoy enamorado de ella.
    I'm still in love with her.
  • Do you still collect stamps?
    No, I don't collect stamps anymore.
  • Are you still an actor?
    I'm still an actor.
  • Ask me if it still rains a lot in Ireland.
    Does it still rain a lot in Ireland?
  • Do you still have English classes?
  • Is Tío Pepe still a popular drink in Spain?
  • Ask me if Irish people still eat a lot of potatoes.
  • Do you still go to the cinema once a week?
    No, I don't go to the cinema once a week anymore.

exercises

yet

  • Have you had dinner yet?
  • Have you had lunch yet?
  • No le he visto todavía.
    I haven't seem him yet.
  • No ha llegado todavía.
    He hasn't arrived yet.
  • ¿Te has mudado ya?
    Have you moved yet?
  • No, no me he mudado todavía.
    No, I haven't moved yet.
  • ¿Has desayunado ya?
    Have you had breakfast yet?
  • ¿Has ingresado ya en la compañía?
    Have you joined the company yet?
  • Ask me if I've quit yet.
    Have you quit yet?
  • ¿Has ido ahí ya?
    Have you gone/been there yet?
  • ¿Te has hecho rico ya?
    Have you gotten/become rich yet?
  • No me he hecho rico todavía.
    I haven't become rich yet.
  • ¿Has hecho tus deberes ya?
    Have you done your homework yet?
  • No la he visto todavía.
    I haven't seen her yet.
  • ¿Lo has probado ya?
    Have you tried yet?
  • No lo he probado todavía.
    I haven't tried yet.
  • Él no ha empezado todavía.
    He hasn't started yet.
  • No he hablado con ella todavía.
    I haven't spoken to her yet.

vocabulary 89

well-madebien hecho
invoicefactura
nunmonja
to encourageanimar, alentar
scarecrowespantapájaros

translation list 23

  1. ¿Cuándo se hará?
    When will it be done?
  2. La cita está programada para la semana próxima.
    The appointment is scheduled for next week.
  3. Busco a alguien cuyas cualidades casen con nuestras necesidades.
    I'm looking for someone whose skills match our needs.
  4. No te apuntes al curso si no piensas asistir.
    Don't sign up for the course if you['re not planning/don't plan] to attend.
  5. Tienes una forma curiosa de dar las gracias.
    You've a funny way of saying thank you.
  6. Si conduces así, nunca les alcanzarás.
    If you drive like that, you'll never catch up with them.
  7. La rifa fué cancelada por un problema legal.
    The raffle was called off because of a legal problem.
  8. Siempre acabo perdiendo todo el dinero.
    I always end up losing all my money.
  9. ¿Por qué siempre me traes cafés tan calientes?
    Why do you always bring me such hot coffees?
  10. Con ese disfraz nadie te reconocerá.
    With that disguise nobody will recognize you.
  11. Abre la carta y léemela.
    Open the letter and read it to me.
  12. Cuanto más duro trabajas, más ganas.
    The harder you work the more you earn.
viernes 12 febrero 2010
lunes 7 febrero 2011

grammar

already

Con una lista de verbos, sustituir en la siguiente estructura to do por el verbo:
  • Have you done it yet?
  • No, I haven't done it yet.
  • Yes, I've already done it.

anymore

  • I used to eat a lot, but I don't eat a lot anymore.

my vocabulary

a blessing in disguises = no hay mal que por bien no venga

review

yet

  • ¿Has hecho tus deberes ya?
    Have you done your homework yet?
  • No, no los he hecho todavía.
    No, I haven't done it yet.
  • ¿Habéis desayunado ya?
    Have you had breakfast yet?
  • No, no hemos desayunado todavía.
    No, we haven't had breakfast yet.
  • ¿Ella ha vendido el coche ya?
    Has she sold the car yet?
  • No, no lo ha vendido todavía.
    No, she hasn't sold it yet.

exercises

already

  • Ya he terminado mis deberes.
    I've already finished my homework.
  • Ya lo he comprobado.
    I've already checked it.
  • Ya saben la respuesta.
    They already know the answer.
    normalmente "already" va con "present perfect", pero también con simple
  • Él ya tiene novia.
    [He's already got/He already has] a girlfriend.
  • Ya soy rica.
    I'm already rich.
  • ¡Enséñamelo ya!
    Show it to me right now!
    ya = ahora mismo: now, right away (enseguida)
  • ¿Ya lo has enviado?
    Have you sent it yet?
    se puede "have you already sent it?", pero lo correcto es con yet
  • La clase ya ha empezado.
    The class has already started/begun.
  • El tren ya ha llegado.
    The train has already arrived.
  • Ya lo he visto.
    I've already seen it.
  • Ya lo he escrito.
    I've already written it.

no longer, not anymore

  • Ya no como hamburguesas.
    I don't eat hamburgers anymore.
    I no longer eat hamburgers.
  • Ya no conduzco coches de carrera.
    I don't drive race cars anymore.
    I no longer drive race cars.
  • G.B. ya no es presidente de Estados Unidos.
    G.B. isn't the President of the U.S. anymore.
    G.B. is no longer the President of the U.S..
  • Ya no vivo en Canadá.
    I don't live in Canada anymore.
    I no longer live in Canada.
  • Do you still live in Brazil?
    I don't live in Brazil anymore.
    I no longer live in Brazil.
  • Ya no les gusta la política.
    They don't like politics anymore.
    They no longer like politics.
  • Bisbal ya no tiene el pelo largo.
    Bisbal doesn't have long hair anymore.
    Bisbal no longer has long hair.
  • Mi madre ya no me prepara la comida.
    My mother doesn't make my lunch anymore.
    My mother no longer makes my lunch.
  • Beckham ya no juega en el Real Madrid.
    B. doesn't play with R.M. anymore.
    He no longer plays with R.M..
  • Induráin ya no corre en el Tour de Francia.
    Indurain doesn't ride in the Tour de France anymore.
    Indurain no longer rides/races in the Tour de France.

vocabulary 90

restroom (AM)aseo
to resigndimitir
scarcicatriz
to subsidizesubvencionar
to stretchestirarse
lunes 15 febrero 2010
martes 8 febrero 2011

grammar

  • still, yet, already, anymore
  • have you eaten yet?
  • have you already eaten?
    también es correcto, es una pregunta para ser confirmada.

ejercicio

Con distintos verbos:
  • Have you finished yet?
    Yes, I've already finished.
    No, I haven't finished yet.
    I'm still working.
  • Has he come yet?
    Yes, he's already come.
    No, he hasn't come yet.
    He's still on the way.

still ...

  • 'Still' the action is happening
  • 'Already' the action has occured, has began
  • 'Anymore' the action has finished
  • 'Yet' the action hasn't occured, hasn't began

pronunciation

gear /gɪr /

review

already

  • Ya lo he hecho.
    I've already done it.
  • Ellos ya están listos.
    They're already ready.
  • Ya han llegado a Alemania.
    They've already arrived/gotten to Germany.
  • Ya sé conducir con marchas.
    I already know how to drive with gears.
  • Ya cocina como si ella fuera una cocinera profesional.
    She already cooks as if she were a professional chef.
  • Ya están contentos.
    They're already happy.
  • Ya soy profesora.
    I'm already a teacher/professor (escuela/universidad).
  • Ya han vuelto.
    They've already come back.

anymore, no longer

  • Ya no como chocolate.
    I no longer eat chocolate.
    I don't eat chocolate anymore.
  • Ya no sé conducir con marchas.
    I can no longer drive with gears.
    Si se usa can, entonces va delante de no longer como excepción.
    I no longer know how to drive with gears.
    I don't know how to drive with gears anymore.
  • Ya no salgo con él.
    I'm no longer with him.
    I'm no longer seeing him. (presente continuo)
    I no longer [see/date/go out with] him.
    I don't go out with him anymore. (también vale el presente continuo)
  • Ya no estoy trabajando en ello.
    I'm not working on it anymore.
    I'm no longer working on it.
  • Ya no vivo en NY.
    I don't live in NY anymore.
    I no longer live in NY.
  • Ya no trabajo en esta compañía.
    I don't work in this company anymore.
    I no longer work in this company.

exercises

still, yet, already, anymore

  • ¿Ha llegado ya?
    Has it arrived yet?
  • No ha llegado todavía.
    It hasn't arrived yet.
  • Ya ha llegado.
    It's already arrived.
  • Todavía vivo en España.
    I still live in Spain.
  • Ya no vivo aquí.
    I don't live here anymore.
  • ¿Has comido ya?
    Have you eaten yet?
  • Have you had coffee yet?
  • Ask me if I've already had coffee.
    Have you had coffee yet?
  • What are we still doing?
    We're still having class.
  • Have we started yet?
    Yes, we've already started.
  • Have we finished?
    No, we haven't finished yet.
  • Has the year ended yet?
    No, the year hasn't ended yet.
  • Has 2010 started yet?
    No, 2010 hasn't started yet.
  • Has the weekend started yet?

vocabulary 91

privilegeprivilegio
noveltynovedad
novicenovato
to misunderstandmalentender
to drownahogarse

translation list 24

  1. Creo que la frase debería ser al revés.
    I think the sentence should be the other way around.
  2. Mis padres son los únicos que lo saben.
    My parents are the only ones who know about it.
    NO: know it, sino know about it
  3. Si eso me pasara a mí, no sé lo que haría.
    If that happened to me, I don't know what I would do.
  4. Mi única esperanza es que se den cuenta ellos de su error.
    My only hope is that they realize their mistake.
  5. Tengo derecho a un abogado.
    I'm entitled to a lawyer.
  6. Conozco mis derechos así como mis obligaciones.
    I know my rights as well as my obligations.
  7. Lo único que sé es que no sé nada.
    The only thing I know is that I [know nothing/don't know anything].
  8. No puedo dejar de pensar en ella.
    I can't stop thinking about her.
  9. La tengo presente día y noche.
    She's on my mind day and night.
  10. No pueden aguantar el ritmo.
    They can't stand the pace.
  11. Se están quedando atrás.
    They're falling behind.
  12. Tardaré una hora en alcanzarles.
    It'll take me an hour to catch up with them.
martes 16 febrero 2010
miércoles 9 febrero 2011

grammar

the futur perfect

  • How many problems have you had with your car so far this year?
    How many problems will you have had with your car by the end of this year?
  • How many questions have I asked so far in this segment?
    How many questions will I have asked by the time we finish this segment?

my vocabulary

wink = guiño

review

still, yet, already, anymore

  • ¿Ha llegado ya él?
  • Sí, ya ha llegado.
  • Él sigue en camino.
  • Todavía vivo en España.
  • Ya no fumo.

exercises

the futur perfect

By the end of this class I will have asked you over twenty questions with this tense.
I've been in Spain for about six years.
By this time next year I will have been in Spain for over seven years.
I will have been teaching for about seven years by this time next year.
Contestar afirmativamente:
  • Will you have finished the report by tomorrow morning?
  • Will they have finished the whole course by this time next year?
  • Will you have studied all the classes by this time next year?
  • Will you have eaten lunch by this time tomorrow?
  • Will you have known me for a year by next summer?
  • Will you have improved your English a lot by the end of this course?
  • Will you have seen all the Harry Potter movies by the time you see the next one?
  • Ask me if I will have been driving for ten years by this time next year.
  • Will you have been sitting in that chair for a half an hour by the time we finish?
  • Will you have been watching this show for a full hour by the time it ends?
  • Will you have had three coffees today by the time you have your next one?
  • Will you have practiced this structure a lot by the time we finish?
  • Will you have seen all nine teachers by the end of the course?
  • Will you have learned this structure perfectly by next month?
  • Will they have finished the construction project by 2020?
  • Ask me if he will have fed the dog by 3 pm.
  • How long have you lived here?
    I've lived here for three years.
    So, how long will you have lived here by this time next year?
    By this time next year, I'll have lived here for four years.
  • Ask me how long I've been sitting in this chair.
    How long have you been sitting in that chair?
    I've been sitting in this chair for 20 minutes. So, how long will I have been sitting in this chair in 10 minutes?
    In 10 minutes you'll have been sitting in that chair for 30 minutes.
  • Will you have seen all the episodes by the end of the season?
  • Will you have read all the chapters by the end of the week?
  • Will you have finished all by the end of the day?

the futur perfect

  • Ask me if I'll have sold my flat by Friday.
    Will you have sold your flat by Friday?
  • Ask me if she'll have finished by tomorrow.
    Will she have finished by tomorrow?
  • Ask me if they'll have arrived by Tuesday.

vocabulary 92

contraptioncacharro, chirimbolo, algo que no se sabe para qué sirve
scarceescaso
to dyeteñir
to have forty winksecharse una siesta
self-disciplingauntodisciplina
miércoles 17 febrero 2010
jueves 10 febrero 2011

grammar

to feel under the weather

  • Se puede usar en presente o en presente continuo
  • Se puede añadir a little o a little bit
    I feel a little under the weather.
    I feel a little bit under the weather.

my vocabulary

  • to take over = apoderarse, tomar el control
  • prone = propenso
  • cheerful = alegre
  • cheeky = descarado, impertinente
  • to put out = apagar un fuego con agua, por ejemplo
    to blow out = soplar
    to go out = apagarse un fuego solo, extinguirse
    The fire went out, nobody extinguished it.

pronunciation

purchase /ˈpɜːtʃəs/

review

futur perfect

  • Will you have finished the report by next week?
  • Will you have finished this course by tomorrow?
  • Will we have met again by next month?
  • Will you have learnt your irregular verbs perfectly by tomorrow?
  • Will our students have practiced English everyday by the end of next week?
  • Will elephants have taken over the world by Christmas?
  • Ask me if I will have been arrested and sent to prison by tomorrow.
  • Ask me if I will have been murdered by tomorrow.
  • Ask me if you will have murdered me by tomorrow.
    Will I have murdered you by tomorrow?
    I hope he won't have murdered me by tomorrow.
  • Ask me if our students will have done a lot of homework by the end of the year.
  • Ask me if you'll have nightmares about the futur perfect tonight.
  • Ask me if I'll have bought a new dog by tomorrow.

exercises

to feel under the weather

  • Are you feeling under the weather?
  • Ask me if I'm feeling under the weather.
  • Me encuentro un poco pachucha.
    I'm feeling a [little] bit under the weather.
    (I'm sorry to hear that, I hope you get well soon.)
  • Mi vecino se encontró pachucho esta mañana.
    My neighbour was feeling under the weather this morning.
  • No se fueron de viaje porque se encontraban pachuchos.
    They didn't go on the trip because they [were feeling/felt] under the weather.
  • Espero que no estés pachucha.
    I hope you [don't feel/are not feeling] under the weather.
  • No salgas si te encuentras pachucha.
    Don't go out if you feel under the weather.
  • ¿Se encuentra (él) pachucho?
    Is he feeling under the weather?
  • No me he encontrado pachucha últimamente.
    I haven't felt under the weather lately.
  • Mi jefe no vino al trabajo porque estaba pachucho.
    My boss didn't come to work because he was feeling under the weather.
  • Did you feel under the weather last week?
  • When did you last feel under the weather?
  • Do you feel under the weather often?
  • Los niños se encuentran pachuchos.
    The children are feeling under the weather.
  • Ayer estaba un poco pachucha, pero ya estoy mejor.
    Yesterday I was feeling a little under the weather, but now I'm better.
  • Me quedo en casa cuando estoy pachucha.
    I stay at home when I [feel/am feeling] under the weather.
  • Are you feeling under the weather right now?
    No, I'm not feeling under the weather at all.

vocabulary 93

payrollnómina
slandercalumnia
to varyvariar
purchase orderorden de compra
to struggleluchar

translation list 25

  1. Lo hice para que tú lo vieras.
    I did it so that you could see it.
  2. No había demasiada gente.
    There weren't too many people.
  3. Tienes buen aspecto.
    You look good.
  4. Cambiemos de tema.
    Let's change the subject.
  5. Venga, ¡anímate!
    Come on, cheer up!
  6. Te veo cansado.
    You look tired.
  7. ¡Te lo estás buscando!
    You're asking for it!
  8. Búscalo en la guía telefónica.
    Look it up in the telephone book.
  9. Pide un deseo y apaga las velas.
    Make a wish and blow out the candles.
    Bale of hay, bale of hay
    make a wish and look away (turn away).
  10. Ahora bien, ¿dónde estábamos?
    Now then, where were we?
  11. No estamos llegando a ninguna parte.
    We're [not getting anywhere/getting nowhere].
  12. A ese precio, es una auténtica ganga.
    At that price, it's a real bargain.
jueves 18 febrero 2010
viernes 11 febrero 2011

grammar

  • con los verbos de sentidos –feel, taste, smell, touch, etc. – se usa 'good', no 'well':
    I feel good
  • You look well es lo que se diría a una persona tras haber estado enferma.
  • I've yet to change = I haven't changed yet
    I've yet to + infinitive = I haven't pp yet
  • to sell out = vender hasta agotar
    The game is sold out = se han agotado las entradas para el partido
    There was a sell out crowd, not one seat was available, the game was completely sold out.
    Se dice a sell out crowd para hechos deportivos

my vocabulary

  • aspecto físico = appearance (no aspect)
  • to hinder = entorpecer
  • episode = capítulo de una serie en TV y radio (chapter es para libros)
  • scalper = revendedor (de entradas) [US]
  • to sleep in = dormir mucho por gusto
  • to cash in = canjear, intercambiar

review

to feel under the weather

  • Me encuentro un poco pachucho.
    I'm feelling a bit under the weather.
  • ¿Te encuentras pachucho?
    Are you feeling under the weather?
  • No fuí a la fiesta porque he estado un poco pachucho.
    I didn't go to the party because I was feeling a bit under the weather.
  • En esta época del año siempre estoy pachucho.
    At this time of year I always feel under the weather.
  • Últimamente Suzan ha estado un poco pachucha.
    Lately Suzan has been feeling a bit under the weather.

exercises

to have yet to + infinitive

  • I have not been to Russia.
    I have yet to go to Russia.
  • I haven't heard their new song yet.
    I have yet to hear their new song.
  • I haven't met him yet.
    I have yet to meet him.
  • I haven't eaten there yet.
    I have yet to eat there.
  • Have you been to Canada yet?
    No, I have yet to go to Canada.
  • I haven't perfected my Spanish yet. What can you say about my Spanish?
    You have yet to perfect your Spanish.
  • I haven't learned how to make a good sangría yet.
    You have yet to learn how to make a good sangría.
  • I haven't finished eating yet.
    I have yet to finish eating.
  • She hasn't apologized to me yet.
    She has yet to apologize to you.
  • They haven't broken the record yet.
    They have yet to break the record.
  • You haven't seen the last episode yet.
    You have yet to see the last episode.
  • I haven't discussed the project yet.
    I have yet to discuss the project.
  • We haven't met our new boss yet.
    We have yet to meet our new boss.
  • I have not seen The Grand Canyon yet.
    You have yet to see The Grand Canyon.
  • Have you gone to Sanfermines yet?
    No, I have yet to go to Sanfermines.
    Did you go to the running of the bulls in Pamplona?
  • I haven't seen all of the Royal Palace yet.
    You have yet to see all of the Royal Palace.
  • I haven't read all of Don Quijote yet.
    You have yet to read all of Don Quijote.
  • I haven't driven a Porsche yet.
    You have yet to drive a Porsche.
  • I haven't tried to make cocido yet.
    You have yet to try to make cocido.
  • I haven't used the new computer system yet.
    You have yet to use the new computer system.

vocabulary 94

to resort torecurrir a
to issuepublicar
resumécurriculum vitae
starting pointpunto de partida
to oversleepdormir más de la cuenta
viernes 19 febrero 2010
lunes 14 febrero 2011

grammar

uso enfático de yet

review

yet

  • Is this class over yet?
  • Have you written all the materials yet?
  • Have you mastered this structure yet?
  • Have you used the new computer system yet?
  • Have you tried windsurfing yet?
  • Ask me if I've tried windsurfing yet.
  • Ask me if I've gone to China yet.
  • I'd love to go to de North Pole, but I haven't gone to de North Pole yet.
  • Have you been to the Canary Island yet?

to sell out

  • Did they have any ticket left?
    No, they've sold out of tickets.
  • Do you have any apples?
    No, I've sold out of apples.
  • Do you have any of the new books?
    No, we've sold out of them.
  • Do you have any copies of the magazine?
  • Do you have any cold drinks left?
    We've sold out of cold drinks.
  • Do The Rolling Stones usually sell out their concerts?
    Yes, they usually sell out their concerts.
  • If The Beatles somehow came back and played a concert, would they sell out?
    Yes, they would definitely sell out.
  • Are there any computers left in stock?
    No, they've sold out of computers.
  • Ask me if we've sold out of books.
    Have you sold out of books?
  • Ask me if they always sell out of chocolates at Christmas time.
    Do they always sell out of chocolates at Christmas time?

exercises

yet another, yet again, yet more

  • He's bought another car.
    I can't believe it, he's bought yet another car!!
  • Has it bought another car?
    Yet again, he's bought yet another car.
  • Does she want another drink?
    Yes, she wants yet another drink.
  • Have you failed your driving test?
    I've failed my driving test yet again.
  • Has he written another book?
    Yes, he's written yet another book.
  • Have you seen another film?
    Yes, I've seen yet another film.
  • Has she eaten another apple?
  • Has he eaten another biscuit?
    He's eaten yet another biscuit.
  • Have you failed your exam?
    Yes, I've failed my exam yet again.
  • He wants more water.
    He wants yet more water.
  • He wants more money.
    He wants yet more money.

vocabulary 95

obstacleobstáculo
to rushtener prisa
marblemármol
roommatecompañero de piso
to bouncebotar

translation list 26

  1. Elévalo hasta este nivel.
    Raise it [up] to this level.
    'until' no se usa aquí; es hasta tratándose de tiempo
  2. Bájalo un poco.
    Lower it a little/bit.
  3. Todavía está un poco alto.
    It's still a little/bit too high.
  4. Espero que las luces no te molesten.
    I hope the lights don't bother/annoy you.
  5. No tienes ningún derecho a entrar así.
    You have no right to [come in/enter] [like this/this way].
  6. En cuanto a él, puedes hacer lo que quieras.
    [As for/regarding] him, you can do whatever you want.
  7. Es increíble lo bien que hablas ruso.
    It's [incredible/unbelievable/amazing] how well you speak Russian.
  8. Huelga decir que no estoy de acuerdo.
    It goes without saying that I don't agree.
  9. ¿Cómo lograste convencerle?
    How did you manage to convince him?
  10. Lo hice sin querer.
    I didn't [mean to do it/ do it on purpose].
  11. ¿Te das cuenta de lo que acabas de hacer?
    Do you realize what you've just done?
  12. Hemos perdido contacto.
    We've lost [contact/touch].
lunes 22 febrero 2010
martes 15 febrero 2011

grammar

just over/under

by the time

Se usa en futur perfect y past perfect.
  • By the time I [get to/reach] Medinaceli I will already have had a coffee.
  • By the time I get to Zaragoza I will have already read all my e-mails.
  • Yesterday I went to Zaragoza; by the time I got to Medinaceli, we had already stopped at least once.

review

yet another, yet again, yet more

  • Do we need more people?
    Yes, we need yet more people.
  • Do you want another drink?
    Yes, I want yet another drink.
  • (She's failed her driving test 16 times and she's just taken the test again.) How did your driving test go?
    I've failed yet again.

exercises

just over/under

  • There were 3,002 people at the concert.
    There were just over three thousand people at the concert.
  • The baby weighed 2.9 kg.
    The baby weighed just under three kilograms.
  • I read 96 pages last night.
    I read just under 100 pages last night.
  • My essay was 10,003 words long.
    My essay was just over 10,000 words long.
  • The meeting lasted two hours and fifty-five minutes.
    The meeting lasted just under three hours.
  • Henry is 1 metre 95 cm tall.
    Henry is just under 2 metres tall.
  • Alfred Hitchcock directed 53 films.
    Alfred Hitchcock directed just over 50 films.
  • Haydn wrote 105 symphonies.
    Haydn wrote just over 100 symphonies.
  • That book is 494 pages long.
    That book is just under 500 pages long.
  • This part of the class lasts 9 and a half minutes.
    This part of the class lasts just under 10 minutes.
  • There were 199,998 people watching this program yesterday.
    There were just under 200,000 people watching this program yesterday.

by the time: futur perfect

will + have + past participle + by the time + present simple
  • No habré terminado para cuando llegues.
    I won't have finished by the time you arrive.
  • Habrá ordenado su habitación para cuando yo vuelva.
    He'll have tidied up his room by the time I come back.
  • Habrás mejorado tu inglés para cuando vuelvas de Inglaterra.
    You'll have improved your English by the time you come back from England.
  • ¿Cuántos países habrás visitado para cuando cumplas 50 años?
    How many countries will you have visited by the time you turn 50?
  • Will you have saved up enough money by the time you retire?
  • Ask me if my brother will have read the book by the time he gets to Spain.
    Will your brother have read the book by the time he gets to Spain?
  • Ask me if the people at home will have learnt this verb tense by the time the class is over.

vocabulary 96

to ensureasegurar
obviousobvio
saltysalado
to speed upacelerar
to enlargeampliar
martes 23 febrero 2010
miércoles 16 febrero 2011

grammar

conditionals

  • ... and I think to myself:
    If I have a coin, I'll give it to the beggar.
    [futur conditional]
  • As I'm walking towards the beggar, I'm checking my pockets and I realize that I don't have any coins. So, when I'm standing in front of the beggar, I say:
    I'm sorry, I don't have a coin, but if I had a coin, I would give it to you.
    [present conditional]
  • I saw a beggar,
    if I had had a coin I would have given it to the beggar.
    [past conditional]

review

just over/under

  • There were 19,999 people at the demonstration.
    There were just under 20,000 people...
  • There are 1,005 trees in the park.
  • There are 95 people living in that building.

by the time

  • No habré terminado para cuando llegues.
    I won't have finished by the time you arrive.
  • Me habré acostado para cuando vuelvas a casa.
    I'll have gone to bed by the time you get back.
  • Will you've finished your homework by the time you have class again?

exercises

conditionals

  • Have money, give it to a man
    If have money, I'll give it to the man.
    If I had money, I'd give it to you.
    If I'd had money, I would've given to him.
  • Eat bread, get fat
    If you eat bread, you'll get fat.
    If I ate bread, I'd get fat.
    If I'd eaten bread, I would've got fat.
  • Have money, go to NY
    If I have money, I'll go to NY.
    If I had money, I'd go to NY.
    If I'd had money, I would've gone to NY.
  • Snows, go to the mountain
    If it snows, I'll go to the mountain.
    If it snowed, I'd go to the mountain.
    If it had snowed, I would've gone to the mountain.

vocabulary 97

to neglectdesatender, no cumplir
promptlyenseguida
pursemonedero
to overwhelmabrumar
quick-wittedlisto, ocurrente

translation list 27

  1. Ha habido bastantes fracasos.
    There have been quite a few failures.
  2. Pero ha habido bastantes éxitos también.
    But there have been quite a few successes [too/as well].
  3. Pero los fracasos han predominado sobre los éxitos.
    But the failures have outweighed the successes.
  4. Él no te quiere, sólo está detrás de tu dinero.
    He doesn't love you, he's only/just after your money.
  5. Daría mi brazo derecho por tener una mujer como ella.
    I'd give my right arm to have a woman like her.
  6. ¿De verdad crees en fantasmas?
    Do you really believe in ghosts?
  7. Déjame que te enseñe el camino.
    Let me show you the way.
  8. Voy a usarlos contra tí.
    I'm going to use them against you.
  9. ¿Se sabe algo?
    Any news?
  10. Todavía están intentando conseguir que funcione.
    They're still trying to get it to work.
  11. ¿Para qué estás haciendo eso?
    What are you doing that for?
  12. Hay oro más allá del horizonte.
    There is gold beyond the horizon.
miércoles 24 febrero 2010
jueves 17 febrero 2011

grammar

  • The more you practise, the more you learn.
    The more..., the more...
  • To have a piece of paper at hand.

telephone numbers

  • digit by digit
  • también se pueden agrupar en grupos de dos o tres
  • [UK] a veces dicen 411 four double one, y 4111 four treble one

review

conditionals

  • Si él llama esta noche, me alegraré.
    If he calls tonight, I'll be happy.
  • Si llamara todos los días, me alegraría.
    If he called everyday, I'd be happy.
  • Si hubiera llamado anoche, me habría alegrado.
    If he'd called last night, I would've been happy.
  • Si haces los deberes esta noche te daré 15 puntos.
    If you do your homework tonight, I'll give you 15 points.
  • Si hicieras los deberes todos los días, te daría 15 puntos.
    If you did your homework everyday, I'd give you 15 points.

exercises

conditionals

  • ¿Me lo dirás si lo sabes?
    Will you tell me if you know?
  • ¿Me lo dirías si lo supieras?
  • ¿Me lo habrías dicho si lo hubieses sabido?
  • ¿Me lo dirás si te enteras?
    Will you tell me if you find out?
  • ¿Me lo dirías si te enteraras?
  • ¿Me lo habrías dicho si te hubieses enterado?
  • ¿Lo harás si te pagan?
    Will you do it if they pay you?
  • ¿Lo harías si te pagaran?
  • ¿Lo habrías hecho si te hubiesen pagado?
  • ¿Irás si te invitan?
    Will you go if they invite you?
  • ¿Irías si te invitaran?
  • ¿Habrías ido si the hubiesen invitado?
  • ¿Me ayudarás si te lo pido?
    Will you help me if I ask you?
  • ¿Me ayudarías si te lo pidiera?
  • ¿Me habrías ayudado si the lo hubie pedido?
  • ¿Lo cambiarás si se rompe?
    Will you change it if it breaks?
  • ¿Lo cambiarías si se rompiera?
  • ¿Lo habrías cambiado si se hubiese roto?
  • ¿Lo comprarás mañana si es barato?
    Will you buy it tomorrow if it's cheap?
  • ¿Lo comprarías si fuese barato?
  • ¿Lo habrías comprado si hubiese sido barato?
  • ¿Lo descargarás si es gratis?
    Will you download it if it's free?
  • ¿Lo descargarías si fuera gratis?
  • ¿Lo hubieras descargado si hubiese sido gratis?
  • ¿Saldrás si llueve mañana?
    Will you go out tomorrow if it rains?
  • ¿Saldrías si lloviera?
  • ¿Habrías salido si hubiese llovido?

telephone numbers

  • I'm moving next week and my new phone number will be...
  • If you have any problems you can catch/reach me at my hotel around five [on (BR)/at (US)]... (sin artículo delante del número)
  • I changed my cellphone number last week. You can now reach me at...

vocabulary 98

to summarizeresumir
scarfbufanda
spinecolumna vertebral
to pass the buckpasar la pelota
track and fieldatletismo
jueves 25 febrero 2010
viernes 18 febrero 2011

grammar

  • I'm moving offices next week, so as of next week (a partir de la semana próxima) you can reach me on... What number can you reach me on as of next week?
  • Estoy algo cansado = I'm a somewhat tired

nothing but

  • I can see nothing but people.
    I can't see anything but people. (es lo mismo, pero se usa menos)
  • There's nothing but...

my vocabulary

  • a cook = un cocinero
  • to get over: superar una dolencia, un achaque
    to overcome: superar obstáculos ('we shall overcome')
    to surpass: una marca
  • llevar una vida interesante = to lead an interesting life

review

conditionals

Las tres formas en interrogativa
  • ¿Irás si te lo pido?
    Will you go if I ask you to?
    ¿Irías si te lo pidiera?
    ¿Habrías ido si te lo hubiera pedido?
  • ¿Me ayudarás si te lo pido?
    ¿Me ayudarías si te lo pidiera?
    ¿Me habrías ayudado si te lo hubiese pedido?
  • ¿Me echas una mano si te lo pido?
    Will you give me a hand if I ask you to?
    Second conditional.
    Third conditional.

telephone numbers

exercises

nothing but

  • When I was young all I did was play hockey.
    When you were young you did nothing but play hockey.
  • The only thing she did was sing.
  • All they did was sleep.
  • After a big night out all I do is sleep.
  • At Christmas time all I do is eat.
  • Keith Richards all he did was play three notes.
  • All he does is perform with other people.
  • All he did was talk about himself.
  • He only wants the best.
  • He only uses Gibson guitars.
  • It was made exclusively of gold.
    It was made of nothing but gold.
  • She only listens to Vaughan Radio.
    ... to nothing but Vaughan Radio.
  • All they do is talk about themselves.
  • The only think he does is play poker.
  • You only eat beaf in Argentina.
  • They only spoke about Maradona.
    They did nothing but speak about Maradona.
  • He only drank beer in Germany.
  • He only worked the whole weekend.
  • They only talked about their holidays.
  • She only sat around and talked.

vocabulary 99

sore throatdolor de garganta
toothbrushcepillo de dientes
threadhilo
a get-togetheruna reunión de amigos
in slow motiona cámara lenta

translation list 28

  1. Lo superarás, ya verás.
    You'll get over it, you'll see.
  2. Sólo me quedan recuerdos.
    I only have memories left.
  3. Nunca he sido tan feliz.
    I've never been so happy.
  4. Nunca he sentido tanto placer.
    I've never felt so much pleasure.
  5. Nunca he tenido tantos momentos felices.
    I've never had so many happy moments.
  6. Nunca me lo he pasado tan maravillosamente.
    I've never had such a wonderful time.
  7. Siempre he llevado una vida algo aburrida.
    I've always had/led a somewhat boring life.
  8. Pero desde que la conocí, todo eso ha cambiado.
    But since I met her, all that has changed.
  9. No puedo seguir sin ella.
    I can't go on without her.
  10. Se me ha acabado la inspiración.
    I've run out of inspiration.
  11. Ya encontrarás a otra persona.
    You'll find someone else.
  12. Nunca encontraré a nadie como ella.
    I'll never find anyone like her.
viernes 26 febrero 2010
lunes 21 febrero 2011

grammar

  • Los conceptos abstractos se usan sin artículo: life, death, love, hate, justice, indiference, money, fear, hope, war, peace, intelligence, success, failure, etc..
  • Los anteriores conceptos, cuando se refieren a casos concretos, van con artículo.
  • Con los verbos de los sentidos –to feel, to taste, to see/look, to hear/sound, to smell– se usa good, no well.

my vocabulary

  • eight out of ten = ocho de cada diez
  • dejar mucho que desear = to leave a lot to be desired

review

nothing but

  • Sólo comí pasta en Italia.
    I only ate pasta in Italy.
    I ate nothing but pasta in Italy.
  • You only saw a sheep in New Zealand.
    I saw nothing but a sheep in New Zealand.
  • You only drank beer in the Czech Republic.
    You drank nothing but beer in the Czech Republic.
  • The only thing you did in Huelva was sunbathe.
    You did nothing but sunbathe in Huelva.

exercises

abstract nouns

  • Ask me if I believe in justice.
  • Ask me if I live in fear.
  • Ask me if love and hate are two sides of the same coin.
  • Ask me if life is a journey, not the destination.
  • Ask me if death and taxes are the only two things that are certain in life.
  • Is war hell? Do you thing war is hell?
  • Do you live in fear of failure?
  • Which is more important: beauty or honesty?
  • Who wrote the book 'War and Peace'?
  • Are you at peace with yourself?
  • Have you ever been at war with yourself?
  • Have you ever been at war with your friends?
  • Is life full of surprises?
  • Is life like a box of chocolates?
  • What is the opposite of justice?
    Injustice is the opposite of justice.
  • Is love blind?
  • Is hate bad?
  • Is blind hate dangerous?
  • Is your English a success?
  • How important is beauty?

abstract nouns

  • La vida que llevó fue dura.
    The life that he led was very hard.
    La vida es muy dura.
    Life is hard.
  • La guerra es horrible.
    War is terrible.
    La Guerra de los Balcanes fue terrible.
    The Balcan War was terrible.
  • Todo el mundo busca la paz.
    Everybody looks for peace.
    Me encanta la paz que hay aquí en estos montes.
    I love the peace that there is in these mountains.
  • El éxito es muy importante para ella.
    Success is very important for her.
    La fiesta fue un éxito.
    The party was [a success/successful].
  • El amor mató a Romeo.
    Love killed Romeo.
    El amor que sintió Romeo por Julieta le llevó al suicidio.
    The love that Romeo felt for Juliet let him to [commit] suicide.
  • ¿Crees en la justicia?
    Do you believe in justice?
    La justicia en ese país deja mucho que desear.
    The justice in that country leaves a lot to be desired.
  • Necesitas más confianza.
    You need more confidence.
    La confianza que tiene ella es impresionante.
    The confidence she has is impressive/amazing.
  • No tengo la paciencia para esperar tanto.
    I don't have the patience to wait so much.
    No tengo paciencia ninguna.
    I don't have any patience.

vocabulary 100

to precedepreceder
recoveryrecuperación
sawsierra (herramienta)
relationshiprelación
to reassuretranquilizar
lunes 1 marzo 2010
martes 22 febrero 2011

grammar

  • Love makes the world go round.
  • to postpone = to put off = to procrastinate = to delay
    don't put off things
    don't put things off
    ambos valen
  • Don't [leave/put off] for tomorrow what you can do today.

review

abstract nouns

  • Do you believe in justice?
  • Ask me if I believe in love.
  • Do you agree that there's a fine line between love and hate?
  • What's the key to success?
  • Honesty, perseverance, hard work and ambition, all of those are definite keys to success.
  • Do you believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder?
  • Do you like the song 'Give peace a chance'?
  • La vida que él llevó fue dura.
    The life he led was hard.
  • El éxito que obtuvo la película fue asombroso.
    The success the movie achieved was amazing.
  • La riqueza que acumularon fue increíble.
    The wealth they accumulated was incredible.

exercises

to put off

  • Should we put it off until the week after next?
  • Did you put it off due to a migraine?
  • Did she put off interviewing the new manager?
  • Should we put it off until it stops being so chilly?
  • Did you put it off due to the awful weather conditions?
  • Did she put off going skiing because there wasn't any snow?
  • Should we put it off until the day after tomorrow?
  • Did you put it off due to the extra amount of work?
  • Did he put it off exercising because he hadn't digested?

vocabulary 101

to follow uphacer un seguimiento
to enhancerealzar
obsoleteobsoleto
to stand the paceaguantar el ritmo
on the way tocamino de

translation list 29

  1. ¿Cuántas listas nos quedan?
    How many lists do we have left?
  2. Todavía nos quedan bastantes.
    We still have quite a few left.
  3. ¿Esperas que yo haga todas estas listas?
    Do you expect me to do all these lists?
  4. Si no, ¿para qué las he creado?
    [If not/otherwise] [what did I create them for/why did I create them]?
  5. ¿No es un hobby tuyo hacer listas?
    Isn't it a hobby of yours to make lists?
  6. ¿Qué crees que soy, masoquista?
    What do you think I am, a masochist?
  7. No, pero te gusta ejercer la mente, ¿no?
    No, but you like [to exercise/exercising] your mind, don't you?
  8. Lo único que quiero ahora es descansar.
    The only thing I want to do now is to rest.
  9. Entonces, échate una siesta.
    Then, take a nap.
  10. No sería mala idea.
    [That/it] wouldn't be a bad idea.
  11. Túmbate aquí mismo en el sofá.
    Lie/lay down right here on the couch.
  12. Si empiezo a roncar, despiértame.
    If I start [snoring/to snore], wake me up.
martes 2 marzo 2010
miércoles 23 febrero 2011

grammar

to manage + verb

  • to get = conseguir y recibir
  • lograr, conseguir + verbo = to manage + TO + INFINITIVE

my vocabulary

  • to make it = asistir, ir, presentarme allí
  • sofá: couch [US], settee [UK]
  • here you are/go = aquí tienes

pronunciation

  • settee /se'ti:/

review

to put off

  • Will we have to put off the meeting until next week?
    Yes, we'll have to put it off.
  • Why will we have to put it off?
    We'll have to put it off because it's bank holiday.
  • Ask me if we'll have to put off the meeting until next week.
  • Ask me why.
    ...
    Because I can't make it.
  • Do you normally put off going to the dentist?
  • Ask me if I normally put off going to the dentist.
  • Ask me why.

exercises

to get

conseguir, comprar
  • Where did you get those shoes?
  • Where did you get that blouse?
    I got this blouse in a shop for women.
  • Did you get that red car in the end?
  • Did you get what you were looking for?
    Yes, I got what I was looking for.
  • When did you get those shoes?
  • When did you get that blouse?
  • Ask me where I got these shoes.
  • Ask me where I got this shirt.
  • Ask me if I got the tickets to the concert.
  • Did you get the biscuits I like?
  • Did you get the bottle of wine?

to manage + infinitive

conseguir hacer algo
  • Did you manage to study last night?
  • Did you manage to see your friends last weekend?
  • Did you manage to finish your book?
  • Did you manage to get to the studio today without any problems?
  • Did Rocky manage to defeat Mr. T in Rocky III?
  • Ask me if he managed to defeat Ivan Drago in Rocky IV.
  • Did Bill Gates manage to make a lot of money?
  • Did Luke Skywalker manage to blow up the Death Star in Star Wars?
  • Did Alonso manage to win a lot of races last year?
  • Did Cortés manage to conquer Mexico?
  • Did Don Quijote manage to fight the windmills?
  • Did you manage to read the whole book?

vocabulary 102

to waste timemalgastar tiempo
a drawbackun inconveniente
slaveesclavo
thoughtfulnessconsideración
in other wordsen otras palabras
miércoles 3 marzo 2010
jueves 24 febrero 2011

grammar

to get or to manage?

  • lograr, conseguir
  • When am I going to get to see him? = ¿Cuándo voy a conseguir verle?
    en este caso es get, NO manage
    to get + to + infinitive = to have the opportunity
  • I couldn't find the way... = I didn't manage to find someone to take me (where... )
  • ... and finally I didn't get to see them.
  • Would I get to attend the concert?
    ( = Would I have the opportunity to attend... ?)
    Yes, if you pass the exam.
  • I didn't manage to pass the exam, I didn't manage to study enough, so I didn't get to go.

gerund

  • Smoking is bad for your health.
    'Smoking' is a gerund (a noun)
  • She was smoking before this class.
    'smoking' is a present participle
  • After prepositions we always we use 'the gerund':
    After getting home, I'll say hello to my wife.
    Instead of going by car, why don't you go by train?
    Between going shopping in Madrid and going shopping in Chicago, I prefer going shopping in Chicago.

my vocabulary

  • cod /kɒd/ bacalao
  • salirse con la suya = to get one's way
  • That takes the cake! = ¡Esto es el colmo! (lo mejor)
  • a walk out = un simpa
    We walked out on the bill = nos fuimos sin pagar

pronunciation

  • salmon /'sæmən/

review

to get

conseguir, comprar
  • Did you get it out of him? (¿Conseguiste sacárselo?)
  • Did you get that extremely expensive coat in the end?
  • Did you get what you came for? (¿Conseguiste aquello por lo que fuiste?)
  • Did you end up getting the salmon or the cod?
  • Did you get the results you expected?

to manage to

  • Does he manage to always get his way?
  • Ask me if I was able to convince him.
    Were you able to convince him? = Did you manage to convince him?
  • Does he manage to read as many books as he wants?
  • Ask me if I was able to prepare all my drills.

exercises

gerund after before

Cuando el mismo sujeto realiza dos acciones consecutivas, no hace falta repetirlo: se usa before + gerund .
  • I went to the bank before going to the tailor.
    aunque es correcto: I went to the bank before I went to the tailor
  • Did you deposit money before living the bank?
  • Yesterday I [took out/withdrew] money before living the bank.
  • Did you take off your slippers before getting into the shower?
  • Did you take off your hat before getting into the shower?
  • Did you turn on the light before entering the room?
  • Did you turn off the light before exiting the room?
  • Did you preheat the oven before making the cake?
  • Did you iron your shirt before coming here today?
  • Did you pay the bill before leaving the restaurant?

vocabulary 103

numerousnumeroso
old agevejez
stuffycargado (ambiente)
standard of livingnivel de vida
submarinesubmarino

translation list 30

  1. No quiero que la gente en la sala de espera me oiga.
    I don't want the people in the waiting room to hear me.
  2. Pondré música de fondo para que no te oigan.
    I'll put on [some] background music so that they can't hear you.
  3. Deja de morderte las uñas.
    Stop biting your nails.
  4. ¿Por qué te muerdes las uñas?
    Why do you bite your nails?
  5. ¿No te he dicho un millón de veces que no exageres?
    Haven't I told you a million times not to exaggerate?
  6. Es uno de tus muchos vicios.
    It's one of your many bad habits.
  7. Tal vez, pero a diferencia tuya, nunca he arañado a nadie.
    Maybe, but unlike you, I've never scratched anybody.
  8. Me lo sé de memoria.
    I know it by heart.
  9. Tardé una hora en memorizarlo.
    It took me an hour to [memorize it/learn it by heart].
  10. Quienes estén a favor, que levanten la mano.
    [Everybody/All] in favor, raise your hand.
  11. No puedo levantar esta caja.
    I can't lift this box.
  12. Ví miles de pájaros en el cielo.
    I saw thousands of birds in the sky.
jueves 4 marzo 2010
viernes 25 febrero 2011

grammar

Eels

I don't mind eels
except as meals.

gerund after prepositions

  • Al llegar, llamé a mi mujer:
    Upon/On arriving, I called my wife.
    Upon/On calling her, I realized she wasn't at home.
    es más común que
    When I got here, I called my wife.
    When I started calling her, I realized...
  • Después de preposición puede usarse el verbo conjugado, excepto después de instead of, tras el cual siempre va el gerundio.

my vocabulary

  • to blow-dry = secarse el pelo con un secador
  • to take it easy = tomárselo con calma, descansar

review

gerund after before

Before coming here, did you go into the makeup room?
  • Did you drink some water before starting the show?
  • Are you going to drink some water before answering my question?

exercises

gerund after after

  • Did you have a drink after finishing work?
  • Did you go to bed after watching the news?
  • Ask me if you're supposed to stir the coffee after adding sugar.
  • Will you blow-dry your hair after having a shower?
  • Ask me if I used to feel guilty after going shopping.
  • Did you use a [band-aid/plaster][AM/BR] after catching yourself?
  • Ask me if my students usually learn their irregular verbs after studying them.
  • Did you forget her name after being introduced?
  • Ask me if I've ever cried after getting my hair cut.
  • Do you usually take it easy after working all day long?
  • Ask me how I feel after watching myself on TV.

a

  • 3 céntimos el kilo = 3 cents a kilo
  • 4 euros la pinta = 4 euros a pint
  • 100 euros la tonelada = 100 euros a ton
  • 20 euros el gramo = 20 euros a gram/gramme
  • the lobster costs 45 euro a kilo; how much does it cost?
  • and last year it cost 40 euro a kilo; how much did it cost?
  • a litre of petrol costs 2 euro and 10 cents; how much does it cost?
  • last year it cost 1 euro and 90 cents; how much did it cost?
  • caviar costs 100 euro a kilo; how much does it cost?
  • and last year it cost 95 euro a kilo; how much did it cost?
  • do you think you can buy water at 1000 euro a litre?
  • can you buy land for 10,000 euro a hectare?
  • does your apartment cost 1,000 euro a square metre if I want to buy it?
  • will petrol soon cost 3 euro a litre?
  • has oil ever cost 1,000 dollars a barrel?
  • have you even eaten meat that costs 60 euro a kilo?
  • can you buy beans for 2 euro a kilo?
  • can you buy olive oil for 2 euro a litre?
  • is champagne worth 40 euro a litre?
  • would you like to own a diamond worth one million euro a miligram?
  • would you drink coffee if it cost 10 euro a cup?
  • would you go to London if you could buy gold for a pound a pound?
  • does gold cost 100 euro a ounce?

vocabulary 104

to enablepermitir
to expelexpulsar
subsidysubvención
to discouragedesanimar
neverthelessno obstante, sin embargo
viernes 5 marzo 2010
lunes 28 febrero 2011

grammar

  • "While" es una preposición, así que: while + gerundio, persona + verbo.
  • Mientras esperas... =
    while you wait... = while waiting...
  • Y en BR se usa "whilst" para ese caso:
    he met her while waiting for the bus =
    = he met her whilst waiting for a bus
  • Before waiting, after waiting, on/upon waiting, while waiting

review

after after

  • Did you have a drink after finishing work yesterday?
  • Did you go straight home after leaving the party?
  • What did you do after having dinner last night?
  • Ask me if I went to bed after having dinner last night.
  • Ask me what I did after having dinner last night.

prices

  • You can get olive oil at two euros a litre in that shop.
  • You can get strawberries for 5 euros a kilo, so how much can you get strawberries for?
  • The tomatoes are 2 euros a kilo.
  • How much is petrol at the moment?
  • If you go to my local market you can get potatoes for 1 euro a kilo, so how much are potatoes in my market?

exercises

on doing sth.

  • al ver a mi madre me puse contento = on seeing my mother I felt very happy
  • escuchaba música mientras leía el periódico = I listen to the music whilst reading the newspaper
  • Al salir de casa me tropecé con algo.
    On leaving the house I tripped up on something.
  • Al salir de casa me caí.
    On leaving the house I fell [down/over].
  • Al llegar a la oficina me dí cuenta de que había olvidado mi portátil.
    On arriving at the office I realized I had forgotten my laptop.
  • Al llegar al estadio me dí cuenta de que había olvidado mi entrada.
    On arriving at the stadium I realized I had forgotten my ticket.
  • Al bajar del tren me dí un golpe en la cabeza.
    On [stepping out of/getting off] the train I [hit/banged] my head.
  • Al salir de la oficina ví a la mujer de mis sueños.
    On leaving the office I saw the women of my dreams.
  • Al ver su reacción decidí callarme.
    On seeing his reaction I decided to keep quiet.
  • Al ver el letrero me dí cuenta de que nos habíamos equivocado de hotel.
    On seeing the sign I realized we had [gone to/got] the wrong hotel.
  • Al ver a mi jefe me escondí debajo de la mesa.
    On seeing my boss I hid under the table.
  • Al verme esconderme debajo de la mesa, mi jefe me despidió.
    On seeing me hide under the table, my boss fired me.

while/whilst doing sth.

  • yo veía el programa mientras fregaba/secaba/planchaba/doblaba mi ropa/quitaba el polvo.
    I watched the program while/whilst washing up/drying up/ironing/folding my clothes/dusting.

vocabulary 105

shoulderhombro
to snoreroncar
sailormarinero
New Year's EveNochevieja
to dismantledesmantelar

translation list 31

  1. Me lo estoy pasando bomba.
    I'm having a blast/ball.
  2. A medida que se retiraban, volaban todos los puentes que cruzaban.
    As they retreated, they blew up [every bridge/all the bridges] they crossed.
  3. Digamos que sólo es una corazonada.
    Let's say it's only a hunch.
  4. Tengo un extraño presentimiento.
    I have a strange feeling.
  5. Tienes miedo de tu propia sombra.
    You're afraid of your own shadow.
  6. Me gusta sentarme en la sombra y no hacer nada.
    I like [to sit/sitting] in the shade and do nothing.
  7. Lo puedes hacer o de esta manera o de esta otra.
    You can do it either this way or this other way.
  8. Ambos se apuntaron al curso.
    [They both/Both of them] signed up for the course.
  9. Ninguno de los dos firmaron el acuerdo.
    Neither of them signed the agreement.
  10. Este acuerdo es vinculante.
    This agreement is binding.
  11. Estoy en un aprieto.
    I'm in a bind/pinch.
  12. ¿Me puedes encuadernar estas páginas?
    Can you bind this pages?
lunes 8 marzo 2010
martes 1 marzo 2011

grammar

  • prior to = before
  • until + verbo en presente

my vocabulary

  • to bind = vincular, ligar, encuadernar
  • binder = carpeta
    ring binder = cuaderno de anillas
  • heat binder = encuadernación por calor
  • to come up with the solution = ocurrírse la solución a alguien
  • cheat sheet = chuleta (para hacer trampas)

review

on or whilst doing

  • Al salir de la oficina me caí.
    On leaving the office I fell over/down.
  • Escuché la noticia mientras conducía al trabajo.
    I heard the news whilst driving to work.
  • Conocí a mi mujer mientras esperaba el autobús.
    I met my wife whilst wainting for the bus.
  • Al llegar a la oficina se quitó la chaqueta.
    On arriving at the office, he took off his jacket.
  • Al leer el informe se me ocurrió la solución.
    On reading the report I came up with the solution.

exercises

prior to + gerund

  • I lived in LA and then I moved to Madrid.
    I lived in LA prior to moving to Madrid.
  • He used to travel a lot and then he had kids.
    He used to travel a lot prior to having kids.
  • She worked at a large company and then started her own business.
  • They revised the contract and then they closed the deal.
  • The company bought the property and then it constructed the stadium.
  • I prepared the document and then I attended the meeting.
  • She spoke to her clients and then she left the company.
  • We remodeled the house and then we sold it.
  • He traveled around the world and then he settled down.

until

up to
  • Tienes hasta cinco semanas para terminarlo.
    You have up to five weeks to finish it.
  • No sabremos hasta las tres.
    We won't know [up to/until] three.
  • Tenemos que esperar hasta dos meses.
    He have to wait [up to/until] two months.

vocabulary 106

to go crazyvolverse loco
cheat (er)engañar
challengedesafío, reto
to tie up loose endsatar cabos sueltos
out of fashion, out of style (in style = de moda)pasado de moda
martes 9 marzo 2010
miércoles 2 marzo 2011

grammar

review: prior to, until

  • Until I started teaching on TV I had never needed to wear make-up.
  • I can't start until they put on the sound system.
    Once they've done that, then I can start.
  • I can't start until she gives me the signal.
  • Until she lowers her hand, I don't say anything.
    Once she's lowered her hand, then I start.
  • I continue teaching until she stops me.
  • Until I see this, then I know that I still have time.
    en español se dice "hasta que no vea eso"

slightly or a lot + comparative

  • Is Spain a lot smaller or slightly smaller than France?
  • considerably + comparative = a lot + comparative
  • slightly + adjetive se usa también
  • quite a bit = bastante
    Spain is quite a bit bigger than Portugal in population.
    quite a few = bastante para contable
    Spain has quite a few more people than Portugal
  • quite a bit = considerably = a lot + comparative

my vocabulary

  • posh English = inglés elegante (también, pijo)

pronunciation

  • Arab /'ærəb/
  • enthusiasm /ɪn'θju:ziæzəm/

review

prior to

  • I lived in Cork, my home city, and then I moved to Madrid.
  • I worked in a bank and then I became a teacher.
  • I lived in Ríos Rosas and then I moved to Chamberí.
  • I didn't speak any Spanish before I moved to Spain.
  • I had a cup of coffee before I got to work this morning.
  • Jacques Chirac was the mayor of Paris before he became President of France.

until or up to

  • No terminaremos hasta el martes que viene.
    We won't finish until next Tuesday.
  • No estaré contento hasta que dejes de fumar.
    I won't be happy until you give up smoking.
  • Tendremos que parar la producción hasta tres semanas.
    We will have to stop production for up to three weeks.
  • No sabremos hasta las tres.
    We won't know until three o'clock.
  • No haré nada hasta que me lo digas.
    I won't do anything until you tell me to.
  • Tenemos que esperar hasta dos meses.
    We have to wait for up to two months.
  • No saldré hasta que él no llegue.
    I won't leave until he arrive.

exercises

slightly/considerably + comparative

  • Am I slightly taller than you or considerably taller than you?
  • Is Texas slightly bigger than Portugal or considerably bigger than Portugal?
  • Are you slightly older than your baby or considerably older than your baby?
  • Are you slightly intelligent than your husband or considerably more intelligent than your husband?
  • Is this class ... more interesting than the last one I did?
    (what can we deduce?)
  • Is Spain ... bigger than England?
  • What about France and Spain?
    Spain is slightly smaller than France.
  • Is Real Madrid ... better than Barcelona?
  • Is Alcorcón ... better than Real Madrid?
  • Is my hair ... shorter than yours?
    My hair is considerably shorter than Nieves's hair.

vocabulary 107

overseasultramar
tadpolerenacuajo
velvetterciopelo
to have a sweet toothser goloso
enthusiasmentusiasmo

translation list 32

  1. ¿Cómo puedes beber el café tan caliente?
    How can you drink such hot coffee?
  2. Tengo que dejarlo enfriar.
    I have to let it cool [off/down].
  3. Hay un artículo sobre tí en el periódico de hoy.
    There's an article about you in today's newspaper/paper.
  4. Dice (el artículo) que has llegado a un acuerdo secreto con el Gobierno.
    It says you've reached a secret agreement with the Government.
  5. No te meterán en la cárcel si no vendes tus acciones a los árabes.
    They won't put you in jail/prison if you don't sell your shares to the Arabs.
  6. ¡Qué follón!
    What a mess!
  7. ¿Crees todo lo que lees en los periódicos?
    Do you believe everything you read in the newspapers?
  8. Este sitio me asusta, vámonos de aquí.
    This place scares/frightens me, let's get out of here.
  9. No me apetece ir de compras hoy.
    I don't feel like going shopping today.
  10. Tengo que terminar este informe para el viernes a más tardar.
    I have to finish this report by Friday at the latest.
  11. ¿Hasta qué punto se puede fiar de él?
    How far can he be trusted?
  12. La he besado tres veces en lo que va de mes.
    I've kissed her three times so far this month.
miércoles 10 marzo 2010
jueves 3 marzo 2011

grammar

a bit/quite a bit + comparative

  • A is [a bit/a little bit/a little] taller than B.
    A es un poco más alto que B.
  • A is quite a bit taller than B.
    A es bastante/considerablemente más alto que B.
  • delante de nombres incontables, quite a bit of
  • quite a few: para contable
    quite a few more people
  • Turkey is quite a bit bigger than Spain, both in population and in area.

the article a

  • you're progressing at a thousand miles an hour

my vocabulary

  • cool, cool off, cool down = enfriar
  • give sb the creeps = asustar a alguien, ponerle los pelos de punta
  • belittle = menospreciar

review

slightly/considerably

  • Is France slightly bigger than Spain or considerably bigger than Spain?
  • Is Spain slightly greater than France or considerably greater than France?
  • Am I ... taller thay you?
  • Is this pencil ... longer than this pen?

exercises

a bit/quite a bit

  • Is Madrid a bit warmer or quite a bit warmer than London in summer?
  • Is English a bit easier or quite a bit easier than German?
  • Is Chinese a bit harder or quite a bit harder than English?
  • Am I a bit taller or quite a bit taller than you?
  • Is jogging a bit healthier or quite a bit healthier than smoking?
  • Is a cheetah a bit faster or quite a bit faster than a domestic cat?
  • Is Seville a bit bigger or quite a bit bigger than Granada?
  • Is Javier Bardem a big more famous or quite a bit more famous than we are?
  • Is appearing on TV a bit more nerve-racking or quite a bit more nerve-racking than a normal class?
  • Is this studio a bit smaller or quite a bit smaller than a football stadium?
  • Is the Pope a bit richer or quite a bit richer than the Dalai Lama?

how fast?

  • I was cruising down the road, I was in a rush to get to the airport, and I was doing a hundred miles an hour.
    How fast was I going?
    You were doing a hundred miles an hour.
  • They were doing 120 km an hour, how fast were they going?
  • They were doing 90 km per hour, when the police stopped them.
    How fast were they going?
  • You were doing 120 km per hour, how fast were you going?
  • Do they ever do 100 miles an hour in Brazil on the highways?
  • Ask me if people ever do 100 miles an hour on the highways in Canada?
    Do people ever do...?
    Some people, but they'll get a ticket, they'll get stopped by the police.
  • In Brazil, will you get stopped by the police for doing 10 km more than the speed limit?
  • And in Spain, will you get a ticket for doing 10 km over the speed limit?
  • Ask me if you'll get a ticket for doing 10 km per hour over the speed limit in Canada?
  • Would you get a ticket if you were doing 120 miles per hour in Brazil?
  • What speed do you do?
  • Ask me what speed I do in my car.

vocabulary 108

to appraisevalorar, tasar
affluentacomodado
chessajedrez
it's a good thing!¡menos mal!
it's pointlesses una pérdida de tiempo
jueves 11 marzo 2010
viernes 4 marzo 2011

grammar

review a bit/quite a bit

  • I'm really glad [NO very glad].
  • It's funny: se usa mucho como curioso, más que gracioso.

no matter how + adjective/adverb

  • no matter how hard you try to convince them...
  • no matter where you go = vayas donde vayas
  • no matter how/why/where/what/why/when...

my vocabulary

  • quench = saciar la sed
  • in time = a tiempo
  • on time = puntual
  • to turn out = resultar

review

a bit/quite a bit

  • Is Madrid a bit warmer or quite a bit warmer than London in the summer?
  • Ask me if my flat is a bit bigger than my brother's.
  • Ask me if his kitchen is quite a bit bigger than mine.
  • Is English a bit easier or quite a bit easier than German.
  • Ask me if my boyfriend is quite a bit taller than me.
  • Is Bill Gates a bit richer or quite a bit richer than you.
  • Ask me if this armchair is a bit more comfortable or quite a bit more comfortable than the one at home.

miles per hour and km per hour

miles per hour: mph
kilometres per hour: kph
he was doing ... = he was going at ...
  • He was doing 90 mph when the police stopped him. How fast was he going?
  • The bus was doing 120 kph. How fast was it going?
  • The racehorse was running at 42 mph.

exercises

no matter how + adverb

  • Por muy rápido que conduzcas, no llegarás a tiempo.
    No matter how fast you drive, you won't get there in time.
  • It doesn't matter how nice you are, he won't change his mind.
    No matter how...
  • Por muy dura que intentes ser, no te tomarán en serio.
    No matter how tough you are, they won't take you seriously.
  • It doesn't make any difference how many times you ask, they'll always say no.
    No matter how many times you ask, they'll always say no.
  • Por muy despacio que intentes hacerlo, no te saldrá mejor.
    No matter how slow you try to do it, it won't turn out better.

vocabulary 109

to grantconceder (grant = subvención)
outputproducción, rendimiento
ropecuerda, soga
to analyzeanalizar
to satisfysatisfacer

translation list 33

  1. Eso pasó de moda hace años.
    That went out of fashion years ago.
  2. Ella me quiere a pesar de todos mis defectos.
    She loves me [in spite of/despite] all my defects/faults.
  3. Tengo doce hijos que alimentar.
    I've twelve children to feed.
  4. No me explico por qué no funciona.
    I can't figure out why it doesn't work.
  5. El tío está forrado.
    The guy's filthy rich.
  6. Él no es apto para hacer el trabajo.
    He's not fit to do the job.
  7. Siempre trato de mantenerme en forma.
    I always try to keep [fit/in shape].
  8. Ese hombre responde a la descripción.
    That man fits the description.
  9. Voy a servir una comida apropiada para la ocasión.
    I'm going to serve a meal fit for the occasion.
  10. Estas piezas del puzzle no encajan.
    This puzzle pieces don't fit.
  11. ¿Cómo te sienta el traje?
    How does the suit fit?
  12. Olvidémoslo.
    Let's forget about it.
viernes 12 marzo 2010
lunes 7 marzo 2011

grammar

no matter how/what/where/when/who/why...

review

no matter how + adverb

  • Por mucho que te esfuerces, no tendrás éxito.
    No matter how hard you try, you won't succeed.
  • Por muy bien que hables inglés, nunca llegarás a hablar como la Reina de Inglaterra.
    No matter how well you speak English, you'll never end up speaking like the Queen of England.
  • Por muy rápido que corras, te cogerán al final.
    No matter how fast you run, they'll catch you in the end.
  • Por muy inteligente que seas, siempre habrá alguien más inteligente que tú.
    No matter how intelligent you are, there always be someone more intelligent than you.
  • Por muy tentador que sea, no gastes demasiado dinero.
    No matter how tempting it is, don't spend too much money.
  • Por muy convincentes que sean, no creas lo que te digan.
    No matter how convincing they are, don't believe what they tell you.

exercises

no matter how + adverb

  • Por mucho que estudies, no vas a pronunciar como yo.
    No matter how much you study, you won't pronounce like me.
  • Por mucho dinero que ganes, sólo podrás conducir un coche a la vez.
    No matter how much money you earn, you'll only be able to drive one car at a time.
  • Por mucho que grites, no te oirán.
    No matter how much you scream/yell/shout, they won't hear you.
  • Por mucho que trabajes, nunca te harás rico.
    No matter how much you work, you'll never get rich.
  • Por mucho que hagas, no será suficiente.
    No matter how much you do, it won't be enough.
  • Por mucho dinero que tengas, nunca podrás comprar todo.
    No matter how much money you have, you'll never be able to buy everything.
  • No matter how fast you work, you'll never finish on time.

no matter how many

  • Por muchas veces que lo practiques, siempre cometerás errores.
    No matter how many times you practise, you'll always make mistakes.
  • Por mucha gente que llame, no recaudaremos los 10 millones de euros.
    No matter how many people call in, we won't raise 10 million euros.
  • Por muchos años que pasen, siempre será así.
    No matter how many years go by, it'll always be [like that/this way].
  • Por muchas veces que vayamos, nunca nos cansaremos de ir.
    No matter how many times we go, we'll never get tired of going.
  • Por muchas veces que lo intentes, no cambiarán de opinión.
    No matter how many times you try, they won't change their mind.
  • Por muchas flores que él envíe, ella no le perdonará.
    No matter how many flowers he sends, she won't forgive him.

vocabulary 110

to sit upincorporarse
neglectdesatención, abandono
rumron
advantageousventajoso
checklistlista de verificación
lunes 15 marzo 2010
martes 8 marzo 2011

grammar

no matter how/what/...

  • I don't care = me da igual
    Según el tono con el que se diga, puede ser más o menos fuerte.
    La versión suave es igual que It doesn't matter (to me).

whatever...

  • Whatever, whenever, however, no matter what, no matter when, no matter how.
  • Whatever you say it's going to be heard.
  • Whatever you decide to do, people will do.
  • You can talk to whomever you want.
    se dice erróneamente whoever
    whom es complemento directo
  • You can do whatever you want = You can do anything you want
  • You can go wherever you want = You can go anywhere you want
  • You can do however you want.
  • Whoever you talk to, I whenver -> anywhere

my vocabulary

  • to go with = hacer juego con
    to match
  • bossy = mandón, mandona

review

no matter how...

  • Por mucho dinero que ganes sólo podrás conducir un coche a la vez.
    No matter how much money you earn, you'll only be able to drive a car at a time.
  • Por mucho que grites, no te oirán.
    No matter how much you shout, they won't hear you.
  • Por mucho tiempo que tengas para estudiar, nunca aprenderás lo suficiente.
    No matter how much time you have to study, you'll never learn enough.
  • Por muy bien que lo escribas, no lo aceptarán.
    No matter how well you write it, they won't accept it.
  • Por muy rápido que conduzcas, no llegarás a tiempo.
    No matter how fast you drive, you won't get there on time.
  • Por muy a menudo que lo hagas, no lo harás mejor.
    No matter how often you do it, you won't do it better.
  • Por muy sincero que seas, él no te creerá.
    No matter how sincere you are, he won't believe you.
  • Por mucho que ayudes, él no agradecerá.
    No matter how much you help, he won't appreciate it.
  • Por mucha gente que llame, no recaudaremos los 10 millones de dólares.
    No matter how many people phone in, we won't be able to raise 10 million dollars.

exercises

no matter how

  • Por mucho tiempo que tengas para estudiar, nunca aprenderás lo suficiente.
    No matter how much time you have to study, you'll never learn enough.
  • Por muy bien que lo escribas, no lo aceptarán.
    No matter how well you write it, they won't accept it.
  • Por muy rápido que conduzcas, no llegarás a tiempo.
    No matter how fast you drive, you wont get there on time.
  • Por muy a menudo que lo hagas, no lo harás mejor.
    No matter how often you do it, you won't do it better.
  • Por muy sincero que seas, él no te creerá.
    No matter how sincere you are, he won't believe you.
  • Por mucho que ayudes, él no lo agradecerá.
    No matter how much you help, he won't appreciate it.

whatever/no matter what

  • Whatever you do it won't make any difference.
    No matter what you do, it won't make any difference.
  • Whatever you say, he's not going to change his mind.
  • Whatever you do, she's never going to be happy.
  • Whatever you say, they're going to complain.
  • It doesn't matter what:
    No matter what you say.
    Whatever you say.
    It doesn't matter what you say.
  • It doesn't matter what you think, he's not going to change his mind.
    Whatever you think, he's not going to change his mind.
  • Whatever you think, it doesn't matter.
    No matter what you think, it doesn't matter.
  • Whatever you get her for her birthday, she's not going to be happy.
  • Whatever you ask for Christmas, you're going to get a tie.
  • Whatever you want, you can have.
    No matter what you want, you can have it.
    It doesn't matter what you want, you can have it.
  • Da igual lo que haga él, ella siempre se queja.
    No matter what he does, she always complains.
  • Da igual cómo lo hagas, ella nunca estará contenta.
    It doesn't matter how you do it, she'll never be happy.

vocabulary 111

coriandercilantro
to lay offdespedir en masa
gunpistola
pharmacistfarmacéutico
to despiseodiar

translation list 34

  1. Me inclino a creerle.
    I'm inclined to believe him.
  2. Esto es lo máximo que puedo pagar.
    This is the most I can pay.
  3. Ella no me impedirá ir.
    She won't stop me from going.
  4. No puedo evitar que vayas.
    I can't keep you from going.
  5. Dame una respuesta clara.
    Give me a straight answer.
  6. La profecía se cumplió.
    The prophecy came true.
  7. ¿Te molesta el humo?
    Does the smoke bother you?
  8. Me gusta cómo presentas los temas.
    I like the way you present the subjects.
  9. ¿De veras esperas que yo termine todo esto para mañana?
    Do you really expect me to finish all this by tomorrow?
  10. Querer es poder.
    Where there's a will, there's a way.
  11. No juegues con mis sentimientos.
    Don't play with my feelings.
  12. Que me llamen.
    Have them call me.
martes 16 marzo 2010
miércoles 9 marzo 2011

grammar

no matter

no take/have a nap

  • to take a nap -> AM
  • to have a nap -> UK
  • nappy = pañal UK
  • diaper = pañal AM

review

whatever/no matter what

  • Whatever you say, I'm not going to do it.
    No matter what you say, I'm not going to do it.
  • Whatever you do, I'm not going to do it.
    No matter what you do,...
  • Whatever you say, I won't believe you.
    No matter what you say,...
  • Whatever he does, I'm not going to forgave him.
    No matter what he does,...
  • Whatever she says, I'm not going to help her.
    No matter what she says,...
  • No matter what they say, he's not going to change his mind.
    Whatever they say,...
  • Whatever she says, he's not going to change his mind.
  • Not matter what you say, they're not going to change their mind.

exercises

wherever/no matter where

  • Wherever you go, there will be a lot of people.
    No matter where you go, there will be a lot of people.
  • Wherever you go in August, there are always a lot of people around.
  • Wherever he goes, there's always trouble.
  • Wherever you go, we'll be thinking of you.
  • Wherever you go in the city, there's a (surveillance) camera watching you.
  • Wherever English football fans go, they always create trouble.
  • Wherever you go in the world, there's always a burger bar near by.
  • Wherever you go in the world, you always meet people from the same country as you.
  • Wherever you go in the world, there's always someone who understands English.
  • Nowadays, wherever you go, you always hear music.
  • Wherever he goes, he always complains.

to have/take a nap

  • ¿Te has echado una siesta hoy?
    Have you taken/had a nap today?
  • Voy a echarme una siesta.
    I'm going to take/have a nap.
  • Los fines de semana me echo siestas de dos horas.
    On weekends I take/have two-hour naps.
  • Él me despertó mientras me echaba la siesta.
    He woke me up when I was having/taking a nap.
  • Yo prefiero echarme la siesta en el sofá.
    I prefer to have/take a nap on the sofa/couch.
  • Ella solía echarse la siesta después de comer.
    She used to have/take a nap after having lunch.
  • Echarse la siesta es una pérdida de tiempo.
    Having/taking a nap is a waste of time.
  • Si no me echara la siesta estaría de mal humor todo el día.
    If I didn't have/take a nap, I'd be [in a bad mood/grumpy] all day long.
  • ¿Puedes echarte la siesta en el trabajo?
    Can you have/take a nap at work?
  • Queremos echarnos la siesta antes de ir a la fiesta.
    We want to take/have a nap before going to the party.
  • Ojalá pudiera echarme la siesta todos los días.
    I wish I could take/have a nap everyday.
  • ¿Alguna vez has echado la siesta en la playa?
    Have you ever taken/had a nap on the beach?
  • No me siento bien después de echarme la siesta.
    I don't feel well after taking/having a nap.

vocabulary 112

well-offacomodado
sadnesstristeza
rubbercaucho, goma
The Middle EastOriente Medio
to show offpresumir, fardar
miércoles 17 marzo 2010
jueves 10 marzo 2011

grammar

review: no matter what/how...

to make sb. do sth.

pronunciation

  • candidate /ˈkændɪdət/

review

wherever/no matter where

  • Wherever you go, people know Beckham.
    No matter where you go, people know Beckham.
  • Wherever he goes, people recognize him.
  • Wherever you go, you can listen to Vaughan Radio on the internet.
  • Wherever you go you can find a McDonald's.
  • Wherever you go you can buy Coca-Cola.
  • Wherever you go people like The Beatles, I've noticed.
  • Wherever you go you can find English speakers.
  • Do people recognize Paul MacCartney no matter where he goes?

to take a nap

  • Creo que me voy a echar una siesta.
    I think I'm going to take a nap.
  • Me gustaría echarme una siesta ahora.
    I'd like to take a nap now.
  • ¿Te gustaría echarte una siesta?
    Would you like to take a nap?
  • ¿Te echarías una siesta si pudieras?
    Would you take a nap if you could?
  • Me apetece echarme una siesta larga.
    I feel like taking a long nap.
  • Dicen que echarse la siesta es saludable.
    They say that taking a nap is healthy.
  • ¿Te apetece echarte una siesta?
    Do you feel like taking a nap?

exercises

what made you do that?

  • I changed my mind.
    What made you change your mind?
  • They sold all (of) their shares.
    What made them sell all their shares?
  • He moved to Australia.
  • She quit her job.
  • I studied Anthropology.
  • They started their own business.
  • He called off the wedding.
  • She sold her business.
  • They gave away their dog.
  • She burned all the photos.
    What made her burn all the photos?
    I think it was because of her nasty breakup.
  • She chose that candidate.

vocabulary 113

to denynegar
to slapgolpear
nearlycasi
The North Poleel Polo Norte
harvestcosecha [you reap what you sow (cosechas lo que siembras)]

translation list 35

  1. Es bastante más fácil esta vez.
    It's quite a bit/lot easier this time.
  2. A medida que te hagas más mayor, te darás cuenta de que yo tenía razón.
    As you get older, you'll realize [that] I was right.
  3. Vinieron demasiado tarde para disfrutar de la fiesta.
    They came too late to enjoy the party.
  4. Es una lástima que llegaran tan tarde.
    It's [too bad/a shame/a pity] they arrived so late.
  5. La mayoría de la gente ya se había marchado.
    Most [of the] people had already left.
  6. Bueno, dime lo que opinas.
    Well, tell me what you think.
  7. Siempre que le veo está fumando un cigarro.
    [Whenever/Every time] I see him, he's smoking a cigarette.
  8. ¿De verdad quieres saber mi opinión?
    Do you really want to know my opinion?
  9. Lo haré siempre que me respaldes.
    I'll do it as long as you back me up.
  10. En lo que a mí se refiere, puedes llamarlo como quieras.
    As far as I'm concerned you can call him whatever you want.
  11. Yo nunca le hubiera imaginado capaz de hacer semejante cosa.
    I never would've imagined/thought him capable of doing such a think.
    I would never have imagined him capable of...
  12. No puedes seguir así.
    You can't go on like that.
jueves 18 marzo 2010
viernes 11 marzo 2011

grammar

to pull out of

  • to pull out of = retirarse de (una competición)
  • to pull out = to withdraw = sacar, extraer
  • retirar, retirarse: to retire, to retreat, to withdraw, to pull out
    distintos usos
  • to pull out a trick = sacar (mostrar) un truco

almost

  • almost = nearly
  • barely = apenas
    (they lost by only one point)
    the other team barely won (almost lost)
    my team almost won (barely lost)

my vocabulary

  • recap = resumen, resumir
  • to give away = regalar
  • I ran for election = me presenté a las elecciones to throw one's hat into the ring = to take up a challenge
    I presented my candidacy
  • cramp = un calambre muscular
    to have/get cramp = tener un calambre

review

what made you do sth

  • I did it.
    What made you do it?
  • I spoke to her about it.
    What made you speak to her about it?
  • I told her the secret.
    What made you tell her the secret?
  • I gave away all my money.
    What made you give away all your money?
  • I shouted at my boss.
    What made you shout at your boss?
  •    he shouted at me.
    What made your boss shout at you?
  • I didn't go to work for three days.
    What made you not go to work for three days?
  • I didn't study yesterday.
    What made you not study yesterday?
  • They went home early.
    What made them go home early?

exercises

to pull out of

  • Have you ever had to pull out of a race at the last minute?
    Yes, I've had to pull out of a race at the last minute.
  • Ask me if I've ever had to pull out of a race at...
  • Ask me why.
    Why did you have to pull out of the race at the last minute?
    I had to pull... because I had cramp.
  • So, why did I have to pull out of the race at the last minute?
    ... because you had/got cramp.
  • Have you ever had to pull out of an important multimillion euro deal?
  • Ask me if I've ever had to pull out of a multimillion euro deal?
  • Ask me why I've had to pull out of the multimillion euro deal?
  • Did the country pull out of the peace negotiations?
    Yes, the country pulled out of the peace negotiations.
  • Ask me if the country pulled out of the peace negotiations.

almost/nearly

  • Have you ever almost/nearly missed a flight?
    I've never almost/nearly missed a flight.
  • Is your English nearly/almost perfect?
  • Was Madrid almost/nearly awarded the 2016 Olympics?
  • Have you ever nearly murdered someone?
    No, I haven't almost nearly murdered someone.
  • Have you ever been almost/nearly late for this class?
  • Have you ever almost/nearly discovered a new planet?
  • Have you ever nearly/almost been eaten by a bear?
  • Ask me if I was almost/nearly killed by elephants this morning.
    Were you almost killed by elephants this morning?
  • Was your house nearly flooded last week?
  • Am I almost two metres tall?
  • Ask me if I'd like to be two metres tall.
  • Has the Moon ever almost touched the Earth?
  • Do you almost get to work late everyday?
    No, I never almost get to work late everyday.
  • Are you almost the most intelligent person in the world?
    No, I'm not almost the most...
  • Do you drink nearly/almost a litre of coffee every morning?
    No, I don't drink nearly/almost a litre of coffee every morning.

vocabulary 114

counsellortutor, consejero
dandruffcaspa
wheattrigo
every once in a whilede vez en cuando
fringe benefitsbeneficios sociales de nómina
viernes 19 marzo 2010
lunes 14 marzo 2011

grammar

review: to put out of

  • This guy has a lot of tricks up his sleeve = Este tipo tiene muchos trucos en la manga
  • And every now and then he pulls one out, he pull out a trick.
    No se usa take out, que sería solamente sacar (como sacar de un bolsillo)

hardly

  • hardly = apenas
  • There's hardly any water left in the cup.
    Apenas queda algo de agua en la copa.
  • casi nadie le entiende = hardly anybody/anyone understands him
    almost nobody no se usa
  • almost everybody/everyone es lo contrario de hardly anybody/anyone
  • We hardly have half a minute left, there is hardly any time left.
  • almost always = casi siempre
    hardly ever = casi nunca
  • almost everything = casi todo
    hardly anyhing = apenas nada

present perfect continuous

  • con un verbo de acción se usa el presente perfecto continuo:
    usar este boli es un verbo de acción
    llevo 20 años usando este boli:
    I've been using this pen for 20 years
  • si el verbo no es de acción, sino pasivo, como el verbo to know, entonces es:
    I've known him for 20 years

my vocabulary

  • mi punto fuerte
    my strong point
    my strength
    my forte /'fɔ:teɪ/

pronunciation

review

to pull out

  • Have you ever had to pull out of a competition at the last minute?
    Yes, I've had to pull out of...
  • Ask me if I've ever had to pull out of a deal.
    Have you ever had to pull out of a deal?
    No, I've never had to...
  • Have you ever pulled out of an important sports event?
    I've never pulled out of a...

almost/nearly

  • Did you miss your flight?
    Yes, I almost missed my flight.
  • Have you made dinner?
    Yes, I've nearly made dinner.
  • Did you miss the last train?
    Yes, I almost missed the last train.
  • Have you finished the book?
    Yes, I've nearly finished the book.

exercises

hardly

  • I hardly ever eat in Bulgarian restaurants.
  • How often do you go ice-skating?
    I hardly ever go ice-skating.
  • How often do you visit Germany?
  • How often do you see celebrities on Gran Vía?
  • How often do you ask for directions?
  • Ask me how often I ask for directions.
  • How often do you go to work early?
  • How often do you hear people speaking Icelandic?
  • How often do you wear a Scottish kilt?
  • How often do you eat outside in the winter?
  • How many people in Spain prefer French wine?
    Hardly anyone in Spain prefers French wine.
    Almost everyone in Spain prefers Spanish wine.
  • How many people in Spain live 20 percent tips when they go to a restauran?
  • How many people in Spain can't speak Spanish?
  • How many people in Spain drive Rolls-Royces?
  • How much tea did you drink last week?
    I hardly drank any tea last week.
  • How many of your friends play musical instruments?
    Hardly any of my friends play musical instruments.
  • How many Eskimos live in Spain?
  • How much of the water did you drink, in that cup? It seems pretty full to me.
    I hardly drink any water.
  • How much of the movie have you seen?
    I've hardly seen any of the movie, I've seen a little bit, but not much.
    I've hardly seen any of it, just a little bit.
  • How much of the lasagna did you eat?
    I hardly ate any of the lasagna.
  • How much of the game did you watch?
    I hardly watched any of the game.
  • How much of the Pepsi did you drink?
    I hardly drank any of it.
  • How many episodes have you seen?
    I've hardly seen any of the episodes.
  • How much of the rice did you cook?
    I hardly cooked any of the rice.
  • How much of the pizza did you eat?
    I hardly ate any of the pizza.
  • How many of the books have you read?
    I've hardly read any of the books.
  • How much of your work is administrative?
    Hardly any of my work is adminsitrative.

vocabulary 115

talentedcon talento
welfarebienestar
virtuevirtud
for the time beingpor ahora, de momento
the last strawla gota que colma el vaso

translation list 36

  1. A este paso te va a dar un infarto.
    At this rate you're going to have a heart attack.
  2. Necesitas pensar en otra cosa.
    You need to think about something else.
  3. Alguien ha estado leyendo mi correspondencia.
    Somebody's been reading my mail.
  4. Tienes una manera extraña de mirar a la gente.
    You have a strange way of looking at people.
  5. Le conozco desde hace más de veinte años.
    I've known him for [more than/over] twenty years.
  6. Siempre has parecido un hombre tan pacífico.
    You've always seemed [like such a peaceful man/so peaceful].
  7. Ella me pone tan nervioso que no puedo decir ni una palabra bien.
    She makes me so nervous that I can't even say a single word right.
  8. Lo último que oí es que se habían casado.
    The last thing I heard was that they had got/gotten married.
  9. Él no quiere que nadie le llame.
    He doesn't want anybody to call him.
  10. Si alguna vez necesitas algo, no dudes en hacérmelo saber.
    If you [happend to need something/ever need anything], don't hesitate to let me know.
  11. Prefiero no hablar con él.
    [I'd rather not/I prefer not to] talk to him.
  12. La pobre chica nunca sabe dónde estás.
    The poor girl never knows where you are.
lunes 22 marzo 2010
martes 15 marzo 2011

grammar

else

  • who else = quién más
  • where else = dónde más
  • how else = de qué otro modo

my vocabulary

  • story/storey US/UK piso, planta (de un edificio): a 102-story building

review

hardly ever, hardly anybody, hardly anything

  • How often do you see him?
    I hardly ever see him.
  • How many people came?
    Hardly anybody/anyone came.
  • How much have you eaten?
    I've hardly eaten anything.
  • How often do you go to the doctors?
    I hardly ever go to the doctors.
  • How many people were there at the meeting?
    There was hardly anybody at the meeting.
  • How much have you spent?
    I've hardly spent anything.
  • How often did you speak to him?
    I hardly ever spoke to him.
  • How many people are saying these sentences out loud?
    There's hardly anybody saying these sentences out loud.

exercises

else

  • ¿Quién más vino?
    Who else came?
  • ¿Con quién más hablaste?
    Who else did you talk to?
  • ¿A quién más viste?
    Who else did you see?
  • ¿En qué otro momento te he visto?
    When else have I seen you?
  • ¿En qué otro lugar te he visto?
    Where else have I seen you?
  • ¿Qué más quieres?
    What else do you want?
  • ¿Alguien más?
    Anybody else?
  • Alguien más.
    Someone else.
  • No hay nadie más.
    Nobody else.
  • ¿Qué más hicieron?
    What else did they do?
  • ¿De qué otro modo lo hicieron?
    How else did they do it?
  • ¿De qué otro modo lo podrían haber hecho?
    How else could they have done it?
  • ¿Qué más dijo ella?
    What else did she say?
  • ¿Qué más quieres comprar?
    What else do you want to buy?
  • ¿Qué más dijo él?
    What else did he say?
  • ¿Quién más llamó?
    Who else called?
  • ¿En qué otro sitio has estado hoy?
    Where else have you been today?
  • ¿En qué otro momento has practicado?
    When else have you practiced?
  • ¿Por qué otra razón viniste?
    Why else did you come?
  • Él es amigo de todos los demás.
    He's everyone else's friend.
  • ¿Quién más tiene puntos?
    Who else has points?
  • Nadie más tiene puntos.
    Nobody else has points.
  • Is it true? Ask me.
    Does anyone else have points?
    Yes, someone else has points.
  • Ask me if that person has more points than you.
    Does anyone else have more points than me?
  • ¿En qué otro momento vamos a practicar esto?
    When else are we going to practice this?

else

  • ¿Quién más fué a la fiesta?
    Who else went to the party?
  • ¿Quién más sabe?
    Who else knows?
  • ¿Quién más fué a la reunión?
    Who else went to the meeting?
  • ¿Quién más le ayudó a él?
    Who else helped him?
  • ¿Quién más estuvo con él?
    Who else was with him?
  • ¿Con quién más hablaste?
    Who else did you talk to?
  • ¿A dónde más podemos ir?
    Where else can we go?
  • ¿A dónde más fuimos?
    Where else did we go?
  • ¿A dónde más fueron ellos?
    Where else did they go?
  • ¿De qué otro modo puedo convencerla?
    How else can I convince her?
  • ¿De qué otro modo podemos hacerlo?
    How else can we do it?
  • ¿De qué otro modo podemos deshacernos de ello?
    How else can we get rid of it?
  • ¿De qué otro modo podemos deshacernos de él?
    How else can we get rid of him?
  • ¿De qué otro modo podemos pararlo?
    How else can we stop it?

vocabulary 116

painlessindoloro
parrotloro y también verbo repetir, imitar
waspavispa (avispón = hornet)
to implementimplantar, poner en práctica
teammatecompañero de equipo
martes 23 marzo 2010
miércoles 16 marzo 2011

grammar

review: else

  • who else would you like to have class with?

somewhere, somebody else

  • Couldn't we go somewhere else?
  • I would rather go somewhere else.
    Where?
    Anywhere else, but A (cualquier otro sitio menos A)
  • Let's invite somebody to come with us. Let's invite X.
    Invite sombody else.
    Somebody else? I don't know anyone else.
    Let's see who else could we invite.
    Anyone else but X.
    Think of someone else.
    There's no one else on my list.
  • Think of something else.
    What else? I can't think of anything else.

whether

  • si A o NO = (no IF) WHETHER A or NOT

an expert on/in

  • If anybody is [an] expert on this, it's him.
  • An expert on learning English...
  • He's an expert in mathematics.

my vocabulary

  • don't take it out on me = no la tomes conmigo
  • algo o alguien es especial = it's something else!
  • to knock over/down = tirar, tumbar algo
  • to spill: spill-spilt-spilt BR/spill-spilled-spilled AM derramar

review

what else

  • ¿Qué más estará él haciendo?
    What else will he be doing?
  • ¿Qué más puede hacer el robot?
    What else can the robot do?
  • ¿Qué más quieres que haga?
    What else do you want me to do?
  • ¿Qué más hiciste?
    What else did you do?
  • ¿Qué más ha roto ella?
    What else did she break?
  • ¿Qué más podríamos probar?
    What else could we try?
  • ¿Qué más pedirán ellos?
    What else will they ask for?
  • ¿Qué más está listado en las instrucciones?
    What else is listed in the instructions?
  • ¿Qué más necesitan?
    What else do they need?

else

  • ¿Cómo puede hacerse de otra forma?
    How else can it be done?
  • ¿Dónde más podría ser?
    Where else could it be?
  • ¿Cuándo más visitaron España?
    When else did they visit Spain?
  • ¿A dónde más fueron?
    Where else did they go?
  • ¿Por qué otra razón no pedirían ayuda?
    Why else wouldn't they ask for help?
  • ¿Quién más podría saber la respuesta?
    Who else could know the answer?
  • ¿Dónde más podrían estar ellos la semana que viene?
    Where else could they be next week?
  • ¿Por qué otra razón necesitas la respuesta?
    Why else do you need the answer?
  • ¿Quién más prefiere Pepsi?
    Who else prefers Pepsi?

exercises

someone, something, somewhere ELSE

  • Él quiere decirte algo más.
    He wants to tell you something else.
  • Otra persona viene.
    Someone else is coming.
  • Quiero ir a otro sitio.
    I want to go somewhere else.
  • Would you prefer to be somewhere else?
  • Would you like to be someone else?
  • Is Paris in Spain or is it somewhere else?
    Paris is not in Spain, it's somewhere else.
  • Is chocolate made from cocoa beans or is it made from something else?
  • Is your brother here or is he somewhere else?
  • Are you from Madrid or are you from somewhere else?
  • Are we in Europe or are we in somewhere else?
  • Is Barack Obama the President of the US or is he the President of somewhere else?
  • Are you looking at me or are you looking somewhere else?
  • Are our students listening to us or are they listening to someone else?
  • Is Iker Casillas a goalkeeper or is he something else?
  • Is Rafa Nadal a goalkeeper or is he something else?
  • Am I an English teacher or am I something else?
  • Ask me if I live in Madrid or [if] I live somewhere else.
  • Ask me if I was born in Ireland or [if] I was born somewhere else.
  • Were you born in Spain or were you born somewhere else?
  • Is New York in the US or is it somewhere else?
  • Ask me if I sleep in a bed or [if] I sleep somewhere else.
  • Ask me if I should encourage you to study English or [if] I should do something else.
  • Is Bruce Springsteen a famous musician or is he something else?
  • If somebody is fantastic, you can say they're something else.

vocabulary 117

catholiccatólico
featherpluma
cellcélula
to influenceinfluir en
eventuallya la larga, finalmente

translation list 37

  1. Supongo que tendremos que aguantar la mala publicidad.
    I guess we'll have to bear the bad publicity.
  2. Lo que es peor, ¡la gente les cree!
    What's worst, [the] people believe them!
  3. Harás bien en tener más cuidado la próxima vez.
    You'd better be more careful [the] next time.
  4. Cuanto antes aprendas las reglas, mejor.
    The sooner you learn the rules, the better.
  5. Tiré el café en el teclado.
    I spilled the coffee on the keyboard.
  6. Fué sin querer.
    I didn't mean [to do it/it].
  7. Si alguien es experto en esto, es él.
    If anybody is [an] expert on this, it's him.
  8. Él es el hombre más testarudo que jamás he conocido.
    He's the [stubbornest/most stubborn] man I've ever met.
  9. Gracias a Dios que no tengo que tratar con él muy a menudo.
    Thank God I don't have to deal with him very often.
  10. Si alguna vez vuelves, búscame.
    If you ever come back, look me up.
  11. No sé si creerle o no.
    I don't know whether to believe him or not.
  12. Si sigues haciéndome eso, te voy a matar.
    If you keep doing that to me, I'm going to kill you.
miércoles 24 marzo 2010
jueves 17 marzo 2011

grammar

  • ... outside of those two people...
  • I really can't think of anywhere else.
    think of: ocurrirse
    think about: pensar sobre algo
  • nadie más = nobody/no one else
    ningún otro sitio = nowhere else
    nada más = nothing else
  • anything, anyone, anywhere else para preguntas y frases negativas
  • cuando la pregunta espera una respuesta positiva, se puede hacer con some:
    would you like something else?
  • I would've liked to have talked to him = me habría gustado haber hablado con él
  • I want to go to Nashville, to the Grand Ole Opry.

my vocabulary

  • to pump sb = sacar información a alguien

review

someone, something, somewhere ELSE

  • Él quiere decirte algo más.
    He wants to tell you something else.
  • Otra persona viene.
    Someone else is coming.
  • Quiero ir a otro sitio.
    I want to go somewhere else.
  • No puedo creer que ellos querían algo más para comer.
    I can't believe they wanted something else to eat.
  • ¿Has contado su secreto (de él) a alguien más?
    Have you told his secret to someone else?
  • Al final otra persona fué.
    In the end someone else went.
  • Vamos a hacer otra cosa.
    Let's do something else.

exercises

nothing, no one, nowhere ELSE

  • Does anything else work?
    No, nothing else works.
  • Can anyone else do it?
    No, no one else can do it.
  • Does anywhere else serve alcohol?
    No, nowhere else serves alcohol.
  • Does anyone else live here?
    No, no one else lives here.
  • Will anything else happen?
    No, nothing else will happen.
  • Is anywhere else open?
    No, nowhere else is open.
  • Was anything else lost?
    No, nothing else was lost.
  • Is anywhere else as cheap as this place?
    No, nowhere else is as cheap as this place.
  • Does anyone else agree with you?
    No, no one else agrees with me.
  • Nadie más vive ahí.
    No one else lives there.
  • Nada más se mojó.
    Nothing else got wet.
  • Ningún otro sitio prepara la paella como aquí.
    Nowhere else prepares paella like here.
  • Nada más tiene que ir en la mesa.
    Nothing else has to go on the table.
  • Nadie más sabe mi secreto.
    No one else knows my secret.
  • Ningún otro sitio tiene tantos camareros.
    Nowhere else has so many waiters.
  • Nadie más va a venir a la fiesta.
    No one else is going to come to the party.
  • Nada más está sucio.
    Nothing else is dirty.

anything, anyone, anywhere ELSE

Para preguntas y en negativo.
  • Do you know anything else about what happened?
    No, I don't know anything else about what happened.
  • Are you going to invite anyone else?
  • Ask me if I'm going to go somewhere else.
    Are you going to go anywhere else?
    No, I'm not going to go anywhere else.
  • Do you know anything about that man we hired?
  • Ask me if he wants to go somewhere else.
    Does he wants to go anywhere else?
  • Do you know anything about the new product they launched?  
  • Are you going to have anyone else help you?
  • Ask me if I'm looking forward to going somewhere else.
    Are you looking forward to going anywhere else?
    No, I'm not looking forward to going anywhere else.
    Yes, I'm looking forward to going somewhere else.
  • Do you know anything about that new guy that started last week?

vocabulary 118

optimisticoptimista
maturemaduro
robebata
tailor-madehecho a medida
reputationreputación
jueves 25 marzo 2010
viernes 19 marzo 2011

grammar

  • to turn sth around
  • to turn sth back-around
  • to turn sth over (horizontal)
  • to turn sth back-over

control

(sin artículo)
  • to lose control
  • to be in control
  • to have control of sth
  • to maintain control

my vocabulary

  • So much the better! = ¡Tanto mejor!
  • scuba-diving = submarinismo
  • a control freak = un maniático del control
  • role model = modelo de conducta
  • autopista = motorway UK, highway US
  • van = furgoneta
  • lorry UK = truck US
  • truck UK = abierto por detrás
  • lose the plot = perder los papeles, perder el control
  • lose one's marbles = perder la cabeza
    marbles = canicas
  • a two-seater plane = avioneta de dos plazas
  • at times = a veces
    sometimes = algunas veces

pronunciation

  • control /kən'trəʊl/
  • hotel /həʊ'tel/
  • report /rɪ'pɔ:t/

review

else

nothing, no one, nowhere ELSE en respuestas
  • Does anything else work?
    Nothing else works.
  • Can anyone else do it?
    No one else can do it.
  • Does anywhere else serve alcohol?
    Nowhere else serves alcohol.
  • Has anywhere else launched this product?
    Nowhere else has launched this product.
  • Does anyone else in your department smoke?
  • Will anything else fit in the car?
  • Can anyone else speak Russian?
  • Is anywhere else as beautiful as the Retiro park?
anything, anyone, anywhere ELSE en respuestas negativas
  • Do you know anything else about what happened?
    No, I don't know anything else...
  • Are they going to hire anyone else?
    No, they're not going to hire anyone else.
  • Ask me if I want to go somewhere else.
    Do you want to go anywhere else?
  • Ask me if there's something else in my bag.
    Is there anything else in your bag?
    No, there isn't anything else in my bag.
  • Is there anyone else that's going to the party?
    No, there isn't anyone else that's going to the party.
  • Have you been anywhere else today?
    No, I haven't been anywhere else today.
  • Do you have anything else to tell me?
  • Ask me if I went scuba-diving with someone else.
    Did you go scuba-diving with anyone else?

exercises

to lose control of

  • Did you lose control of the car?
  • Where did you lose control of the car?
  • Why did you lose control of the car?
  • Did you lose control of the situation?
  • Why did you lose control of the situation?
  • Did you lose control of the vehicle?
  • What type of vehicle did you lose control of?
  • What were you transporting in the van?
  • When you lost control of the van did your suitcases fall out of the van?
    ... suitcases fell out of the van.
    ... suitcases fell on to the road/ground.
  • When you saw all the suitcases falling on to the ground did you lose the plot?
  • What does to lose the plot mean?
  • Did you lose control of a flying vehicle yesterday?
  • What type of a flying vehicle did you lose control of?
  • Was it a two-seater plane or a four-seater plane?
  • She lost control of a two-seater plane... She gained control of the plane just in time. She didn't crash.
  • How often does your neighbour lose control of the situation?
  • Why does she lose control of the situation?
  • When did you last lose control of the situation?
    I last lost control of the situation yesterday.

vocabulary 119

to run intoencontrarse con, tropezarse/chocar con
to rely onconfiar en, depender de
tapecinta
to get mixed upliarse, confundirse
to challengedesafiar, retar

translation list 38

  1. No me extraña que estén enfadados.
    No wonder they're angry.
  2. Nunca hemos tenido un julio tan caluroso como éste.
    We've never had a July as hot as this one.
  3. Puedes resultar pesado a veces.
    You can be a pain in the neck at times.
    (más vulgar: a pain in the ass)
  4. Deja que el teléfono suene tres veces.
    Let the telephone ring three times.
  5. Cuelga y llama de nuevo.
    Hang up and call back.
  6. Poca gente ha dominado el inglés sin haber vivido en el extranjero.
    Few people have mastered English without having lived abroad.
  7. Prométeme que lo probarás.
    Promise me you'll try it.
  8. Esta comida tiene una pinta horrible.
    This food looks awful.
  9. Una vez más hemos superado nuestra meta.
    Once again we've surpassed our goal.
  10. Te escucharán con mucha educación.
    They'll listen to you very politely.
  11. Y después harán lo que les de la gana.
    And then they'll do whatever they [want/feel like].
  12. Él hizo un par de llamadas telefónicas y después se fué.
    He made a couple of phone calls and then he left.
viernes 26 marzo 2010
lunes 21 marzo 2011

grammar

  • She hung up on me.
    Ella me colgó.

without

  • Después de preposición, el verbo se usa en present participle: "-ing"
    He did it without complaining.
    ... without saying a word.
    ... without doing anything.

gerund

  • gerundio = sustantivo
  • my coming to Spain was..., my becoming an English teacher...,
  • posesivo + gerundio

my vocabulary

  • to remind = ayudar a recordar
    remind me to clean the car = recuérdame que lave el coche
    you remind me of a friend = me recuerdas a un amigo
  • to remember = recordar por uno mismo
  • absent-minded = despistado

review

to lose control of

  • Have you ever lost control of the situation?
  • Is it easy to lose control of your car when the road is icy?
  • Ask me if I've ever lost control.
    Have you ever lost control?
    I've lost control just a few times, no often, doesn't happen often. I'm usually always under control.
  • Does Dr. Jekyll lose control when he becomes Mr. Hyde?
    Yes, he loses control when he becomes Mr. Hyde.
  • Do most people lose control when they've had too much to drink?

exercises

without

  • How long can you run without stopping?
  • They drove all the way and they didn't stop.
    They drove all the way without stopping.
  • She filed the report but she didn't ask for approval.
    She filed the report without asking...
  • He ate the pie and he didn't offer me any.
  • He has plenty of money and he doesn't work.
  • They cooked but they didn't add salt.
  • They broke the window, but the security guard didn't notice.
    They broke the window without [the security guard] noticing.
  • I went to the party, but my girlfriend didn't go with me.
    I went to the party withount her going with me.
  • I bought the shirt, but I didn't try it on first.
    I bought the shirt without trying it on first.
  • She fixed it and we didn't help her.
    She fixed it without ask helping her.
  • I got the drink but I didn't have any ice in it.
  • It came, but it didn't come with the instructions. (verb?)
  • She wrote the email, but she didn't send it.
  • He made the cake, but he didn't serve it.
  • He mailed the letter but he didn't put a stamp on it.
  • He left with the groceries but he didn't pay.
  • She asked me in German and didn't know that I spoke only English.
  • He bought the computer but didn't try it first.
  • They sold the broken watch and they didn't fix it first.
  • I asked for help but I didn't get any.
  • He stopped the penalty kick without using his hand.
  • They approved the invoice but didn't check with the boss.
  • He called her but he didn't use the calling card.
  • They broke the record and didn't even make their best effort.
  • They built it and didn't ask for help.

pronombres complemento

  • She did it and he didn't know.
    She did it without him knowing.
    She did it without his knowing.
  • The thief stole the bag and we didn't see.
    The thief stole the bag without us knowing.
    The thief stole the bag without our knowing.

vocabulary 120

of coursepor supuesto
viewpointpunto de vista
también se dice point of view
vulturebuitre
on the wholeen general
to evolveevolucionar (evolución = evolution)
lunes 29 marzo 2010
martes 22 marzo 2011

grammar

without

  • Unir dos frases con without y cambio de sujeto:
    con un object pronoun: 'without him knowing'
    o un adjetivo posesivo + gerundio: 'without my knowing'

to calm/settle down

my vocabulary

  • two flights of stairs = dos tramos de escaleras
  • to hell with it! = ¡al diablo con ello!
  • even = nivelado, uniforme (adjetivo)
  • settler = poblador, colono

pronunciation

  • calm /kɑ:m/

review

without

  • He did it and he didn't complain.
  • She left and she didn't say a word.
  • Did you sell it and not tell me?
  • Did they do it and not let you know?
  • They went and they didn't let me know.
  • He walked out of the shop and didn't spend a penny.

without with a change of subject

  • He did it and they didn't complain.
    He did it without them complaining.
    He did it without their complaining.
  • She left and I didn't see her.
    She left without me seeing her.
    She left without my seeing her. [Esto es lo más correcto.]
  • Did they do it and you not realize?
    ¿la frase anterior es equivalente a
    Did they do it and you didn't realize?
    por ser pregunta y ahorrarse el did?
    Did they do it without you realizing?
    Did they do it without your realizing?
  • He walked out of the shop and I didn't see him.
    He walked out of the shop without me seeing him.
    He walked out of the shop without my seeing him.

exercises

to calm/settle down

  • Did you wait for the audience to settle down before starting your speech?
  • Ask me if I waited for the audience...
  • Ask me why I didn't wait for the audience...
  • Did I wait for the audience...
  • Had Juan calmed down by the time the police arrived?
  • Ask me if Miguel had calmed down by the time...
  • Had Miguel...?
  • Ask me why he hadn't calmed down...
  • Why hadn't he calmed down?

vocabulary 121

statesmanhombre de estado
to chewmasticar
staplegrapa
meaninglesssin importancia
to foreseeprever

translation list 39

  1. Si todo va según lo previsto...
    If everything goes as planned...
  2. Se ha demostrado una y otra vez que no es posible.
    It's been proved/proven time and [time] again that it's not possible.
  3. Me da igual, lo voy a hacer.
    I don't care, I'm going to do it.
  4. No quiero causar una mala impresión por llegar tarde.
    I don't want to make a bad impression by arriving/being late.
  5. Es curioso cómo reacciona la gente a veces.
    It's funny how people react at times.
  6. La vista fue realmente impresionante.
    The view was really impressive/astonishing.
  7. Nunca me había dado cuenta de lo plana que era la zona.
    I had never realized how flat the area was.
  8. El vuelo fue retrasado por la niebla.
    The flight was delayed because of the fog.
  9. Seguiré adelante con el plan.
    I'll [go ahead/move forward] with the plan.
  10. No voy a arriesgar el cuello por tí.
    I'm not going to [risk/stick out] my neck for you.
  11. ¿Cómo vas a ganar a un veterano como él?
    How are you going to beat a veteran like him?
  12. Tu egoísmo es muy evidente.
    Your selfishness is very plain to see.
martes 30 marzo 2010
miércoles 23 marzo 2011

grammar

  • 'I don't care' es más enérgico que 'I don't mind'

bored/boring

  • bored/boring
    I'm bored with/of the situation because it's boring.
  • tired/tiring
  • interested/interesting
  • fascinated/fascinating
  • amazed/amazing
  • astonished/astonishing
  • impressed/impressive

pages and prepositions

  • Open your book to page 50.
  • What page are we on?
  • I'm on the same page as you.
  • I'm on page xxx.

my vocabulary

  • boredom = aburrimiento
  • headlines = titulares
  • headings = cabecera

review

to calm/settle down

  • Did you wait for the audience to settle down before you started your speech?
  • Ask me if Juan had calmed down by the time the police arrived.
  • Have you ever told me to settle down?
  • Do you think you need to tell me to settle down sometimes?
  • Tell me to settle down.
    Settle down!
  • Tell me to calm down.
  • Do I tell you to calm down every time I see you?
  • Do you ever tell yourself to calm down?
  • Ask me if I tell myself to calm down often.
  • Do teachers tell their students to settle down?
  • Did your teachers ever tell you to settle down?
  • Ask me if coffee calms me down.
  • Does tea calm you down?

exercises

bored/boring

pages and prepositions

on page y sin artículo (para el número de la página)
  • Está en la página 15
    It's on page 15
  • ¿En qué página está?
    What page is it on?
  • El artículo está en la página 102.
    The article is on page 102.
  • ¿En qué página está el artículo?
    What page is the article on?
  • ¿Has visto los titulares en la página 1?
    Have you seen the headlines on [page 1/the first page/the front page]?
    the back page = última página (de un periódico)
    en un libro: the front cover, the back cover
  • ¿Has visto el dibujo en la cubierta?
    Have you seen the picture on the front cover?
  • ¿Has visto la foto en la contraportada?
    Have you seen the photo on the back cover?
  • Vamos a pasar a la página 8.
    Let's turn to page 8.
    We don't use the article when we turn to a page

vocabulary 122

steadycontinuo, constante (steady relationship = relación consolidada
preparado, listo, ¡ya! = ready, steady, go!
steady handshake = apretón firme de manos
wet fish handshake = apretón fofo)
rubbishbasura (rubbish EN, trash y garbage US: las tres como adjetivo)
stackmontón
spousecónyuge (formal)
traptrampa (tramp = vagabundo)
miércoles 31 marzo 2010
jueves 24 marzo 2011

grammar

at/in the end

  • El discurso fué tan aburrido que al final todos se quedaron dormidos.
    The speech was so boring that in the end everybody fell asleep.
    The speech was so boring that at the end everybody was delighted to be able to leave the auditorium.

my vocabulary

  • every nook and cranny = hasta en el último rincón
  • tengo problemas económicos
    I'm having financial problems
  • commodity = mercancía
  • please, a big round of applause for him (applause = aplausos, uncountable)
  • cumplir el plazo = to meet the deadline

pronunciation

  • certificate [sə'tɪfɪkɪt] sustantivo
  • graduate /'grædʒueɪt/ verbo
  • graduate /'grædʒuət/ sustantivo

review

adjectives -ed/-ing

  • Estoy preocupado por mi situación económica.
    I'm worried about my economic situation.
  • Es una situación preocupante.
    It's a worrying situation.
  • Estoy aburrido.
    I'm bored.
  • ¡Qué clase maś aburrida!
    What a boring class!
  • Yo estaba sorprendido por su reacción.
    I was surprised by his reaction.
  • Su reacción era sorprendente.
    His reaction was surprising.

on page

  • ¿En qué página está?
    What page is it on?
  • ¿En qué página estás?
    What page are you on?
  • Todavía estoy en la página 20.
    I'm still on page 20.
  • ¿En qué página está el artículo?
    What page is the article on?
  • El artículo está en la página 37.
    The article is on page 37.
  • Hay un error en la página 124.
    There is a mistake on page 124.
  • ¿En qué página está el error?
    What page is the mistake on?
  • Hay algo interesante en la página 5.
    There is something interesting on page 5.
  • ¿En qué página está la cosa interesante?
    What page is the interesting thing on?

exercises

in the end, at the end of

  • Al final nos lo pasamos bien.
    In the end we had a great/good time.
  • Al final nos quedamos en casa.
    In the end we stayed at home.
  • Al final decidió cancelar la reunión.
    In the end he decided to [cancel/call off] the meeting.
  • Al final no contrataron a gente nueva.
    In the end they didn't hire new people.
  • When the concert ended we went for a drink.
    At the end of the concert we went for a drink.
  • I woke up when the speech ended.
    I woke up at the end of the speech.
  • They brought out the champagne when the party ended.
  • When the course ended we received a certificate.
    At the end of the course we received a certificate.
  • When the trip ended he lost his passport.
    At the end of the trip he lost his passport.
  • They announced the winner when the show ended.
    They announced the winner at the end of the show.
  • Al final no cumplieron el plazo.
    In the end they didn't meet the deadline.

vocabulary 123

magnetimán
catchy (una canción)pegadizo
stringcuerda
cease-firealto el fuego
part-timea tiempo parcial

translation list 40

  1. Nunca he podido encontrar una cura duradera.
    I've never been able to find a lasting cure.
  2. Ello no perjudica mi rendimiento en el trabajo.
    It doesn't hurt my [job performance/performance on the job].
  3. De eso puedes estar seguro.
    You can be sure of that.
  4. Seré millonario para cuando llegue a los 65 años.
    I'll be a millionaire by the time I reach 65.
  5. Este trabajo requiere rellenar impresos.
    This job requires filling [out AM/in EN] forms.
    to fill in a blank, to fill in a box ambos AM y EN
  6. Te volverás loco en un mes, si no antes.
    You'll go crazy in a month if not [before/sooner].
  7. Ella trabaja más que antes.
    She works more than she used to.
  8. Es extraño lo mucho que alguna gente cambia con los años.
    It's funny/strange how much some people change over the years.
  9. Ahora asumo más responsabilidad.
    Now I take on more responsibilities.
  10. Me enseñaron las fotos que habían sacado.
    They showed me the pictures they had taken.
  11. Creo que lo hacen a propósito.
    I think they do it on purpose.
  12. Si no, no tiene sentido.
    Otherwise it [makes no/doesn't make any] sense.
lunes 5 abril 2010
viernes 25 marzo 2011

grammar

  • out of = de un total de
    By the end of this class we will have completed 124 out of 195 classes.

to get off to a good start

  • Empezar con buen pie

to get someone to do something

  • We're trying to get them to be quiet.
  • to get sb to do sth = conseguir que alguien haga algo
  • to make someone do something = hacer que alguien haga algo
  • I need to find the way to get you to progress.

my vocabulary

  • some people fill out = alguna gente se hace maś corpulenta
  • Are you threatening me?
    No, it's a promise.
  • levantarse con el pie izquierdo = to get up on the wrong side of the bed
  • things are looking up = las cosas están mejorando

review

in/at the end

  • Al final decidí no comprar la casa.
    In the end I decided not to buy the house.
  • Al final del partido me fui a tomar una cerveza.
    At the end of the match I went to have a beer.
  • Al final del discurso me dormí.
    At the end of the speech I fell asleep.
  • Al final decidí no hacerlo.
    In the end I decided not to do it.
  • Al final de la obra de teatro, el actor se cayó del escenario.
    At the end of the play, the actor fell off the stage.
  • Al final del curso van a saber muchísimo inglés.
  • Al final deberían de hacerlo.
  • At the end of the day = finalmente (no significa literalmente "al final del día")

exercises

to get off to a good start

  • Ask me if I got off to a good start this morning.
    Did you get off to a good start this morning?
    No, I got up on the wrong side of the bed.
  • Ask me if my radio program got off to a good start.
    Did your radio program get off to a good start?
    Yes, actually my radio program got off to a great start, because they brought me a cake.
  • Ask me whose birthday it was.
    Whose birthday was it?
    ... so today we got off to a good start at work because we had coffee, and cake...
  • Ask me if I've ever gotten off to a bad start.
    Have you ever gotten off to a bad start?
  • Have you ever gotten off to a bad start with someone when you met him?
  • Sometimes when you get off to a bad start, you can turn it around and things look up.

to get someone to do something

  • Conseguí que él lo hiciera.
    I got him to do it.
  • ¿Conseguiste que enviaran los informes?
    Did you get them to send the reports?
  • Did you get Steven to design the invitations?
  • Why did you get Steven to design the invitations?
  • Ask me who you should've got to design the invitations.
    Who should I've got to design the invitations?
    I think you should've got Annie to design the invitations.
  • Ask me why you should've got Annie to design the invitations.
    Why should I've got Annie to design the invitations?
    You should've got Annie to design the invitations because she's a better designer than Steven.
  • So, why should've you got Annie to design the invitations?
    I should've got Annie...
  • Did you get Roger to arrange the music?
    Yes, I got Roger to arrange the music.
    Why did you get Roger to arrange the music?
    I got Roger to arrange the music because he was the only one there at that moment.
  • Ask me who you should've got to arrange the music.
    Who should I've got to arrange the music?
    You should've got Alberto to arrange the music.
  • Ask me why you should've got Alberto to arrange the music.
    Why should I've got Alberto to arrange the music?
    Because he's a musical genius, that's why.

vocabulary 124

to blackmailchantajear
to inheritheredar
saucesalsa
at the expense ofa expensas de
to split hairsrizar el rizo
martes 6 abril 2010
lunes 28 marzo 2011

grammar

  • She never gets me to do what she wants me to do.

to take up time

  • ocupar tiempo

review

to get off to a good start

  • Did you and I get off to a good start?
  • Ask me if I got off to a bad start with my future mother in law.
  • What would you do if you got off to a bad start with your new boss?
  • Ask me what I'd do if I get off to a bad start with my neighbour.

to get someone to do something

  • Conseguí que él lo hiciera.
    I got him to do it.
  • ¿Conseguiste que revisaran los informes?
    Did you get them to revise the reports?
  • ¿Conseguiste que él hiciera la cena?
    Did you get him to make dinner?
  • ¿Conseguiste que ellos hicieran la fiesta en su casa?
    Did you get them to have the party at their house?

exercises

to take up time

  • Does replying to e-mails take up too much of your time?
  • Ask me if replying to e-mails takes up too much of my time.
  • Does paperwork take up a lot of your time?
  • Ask me if paperwork takes up a lot of my time.
  • Ask me if learning Spanish takes up a lot of my time.
  • Does learning English take up a lot of your time?
  • Does doing your tax return take up too much of your time?
  • Does attending meetings take up a lot of your time?
  • Ask me if attending meetings takes up...
  • Does choosing Christmas presents take up a too much of your time?
  • Does preparing dinner take up too much of your time?
    No, preparing dinner doesn't take up any of my time.
  • Ask me if preparing dinner takes up...
  • Does learning phrasal verbs take up too much of your time?
  • Does learning irregular verbs take up too much of your time?
  • Does learning conditionals take up too much of your time?

vocabulary 125

snowstormtormenta de nieve
to yellgritar
tonguelengua
sooner or latertarde o temprano
so far so goodhasta el momento, todo bien

translation list 41

  1. Dejaron toda su fortuna al cartero.
    They left their whole fortune to the postman/mailman.
  2. Parecían una pareja tan normal.
    They seemed like such a normal couple.
  3. Casi nadie les hacía caso.
    Hardly anyone payed any attention to them.
  4. Hay una escasez de materias primas.
    There's a shortage of raw materials.
  5. Tenemos que recurrir a las importaciones.
    We have to resort to imports.
  6. Es el único modo de que podamos sobrevivir.
    It's the only way we can survive.
  7. Estoy interesado en ofrecerte lo mejor.
    I'm interesed in offering you the best.
  8. Quiero hacerte unas preguntas más.
    I want to ask you a few more questions.
  9. Cuando se trata de mujeres, él se considera un experto.
    When it comes to women, he considers himself an expert.
  10. Era un asunto de vida o muerte.
    It was a matter/question of life or death.
  11. Todo saldrá bien.
    Everything will come/turn/work out fine.
  12. Le conozco desde hace bastante tiempo.
    I've known him for quite [a long/some] time.
miércoles 7 abril 2010
martes 29 marzo 2011

grammar

next to, beside, by

  • next to = beside: adyacente
    by: próximo a
  • next door = adyacente

besides, apart from, aside from

  • apart from: aparte de
    aside from: aparte de
    besides: aparte/además de
  • besides/apart from = además/aparte de
    besides + objeto = objeto + aside

my vocabulary

  • drawback = inconveniente

pronunciation

  • whole /həʊl/
  • mailman /'meɪlmæn/ AmE
  • postman /'pəʊstmən/ BrE
  • mortgage /'mɔ:gɪdʒ/
  • debt /det/

review

to take up time

  • Does replying to e-mails take up a lot of your time?
  • Does studying English take up a lot of your time?
  • Does cleaning your house take up a lot of your time?

exercises

next to, beside

  • My house is next to the metro.
    Your house is beside the metro.
  • Is your house next to a farmacy?
  • Would you like to live next to Big Ben?
  • Is the table beside me or behind me?
  • Is the Eiffel tower next to you right now?
  • Would you like to be next to the Eiffel tower right now?
  • Is your house next to mine?
  • Do we live next to each other?
    No, we don't live [next to/beside] each other.
  • Is Rome next to Madrid?
  • Do you keep your toothbrush next to your shoes?
    No, I don't keep my toothbrush [next to/beside] my shoes.
  • Are my feet next to each other?
    My feet are [beside/next to] each other.
  • Are my eyes next to each other?
  • Would you like to live next to tigers?
  • Is France [next to/beside] Germany?
  • Is Portugal next to Spain or next to Bulgaria?
  • Is there a fire station next to your house?
  • Should wolves live next to rabbits?
  • If you were a wolf would you like to live next to rabbits?
  • If you were a rabbit would you like to live next to wolves?

besides, apart from, aside

  • Apart from the kitchen, the rest of the house are very spacious.
    Besides the kichen, the rest...
    The kitchen aside, the rest...
  • Apart from his lack of punctuality his a very good employee.
  • Apart from the weather, we had a good time.
    Besides he weather, we had a good time.
    The weather aside, we had a good time.
  • Apart from his oncle Jack, all my husband's family is nice.
  • Apart from maths I was good at all subjects at school.
  • Apart from the traffic I like living in Madrid.
  • Apart from that horrible building, it's a very nice city.
  • Apart from the noise, I like my flat.
  • Apart from my mortgage, I don't have any debts.
    Aside my mortgage,...
    Besides my mortgage,...

vocabulary 126

somewhat (+ adjective)algo
optimismoptimismo
staplergrapadora
tongue twistertrabalenguas (tongue /tʌŋ/)
toothachedolor de de muelas
jueves 8 abril 2010
miércoles 30 marzo 2011

grammar

review: besides

  • in addition to

to be supposed to

to require + gerundio

my vocabulary

  • perk = beneficio, ventaja

pronunciation

  • perk /pɜːk/
  • supposed /sə'pəʊzd/
  • question /'kwestʃən/

review

beside, besides

rephrase
  • My house is beside the metro.
  • Is your house next to the farmacy?
  • Would you like to live next to the Big Ben?
  • The butcher's is next to the supermarket.
  • The School is next to the Town Hall.
  • I used to live next to a parking lot.
  • Apart from a few scratches the climber was fine.
    Besides a few...
  • The weather isn't going to be nice, what's more it's going to rain.
    The weather..., besides it's going to rain.
  • Apart from the kitchen, the rest of the rooms are quite small.
  • Apart from the bandage we didn't put anything else on his arm.
  • I don't have time to go to lunch, what's more I'm not even hungry.
    I don't have time to go to lunch, besides I'm not even hungry.

exercises

to be supposed to

bastante similar a to have to
  • I have to call my parents twice a week.
    You're supposed to call your parentes twice a week.
  • Do you have to answer my questions out loud?
    Am I supposed to answer your questions out loud?
  • Does this course have to be taken seriously?
    Is this course supposed to be taken seriously?
  • You have to take this course seriously.
    I'm supposed to take this course seriously.
  • You have to study everyday.
  • You have to do the on-line test everyday.
  • You have to come to class everyday.
  • I have to prepare these classes well.
  • I have to correct all the mistakes you make.
    You're supposed to correct...
  • I have to be demanding.
    You're supposed to be demanding.

vocabulary 127

resoluteresuelto
floodedinundado
tastysabroso
to get lostperderse
warrantygarantía (garantizar = to guarantee)

translation list 42

  1. Él nunca llegó de vuelta al campamento.
    He never made it back to the camp.
  2. Los dos libros están agotados.
    The two books are sold out.
  3. Solemos tener un stock bastante grande.
    We usually have a pretty big stock.
  4. ¿Has encontrado lo que buscabas?
    [Did you find/Have you found] what you're looking for?
  5. El puesto requiere viajar al extranjero.
    The job requires travelling abroad.
  6. Cuando se entere el jefe, te matará.
    When the boss finds out he'll kill you.
  7. ¿Por qué hiciste que se quitaran los ventiladores?
    Why did you have the fans removed?
  8. Nunca tendrás éxito mientras tengas esa actitud.
    You'll never succeed as long as you have that attitude.
  9. Me dirigí al público sin micrófono.
    I adressed the audience/public without a microphone.
  10. Él nos recordó nuestras obligaciones.
    He reminded us of our obligations.
  11. Por muy bien que conduzcas, los accidentes pueden ocurrir.
    No matter how well you drive, accidents can happen.
  12. Ocurren cuando menos te lo esperas.
    They happen when you least to expect them.
viernes 9 abril 2010
jueves 31 marzo 2011

grammar

  • travelling EN/traveling AM
  • to remind + of
  • what is it to you?
    we had to cover for you.
    I couldn't make it!

to take up space

  • to take up = ocupar espacio o tiempo
    to take up = tener como afición
  • to take up a lot of space

my vocabulary

  • to make it = asistir, presentarse, acudir
  • to come up = surgir, aparecer inesperadamente
  • uptight = a little angry
  • to be on time = ser puntual
  • to be in time = llegar a la hora (para algo)

pronunciation

  • wardrobe /'wɔ:drəʊb/

review

to be supposed to

  • I have to call my parents at least four times a week.
    I'm supposed to call my parents at least four times a week.
  • Do I have to answer your questions aloud?
    Am I supposed to answer your questions aloud?
  • Does this course have to be taken seriously?
    Is this course supposed to be taken seriously?

exercises

to be supposed to

  • I had to call my wife at four o'clock yesterday, but I didn't.
    I was supposed to call ...
  • I had to buy some coffee for my wife, but I forgot.
    I was supposed to buy ...
  • They had to call us yesterday (our suppliers), but they didn't.
    They were supposed to call us, ...
  • Did I have to be here at seven o'clock?
    Was I supposed to be here...?
  • Did he have to call me today?
    Was he supposed to call me today?
  • Did more people have to go to the meeting?
    Were more people supposed to go to the meeting?
  • Did more people have to go to the conference?
  • I had to be here at ten o'clock, and I didn't get here, I didn't make it.
    I was supposed to be here...
    No fuí puntual = I wasn't on time
    I'm a punctual person.
    to be in time = llegar a la hora para algo: for the meeting, for the train
  • You had to be here at ten fifteen and you    late.
  • And your husband was supposed to come here too.
  • They had to bring some flowers.
  • He was supposed to bring some flour, but he didn't.

to take up space

  • Does this chair take up a lot of space in the studio?
  • Would a king-size bed take up a lot of space in the studio?
  • Ask me if my boyfriend thinks my shoes take up too much space in our wardrobe.
  • Do your shoes take up too much space?
  • Does your computer take up a lot of space on your desk?
  • Ask me what takes up the least space in my living room.
    What takes up the least space in your living room?
  • Ask me if my dad's car takes up most of the space in his garage.
    Does your dad's car take up most of the space in his garage?
  • Sus perfumes ocupan demasiado espacio en su baño.
    Her perfumes take up too much space in her bathroom.
  • Ese sillón no ocupa suficiente sitio.
    That sofa/couch doesn't take up enough space.
  • Ojalá mi ropa no ocupara tanto sitio.
    I wish my clothes didn't take up so much space.
  • Espero que tus deberes ocupen mucho sitio en tu cuaderno.
    I hope your homework takes up a lot of space in your notebook.

vocabulary 128

spokesmanportavoz
injuredlesionado
trailerremolque
manufacturerfabricante
to replacesustituir
lunes 12 abril 2010
viernes 1 abril 2011

grammar

the latin subjunctive

  • I recommend/insist/suggest/demand/beg that she come.
    subjuntivo al estilo latino
  • I [want/would like] her to come.
  • Déjame recomendarte un restaurante.
    Let me recommend a restaurant.
    to recommend: casi siempre sin complemento indirecto, y en caso de que hubiera, sería con to (recommend me to your boss)
  • Subjuntivo al estilo latino: recomiendo que ella venga
  • Quiero que ella venga.
    I want her to come.
  • Insistí en que viniera.
    I insisted/suggested/demanded/recommended that she come.
  • 'She come' es presente de subjuntivo.
  • Insisto en que ella esté.
    I insist that she be.
  • Insistí en que no llegara tarde.
    I insisted that she not arrive late.
  • I recommended that she not go to the beach.
  • I demanded that she not call me by 'tú'.
  • I recommended that she be here on time and not be late.

my vocabulary

  • to floss (one's teeth) = usar el hilo dental
  • hilo dental = dental floss
  • más o menos (como respuesta corta) = kind of, sort of

review

to be supposed to

  • I had to buy eight apples.
    You were supposed to buy eight apples.
  • Did I have to set the alarm clock for seven?
    Were you supposed to set the alarm clock for seven?
  • Did more people have to go to the meeting?
    Were more people supposed to go to the meeting?
  • I had to take out the rubbish.
    You were supposed to take out the rubbish.
  • You had to do your homework lastnight.
    I was supposed to do my homework lastnight.

to take up space

  • Does this chair take up a lot of space in the studio?
  • Would a king-size bed take up a lot of space in the studio?
  • Ask me if a king-size bed would take up...
  • Does this table take up a lot of space in the studio?
  • Would an elephant take up too much space in your garage?

exercises

to recommend

  • They wanted us to fix it.
    They recommended that we fix it.
  • She wanted us to try again.
    She recommended that we try again.
  • My doctor suggested that I eat more fruit, so what did he recommend?
  • My dentist told me I should floss my teeth more often, so what does he recommend?
    He recommends that you floss your teeth mor often.
  • The trainers told me I should lift weights.
    The trainers recommended thay you lift weights.
  • Richard told me I should read out loud more to improve my Spanish.
    Richard recommended you read out loud...
  • The experts say that you should wash your hands regularly.
    ... recommend that you wash your...
  • I suggest doing something ten thousand times to master it.
    ... recommend that we do something ...
  • My brother thought I should read a new book.
    Your brother recommended that you read a new book.
  • They say you should drink 68 glasses of water a day.
  • She thinks I should get new glasses.
  • They suggested that I ask for help if I need it.
  • They think he shouldn't drink so much.
    They recommended that he doesn't drink so much.
  • I don't think that you should worry about him.
    You recommend that I don't worry about him.
  • I think we should fix it as soon as possible.
    You recommend we fix it asap.
  • He feels it's best to put onion in the tortilla.
    He recommends you put onion...
  • He feels that we should get more fresh air.
    He recommends that we get more fresh air.
  • I suggest you play sports at least once a week.
    You recommend that I play sports at least once a week.
    I recommend that everyone plays sports at least once a week.
    sports: AM
    sport: EN

vocabulary 129

thuspor lo tanto
to boostaumentar, potenciar
dewrocío
better late than nevermás vale tarde que nunca
a skepticescéptico

translation list 43

  1. El conductor no llevaba cinturón.
    The driver wasn't wearing a seat belt.
  2. ¿Quién se [queda con/cuida a] el bebé cuando vas de compras?
    Who [stays with/looks after] the baby when you go shopping?
  3. Ellos son la clave de mi éxito.
    They're the key to my succes.
  4. Pronto se desanimarán y perderán eficacia.
    They'll soon get discouraged and lose effectiveness.
  5. Tardé un año en dominar el tema.
    It took me a year to master the subject.
  6. ¿Te das cuenta de lo rico que eres?
    Do you realize how rich you are?
  7. Él está muy por delante de sus compañeros de clase.
    He's [far/way] ahead of his classmates.
  8. Estás perdiendo tu toque mágico.
    You're losing your magic touch.
  9. Te costará entenderles, ya verás.
    You'll have trouble understanding them, you'll see.
  10. No quiero, pero no me queda más remedio.
    I don't want to, but I have no choice.
  11. No me gusta pedir trabajo a los amigos.
    I don't like asking [my] friends for a job.
  12. Iba a ser una fiesta sorpresa.
    It was going to be a surprise party.
martes 13 abril 2010
lunes 4 abril 2011

grammar

  • another se usa delante de nombres en singular, pero también delante de números:
    Another two people came.
  • the door key, the car key, but the key to your heart/success
  • to brush up on maths = repasar/refrescar/pulir las mates

pronombres relativos que se eliden

  • ejemplos
    • The man I was talking to before the class is a friend of yours.
      The man whom I was speaking to is...
      The man to whom I was speaking is...
    • The book I'm using today is the same one as yesterday.
      The book that I'm using today...
    • The place I went to last night was a new restaurant.
      The place where I went to...
    • The person I'm looking at right now is you.
    • You're the person I'm talking to.
      You're the person whom I'm talking to.
  • Si no cambia el sujeto, no se puede elidir:
    Camera number three is the camera that does nothing.
  • Cambiando el sujeto, se puede elidir:
    Camera number one is the camera I use.

my vocabulary

  • the jackpot = el premio gordo
  • to make a mess of something = hacer algo mal
  • to make a right mess of something = hacer algo muy mal

review

to recommend [that]

  • My friend shouldn't shout so much.
    You recommend your friend not shout so much.
  • Should you study a minimum of five hours a day?
    Do you recommend I study a minimum of five hours a day?
  • She should always be on time for class.
    Do you recommend that she always be on time for class?

exercises

to make a mess of something

  • Have you ever made a mess of your hair?
  • Has anyone else ever made a mess of...?
  • Has your hairdresser ever made a mess of...?
  • Ask me if I've ever made a mess of my own hair.
  • Ask me how I made a mess of my own hair.
  • Ask me if I've ever made a mess of a recipe.
  • Ask me if I've ever made a mess of my kitchen.
  • Ask me how I made a mess of my kitchen.
  • Do you know anybody who always makes a complete mess of everything?
  • Ask me if I sometimes make a mess of my Spanish.
  • Ask me if I sometimes make a right mess of my Spanish verbs.
  • When was the last time you made a mess of your kitchen?
  • Has anyone ever made a mess of your house?
  • Did Hitler make a mess of the invasion of Russia?
  • Have you ever made a mess of a song?
  • Do some famous musicians make a mess of songs?
  • Has Plácido Domingo ever made a mess of a beautiful aria?
  • Do people ever make a mess of their lives?
  • Do some famous people make a mess of their lives?
  • Do you know anyone who's made a right mess of their own lives?
  • How often did you make a mess of your parents's house when you were a child?
  • Have you ever made a mess of your parents's house?
  • Did Picasso make a mess of his paintings?
  • Does polution make a mess of rivers?
  • Do corrupt politicians make a mess of poor countries?
  • Does eating to much chocolate make a right mess of your health?
  • Would drinking two litres of whisky every day make a right mess of your health?
  • Would not practising your English make a mess of your English?
    Yes, if I didn't practise my Engish, I would make a mess of it.

that: ¿opcional u obligatorio?

  • I saw a movie. The movie was in French.
    The movie [that] I saw was in French.
  • She bought a dress. The dress was pink.
    The dress [that] she bought was pink.
  • He bought a book. The book was written by García Márquez.
    The book [that] he bought was written by García Márquez.
  • The house is next to the river. The house is blue.
    The house that is next to the river is blue.
  • The car is in the garage. The car is mine.
    The car that is in the garage is mine.
  • The building is next to the museum. The building is very old.
    The building that is next to the museum is very old.
  • The computer is in my office. The computer is expensive.
    The computer that is in my office is expensive.

vocabulary 130

doubtfulldudoso
EasterSemana Santa
eagleáguila
disappointmentdecepción
dividendsdividendos
miércoles 14 abril 2010
martes 5 abril 2011

grammar

to brush up on

  • to brush up on my English = repasar mi inglés
    I need to brush up on my Algebra, but heavy brushing up.

my vocabulary

  • to mess sth. up = estropear algo
  • to brush = cepillar, rozar
  • rusty = oxidado
  • to catch up = ponerse al día, recuperar
  • you can make or break this program

pronunciation

  • encore /'ɒŋkɔ:/
  • endurance /ɪn'djʊərəns/

review

to do a mess of

+ nombre (o gerundio)
a [complete (AM)/right (BR)] mess
  • Have you ever made a mess of a recipe?
  • Have you ever made a mess of a cake?
  • The company that made the Titanic, did they make a mess of it?
  • Have companies ever made a mess of new products?
  • Did he make a mess of his plans?
  • Did they make a mess of organising the concert?
  • Have they made a mess of a lot of things lately?
  • Did he make a mess of the dinner party?
  • Did he make a mess of the project?
  • Did they make a mess of the new advertising campaign?
  • Did we make a mess of that segment?

pronombres relativos

  • I bought a car. The car was second-hand.
    The car that I bought was second-hand.
  • The book is on the table. The book is blue.
    The book that is on the table is blue.
  • I got a table at a yard sale. The table was second-hand.
    The table that you got at a yard sale was second-hand.
  • The dog is under the table. The dog is fat.
    The dog [that is] under the table is fat.
  • We saw a movie yesterday. The movie was boring.
    The movie that you saw yesterday was boring.
  • We did the job. The job was difficult.
    The job that you did was difficult.
  • He bought a new computer. The computer was expensive.
    The computer [that] he bought was expensive.

exercises

to brush up on

When you are a little rusty on something, you need to brush up on it.
  • Do you need to brush up on your English?
  • What do you think you need to brush up on the most?
    ¿Qué crees que es lo que más necesitas desempolvar?
    I think I need to brush up on maths the most.
  • Did you brush up on your Highway Code before you took your driver's test?
  • What would you brush up on, if you had more extra time?
  • Ask me what I would brush up on, if I had more extra time.
  • Are you brushing up on anything with your 14 month old baby?
  • What about your wife, is your wife brushing up on anything with your son?
  • What about at work, is there anything you think you should brush up on just a little bit more?
  • Ask me how often I brush up on my Spanish.
  • What do you think people in general should brush up on?
  • Do you think you would have to brush up on anything specific when your son starts getting older?

vocabulary 131

exhaustedagotado
survivalsupervivencia
encorebis
endurancefondo o aguante
sunstrokeinsolación

translation list 44

  1. Él no se presentó hasta mucho más tarde.
    He didn't show/turn up until much later.
  2. ¿Cómo se supone que debe de hacerse?
    How is it supposed to be done?
  3. Yo preferiría jugar al tenis que ir al dentista.
    I'd rather play tennis than go to the dentist.
  4. Así soy y no lo puedo evitar.
    That's [the way/how] I am and I can't help it.
  5. Déjame esa decisión a mí.
    Leave that decision up to me.
  6. Avísame en cuanto estés listo.
    [Call me/Let me know] as soon as you're ready.
  7. Hay muchos factores que influyen en mí.
    There are a lot of factors that influence me.
  8. No dejes que ello te deprima.
    Don't let it [get you down/depress you].
  9. Tardé un año en acostumbrarme a la comida.
    It took me a year to get used to the food.
  10. Dan por sentado que sabes álgebra.
    They take for granted you know Algebra.
  11. Aquí la temperatura apenas baja de los 15 grados.
    Here the temperature hardly ever falls/drops below 15 degrees.
  12. Siempre llevo una camiseta debajo.
    I always wear a T-shirt underneath.
jueves 15 abril 2010
miércoles 6 abril 2011

grammar

  • so much the better = tanto mejor
    If you can put it together, so much the better.

at/to

  • shouting, throwing, pointing, looking, laughing to/at
    at es más directo y agresivo que to
  • laughing at someone = reirse de alguien
  • shout to: para llamar la atención
    shout at: con enfado
  • throw to: lanzar o arrojar algo por el aire
    throw at: arrojar algo con intención de hacer daño

my vocabulary

  • making fun of someone = burlarse de alguien
  • duck = agacharse
  • ojo por ojo = an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
  • to cost (someone) an arm and a leg = to cost a fortune
  • a rip-off = un atraco, un timo, un plagio
  • expensive = costly
  • It's a walk in the park = It's a piece of cake
  • a chatterbox = un charlatán
  • to have the gift of gab = poder hablar de cualquier cosa (tener un pico de oro)
  • gab = cotorrear, charlar
  • to hatch = salir del cascarón
    don't count your chickens before they hatch

review

to brush up on sth.

  • Are you brushing up on your English in this course?
  • Ask me if I need to brush up on my Portuguese.

exercises

at/to

  • Ví a mi padre en la calle y le grité porque no me oía.
    I saw my father in the street and I shouted to him because he couldn't hear me.
  • Mi jefe me gritó porque llegué tarde.
    My boss shouted at me because I was late.
  • I'm throwing the pen to you. Catch, here we go!
  • I'm going to throw the pen at you.
    No, please!
    Duck, duck!
  • If I threw a pen at you, would you be angry?
  • If I threw a pen at you, would you shout at me?
  • If I threw a pen at you, would you throw it back at me?
  • If I laughted at you, would you get angry?
  • If I laughted at you, would you shout at me?
  • Ask me if you shouted at me, if I would throw a pen at you.
    If I shouted at you, would you throw a pen at me?
    Of course I would.

to cost ...

  • El coche me costó un güevo.
    The car cost me an arm and a leg.
  • Did that watch cost you an arm and a leg?
  • Ask me if diamonds cost an arm and a leg.
  • Did your wife's Christmas present cost an arm and a leg?
  • Ask me if this course costs an arm and a leg.
    Does...?
    No, it's very affordable.

vocabulary 132

unlimitedilimitado
sweatysudoroso
swamppantano, ciénaga (mud = barro, muddy = con barro)
unsatisfactoryinsatisfactorio
talkativehablador (chatterbox = charlatán)
viernes 16 abril 2010
jueves 9 abril 2011

grammar

subjuntivo estilo latino

  • Subjuntivo normal: con infinitivo
    quiero que vengas = I want you to come
    me gustaría que ella estuviera = I would like her to be
  • Subjuntivo estilo latino
    con verbos: insistir, recomendar, sugerir y exigir (insist, recommend, suggest, demand)
    o con ese sentido: es importante que, es esencial, es vital, etc.
    (important, essential, vital, crucial)
    es esencial que ella esté aquí mañana = it's essential that she be ...
    insistí en que ella esté aquí mañana = I insisted that she be ...
    It's important that she know the true reason why we are doing this.
    Es necesario: a diferencia de "es importante", "es esencial", "es vital", "es crucial", etc.:
    It's important/essential/vital/crucial that he know the answer
    It's necessary that he know the answer:
    I need him to know the answer = It's necessary for him to know the answer
  • Con 'important' y 'necessary' se puede hacer de dos formas:
    1) It's important/necessary for him/her/us/… + to + infinitive
    It's important for María to come here on time everyday
    2) It's important that María come here on time everyday

entre

  • entre dos: between
  • entre más de dos: among

my vocabulary

  • likewise = asimismo, de la misma manera
  • to lose one's temper = to blow one's top = to fly off the handle

pronunciation

  • among /ə'mʌŋ/

review

at/to

to throw at/to, to shout at/to laugh at/with
  • Ví a mi padre en la calle y le grité porque no me oía.
    I saw my father in the street and I shouted to him because he couldn't hear me.
  • El niño se reía de su compañero de clase.
    The boy was laughing at his classmate.
  • Si no hubieras contestado bien, te hubiese gritado.
    If you hadn't answered properly, I would've shouted at you.

to cost someone an arm and a leg

  • Did your car cost you an arm and a leg?
  • Ask me if this cardigan cost me an arm and a leg.
  • Do you think your dream house would cost you an arm and a leg?
  • Ask me when something last cost me an arm and a leg.
    When did something last cost you an arm and a leg?
  • Ask me if I'd buy some shoes that cost an arm and a leg.
    Would you buy some shoes that cost you...?
  • Does flying first class cost an arm and a leg?

exercises

subjuntivo latino

It's important, crucial, necessary, essential, vital that...
  • They have to win this game.
    It's essential that they win this game.
  • We have to start early.
  • They have to fix the computer before the weekend.
  • I have to clean my house every weekend.
  • We have to work hard.
  • I have to think of a lot of examples.
  • They have to check all the equipment first.
  • I have to wear my seat belt while driving.
  • He has to be at the office on time.
  • I have to change the batteries before starting.
  • She has to check the weather before leaving for the trip.
  • We have to buy a new one.
  • They have to quit smoking right away.
  • I have to ask the students a lot of questions.
  • He has to follow the instructions.
  • She has to learn to operate the machinery.
  • We have to improve the sales figures.
  • Alberto has to show up to the office on time.
  • They have to be prepared for the negotiation.
  • They have to find a new manager.
  • She has to learn the process.

vocabulary 133

scenerypaisaje
volcanovolcán
upsetdisgustado
heat waveola de calor
upcomingvenidero

translation list 45

  1. Puedes elegir entre muchas ofertas de trabajo.
    You can choose among many job offers.
  2. Ahora ni siquiera leen mi currículum.
    Now they don't even read my CV.
  3. No debiste decir eso.
    You shoudn't have said that.
  4. Tienes la risa más contagiosa que jamás he oído.
    You have the most contagious laugh I've ever heard.
  5. Una vez que empiezo a reir, no puedo parar.
    Once I start [laughing/to laugh], I can't stop.
  6. Puedo manejar el teléfono con relativa facilidad.
    I can handle the telephone with relative ease.
  7. Él tiende a perder los estribos.
    He ['s prone/tends] to lose [stirrup/his temper].
  8. En el fondo él es un tipo majo.
    Deep down he's a nice guy.
  9. A todo el mundo le gusta un final feliz.
    Everyone likes a happy ending.
  10. Puesto que nunca me pides mi opinión, me callo.
    Since you never ask me for my opinion, I [shut up/keep quiet].
  11. No tengo ni idea de dónde podrían estar.
    I have no idea where they could be.
  12. Él insistió en venir.
    He insisted on coming.
lunes 19 abril 2010
viernes 8 abril 2011

grammar

to talk

  • to talk to/with, to talk about
  • to talk down to is to speak to others in a condescending way
  • to look down his nose at someone: mirar por encima del hombro a alguien
    they look down their nose at people
  • He thinks he is, 'quote, unquote' (antes de lo entrecomillado), the best teacher of the world.
  • To talk down is an inseparable phrasal verb: you must put the object or the person that you're talking down to after the preposition.

no sooner had... than...

No sooner had + acción en pasado + than + acción en pasado
Apenas + ... + ...
  • No sooner had I changed to camera 1, than she told me to go back to camera 2.
  • No sooner had I taken a sip, than...
  • Nada más ver a Pepe, le invitaron al cine:
    As soon as they saw Pepe, they invited him to the movies.
    No sooner had they seen Pepe, than they invited him to the movies.

my vocabulary

  • that's it = se acabó
  • ya no más
    anymore
    no longer
    any longer
  • gafe = jinx
  • to show off = presumir, fanfarronear

review

subjuntivo

  • Es importante que llegues puntual.
    It's important that you be on time.
  • She has to do exercises everyday.
    It's essential that she do exercises everyday.
  • They have to win this game.
    It's crucial that they win this game.
  • He has to be on time.
    It's important that he be on time.
  • I have to get my hair cut.
    It's important you get your hair cut.
    It's important he get his hair cut.
  • Es esencial que estés ahí.
    It's essential that you be there.

exercises

to talk down to someone

  • Do you talk down to people?
  • Ask me the same question.
  • Did your neighbour talk down to you last week?
  • Did you talk down to your neighbour last week?
  • Would you come here if I talk down to you?
  • Do bosses sometimes talk down to their employees?
  • Ask me if I ever talk down to my students.
    Do you ever talk down to your students?
  • How often do you talk down to your daughter?
  • Did the president of the company talk down to his secretary yesterday?
  • If you were a doctor, would you talk down to your patients?
  • Ask me if he used to talk down to his wife.
  • Ask me if I'd quit my job if my boss talked down to me.
  • Do you ever talk down to your students.

no sooner had... than...

  • No sooner had the game started, than the football player sprained his ankle.
  • No sooner had the class finished, than we had to start the next class.
  • to fall asleep, to snore, he:
    No sooner had he fallen asleep, than he started to snore.
  • get the job, get fired:
    No sooner had he gotten the job, than he got fire.

vocabulary 134

to surpasssobrepasar
to wrap upenvolver, terminar
snakeserpiente, culebra
the sooner the bettercuanto antes
whenevercuando quieras
martes 20 abril 2010
lunes 11 abril 2011

grammar

wonder

  • Sustantivo: maravilla
  • Verbo
    I wonder what's the matter with her. (^o^)
    I wonder what the matter is with her.
  • I wonder = me pregunto
    I wonder why she's so quiet.
    I wonder why she's not smiling.
  • no wonder = no es de extrañar
    No wonder she's upset.
    No wonder he's angry.

my vocabulary

  • soaking wet = calado hasta los huesos (adjetivo)
  • I lack = Yo carezco de

review

no sooner had... than...

  • The game started and the football player immediately spraind his ankle.
    No sooner had the game started than the football player sprained his ankle.
  • The class finished and I went straight to the train station.
    No sooner had the class finished than I went straight to the train station.

to talk down to

= to patronize, to condescend
  • Do you like when people talk down to you?
  • Does your boss talk down to you?
  • Do you talk down to your son?
  • Would you come here if I talked down to you?
  • Nobody likes to be talked down to.
  • Have you ever had any teachers that talk down to you when you were in school?

exercises

it's no wonder/no wonder

  • He doesn't understand anything she says because she speaks fast.
    It's no wonder he doesn't understand anything she says. She speaks very fast.
  • He didn't buy the car because it costs an arm and a leg.
    It's no wonder he didn't buy the car. It costs an arm and a leg.
  • They didn't stay at that hotel in the end because it costs an arm and a leg.
  • We didn't go to that restaurant in the end because it costs an arm and a leg.
  • She doesn't want to go to the party because her ex has been invited.
  • She doesn't want to buy a flat at the moment because they cost an arm and a leg.
  • He speaks English very well because he lived in London for five years.
  • She speaks French perfectly well because she lived in Paris for eight years.

vocabulary 135

landmarkmonumento
humblehumilde
clownpayaso
encouragingalentador
complimentcumplido (to pay a compliment)

translation list 46

  1. Me quedé unos minutos y luego me fuí.
    I stayed for a few minutes and then [I] left.
  2. Ojalá yo tuviera un trabajo como el tuyo.
    I wish I had a job like yours.
  3. Puedes hacer lo que quieras siempre que consigas resultados.
    You can do whatever you want as long as you get results.
  4. Lo único que le falta (a él) es un amigo.
    The only thing he lacks is a friend.
  5. Hemos sufrido muchas lesiones esta temporada (deportiva)
    We've suffered a lot of injuries this season.
  6. ¿Por qué no hacemos otra cosa para variar?
    Why don't we do something else for a change?
  7. Has aprendido muy poco con el paso de los años.
    You've learned/learnt very little over the years.
  8. Nunca te haces rico trabajando duro.
    You never get rich [by] working hard.
  9. Debió ser guapo cuando era joven.
    He must have been hadsome when he was young.
  10. Me horroriza la idea de volver a ir.
    I dread the idea of going back there.
  11. Tienes que hacer cola durante una hora.
    You have to [stand in line/queue up] (AM/EN) for an hour.
  12. Me estás volviendo loco.
    You're driving me crazy.
miércoles 21 abril 2010
martes 12 abril 2011

grammar

  • it's about time you took this class seriously
    ya era hora de que tomaras esta clase en serio
  • it's about time you take this class seriously
    ya es hora de que tomes esta clase en serio

to get to the point

to put out

  • he walked up to the policeman
  • to go up to = acercarse a
  • to walk up to = acercarse caminando a
    verbo de locomoción + up to = acercarse a
    to swim, to crawl, to waltz... up to
  • to put out = apagar (cigarrillos, cerillas, llamas, velas)
    to turn/switch off, to turn out = apagar (aparatos eléctricos, luz)
    to blow out candles or flames (soplar una persona o el viento)
  • candles: to put out, to blow out, to snuff out

my vocabulary

  • to beat around the bush = irse por las ramas
  • to go/fly off on/at a tangent = irse por las ramas
  • to snuff it = palmarla (verbo incompleto)

review

[it's] no wonder

  • He doesn't understand anything she says because she speaks very fast.
    [It's] no wonder he doen't undersatand anything she says. She speaks very fast.
  • He didn't buy the car because it costs an arm and a leg.
  • His English improved because his girlfriend is American.
    [It's] no wonder his English improved, his girlfriend is American.

exercises

to get to the point

  • Ella fué directamente al grano y le dijo que no le aguantaba.
    She went straight to the point and told him that she couldn't stand him.
  • Ve al grano, ¿quieres?
    Get to the point, will you?
  • Si hubieras ido al grano no me hubiera quedado dormida.
    If you had got/gotten to the point I wouldn't have fallen asleep.
  • Me voy en cinco minutos, así que, por favor, ve al grano.
    I'm leaving in five minutes, so, please, get to the point.
  • Es importante ir al grano cuando le mandas un e-mail.
    It's important to get to the point when [you e-mail/e-mailing] him.
  • La clave de una buena entrevista es ir al grano cuando te preguntan algo.
    The key to a good interview is getting to the point when someone asks you something.
  • No soy muy paciente, así que, por favor, ve al grano.
    I'm not very patient, so please, get to the point.
  • No pareces estar de buen humor, así que iré al grano.
    You don't seem to be in a good mood, so I'll get to the point.
  • Es mejor ir al grano que andarse por las ramas.
    It's better to get to the point than to beat around the bush.
  • Iré al grano: tu vestido no te queda bien.
    I'll get to the point: your dress doesn't suit you.
  • No perdamos más tiempo y vayamos al grano.
    Let not waste any more time and let's get to the point.
  • ¿La gente directa suele ir al grano?
    Do direct people usually get to the point?
  • And do you usually get to the point when you want to say something?
  • Ask me.

to put out

  • Did you use a horse to put out a fire yesterday?
  • If there were a fire (and there were a horse), would you use a horse to put it out?
  • If there were a fire here and now, would the firemen put it out?
  • If there were a fire in the studio right now would we call the firemen to put it out?
  • Have you ever put out a fire?
  • Ask me if I've ever put out a fire.
  • What do you use to put out a fire, normally?
    Either water, or sand; sometimes a coat, or a wet tea towel, an extinguisher.
  • Ask me if I would know how to put out an electrical fire.
    ...
    I used to know how to ... but I forgotten. Do you know?
    No, I have no idea.
    ... if there is an electrical fire right now, in the middle of this program, we are scuppered!

vocabulary 136

leadershipliderazgo
livestock (uncontable)ganado
lousychapucero (también, horrible: I feel lousy today)
imbalancedesequilibrio
I'm starvingme muero de hambre
jueves 22 abril 2010
miércoles 13 abril 2011

grammar

I love it

  • I love it when ...
  • I love [coming/to come] here
    Pero con condicional, sólo infinitivo:
    I'd love to come here.

my vocabulary

  • maths/math EN/AM

review

to put out a fire

  • Have you ever had to put out a fire?
  • When have you had to put out a fire, what happened?
  • Ask me if I've ever had to put out a fire.

to get to the point

  • Me voy en cinco minutos, así que, por favor, ve al grano.
    I'm leaving in five minutes, so, please, get to the point.

exercises

to love

  • I love the way the stores in Spain have sales in January.
    I love it when they have sales.
  • I love the way she sings.
    I love it when she sings.
  • I love it when he does stand-up commedy
  • I love the way she plays piano.
  • I love the way they speaks in their southern accent.
  • I love the way they let me go home early sometimes.
  • I love the way the weather is great here most of the times.
    I love it when the wheather's great.
  • I love it when she cooks dinner.
  • I used to love it when school was cancelled because of the snow.
  • I love it when the grocery store gives samples.
  • I love it when a plan comes together.
    I love the way that plan came together.
  • Do you love it when it rains here in the summer?
    Yes, I love the way it rains here in the summer.
  • Do you love the way this course is designed?
    Yes, I love the way ...
  • Do you love the way you can learn English by watching TV?
    Yes, I love the way we can learn English by watching TV.

vocabulary 137

rewardrecompensa
lungspulmones
sweatsudor
thick-headedtozudo
thorough /'θʌrə/esmerado, concienzudo

translation list 47

  1. Me las arreglo gracias a una herencia.
    I get by thanks to an inheritance.
  2. Si él va a estar ahí, no cuentes conmigo.
    If he's going to be there, [count me out/don't count on me/don't count me in].
  3. No quiero tener nada que ver con él.
    I [don't want to have anything/want to have nothing] to do with him.
  4. Él siempre presume de sus conquistas.
    He always brags about his conquests.
  5. No sé cómo le aguantas.
    I don't know how you can stand him.
  6. Yo no sé de qué están hechos.
    I don't know what they're made of.
  7. Me alegro de que hayas conocido a Juan.
    I'm glad [that] you met Juan.
  8. Como todos los grandes hombres, él tenía sus defectos.
    Like all great men, he had his faults.
  9. Apenas podemos mantenernos en pie.
    We can hardly [stand up/stay on our feet].
  10. Todas las chicas te van a envidiar.
    All the girls are going to envy you.
  11. Puede que no sea tan buena idea.
    It may/might not be such a good idea.
  12. Mi bigote me hace parecer mayor.
    My mustache makes me look older.
viernes 23 abril 2010
jueves 14 abril 2011

grammar

I hate it

  • I hate it when I have to do things I don't like to do.
  • I hate having to do things I don't like to do.

he's doing all right for himself

my vocabulary

  • to rush in = ir corriendo
  • to cut in line/to jump the queue AM/EN = colarse (saltarse el turno)
  • 'same all' respuesta para '¿Qué tal?/Como siempre'
  • matices = nuances
  • sutil = subtle /'sʌtḷ/

review

I love [it when/the way]

  • Me encanta cuando ordena la casa.
    I love it when he tidies up the house.
  • Me encanta cómo se viste.
    I love the way she dresses.
  • Me encanta cuando llueve.
    I love it when it rains.
  • Me encanta cómo aliñó la ensalada.
    I love the way she dressed the salad.
  • Me encanta cómo eres.
    I love the way you are.
  • Me encanta cuando un plan sale bien.
    I love it when a plan goes well.

exercises

I hate [the way/it when]

  • I hate the way he's always late.
    I hate it when he's always late.
  • I hate it when he picks on me.
    I hate the way he picks on me.
  • I hate the way she bosses people around.
    I hate it when she bosses people around.
  • I hate it when people are rude.
    I hate the way people are rude.
  • I hate the way meet is undercooked.
    I hate it when meat is undercooked.
  • I hate it when they overcooke pasta.
    I hate the way they overcooke pasta.
    I hate the way pasta is overcooked.
  • I hate the way she tries so hard to convince me.
  • I hate it when some people dont wait before getting on the metro.
  • I hate the way people push you without apologizing.
  • I hate it when people rush in to get a seat.
  • Can you tell me something that you hate?
    I hate the way some people move from one lane to another in a traffic jam.
  • I hate it when people jump the queue.

he's doing all right for himself

  • Le iba muy bien la vida hasta que le despidieron de su trabajo.
    He was doing all right for himself until he got fired.
  • A mi vecina le va todo muy bien, tiene un buen trabajo y está esperando su primer hijo.
    My neighbour is doing all right for herself, she's got a good job and she's expecting her first baby.
  • The football player was doing all right for himself until he got injured.

vocabulary 138

to assessvalorar, tasar
to behave (to missbehave: lo contrario)comportarse
to beatvencer (deportes)
to be optimisticser optimista
thoroughness: thorough /'θɜ:rəʊ / concienzudoesmero
lunes 26 abril 2010
viernes 15 abril 2011

grammar

to/for

to + infinitivo
for + gerundio > funcionalidad
  • I'm here to teach you English.
  • I use my car to go places.
  • This cup is for drinking from.
  • A corkscrew is for opening wine bottles.
  • A paper clip is for holding papers together.
    I use a paper clip to hold papers together.
  • TO + INFINITIVO siempre es correcto:
    a bottle opener is for opening bottles
    a bottle opener is to open bottles
  • No se puede decir: I'm here for teaching you English.

my vocabulary

  • The cats always land feet first.
  • He had a good head on his shoulders = [Él] Tiene buena cabeza
  • She looks out for herself = Ella vela por su propio bien
  • to queue jump/to jump a queue = colarse (en una cola)
  • to cut someone up = (en la carretera) colarse y no dejar espacio
  • the lead = la mina de un lápiz
  • to disturb = interrumpir
  • to do sth. without blinking twice

pronunciation

  • Australia /ɒ'streɪliə/
  • research
    /'ri:sɜ:tʃ / nombre
    /rɪ'sɜ:tʃ/ verbo

review

I hate [the way/it when]

pet hates = things I like to hate
pet loves
  • I hate the way he's always late.
  • I hate it when he tells jokes.
  • I love the way he teaches English.
  • I hate the way she's always the center of attention.
  • I hate it when you do that.
  • I hate it when people cut you up on the roads.
  • I love it when people are in a good mood.
  • I hate it when people make that mistake.

doing all right for oneself

  • Le iba muy bien la vida hasta que le despidieron de su trabajo.
    He was doing all right for himself until he was/got fired.
  • she
  • they

exercises

to = in order to

  • She quitted her job because she wanted to look after her parents.
    She quitted her job [in order to/to] look after her parents.
  • I went to Australia because I wanted to do some research.
  • They went to Spain to brush up on their Spanish.
  • They went to Greece in order to brush up on their Greek.
  • They went to Germany because they wanted to brush up on their German.
  • They went to Portugal because they wanted to brush up on their Portuguese.
  • We went to Mérida because we wanted to see the Roman theatre.
  • He went to the Canary Islands because he wanted to study vulcanology.

vocabulary 139

wisdomsabiduría
to riseascender, subir
wrist /rɪst/muñeca (del brazo)
ups and downsaltibajos
witnesstestigo

translation list 48

  1. ¿Cómo lo habrías resuelto tú?
    How would you've solved it?
  2. Nunca me molesto en hablar con los testigos.
    I never bother [talking/to talk] to the witnesses.
  3. Reconozco que tus métodos funcionan.
    I admit [that] your methods work.
  4. Las cosas se harán a mi manera.
    Things will be done my way.
  5. Me cuesta trabajo mantenerme despierto.
    I'm having trouble staying awake.
    to have trouble + verbo - ing
  6. No saco buen provecho de mi tiempo.
    I don't [take good advantage/make the most] of my time.
  7. Él logró ganar el respeto de todos.
    He managed to gain everyone's respect.
    ganar: to earn, to win, to gain
    para 'respect' se puede usar cualquiera de los tres verbos anteriores
  8. Esto me duele tanto que me despierta de noche.
    It hurts so much that it wakes me up at night.
  9. El dolor se va a los diez minutos.
    The pain goes away after ten minutes.
  10. Él lleva una vida muy aburrida.
    He leads a very boring life.
  11. Llevo años esperando con ilusión este día.
    I've been looking forward to this day for years.
  12. Hemos pasado mucho tiempo juntos.
    We've [been together for a long time/spent a lot of time together].
martes 27 abril 2010
lunes 18 abril 2011

grammar

  • to go away = irse, en el sentido de desaparecer
    The pain goes away after ten minutes.
  • to leave = irse, marcharse (una persona)

so that

  • para que
  • se suele eliminar that

to stick at/to it

  • perserverar, seguir con algo = to stick at/to sth. [EN/AM]:
    stick at/to it

my vocabulary

  • My way or the highway = a mi manera
  • a pep talk = una charla de motivación
  • How are you?
    Same old.
  • What's up? (¿Qué hay?)
    hay que contestar contando algo, no se puede contestar fine:
    every thing is good
    all good
    all good here

pronunciation

  • tough /tʌf/

review

so as to = in order to

  • She quit her job because she wanted to look after her parents.
    She quit her job [in order/so as] to look after her parents.
  • I went to Australia because I wanted to do some research.
  • Study English, travel abroad.

exercises

so that, in order that

  • She started earning money because her children had to go to school.
    She started earning money so that her children could go to school.
  • Did you father save a lot of money so that you could go to University in the US?
  • And where did you go to University in the US?
  • Did you study a lot or did you go out a lot?
  • Sacaste buenas notas para que tus padres no te hicieran volver a España.
    I got good grades so that my parents didn't make me go back to Spain.
  • Did you have get a job while you were there?
    Yes, I got some jobs...
  • Why did you get a job?
    I took on a few jobs so that I had enough money.
  • He bought a bigger table because they wanted to have dinner together.
    He bought a bigger table so that they could have dinner together.
  • I came to Spain because I wanted to explore the country.
    You came to Spain so that you could explore the country.

to stick at it

  • Al principio te costará, pero sigue con ello.
    At first you'll find it tough/hard, but stick at it.
  • El curso le pareció muy difícil, pero siguió con él y aprendió mucho.
    He found the course very difficult, but he stuck at it and he learnt a lot.
  • Tienes que perseverar si quieres mejorar.
    You have to stick at it if you want to improve.
  • Yo nunca habría seguido si no hubiese sido por tu ayuda.
    I would've never stuck at it if it hadn't been for your help.
  • Ella perseveró y ganó una beca.
    She stuck at it and won a scholarship.
  • Tenemos que perseverar hasta encontrar la solución.
    We have to stick at it until we find the solution.
  • Seguiría con ello si mereciera la pena.
    I'd stick at it if it were worth it.
  • Si quieres tener éxito, persevera.
    If you want to be successful, stick at it.
  • Tiene cualidades naturales, pero deberá perseverar si quiere dedicarse a esto.
    He has natural qualities, but he will have to stick at it if he want to do this for a living.
  • No te rindas, sigue con ello.
    Don't give up, stick at it.

vocabulary 140

stagnantestancado
arrowflecha
alouden voz alta
assessmentvaloración
at besten el mejor de los casos
miércoles 28 abril 2010
martes 19 abril 2011

grammar

review

  • Let's begin by [consolidating/reviewing/going over].
  • So that + can con verbo en afirmativo; en negativo, no.

to be right about sth.

  • To be right about it/that = Tener razón al respecto

review

so that

because > so that + could
  • She started working because she wanted to move out.
    She started working so that she could move out.
  • They bought a bigger table because they wanted to have more guests.
    They bought a bigger table so that they could have more guests.
  • She started learning English because she wanted to find a better job.
  • He started taking English classes because he wanted to make more money.

to stick at sth.

  • Al principio te costará, pero sigue con ello.
    At first you'll find it hard, but stick at it.
  • El curso parecía muy difícil, pero siguió con él y aprendió mucho.
    The course seemed very difficult, but he stuck at it and learnt a lot.

exercises

to be right about sth., to be right for sb.

  • Tenías razón en cuanto al concierto, no se oía ni se veía nada.
    You were right about the concert, you couldn't hear or see anything.
  • Cuando se casó encontró un vestido perfecto para ella.
    When she got married she found a dress that was just right for her.
  • Is this level right for you?
  • Is Spain right for you?
  • Ask me the same question.
  • verb > gerund
    Is being an actor right for you?
  • Ask me if being an actor would be right for me.
    Would being an actor be right for you?
  • Ask me if being a teacher is right for me.
  • Is Madrid right for you?
  • Ask me if living in Madrid is right for me.
    Is living in Madrid right for you?
  • Would living in Ghana be right for you, at this moment in your life?
  • Tenías razón en cuanto al vestido/traje.
    You were right about the dress/suit.
  • Tenías razón en cuanto al nuevo jefe.
    You were right about the new boss.
  • Tenías razón en cuanto al partido.
    You were right about the match.
  • Tenías razón en cuanto al piso ese.
    You were right about that flat.
  • Tenías razón en cuanto al mueble ese.
    You were right about that piece of furniture.

vocabulary 141

leisure /'leʒə/ (EN) /'li:ʒər/ (AM)ocio
insaneloco
leek (to leak = gotear, perder)puerro
trustworthydigno de confianza
how come?¿cómo es que... ? (muy coloquial, 'how come he is here?')

translation list 49

  1. ¿Cómo piensas llenar tu tiempo libre?
    How do you plan to fill up your free time?
  2. Ya encontraré formas de llenarlo.
    I'll find ways to fill it up.
  3. Manténte alejado de esas mujeres.
    Stay away from those women.
  4. Él sigue insistiendo en que deberíamos ver la película.
    He keeps insisting [that] we should see the movie.
  5. Ni siquiera sé quién eres.
    I don't even know who you are. (Sin contracción.)
  6. No soy el que buscas.
    I'm not the one you're looking for.
  7. ¿Cómo es el tiempo en Canadá en verano?
    What's the weather like in Canada in the summer?
  8. ¿Cómo es la gente ahí?
    What are the people like there?
  9. Lo que me extraña es cómo pudo haber ocurrido.
    What seems strange to me is how it could have happen.
  10. Fácilmente podría haberse evitado.
    It could [have easily/easily have] been avoided.
  11. Una vez, cuando yo tenía más o menos tu edad...
    Once, when I was about your age...
  12. Yo les trato según las leyes de la naturaleza humana.
    I treat them according to the laws of human nature.
jueves 29 abril 2010
miércoles 20 abril 2011

grammar

to get on my nerves

  • it makes me nervous = eso me pone nervioso
  • to get on my nerves = ponerme de los nervios, empezar a molestarme

parecer

  • What does it sound like?
  • Parecer: look, smell, sound, taste, feel

my vocabulary

  • easy-going = tranquilo
  • tantrum = rabieta
    to throw a tantrum = agarrarse una rabieta

review

to be right

  • Tenías razón con el tiempo, llovió todo el día.
    You were right about the weather, it rained all day.
  • (Él) Tenía razón con lo del presupuesto, no hay dinero para nuevos proyectos.
    He was right about the budget, there's not money for new projects.
  • Esa chaqueta es para tí, te queda perfecta.
    That jacket is just right for you, it's a perfect fit.
  • El que compramos hubiera sido perfecto para tí también.
    The one we bought would've been just right for you too.
  • El coche que encontró es perfecto para la familia.
    The car he found is just right for the family.

exercises

to get on my nerves

  • Would your neighbours get on your nerves if they play their music very loud?
  • Do people who talk on their mobile phones on the bus get on your nerves?
  • Do people who drive too slowly get on your nerves?
  • Do bad drivers get on your nerves?
  • Would your boss get on your nerves if he gave you all of his work?
  • Do screaming children in public places get on your nerves?
  • Would your students get on your nerves if they played music during your class?
  • Would your students get on your nerves if they sang during your class?
  • Do rude waiters get on your nerves?
  • What is another thing that gets on your nerves?
  • What gets on your husband nerves?
  • Do people who don't pick up after their dogs get on your nerves?
  • What else gets on your nerves, anything else you can    us?

parecer

  • ¿Qué aspecto tiene?
    What does he look like?
  • ¿A qué sabe esto?
    What does it taste like?
  • Sabe amargo.
    It tastes bitter.
  • Sabe a melocotón.
    It tastes like peach.
  • sense verb + adverb:
    it sounds good
    it tastes great
  • sense verb + like + a noun:
    it sounds like a good idea
    it tastes like peach
  • Me parece bien.
    It sounds good to me.
  • Does it sound good to you?
  • No parece difícil.
    It doesn't look difficult.
  • To seem: por todos los conceptos un poco.
  • Me parece que es mi vecino.
    It sounds like my neighbour.
  • Pareces cansada (por teléfono).
    You sound tired.
  • Me suena lo que él está diciendo.
    What he's saying sounds familiar.
    What he's saying rings a bell.

vocabulary 142

thereforepor lo tanto
lightningrelámpago
tickgarrapata
to authorizeautorizar
to backfiresalir por la culata
viernes 30 abril 2010
lunes 25 abril 2011

grammar

to boss around

  • to boss sb. around = mandar
    She tries to boss me around.
  • a bossy way

my vocabulary

  • second hand smoke = el humo que viene de un cigarrillo
  • me suena = it rings a bell

review

to get on my nerves

  • What kind of things get on your nerves?
  • What else gets on your nerves?
  • It gets on my nerves when...
  • Ask me what gets on my nerves.
  • Ask me why my neighbour gets on my nerves.
  • Ask me what else gets on my nerves.

it sounds good

  • Parece buena idea. (Por teléfono.)
    It sounds great.
  • No parece difícil.
    It doesn't sound/seem difficult.
  • Pareces cansada. (Por teléfono.)
    You sound tired.
  • Me suena lo que está diciendo.
    What he's saying rings a bell.

exercises

to boss around

  • Would you boss your boss around if you could?
  • Do you know anyone who bosses their partner around in public?
  • Does your boss boss you around?
  • Does your boss's boss boss your boss around?
  • Does your boss's boss's boss boss your boss's boss around?
  • Do you enjoy bossing people around?
  • Do you know many people who enjoy bossing people around?
  • Do people in the studio often boss us around?
  • Ask me if I like to be bossed around.

vocabulary 143

wine cellarbodega
apologydisculpa
anxiousansioso
to be in a hurrytener prisa
a wide rangeuna amplia gama

translation list 50

  1. Yo aplico recompensas y castigos.
    I apply rewards and punishments.
  2. ¿Sabes de algún método mejor?
    Do you know of any better method?
  3. Estoy buscando una excusa para no ir.
    I'm looking for an excuse not to go.
  4. De ocho, sólo se presentaron tres.
    Out of eight, only three showed/turned up.
  5. Confía en mí, sé lo que hago.
    Trust me, I know what I'm doing.
  6. Si no, no estaría donde estoy ahora.
    If [not/I didn't], I wouldn't be where I am now.
  7. Me llamaron a la reunión para saber mi opinión.
    They called me into the meeting to [know/find out] my opinion.
  8. Tras mi recuperación, me alisté en el ejército.
    After my recovery, I joined the army.
  9. Ya era hora de que alguien hiciera algo.
    It's about time someone did something.
  10. ¿Te das cuenta de cuánto podríamos perder por culpa de esto?
    Do you realize how much we could lose because of this?
  11. Vivo en la última planta de un rascacielos.
    I live on the top floor of a skyscraper.
  12. Yo no quiero que tengas una idea equivocada.
    I don't want you to get a/the wrong idea.
lunes 3 mayo 2010
martes 26 abril 2011

grammar

why not?

the least, the most

my vocabulary

  • easy-peasy, nice and easy
  • playground = patio del colegio

pronunciation

  • nice and easy: no se pronuncia la d final de and /'naɪs æ 'ni:zi/)
  • cushion /'kʊʃən/ cojín

review

to boss around

  • Does your boss boss you around?
  • Ask me if my boss's boss, bosses him around.
  • Some people love to boss around, but nobody likes to be bossed around.

exercises

why don't you > why not

Sugerencias entre dos personas:
  • Why don't you get your hair a cut?
    Why not get your hair cut?
  • Where shall I go in holiday?
    Why not go to France?
    Why don't you go to France?
  • Why don't you turn off the tap while you're brushing/doing your teeth?
    why not turn off the tap when you're brushing/doing your teeth?
  • Why don't you put the plug in when you're brushing your teeth?
    plug = tapón del lavabo, enchufe
    put out: quitar el tapón
    take out: desenchufar
  • Why don't you buy a new mattress and a new pillow?
  • I've overindulged.
    Why not go on a diet?
    Why not work out?
  • I've been working, I'm really tired.
    Why not take a day off?

the least, the most

  • Hannah drinks 2 litres of water a day, Richard, 3, and David, 1. Who drinks the most?
    Richard drinks the most and David drinks the least.
  • I weigh 75 kg, my brother weighs 82 and my father weighs 73. Who weighs the most?
  • I went to the movies 8 times last year, my brother went 44 times and Richard went 23. So what can you say?
  • I eat pizza 3 times a month, Alberto eats pizza 6 times and David eats it 4 times.
  • I drink coffee 3 times a day, Fitz drinks it twice and Layla drinks it once.
  • Richard Vaughan is on the radio about 15 hours a week, Alberto is on about 8 hours a week and I'm on about 7 hours a week.
  • My brother travels to London 3 times a year, I travel there once and David travels there 6 times a year.
  • I drive a car 4 times per year, Hannah never drives but Richard Vaughan drives everyday.
  • Carly spent 1 hour shopping last saturday, Layla, 4 hours, and Natasha, 8 hours.
  • Bill Gates has billion of dollars, Sergio García has millions and I have much less.
    So between the three of us, Bill Gates has the most money and I have the least.
  • Almería doesn't have much fresh water in the summer, Madrid has quite a lot, but Galicia has plenty.
  • I speak a little bit of French, my brother speaks a lot, but my mother doesn't speak any French.

vocabulary 144

DenmarkDinamarca
devicedispositivo
deer (también plural)ciervo
enterprisingemprendedor
appreciationagradecimiento
martes 4 mayo 2010
miércoles 27 abril 2011

grammar

to manage and to fail

  • to manage + to + infinitive = lograr + verbo
  • lograr/conseguir un objetivo: to achieve, to acomplish, to reach
  • lo contrario es to fail + to + infinitive
  • otro sentido de to manage: apañarse (get by)

my vocabulary

  • pop by, drop by = hacer una visita corta, pasarse por un sitio
  • stroll = walk (to go for a walk = to go for a stroll)
  • carb = abreviatura de carbohydrate
  • pet peeve = manía

review

why don't you > why not

  • Why don't you turn off the tap while brushing your teeth?
    Why not turn off the tap while brushing your teeth?
  • Why don't you buy a new mattress and a new pillow?
  • Why don't you give him a hand?
  • Why don't you take it easy?
  • Why don't you buy some flowers to cheer her up?
  • Why don't you do both things at the same time?
  • Why don't you pop buy after work and have a coffee?
  • Why don't you do some gardening today?

the most and the least

  • Hanah drinks 2 l of water a day, Richard, 3, and David, 1.
    David drinks the least water and Richard drinks the most water.
  • Alberto reads 5 hours a week, Kyle, 10 and Fitz, 15.
    Alberto reads the least and Fitz reads the most.
  • Sara spends 10 euros a week on clothes, Mary, 70 and Liz, 30.
    Sara spends the least on clothes and Mary spends the most on clothes.
  • You study 15 hours a week, Pedro, 5 and Mario, 7.
    Pedro studies the least and I study the most.
  • Sam works 50 hours a week, Jack, 40 and Tom, 43.
    Jack works the least and Sam works the most.

exercises

to fail to do something

  • He didn't manage to convince her to go to Morocco.
    He failed to convince her to go to Morocco.
  • He didn't manage to convince her to sign up for extra classes.
    He failed to convince her to sign up for extra classes.
  • He didn't manage to convince her to go for a stroll.
  • She didn't manage to convince him to get rid of that all jacket.
  • Has your wife failed to convince you to get rid of anything?
  • She didn't manage to convince him to stop eating carbs for dinner.
  • What are the things has your wife failed to get you to do?
  • How has she failed to do that?
  • Has she failed to convince you to leave them somewhere else?
  • We fail to give ourselves credit. Do you think you fail to give yourself credit?
  • Why do you fail to give yourself credit?
    I fail to give myself credit in some fields because I don't feel confident in them.

vocabulary 145

hesitantdudoso
overallglobal, total
fateel destino
provided thatsiempre que
foam rubbergomaespuma

translation list 51

  1. Empecé a hacer cosas que nunca había hecho antes.
    I [started/began] [doing/to do] things I'd never done before.
  2. Él nunca ha leído un periódico, ni mucho menos, una novela.
    He's never read a newspaper, much less a novel.
  3. Prefiero sentarme en la última fila para poder dormir.
    I prefer to sit in the back row so that I can sleep.
  4. En realidad no esperábamos oír nada nuevo.
    We really didn't expect to hear anything new.
  5. El modo más rápido de llegar ahí es en avión.
    The fastest way to get there is by plane.
  6. El sitio no tiene pérdida.
    You can't miss [it/the place].
  7. ¿Cómo sería esta empresa si no hubiera jefes?
    What would this company be like if there weren't any bosses?
    ¿Cómo es la compañía ahora? = What is the company like now?
  8. ¿Cómo sería el mundo sin mí?
    What would the world be like without me?
  9. Sería mucho mejor de lo que es ahora.
    It would be much better that it is now.
  10. Tu fe en mí mueve montañas.
    Your faith in me moves mountains.
  11. Tienes que hacerlo tú mismo.
    You have to do it yourself.
  12. Ponte cómodo.
    Make yourself comfortable.
miércoles 5 mayo 2010
jueves 28 abril 2011

grammar

  • to go on a trip

to mull over

  • to mull over = meditar, reflexionar sobre algo
    mull /mʌl/

to try

  • to try to = intentar
  • to try it = probar (una comida)
  • try getting up one hour earlier = prueba levantándote una hora antes
  • imperativo: try + gerundio

my vocabulary

  • rearing/raring to go = con muchas ganas por empezar
  • aumento de sueldo = rise (EN) raise (US)
  • make yourself comfy = ponte cómodo
  • a row /raʊ/ = una pelea, un altercado
  • to shop around = comparar precios (antes de una compra)
  • bleach (AM) = cloro
  • to dabble in the stock market = jugar en la bolsa

review

to fail to do something

  • He didn't manage to convince her to go to Morocco on their honeymoon.
  • I didn't manage to write my 15 classes over the weekend.
  • I didn't manage to speak to my boss about a rise.
  • I didn't manage to finish my novel.

exercises

to mull over

to think it over, to mull over the menu, to mull it over
  • Last night I couldn't sleep because I had several decisions that I have to make and I've been mulling them over.
  • Have you ever been up all night mulling something over or thinking it over?
  • Do you think it's good to mull things over?
  • Ask me if I mull things over too much.
  • When you go to eat, do you normally mull over the menu for a long time?
  • When you came to Spain was it an easy decision or did you have to mull it over?
  • And did you mull it over for a long time?
  • How long did you mull it over for, roughly?
  • Ask me if I mulled it over when I moved to Spain.
  • Ask me how long I mulled it over.
  • I wanted to mull it over, I didn't want to make a big decision without mulling it over.
  • What are other things that we want to mull over?

to try

  • probarse ropa = to try something on
  • try + verbo:
    infinitivo: hacer un esfuerzo para conseguir hacer algo
    I'm trying to save money
    gerundio: experimentar realizado una actividad
    I'm trying snowboarding

vocabulary 146

tap wateragua del grifo
to hammermartillear
taxesimpuestos
the stock marketla bolsa
tableclothmantel
jueves 6 mayo 2010
viernes 29 abril 2011

grammar

when it comes to

  • cuando se trata de + infinitivo = when it comes to + gerund
  • when it comes to the crunch = a la hora de la verdad
    When it came to the crunch, his nerves betraid him.
    A la hora de la verdad, nervios le traicionaron sus nervios.
  • To come through = Salir bien de una situación
    When it comes to the crunch, they come through
  • When the going gets tough = Cuando las cosas se ponen difíciles
    When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

my vocabulary

  • to chew over = to mull over

review

to mull over

  • Do you normally mull over the menu when you go out for dinner?
  • Would you mull over it if you were offered the chance to work in Iceland?
  • Do you usually mull over which shoes to buy when you go shopping?
  • Do you usually mull over destinations when you plan your holidays?
  • Do you mull over the movies when you go to the local video-rental shop?
  • Is there anything that you do mull over?
  • When was the last time you mulled over something?

to try

to try + infinitive > hacer un esfuerzo para conseguir hacer algo
I try to go to the gym every day.
to try + gerund > probar a hacer algo experimentando
  • Intenté llevar las bolsas yo misma, pero me hice daño en las manos.
    I tried to carry the bags by myself, but I hurt my hands.
  • La próxima vez, intenta usar un carrito de la compra.
    Next time try using a shopping troley.
  • Intenté recoger la casa en cinco minutos.
    I tried to tidy up the house in five minutes.
  • La próxima vez intenta hacerlo en patines.
    Try doing it next time in roller skates.

exercises

when it comes to the crunch

  • A la hora de la verdad, nervios le traicionaron sus nervios.
    When it came to the crunch, his nerves betraid him.
  • A la hora de la verdad, no fué capaz de enfrentarse a su marido.
    When it came to the crunch, she wasn't capable of standing up to her husband.
  • A la hora de la verdad, lo único que importa es su actitud.
    When it comes to the crunch, the only thing that matters is his/her attitude.
  • A la hora de la verdad, no supo reaccionar.
    When it came to the crunch, he didn't know how to react.
  • A la hora de la verdad, ¿qué crees que van a decidir?
    When it comes to the crunch, what do you think they're going to decide?
  • A pesar de la diferencia de precio, a la hora de la verdad, esas dos empresas ofrecen los mismos servicios.
    In spite of the different prices, when it comes to the crunch, those two companies offer the same services.
  • A la hora de la verdad, nadie me defendió.
    When it came to the crunch, nobody [defended/stood up for] me.
  • A la hora de la verdad, él no sabe defenderse en inglés.
    When it comes to the crunch, he doesn't know how to get by in English.
  • A la hora de la verdad, no pudo garantizar que iba a funcionar.
    When it came to the crunch, he [wasn't able to/couldn't] guarantee [that] it would work.
  • A la hora de la verdad, siempre nos ayuda.
    When it comes to the crunch, he always helps us out.
  • A la hora de la verdad, compró el coche más barato.
    When it came to the crunch, he bought the cheapest car.
  • A la hora de la verdad, las pistas no nos llevaron a ninguna parte.
    When it came to the crunch, the clues didn't lead us anywhere.
  • A la hora de la verdad, se quedó en blanco.
    When it came to the crunch, he went blank.
  • A la hora de la verdad, me traicionó.
    When it came to the crunch, he betraid me.
  • A la hora de la verdad, no sabe tomar decisiones.
    When it comes to the crunch, he doesn't know how to make decisions.
  • A la hora de la verdad, es muy desorganizado.
    When it comes to the crunch, he's very disorganized.
  • A la hora de la verdad, nunca da buena impresión.
    When it comes to the crunch, he never makes a good impression.

vocabulary 147

vouchercupón, vale
wartverruga
vase /vɑ:z/, /veɪs/, /veɪz/jarrón
to negotiatenegociar
whimsicalcaprichoso

translation list 52

  1. Lo hago por un sentido del deber.
    I do it out of a sense of duty.
  2. Cuanto más te ayudo, menos aprendes.
    The more I help you, the less you learn.
  3. Se me olvidó por completo devolverlo.
    I completely forgot to [return it/give it back].
  4. Cuanto más intentas complacer a la gente, menos te lo agradece.
    The more you try to please people, the less they appreciate it.
  5. Es algo que nunca he podido entender.
    It's something I've never been able to understand.
  6. Tienes que encarar los hechos.
    You have to face up to the facts.
  7. No les importaba a ellos demasiado lo que yo había dicho.
    They didn't care too much about what I had said.
    (como si no hubiera dicho nada = as if I hadn't said anything)
  8. No estábamos acostumbrados a un tiempo tan frío.
    We weren't used to such cold weather.
  9. Por mucho que lo intentes, nunca lograrás cambiarle a él de opinión.
    No matter how hard you try, you'll never [be able/manage] to change his mind.
  10. Él nunca pondrá en práctica tus ideas.
    He'll never implement your ideas.
  11. Aprobar leyes no es lo mismo que hacerlas cumplir.
    Passing laws isn't the same as enforcing them.
  12. ¿Para qué son estas reglas si no las haces cumplir?
    What are this rules for if you don't enforce them?
viernes 7 mayo 2010
 

grammar

forma interrogativa, sin serlo

  • No lo haré bajo ninguna circunstancia.
    I wan't do it under any circumstances.
    Under no circumstances will I do it.
  • Under no circumstances will I continue in this course if you don't put in your part.
  • Under no circumstances should you continue here if you're not putting forth your best effort.
  • When I got here, no sooner had I sat down, when I realized that there were some people here who are not official students.
  • No sooner had they put on the microphone, than I realized that my voice was starting to give me some problems.
  • No sooner had everything begun than I realized that maybe I wouldn't be up to finish this program.

forma interrogativa, sin serlo: not only..., but also

  • No sólo..., sino que...
    Not only..., but also...
  • Es equivalente a:
    I'm not only ...
    pero se usa más de la forma invirtiendo sujeto-verbo.
  • Not only have I seen John today, but I've seen him three times.
  • No sólo lo hice ayer, sino que lo hice antes de ayer también.
    Not only did I do it yesterday, but I did it the day before yesterday as well.
  • Not only does Spain have a strong car industry, but it has a strong fishing industry as well.
  • Not only do you have inadequate English, but your vocabulary is limited as well.

my vocabulary

  • to implement = to carry out
  • arrimar el hombro = to pull one's weight (arrastrar su propio lastre)
  • liar, liar, pants on fire!
  • pitch-black = completely black (a city)
  • torn /tɔ:rn / || /tɔ:n/ past p of tear

pronunciation

  • hideous /'hɪdiəs/

review

when it comes to the crunch

  • A la hora de la verdad, le traicionaron sus nervios.
    When it came to the crunch, his nerves betraid him.
  • A la hora de la verdad, no pude hacerlo.
    When it came to the crunch, I couldn't do it.
  • A la hora de la verdad, no fué capaz de enfrentarse a su marido.
    When it came to the crunch, she couldn't stand up to her husband.
    ... she was incapable of standing up to her husband.
  • A la hora de la verdad, no me acordé de la pronunciación de la palabra crunch.
    When it came to the crunch, I couldn't remember the pronunciation of the word crunch.

exercises

never will I...

Más énfasis: 'Never will I come here, if...'
  • Nunca he estado en una casa tan sucia.
    Never have I been in such a dirty house.
  • Nunca he visto a un hombre con tantos moratones.
    Never have I seen a man with so many bruises.
  • Nunca he visto un abrigo tan caro.
    Never have I seen such an expensive coat.
  • Nunca creeré lo que dice.
    Never will I believe what he says.
  • Nunca conduciré tanto para ir a un concierto.
    Never will I drive so much/far to go to a concert.
  • Nunca he visto a un chico tan mal educado.
    Never have I seen such a rude boy.
  • Nunca más le vuelvo a invitar a cenar.
    Never will I invite him to dinner again.
  • Nunca he comido un filete tan duro.
    Never have I eaten such a tough steak.
  • Nunca usaré un servicio tan caro.
    Never will I use such an expensive service.
  • Nunca hemos tratado con un hombre tan testarudo.
    Never have we dealt with such a stubborn man.
  • Nunca han jugado un partido tan bien.
    Never have they played such a good game/match.
  • Nunca he conocido a una persona con tantos amigos.
    Never have I met a person with so many friends.
  • Nunca he visto la ciudad tan oscura.
    Never have I seen the city so dark.

not only..., but also

  • No sólo llegó tarde, sino que no se disculpó.
    Not only was he late, but also he didn't apologized.
  • No sólo eran unos pantalones horrorosos, sino que también estaban rotos.
    Not only were they hideous pants, but they were also torn.
  • No sólo estaba fría la comida, sino que también estaba salada.
    Not only was the food cold, but it was also salty.
  • No sólo fueron maleducados los camareros sino que también fué carísima la cena.
    Not only were the waiters impolite but the dinner was also very expensive.
  • No sólo se marchó sin decir nada, sino que también se llevó mi chaqueta.
    Not only did he leave without saying [anything/a word], but he also took my jacket.
  • No sólo no había estudiado, sino que tampoco se trajo un boli para el examen.
    Not only did he not study, but he also didn't bring a pen for the exam.
    MAL: 'Not only didn't he study...'

vocabulary 148

facilitiesinstalaciones
terrificgenial
forte /'fɔ:teɪ/punto fuerte
weak point/spotpunto débil
mandarinatangerine
lunes 10 mayo 2010
martes 3 mayo 2011

grammar

forma interrogativa, sin serlo

Hemos visto hasta ahora los siguientes casos en que se pasa a forma interrogativa, sin serlo:
  • no sooner XX, than...
  • never XX
  • not only XX, but also...
  • under no circumstances XX

my vocabulary

  • on the spot = en el acto to put someone on the spot = poner a alguien en un aprieto
  • PDA = public displays of affection

review

never have I seen

  • Nunca he ido a una casa tan sucia.
    Never have I been to such a dirty house.
  • Nunca he visto a un hombre con tantos moratones.
    Never have I seen a man with so many bruises.
  • Nunca creeré lo que él dice.
    Never will I believe what he says.
  • Nunca creeré lo que él me dice.
    Never will I believe what he tells me.
  • Nunca he visto una película tan mala.
    Never have I seen such a bad film.
  • Nunca he estado tan enfadado.
    Never have I been so ungry.
  • Nunca volveré a volar con esa empresa.
    Never will I fly with that company again.

not only - but also

  • No sólo llegó tarde, sino que también olvidó el regalo en casa.
    Not only [did he arrive/was he] late, but also he left the present at home.
  • No sólo eran unos pantalones muy feos, sino también eran demasiado caros.
    Not only were the trousers/pants very ugly, but they were also too expensive.

exercises

under no circumstances

  • Bajo ninguna circunstancia debéis montar en el ascensor cuando hay un incendio.
    Under no circumstances must you get on the lift when there is a fire.
    Under no circumstances should you get on the lift when there is a fire.
    Under no circumstances are you to get on the lift when there is a fire.
  • ... deberíais gritar durante el funeral.
    ... shout at the funeral.
  • chew gum in class
  • talk back to parents (contestar)
  • cross the street without looking both ways
  • talk on a phone in a movie theatre
  • be involved in PDA's

vocabulary 149

binocularsprismáticos
volunteervoluntario
to aim ('ready, aim, fire!')apuntar con algo
it rings a bellme suena
advancementun avance

translation list 53

  1. Tomé una copa y después me acosté.
    I had a drink and then [I] went to bed.
    a nightcap = (gorro de dormir) copa o bebida caliente antes de dormir
  2. Algo está fallando aquí.
    Something's [going] wrong here.
  3. Nada ha fallado hasta ahora.
    Nothing's gone wrong [up to now/so far].
  4. Algo siempre falla cuando tú apareces.
    Something always goes wrong when you show up.
  5. No falló nada.
    Nothing went wrong.
  6. Mientras tanto, ¿por qué no comes algo?
    In the meantime, why don't you [eat something/get something to eat]?
  7. ¿Puedes bajar la radio un poco?
    Can you turn [down the radio/the radio down] [just] a little?
  8. De ahora en adelante, tendré más cuidado.
    [From now on/As if now], I'll be more careful.
  9. Si no entiendes una palabra, sáltala.
    If you don't understand a word, skip it.
  10. Fuí rechazado por razones de salud.
    I was [rejected/turned down] for health reasons.
  11. No voy a subir mis precios este año.
    I'm not going to raise my prices this year.
  12. Apenas puedo llegar a fin de mes.
    I can hardly make ends meet.
martes 11 mayo 2010
miércoles 4 mayo 2011

grammar

to feel up

  • tener fuerzas para
  • I don't feel up to it/gerundio
  • no me siento con ganas/fuerzas para VERBO
  • to feel under the weather = sentirse mal físicamente

expressing regrets

  • [Lamento, me arrepiento de, siento, no tenía que, no debería de] haberlo hecho
  • If you do something you shouldn't have done, then probably:
    you're sorry you did it
    you regret having done it
    1. Siento haberlo hecho = I'm sorry I did it
      (lo contrario: Me alegro de haberlo hecho = I'm glad I did it)
    2. Ojalá no lo hubiera hecho = I wish I hadn't done it
    3. [Lamento/me arrepiento de] haberlo hecho = I regret having done it
    4. No [tendría que/debería de] haberlo hecho = I shouldn't have done it

my vocabulary

  • amígdalas = tonsils
  • amigdalitis = tonsillitis
  • to be on a roll = estar en racha (I'm on a roll)
  • swine flu = gripe porcina
  • to be coming down with the flu = estar incubando gripe
  • in a nutshell = en resumidas cuentas
  • helping = ración, porción

review

under no circumstances

  • Bajo ninguna circunstancia debéis montar en el ascensor cuando hay un incendio.
  • ... deberíais gritar durante el funeral.
    ... should you shout during the funeral.
  • ... deberían jugar en la calle.
    ... should they play in the street.

exercises

to feel up

  • I'm feeling a bit poorly, a bit under the weather.
    I'm sorry to hear that.
  • Ask me if I feel up to giving this class.
  • When you feel under the weather, do you feel up to going out with your friends?
  • Ask me if I feel up to speaking to my wife after eleven o'clock after a hard day's work.
  • Imagine you've got tonsillitis, do you feel like singing?
    No, I don't feel up to singing after I've had tonsillitis.
  • Imagine you've got laryngitis, do you feel like shouting at your neighbourd?
    No, I don't feel up to shouting at my neighbours after having tonsillitis.
  • If you had swine flu, would you feel up to coming to the studio?
  • If you had diarrhoea, would you feel up to coming to the studio?

regret

regret + TO = lamentar (algo del futuro o del pasado)
regret + VERB + ING = arrepentirse de algo hecho
  • I shoudn't have bought this pair of shoes.
    You regret buying that pair of shoes.
  • He doesn't think so, but he shouldn't have asked her out.
    He doesn't regret asking her out.
  • She should've called before going to his house.
    She regrets going to his house without calling him first.
  • Tell me you have decided not to hire me.
    I regret to tell you [that] we're not going to hire you.
  • We shouldn't have had two helpings of ice cream.
    We regret having two helpings of ice cream.
  • You shouldn't have spent so much money on that quilt.
    I regret spending so much money on this quilt.
  • Tell me you can't attend the meeting.
    I regret to tell you that I can't attend the meeting.
  • She shouldn't have told him she would help him move.
    She regrets telling him that she would help him move.
  • Tell me you won't be able to finish the report in time for the presentation.
    I regret to tell you that I won't be able to finish the report in time for the presentation.

vocabulary 150

refundreembolso
recipereceta
gapbrecha, laguna
the Lord's prayer /preə(r)/el Padrenuestro
to praiseelogiar, alabar
miércoles 12 mayo 2010
jueves 5 mayo 2011

grammar

review

  • I'm sorry I lost the match.
    I shouldn't have lost the match.
    I wish I hadn't lost the match.
    I regret having lost the match.
  • I'm sorry I said it.
    I regret that I said it./I regret having said it
    I shouldn't have said it.
    I wish I hadn't said it.

to move on

  • progresar, avanzar, seguir adelante

my vocabulary

  • Moving swiftly on... = cambiando de tema...

review

to feel up to doing sth.

  • When you feel under the weather, do you feel up to going to watch a sad movie?
  • Do you feel up to talking to your wife after a midnight?
  • When you're feeling down, do you feel up to going to a gigantic party?
  • Ask me if I feel up to going to watch a scary movie if my boyfriend is going to be out of town.
  • Do you feel up to going to a super expensive restaurant when it's the end of the month?

regret

regret + gerund = arrepentirse
regret + infinitive = lamentar
  • I shouldn't have bought that expensive coat.
    You regret buying that expensive coat.
  • I shouldn't have had such a huge dinner.
    You regret having had such a huge dinner.
  • I shouldn't have eaten so much chocolate.
    You regret having eaten so much chocolate.
  • He really shouldn't have spoken to her in that way.
    He regrets having spoken to her in that way.
  • Tell me you've decided not to hire me.
    I regret to tell you that I've decided not to hire you.
  • Tell me you've decided not to choose me for the job.
    I regret to tell you that I've decided not to choose you for the job.

exercises

to move on

  • Are you moving on to better things?
  • Shall we move on to the next subject?
    OK, let's move on to the next subject.
  • Did she manage to move on after the breakup?
  • Do some people find it difficult to move on after a breakup?
  • Would you find it difficult to move on?
  • Ask me if I find it difficult to move on sometimes.
  • Do you find it difficult to move on to the next subject when you're enjoying yourself?
  • Does your sister find it difficult to move on sometimes?
  • And your brother?

vocabulary 151

to put offaplazar
sailboatbarco de vela
peerspares, iguales (coetáneos)
to smell a ratsospechar algo
well-donebien hecho

translation list 54

  1. Quiero una propuesta [escrita/por escrito].
    I want a [written proposal/proposal in writing].
  2. Vaya al grano.
    Get [straight] to the point.
  3. Esto es el meollo de la cuestión.
    This is the heart of the matter.
  4. Hagamos un trato.
    Let's make a deal.
  5. Yo nunca hago tratos con gente como tú.
    I never make deals with people like you.
  6. El bebé murió al nacer.
    The baby died at birth.
  7. Si quieres impresionarle, enséñale esto.
    If you want to impress him, show him this.
    'show this to him' también, pero tiene menos fuerza.
  8. Los ascensos aquí se basan en el mérito y nada más.
    Promotions here are based on merit and nothing else.
  9. No dejes que te pongan nervioso.
    Don't let them make you nervous.
  10. Le gusta hacer comentarios sarcásticos.
    He likes to make sarcastic comments/remarks.
  11. No le hagas caso.
    Don't pay any attention to him.
  12. Hasta ahora siempre he confiado en él.
    Up to now I've always trusted him.
jueves 13 mayo 2010
viernes 6 mayo 2011

grammar

later on

  • later on = (para) más adelante
    (later = más tarde)

to walk out

  • to walk in/into = entrar
  • to walk out = salir
  • movement verb + into, out of, up to, down to, over to,
  • to walk out on someone = abandonar a alguien

my vocabulary

  • ligar = to hook up
  • trato hecho = done deal
  • dar/repartir las cartas = to deal the cards
  • to get through to sb = comunicarse con alguien (por teléfono)

exercises

later on ≠ after: I'll call you later on
  • Iba a llamarla, pero más tarde cambié de opinión.
    I was going to call her, but later on I changed my mind.
  • Nos vemos luego.
    I'll see you later on.
  • No tienes que leerlo ahora, lo puedes hacer más tarde.
    You don't have to read it right now, you can do it later on.
  • Más tarde, cuando tengamos un descanso, la llamaré.
    Later on, when we have a break, I'll call her.
  • Quizás vaya al supermercado más tarde.
    I might go to the supermarket later on.
  • Olvídalo, lo mandaremos más tarde.
    Forget it, we'll send it later on.
  • No se lo digas ahora. Hablaré con él más tarde.
    Don't tell him now. I'll speak/talk to him later on.
  • ¿Podemos entregar el trabajo más tarde?
    Can we hand in the paper later on?
  • En vez de planchar ahora lo haremos más tarde.
    Instead of ironing now we'll do it later on.
  • Lo harás luego, ¿no?
    You'll do it later on, won't you?
  • No puedo contactar con él ahora mismo, lo intentaré más tarde.
    I can't get through to him right now, I'll try later on.
  • ¿Le molestará si lo hago después?
    Will he mind if I do it later on?
  • Prefiero barrer ahora que más tarde.
    I prefer to sweep now than later on.
  • Más tarde, cuando vea a Juan, le diré que llamaste.
    Later on, when I see Juan, I'll tell him that you phoned.
  • Intentó arreglar el ordenador enseguida, pero decidió hacerlo más tarde.
    He tried fixing the computer straightaway, but he decided to do it later on.
  • Podemos limpiar la casa ahora y salir más tarde.
    We can clean the house right now and go out later on.
  • Recomiendo hacerlo más tarde.
    I recommend doing it later on.

to walk out on, to walk out of

to walk out of = to leave events
to walk out on -> people, responsibilities
  • Have you ever walked out of an important meeting?
  • Do some men walk out on their families?
  • Did David walk out of the meeting this morning?
  • Did she walk out on her husband last year?
  • Did he walk out of the movie at the begining?
  • When did he walk out of the movie?
  • What time did they walk out of the conference?
  • Did the chairman walk out on his duties?
  • Do some women walk out on their families?

vocabulary 152

to keep in mindtener en cuenta
self-sufficientautosuficiente
disabledincapacitado
to take a long weekendhacer puente
self-confidenceconfianza en uno mismo
viernes 14 mayo 2010
lunes 9 mayo 2011

grammar

adverb + enough

  • curiously/strangely/oddly enough = curiosamente (sorprendentemente)

my vocabulary

  • Hey, what's up? - Hanging in there
  • funny = divertido, curioso
  • curioso:
    1. que siente curiosidad -> curious
    2. que produce curiosidad, interesante, extraño -> funny, strange, odd

review

later on

  • Iba a llamarla, pero más tarde cambié de opinión.
    I was going to call her up, but later on I changed my mind.
  • Llámame de vuelta un poco más tarde.
    Call me back later on.
  • Nos vemos luego.
    I'll see you later on.

to walk out on

to walk out on sth.
you walked out on the bill = te fuiste sin pagar
to walk out on a person = abandonar a una persona
to walk out on a meeting = irse de una reunión
  • Have you ever walked out of an important meeting?
  • Do some men walk out on their families?
  • Have you ever walked out on a bill, in a restaurant?
  • Ask me if I've done it.

exercises

adverb + enough

  • It was surprising, nobody had ever heard of him.
    Surprisingly enough, nobody had ever heard of him.
  • It was strange, they'd both gone to the same school when they were little.
    Strangely enough, they'd both gone to the same school when they were little.
  • It was surprising, they'd both been going to the same places, but never once run (ran??) into each other.
  • It was surprising, she didn't say hello when she saw him.

vocabulary 153

to recoverrecuperar, recuperarse
relevantrelevante
to rundirigir (una empresa)
right-hand manmano derecha
to take overasumir el mando

translation list 55

  1. Ten cuidado con lo que escribas.
    Be careful with what you write.
  2. Estás nadando contracorriente.
    You're swimming against the current.
    (You're fighting an uphill battle.)
  3. Mis acciones cambiarán el curso de la historia.
    My actions will change the course of history.
  4. Piénsalo antes de tomar una decisión.
    Think about it before making a decision.
    Si es entre dos opciones: Think it over before making a decision.
  5. Te aconsejo que lo pienses.
    I'd advise you to think about it.
    advice = consejo
    advise = aconsejar
  6. No es un asunto para ser tomado a la ligera.
    It's not a matter to be taken lightly.
  7. De haberlo sabido habría vuelto antes.
    If I'd known, I would've come back sooner.
  8. Si todo va según lo previsto, llegaremos a tiempo para ver el segundo acto.
    If everything goes [as planned/according to plan], we'll arrive in time to see the second act.
  9. Mandé las muestras al laboratorio.
    I sent the samples to the laboratory.
    /'læbərətɔ:ri/ AM
    /lə'bɒrətri/ EN
  10. Necesito tu aprobación para comenzar la producción.
    I need your approval to start production.
  11. He estado repasando tu expediente.
    I've been looking over your file.
  12. Significará trabajar estrechamente con la gente de marketing.
    It will mean working closely with the [people in marketing/marketing people].
lunes 17 mayo 2010
martes 10 mayo 2011

grammar

enfadarse

  • to get angry = enfadarse
  • to get upset = disgustarse
  • to blow up = estallar
  • to blow one's top
  • to blow one's cool
  • you lose your temper
  • to lose it
  • you lose your cool
  • to hit the roof
  • to go ballistic
  • to go crazy
  • to get mad
    'mad' es loco y también enfadado, en AM:
    don't get mad at me
    don't get angry with me
  • to get angry, to go crazy, to get mad, to go nuts, to blow your top, to hit the roof, to lose it, to get pissed-off, to flip out on someone, to go ballistic on someone

how many of you are there?

  • How many of you are there?
    There are four of us.
  • A table for four, please.
  • (AM) How big is your party?
    A party of four, please.

my vocabulary

  • that's where I draw the line = hasta aquí (hemos llegado)
  • maître: maitre d' /'meɪtrə'di:/ AM
    the head waiter

review

adverb + enough

  • It was strange, he was anly wearing a pair of blue jeans.
    Strangely enough, he was only...
  • It was interesting, some of the money was never recovered.
  • It was odd, there were still some parts left in the box when he finished assembling it.
  • It was surprising, they beat the home team by three goals.
  • He was lucky, he found the restaurant by chance.
  • He was fortunate, there was one room left in the hotel.
  • It was odd, the dog didn't want to eat.
  • It was surprising, they had run of the beer before the concert even started.

exercises

enfadarse

how many of you are there?

  • Somos quince = There are 15 of us
  • Son 20 = There are 20 of them
  • No somos muchos = There aren't [a lot/many] of us
  • ¿Son tres? = Are there 3 of them?
  • Son muchos = There are a lot of them
  • ¿Sois muchos? = Are there a lot of you?
  • ¿Sois 6? = Are there 6 of you?
  • ¿Cuántos erais en la fiesta? = How many of you were there at the party?
  • ¿Cuántos seréis? = How many of you will there be?
  • ¿Seréis 20 a cenar? = Will there be 20 of you to dinner?

vocabulary 154

to preachpredecir, predicar
mattresscolchón
rainylluvioso
to phase outretirar/eliminar progresivamente
recognitionreconocimiento
martes 18 mayo 2010
miércoles 11 mayo 2011

grammar

to catch on

  • = caer en la cuenta, entender algo (to catch on to ...)
  • = ponerse de moda, popularizarse

my vocabulary

  • to wing it [AM] = improvisar (arreglárselas sobre la marcha)

review

enfadarse

  • Did your boss hit the roof when he saw the sales figures?
  • Ask me if he went ballistic when I told him.
  • Would you go nuts if he told you he wasn't going to come to the party?
  • Ask me if I'm about to blow my top.
  • Ask me if my brother used to go ballistic when I stole his toys.
  • Do I blow my top when you make a mistake?
  • Ask me if my next-door neighbour hits the roof when we make too much noice.

¿cuántos sois?

  • ¿Cuántos sois? = How many of you are there?
  • Somos tres. = There are three of us.
  • Éramos seis. = There were six of us.
  • Serán dos. = There will be two of them.
  • En casa éramos cuatro. = There were four of us at home.
  • ¿Cuántos váis a ser en la fiesta? = How many of you are there going to be at the party?
  • Somos 53 en la oficina. = There are 53 of us in the office.
  • No somos muchos. = There aren't many of us.
  • Seremos tres en la cena. = There will be three of us at the dinner.

exercises

to catch on

  • Do you think the idea will catch on?
  • Do you think that fashion trend will catch on soon?
  • How long did it take you to catch on?
    It took me a few minutes to catch on.
  • Did it take you a long time to catch on?
    No, it didn't take me a long time to catch on.
  • Did they catch on to what was happening quickly?
  • Is the boss usually the first person to catch on?
  • Is Pepe or María usually the last person to catch on?
  • Do you catch on to jokes quickly?
  • How long did it take them to catch on?
  • How long did it take her to catch on?
  • Did she catch on to the joke?
    Yes, she caught on to the joke.
  • Do you think Aprende Inglés TV caught on quickly?
  • Does your husband catch on to things quickly?
  • Does your daughter catch on to things quickly?

vocabulary 155

to call offcancelar
to dragarrastrar
no way!¡de ningún modo!
discouragingdesalentador
disappointeddecepcionado

translation list 56

  1. Creo que el cambio vale la pena.
    I think the change is [worthwhile/worth it].
  2. Sólo nos quedan dos listas por hacer.
    We only have two lists left [to do].
  3. Ha sido un día ajetreado.
    It's been a hectic day.
  4. No me apetece hacer nada.
    [I don't feel like doing anything/I feel like doing nothing].
  5. Si ese es el caso, no cuentes conmigo.
    If that's the case, [count me out/don't count on me].
  6. No puedes descartar ninguna posibilidad.
    You can't rule out any possibility.
  7. Lo sabían de antemano.
    They knew it beforehand.
  8. Le dije que iba a una boda.
    I told him [that] I was going to a wedding.
  9. Cuando volví al parking mi coche había desaparecido.
    When I got back to the [parking lot/car park] my car was gone.
  10. Llama a este número y deja sonar el teléfono por lo menos 30 veces.
    Call this number and let the telephone ring at least 30 times.
  11. Las cifras de ventas son muy alentadoras.
    The sales figures are very encouraging.
  12. Tengo una buena noticia para tí.
    I have some good news for you.
miércoles 19 mayo 2010
jueves 12 mayo 2011

grammar

to make up for sth.

  • to make up: maquillar, inventar, hacer las paces, recuperar (un examen al que se falta).
  • to make up for = to compensate for

can afford

review

to catch on

  • Do you think the idea will catch on?
  • How long did it take you to catch on?
    It took me no time to catch on.
  • How long does it take you to catch on regarding new grammar?
  • Do you think he'll catch on if we like to him?
    No, I don't think he'll catch on if we like him.
  • How long do you think it'll take him to catch on?
  • Were you the first to catch on in your class when you learnt new grammar?
  • Do you catch on to my questions quickly?

exercises

to make up for sth.

to make up for lost time = recuperar el tiempo perdido
to make up for doing sth. = compensar por una acción realizada inapropiadamente
  • Tenemos que recuperar el tiempo perdido.
    We have to make up for lost time.
  • Did his gift make up for what he did?
    Yes, his gift made up for what he did.
  • Did he make up for what he did?
  • Did he make up for what he said?
    Yes, he made up for saying that.
  • Did she make up for putting her foot in it?
  • Did she make up for spilling the coffee all over your jumper?
  • How would you make up for being late?
    I'd make up for being late, buying the whole team a coffee.
  • You've just run over your neighbour's cat. How would you [make it up/make up for it]?
    I'd make up for it by buying a new cat for him.

can afford

permitirse (el lujo de)
  • ¿Te puedes permitir una mansión en la playa?
    Can you afford a mansion on the beach?
  • Yo no me puedo permitir conseguir una nueva ahora mismo.
    I can't afford to get a new one right now.
  • No puedo permitirme coger tres meses de vacaciones sin paga.
    I can't afford to take [a three month vacations/three months off].
  • No puedo permitirme ser maleducado con mi jefe.
    I can't afford to be rude to my boss.
  • Él se puede permitir casi cualquier cosa.
    He can afford almost anything.
  • ¿Realmente puedes permitirte el lujo de comprar aquél piso?
    Can you really afford to buy that apartment?
  • Can you afford a Rolls Royce?
  • Ask me if I can afford a Rolls Royce.
  • Ask me if I can afford a Ford.
  • No me puedo permitir malgastar mi tiempo.
    I can't afford to waste my time.
  • No podemos permitirnos perder nuestro mejor cliente.
    We can't afford to lose our best client.
  • No, no me lo puedo permitir.
    No, I can't afford it.

vocabulary 156

earthquaketerremoto
drumtambor
dollmuñeca
encouragementánimo, aliento
embarrassingviolento, embarazoso
jueves 20 mayo 2010
viernes 13 mayo 2011

grammar

review

  • How can I make up for it?

to go about doing sth.

  • abordar algo

my vocabulary

  • to deal with sb. = tratar con alguien
  • to treat sb. = tratar a alguien

review

to make up for

  • Do you have to make up for lost time?
  • Do we have to make up for lost time?
  • Did his gifts make up for what he did?
  • If you accidentaly killed my pet frog, how would you make up for it?
  • If you accidentaly knocked my wig off, how would you make up for it?
  • If you accidentaly ran over my foot, what would you do to make up for it?

afford

  • Can you afford to buy five flats in the center of Madrid?
  • Can you afford to buy five new cars tomorrow?

exercises

to go about doing sth.

cómo hacer para hacer algo, cómo abordar algo
  • Ask me how I went about telling him.
    How did you go about telling him?
    ¿Cómo hiciste para decírselo?
  • Ask me if there are a lot of ways to go about doing it.
  • How did you go about telling him you couldn't go to the party?
  • Ask me if I went about it in the right way.
  • How do you go about buying a sailboat?
  • Ask me what the best way to go about setting up your own business is.
    What is the best way to go about setting up your own business?
  • How should I go about telling him that I'm quitting?
  • Ask me how you'd go about learning how to surf.
    How would you go about... ?
  • Did you go about it in the same way I did?
  • Do people go about learning English in the right way?
  • Do you realize you went about it in the wrong way?
  • Ask me if I went about it as best as I could.
    Did you go about it as best as you could?
  • Ellos no supieron cómo abordar el tema.
    They didn't know how to go about it.
  • ¿Qué debería hacer para cancelar mi cuenta?
    How should I go about cancelling my account.
  • No hay una forma clara de cómo abordar este tema.
    There's no a clear way to go about it.
  • ¿Cómo harías para vender tu casa?
    How would you go about selling your house?
  • Creo que no abordó el tema de la forma correcta.
    I don't think he went about it in the right way.
  • ¿Cómo hizo para conseguir ese trabajo?
    How did he go about getting that job?

vocabulary 157

sensitivesensible (sensible = sensato, falso amigo)
sunlightluz solar
renewalrenovación
masterpieceobra maestra
resignationdimisión
to hand in your resignation = to resign

translation list 57

  1. Nuestra reciente campaña de ventas ha sido un éxito.
    Our recent sales campaign has been a success.
  2. Estoy satisfecho con tu actuación.
    I'm pleased/satisfied with your performance.
  3. Tu rendimiento ha sido por debajo de la media.
    Your performance has been below average.
  4. Si no hubieras tenido tanta prisa...
    If you hadn't been in such a hurry...
  5. Habrá una fiesta de despedida para tí.
    There will be a farewell party for you.
  6. Por lo tanto puedes contar con mi apoyo.
    Therefore/so you can count on my support/backing.
  7. Somos el número uno de nuestro sector.
    We're number one in our industry.
  8. Todos se beneficiarán de esta decisión.
    Everyone will benefit/profit from this decision.
  9. No sólo tú, sino tu gente, también.
    Not only you, but your people, [as well/too].
  10. Me pondré en contacto contigo de nuevo para confirmar los detalles.
    I'll [contact/get back to] you again to confirm the details.
  11. Como puedes ver en la copia adjunta...
    As you can see in the attached/enclosed copy...
    enclosed: una carta + una hoja suelta en el mismo sobre
    attached: una carta con una hoja grapada a ella
  12. El éxito requiere paciencia.
    Success requires patience.
viernes 21 mayo 2010
lunes 16 mayo 2011

grammar

to commit/compromise

  • comprometer tiene dos sentidos:
    prometer, garantizar: to commit to
    poner en peligro: to compromise on
  • commitment = compromiso, promesa
  • compromise = acuerdo con posibles renuncias

to have a go at

  • let's have a go at it! = ¡a por ello!
  • to have a go at him/her = meterse con él/ella [BR]
  • to have a go at it = intentarlo [AM]

my vocabulary

  • beet = remolacha

review

to go about [sth./doing sth.]

  • Ask me how I went about telling him.
  • Ask me if there are lots of ways to go about it.
  • No supieron cómo abordar el tema.
    They didn't know how to go about it.
  • Él abordó el tema mal.
    He went about it all wrong.

exercises

to commit/compromise

comprometer
  • Se negaron a ceder/transigir en nada.
    They refused to compromise on anything.
  • Me pusieron en una situación comprometida.
    They put me in a compromising situation.
  • No hagas nada que pueda comprometer tu reputación.
    Don't do anything that might compromise your reputation.
  • Me niego a transigir en mis valores.
    I refuse to compromise on my values.
  • Él no quiso comprometerse a todo el trabajo exigido.
    He didn't want to commit [himself] to all the work required.
  • Ellos se negaron a ceder en el precio.
    They refused to compromise on the price.
  • Es demasiado pronto para que te comprometas a nada.
    It's too early [for you to commit/to commit yourself] to anything.
  • No me comprometo a nada.
    I'm not commiting to anything.
  • Ella no quiso comprometerse a toda esa responsabilidad.
    She didn't want to commit herself to all that responsibility.
  • Solo se comprometieron a un contrato de tres años.
    They only commited themselves to a three year contract.
  • No podemos permitirnos comprometernos a ese precio.
    We can't afford to commit ourselves to that price.

to have a go at

  • Have you ever had a go at snowboarding?
  • Have you ever had a go at skiing?
  • Have you ever had a go at fishing?
  • Have you ever had a go at snowboarding?
  • Does your boss have a go at you sometimes?
  • Have I ever had a go at you?

vocabulary 158

swallow (tragaperras = slot machine)tragar
surveysondeo, encuesta
swancisne
to relievealiviar
to burstreventar
lunes 24 mayo 2010
martes 17 mayo 2011

grammar

you don't say!

review

compromise/commit

  • Se negaron a ceder en nada.
    They refused to compromise on anything.
  • No hagas nada que pueda comprometer tu reputación.
    Don't do anything that might compromise your reputation.
  • No me comprometo a nada.
    I'm not committing myself to anything.
  • ¿Te comprometes a darme una clase la semana que viene?
    Are you commiting yourself to giving me a class next week?
  • No puedo comprometerme a nada.
    I can't commit myself to anything.

to have a go at sb.

meterse con alguien
  • Has anyone ever had a go at you?
  • Have I ever had a go at you?
  • Have you ever had a go at anybody for anything?
  • Why did you have a go at someone sometimes?
  • Do you enjoy having a go at people?

exercises

is that so? you don't say!

When we find sth. just interesting: is that so?
When we are very surprised and excited by the news: you don't say!
  • Only female mosquitoes suck blood.
    Is that so?
  • I've just won the lottery.
    You don't say!
  • Australia is the latest island on Earth.
    Is that so?
  • My friend's been given a Porsche for her birthday.
  • Peter got the scholarship.
  • Large kangaroos cover more than 30 feets with each jump.
  • The most poisonous snake is in Australia.
  • I just got promoted.
  • A bear can smell an apple from up to 20 miles away.
  • Dalmatians are born without spots.
  • The baby just started walking.
  • Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
  • Marta is getting married.
  • There are 1.792 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
  • It's my birthday.
  • The average person laughs 13 times a day.
  • Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.
  • He just bought me a diamond ring.
  • Paul and Bess are left-handed.

vocabulary 159

to renewrenovar
unstableinestable
uniqueúnico en su género
to take stepstomar medidas
unreliablede poca confianza

translation list 58

  1. Estás presionándoles demasiado.
    You're pressuring them too much.
  2. ¿Así que quieres financiar la compra?
    So, do you want to finance the purchase?
  3. ¿Tú crees que podemos darte dinero, así, por las buenas?
    Do you think we can give you money just like that?
  4. Tenemos que buscar la fórmula más apropiada.
    We have to [find/look for] the most suitable/appropriate formula.
  5. A pesar de que no tenemos teléfono...
    [In spite of/Despite] the fact that we don't have a telephone...
  6. Quiero pedirte un pequeño favor.
    I want to ask you a small favor.
    to ask for a pen (sólo cuando se pide algo tangible)
    to ask a favor
  7. Es por eso por lo que te llamo.
    That's why I'm calling you.
  8. Juana ha resultado ser una gran ayuda.
    Juana's turned out to be a big/great help.
  9. Tus responsabilidades irán más allá de eso.
    Your responsibilities will go beyond that.
  10. Acabo de terminar la carrera.
    I've just finished my studies.
  11. Soy licenciado en Ingeniería.
    I've a degree in Engineering.
  12. ¿Dónde has realizado tus estudios?
    Where did you do your studies?
martes 25 mayo 2010
miércoles 18 mayo mayo 2011

grammar

that's it!

that

my vocabulary

  • gut it out! = ¡ánimo!

review

you don't say! is that so?

  • The most popular (first) name in the world is Mohamed.
  • The sentence 'the quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog' uses every letter of the alphabet.
  • I've just won the lottery.
  • Spain is the country in the European Union with the most restaurants and bars over 330,000.
  • The longest recorded flight of the chicken is 13 seconds.
  • We're related.
  • Thomas Edison was afraid of the dark.
  • When you were born, there are 300 bones in your body, and when you're adult there are only 206 bones. What happens to the other 94 bones?
  • Do you know that of all the words in the English language, the word with the most meanings is the word 'set'?
  • Do you know that Spain produces 44% of the world's olive oil?
  • Do you know that the first CD pressed made in the US was Bruce Springsteen 'Born in run'?

exercises

that's it!

  • Eso es, lo estás haciendo muy bien.
    That's it, you're doing very well.
  • Se acabó, voy a llamar a la policía.
    That's it, I'm going to call the police.
  • Eso es, buen trabajo.
    That's it, good job.
  • Se acabó, no lo soporto más.
    That's it, I can't take/stand it anymore.
  • Eso es, no te rindas.
    That's it, don't give up.
  • Se acabó, silencio.
    That's it, quiet.
  • Eso es, estás mejorando.
    That's it, you're getting better.
  • Se acabó, ya he oído suficiente.
    That's it, I've heard enough.
  • Eso es, sigue estudiando.
    That's it, keep [on] studying.
  • Se acabó, déjame en paz.
    That's it, leave me alone.
  • Eso es, buena respuesta.
    That's it, good/great answer.
  • Se acabó, me voy.
    That's it, I'm [off/out of here/gone].

that

that's it for now = esto es todo por ahora
is that it? = ¿es eso todo? ¿ya está?
that's that = esto es todo
  • Esto es todo por el momento, nos vemos el lunes.
    That's it for now, [I'll] see you on Monday.
  • He traducido todas las cartas. ¿Ya está?
    I've translated all the letters. Is that it[/all]?
  • He hecho mis deberes. ¿Ya está?
    I've done the homework, is that it?
  • He terminado el informe. ¿Ya está?
    I've finished the report. Is that it?
  • He limpiado mi mesa...
    I've cleaned my desk, is that it?
  • No lo voy a hacer, y no hay más que hablar.
    I'm not going to do it, and that's that.
  • No lo voy a decir, y ya está.
    I'm not going to say it, and that's that.
  • No lo voy a pagar, y ya está.
    I'm not going to pay for it, and that's that.
  • No voy, y ya está.
    I'm not going, and that's that.
  • No pienso tomar ese té asqueroso, y ya está.
    There's no way I'm drinking that disgusting tea, and that's that.
  • No pienso repetirlo y ya está.
    There's no way I'm going to repeat it and that's that.

vocabulary 160

compliancecumplimiento
teapottetera
uphillcuesta arriba
foreign tradecomercio exterior
foremancapataz
miércoles 26 mayo 2010
jueves 19 mayo 2011

grammar

to draw up

  • confeccionar, elaborar, redactar (a document, a will, a report)

review

that's it

  • ¡Eso es, lo estás haciendo muy bien!
    That's it, you're doing really well!
  • ¡Se acabó, me voy a llamar a la policía!
    That's it, I'm going to call the police!
  • I can't tolerate this anymore, I'm going to complain to the boss.
    That's it, I'm going to complain to the boss.
  • Excellent, you've solved the mathematical problem.
    That's it, you've solved the mathematical problem.
  • I've lost patience, I'm giving up!
    That's it, I'm giving up!
  • Perfect, you've pronounced 'orange juice' perfectly.
    That's it, you've pronounced 'orange juice' perfectly.
  • You have found it, it's exactly the one I was looking for!
    That's it, that's exactly the one I was looking for!

that's it/that's that

  • I paid 1,000 euros for these concert tickets and the show lasted just 25 minutes. Is that the end?
    I paid... Is that it?
  • We don't have time for any more questions. It's the end.
    We don't have time... That's it.
  • I have finished the translation list.
    I have finished the translation list. That's it.
  • No lo voy a hacer y no hay más que hablar.
    I'm not going to do it and that's that.
  • I'm not going to answer any more of your questions.
    I'm not going to answer any more of your questions, and that's that.
  • I'm not going to tell him again.
  • I won't go.
  • I refuse to see them.
  • I'm going to tell him to shut up.
  • She doesn't believe us.

exercises

to draw up

  • Everyday I draw up a contract
    Yesterday I drew up a contract
    Lately I've drawn up a contract
  • Did you draw up the report yesterday?
  • Did you draw it up on Tuesday?
  • When did you draw it up?
  • Did she draw up her divorce papers last week?
  • Ask me if the lawer has drawn up the will yet.
  • Ask me if I think drawing up a new contract if worth it.
  • Did the man draw up a new will before passing away?
  • Ask me if the documents were drawn up on the spot.
  • Did he draw up the new contract before hire him?
  • Ask me if they've ever drawn up a proposal to change the process.
    Have they ever drawn up a proposal to change the process?
  • Would you like to read the contract after we draw it up?

vocabulary 161

luxurylujo
hostagerehén
waxcera
teenageradolescente
wavesolas

translation list 59

  1. Siempre he tenido un alto concepto de tu compañía.
    I've always had a high regard for your company.
    a high regard for = a high opinion of
  2. Lo cubrí para que nadie lo viera.
    I covered it so that nobody could see it.
  3. Tengo una reunión prevista para mañana.
    I have a meeting scheduled/set for tomorrow.
  4. ¿Por qué fijas las reuniones con tanta antelación?
    Why do you set meetings so far in advance?
  5. Espero que tu memoria no te falle.
    I hope your memory doesn't fail [you].
  6. Sé las reglas del juego mejor que la mayoría.
    I know the rules of the game better than most.
  7. Déjame un día para investigar el asunto.
    Give me a day to look into the matter.
  8. Hemos ido ahí tres años seguidos.
    We've gone there three [straight years/years in a row/consecutive years].
  9. Me veré obligado a cambiar de proveedor.
    I'll be forced to change suppliers.
  10. Sé por tu acento que no eres español.
    I can tell by your accent that you're not Spanish.
  11. Voy a asistir en nombre del club de los cazadores.
    I'm going to attend on behalf of the hunters club.
  12. Mi mujer siempre se aburre en estas cenas.
    My wife always gets bored at/in these dinners.
class 162
jueves 27 mayo 2010
viernes 20 mayo 2011

grammar

the impersonal you

  • Cuando español se usa uno como sujeto impersonal, en inglés se usa you, no se usa one:
    nunca se sabe = you never know
  • Se usa para dar instrucciones.
  • When you least expect something to happen, it happens.
  • You never know what's around the corner.

to take the plunge

  • to take the plunge = arriesgarse, decidirse
  • God helps those who helps themselves.

my vocabulary

  • blueprint = anteproyecto (arquitectura, ingeniería)
  • to pay off = valer la pena
  • to reap = cosechar, recolectar

review

to draw up

  • Have you ever drawn up a blueprint?
  • Have you ever drawn up a report?
  • Do you enjoy drawing up reports?
  • Did you draw up a report yesterday?
  • Do you think we should hire a lawyer to draw up the contract?
  • Ask me if I drew up many contracts last week.
  • Has he drawn up his resignation letter yet?

exercises

the impersonal one

Es de uso formal.
  • You can't ever be sure.
    One can't ever be sure.
  • You do what you can.
    One does what one can.
  • You don't need to eat too much.
  • You should try to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.
  • You should always try to get to work on time.
  • How do you get to the bus station from here?
  • You must take good care of your health.
    One must take good care of one's health.
  • You should try to teach children to speak languages well.
  • You should visit Brazil at least once in your life.
    One should visit Brazil at least once in one's life.
  • You shouldn't swear so much.
  • You need to telephone your parents regularly.
  • You must not behave like a monkey.
  • You should not try to set fire to your boss's house.
  • You shouldn't pick fights with Brazilians.
  • You can't never tell what Irish weather is going to be like.
  • You can't never tell what other people are really thinking.
  • You can follow your dreams if you want to.
    One can follow one's dreams if one wants to.
  • You should listen to your heart and not your head.
  • You can always count on your true friends.
  • You must try to enjoy life.
  • You must talk to yourself in English everyday.
  • You should drink one glass of red wine everyday.
  • You shouldn't drink two bottles of red wine everyday.
  • You shouldn't smoke too much.
  • You should compliment people regularly.
  • You should smile at dogs when you meet them in the street.

to take the plunge

  • Did you take the plunge last week?
  • When did you decide to take the plunge and come to Spain?
    I decided to take the plunge and come to Spain three years ago.
  • How did you decide to take the plunge and come to Spain?
  • Are you glad you decided to take...?
  • Are you going to take the plunge and buy a house?
  • Ask me if I'm going to take the plunge and buy a house.
  • Are you going to take the plunge and move to another European city?
  • What is she not going to do?
    She's not going to take...
  • Ask me if one day I'll take the plunge and move back to the States.
  • Is it a good idea to take the plunge and buy a house nowadays?

vocabulary 162

negotiablenegociable
to betraytraicionar
to devisediseñar
the yellow pagespáginas amarillas
who knows?¿quién sabe?
viernes 28 mayo 2010
lunes 23 mayo 2011

grammar

past conditional

  • [Si hubiera/De haber] sabido que ibas a venir, yo no habría venido.
    [If I had known/Had I known] you were going to be here, I wouldn't have come.

my vocabulary

  • raring to go = con muchas ganas por empezar (ver class 146)
  • to tell someone off = echar a uno la bronca
  • deal, dealt, dealt
  • I have a lot of experience under my belt

pronunciation

  • BR: purgatory ['pɜ:gətrɪ], laboratory /lə'bɒrətrɪ/, observatory /əb'zɜ:vətrɪ/

review

the general voice: one

  • You shouldn't smoke.
    One shouldn't smoke.
  • You shouldn't speak with your mouth full.
    One shouldn't speak with one's mouth full.
  • You shouldn't speak like that.
  • How do you get to la Plaza Mayor?
  • How can you learn a language?
  • How do you drive a bus?
  • You can make pasta easily.
  • How do you get from here to there?
  • How do you ride a bicycle?
  • Where are your manners?
  • One should be very careful not to fall.
    You should be very careful not to fall.
  • One should make sure to use one's manners.
  • Is it difficult for one to make sushi?
  • One must always remember to call one's parents.
  • One should make sure not to trick people badly.
  • One shouldn't wear clothes like that.
  • One should follow the speed limits.

to take the plunge

  • Are you going to take the plunge and accept the job?
  • Did you take the plunge last year and get married?
  • Will you take the plunge and go skydiving with me?
  • Do you think I should take the plunge and ask him out?
  • Would you ever take the plunge and shave your head?
  • Are you going to take the plunge and master English this year?

exercises

past conditional

  • If I'd known, I would've called you.
    Had I known, I would've called you.
  • If he'd known, he would've brought something else.
  • If she'd remembered, there wouldn't have been a problem.
  • If we'd warned them, they wouldn't have had the accident.
  • If it had been important, I would've been there.
  • Had I been there, everybody would've been happy.
  • If she'd done it, her boss wouldn't have told her off.
  • If he hadn't fallen off the cliff, he wouldn't have died.
    Had he not fallen off the cliff, he wouldn't have died.
  • If he hadn't died, he wouldn't have gone to hell.
    Had he not died, he wouldn't have gone to hell.
  • If he hadn't been a naughty boy, he wouldn't have gone to hell.
    Had he not been a naughty boy, he wouldn't have gone to hell.

vocabulary 163

enjoyableagradable
sympathycompasión
valleyvalle
discourageddesalentado
at randomal azar

translation list 60

  1. Tu éxito tiene mucho que ver con la imagen que proyectas.
    Your succes has a lot to do with the image you project.
  2. Dicen que una imagen vale más que mil palabras.
    They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
  3. Tenemos años de experiencia tratando con los medios.
    We have years of experience dealing with the media.
  4. ¿Cómo piensas resolver este asunto?
    How do you plan/intend to solve this matter?
  5. ¿Puedes desglosar esto por grupos?
    Can you break this down by/into groups?
  6. La tendencia general es favorable.
    The general trend is favorable.
  7. Estamos dedicados a una causa noble.
    We're devoted/dedicated to a noble cause.
  8. ¿A que no puedes traducir esta frase?
    I bet you can't translate this sentence.
  9. El secreto radica en tu propia fuerza de voluntad.
    The secret lies in your own willpower.
  10. Vuelve a repasar todas las listas.
    [Go over/review/go back over] all the lists.
  11. Hacen falta diez mil horas de estudio para aprender un idioma.
    It takes ten thousand hours of study to learn a language.
  12. No hay atajos ni fórmulas mágicas.
    There [are no/aren't any] shortcuts or magic formulas.
lunes 31 mayo 2010
martes 24 mayo 2011

grammar

to get out of

  • to get into: entrar, meter en un sitio pequeño (the car, the bed, a box, a mess, trouble)
  • para salir: to get out
  • to get out: librarse de un compromiso

to arrange for sb./things

  • to arrange for things

my vocabulary

  • Expresión irlandesa de saludo:
    How are you keeping?
    I'm keeping very well.

pronunciation

  • plumber /'plʌmə(r)/

review

past conditional

  • If I had been there earlier, I would've seen him.
    Had I been there earlier, I would've seen him.
  • If we had seen her, we would've asked for her autograph.
  • If I had known you were in town, I would've invited you.
  • If I had eaten the sandwich, I would've been ill.
  • If I had bought the tickets, I wouldn't have had any money left.
  • If I'd gone to Canada, I wouldn't been here to film.
  • If I'd found the book, I would've bought it for you.
  • If I had called her, I would've told her about you.
  • If I had seen the movie, I wouldn't have read the book.

exercises

to try to get out of [sth./doing sth.]

  • Did you try to get out of doing your homework when you were young?
  • Did you try to get out of doing the dishes when you were young?
  • Did you try to get out of [doing] this English class?
  • Do you ever try to get out of practising your English?
  • Will you try to get out of coming here next week?
  • Would people try to get out of paying their taxes if they could?
  • Ask me if I ever got out of practising the piano when I was young.
  • Ask me if I regret it.
  • Ask me why I regret getting out of practising the piano.
  • Do people get out of paying speeding fines?
  • How do they try to get out of paying speeding fines?
  • Would you have got out of coming here today if you could have?
    No, I wouldn't have tried to get out of coming here today if I could have.
  • Ask me how often I get out of paying my bills.
  • Do you try to get out of going to the dentist?
  • Ask me if I try to get out of going to the dentist too.
  • Ask me if I think most people try to get out of going to the dentist.
  • Would dogs (  ??) to get out of going to the vet (veterinary)?
  • Have you ever tried to get out of going to a wedding?
  • Do actors ever try to get out of learning their lines?
  • Do people try to get out of answering difficult questions?
  • Will you try to get out of coming here next week?
  • Did you ever try, when you were young, to get out of going to boring classes?
  • Can you help me to get out of going to jail?
  • Do you ever try to get out of visiting people you don't like?

to arrange for someone to do sth.

encargarse de que alguien haga algo
  • Have you arranged for someone to look after the kids?
  • Did you say you had arranged for someone to look after the kids?
  • Ask me if I've arranged for someone to pick up the kids.
    Have you arranged for someone to pick up the kids?
  • Ask me if I said that I had arranged for someone to pick up the kids.
    Did you say that you had arranged for someone to pick up the kids?
  • Have you arranged for someone to cut the grass?
  • Ask me if I've arranged for someone to prune the bushes.
    Have you arranged for someone to prune the bushes?
  • Ask me if I said that I had arranged for someone to prune the bushes.
    Did you say that you had arranged for someone to prune the bushes?
  • Have you arranged for the plumber to fix the pipes?
  • Have you arranged for him to fix the drains too?

vocabulary 164

downhillcuesta abajo
requestpetición
reversemarcha atrás
early retirementjubilación anticipada
to reviewrevisar, repasar
martes 1 junio 2010
miércoles 25 mayo 2011

grammar

to do sth. one's socks off

  • hacer algo a conciencia
  • I had to work my socks off to learn how to play the guitar well.
  • I teach my student's socks off.

as

  • como, puesto que, dado que
  • As she's angry today, I have made the decision not to talk to her.
    As she's angry, I would go about my business and not pay any attention to her.
  • En las frases anteriores se puede cambiar as por since, ya que since tiene los dos significados:
    desde, desde que
    puesto que
  • As we're approaching the end...
    Puesto que estamos acercándonos al final...
  • As we approach the end...
    A medida que/Según nos acercamos/acerquemos al final...

my vocabulary

  • chore = faena, tarea
  • wax = crecer (waxing moon = luna creciente)
  • waning = menguante (luna)
  • stuck-up = estirado (una persona)

review

to get out of doing sth.

librarse de hacer algo
  • Did you try to get out of going to the wedding?
  • Will you be able to get out of doing your homework?
  • Ask me if I used to try to get out of doing my chores when I was little.
  • Ask me when I last got out of taking out the rubbish.
    When did you last get out of taking out the rubbish?

to arrange for someone to do sth.

  • Have you arranged for anyone to look after your kids?
    Yes, I've arranged for someone to look after my kids.
  • Ask me if I arranged for someone to meet me at the airport.
    Did you arrange for anyone to meet you at the airport?
    Yes, I arranged for someone to meet me at the airport.
  • Did you arrange for anyone to water your plants when you were away?
  • Ask me if I've arranged for someone else to do it.
    Have you arranged for anyone else to do it?
  • Did you arrange for a car to take us to the wedding?
  • Did you arrange for anyone to record this show for you?
  • Ask me if Sam arranged for someone to drive him home.
    Did Sam arrange for anyone to drive him home?

exercises

to work one's socks off

to work really hard
  • Did you have to work your socks off in your final year at university?
  • Ask me if I had to work my socks off to learn Italian.
  • Do you agree that you have to work yours socks off to learn a language?
  • Do you think you have to work yours socks off to get a raise?
  • Did you have to work yours socks off to reach your current level of English?
  • Did you have to ... to get your driver's license?
  • ... to pass any of your classes at school?
  • Tell us what classes you had to work your socks off with.
    I had to work my socks off with maths ...
  • Ask me what class I always had to work my socks off with.
    What class did you always have to work your socks off with?
  • Do children nowadays have to work their socks off as much as we did at school?
  • When did you work your socks off the most?

as

  • Ya que no sabes de qué hablas, escucha al experto.
    As you don't know what you're talking about, listen to the expert.
  • Because you're here, I'd like you to answer some questions.
    As you're here, I'd like you to answer some questions.
  • I presume you speak Portuguese because you're Brazilian.
    I presume you speak Portuguese as you're Brazilian.
  • I should take better care of myself because I get sick often.
    You should take better care of yourself as you get sick often.
  • Because you're a quiet a person, you must be a good listener.
    As you're a quiet person ...
  • You must have a good vocabulary because you read a lot of books.
  • I suppose you type well because you do it everyday.
  • You must get stressed out because you have a lot of responsibilities.
  • You must be crazy because you think you're a giraffe.
  • You could be American because you speak with an American accent.
  • The computer must be broken because I can't turn it on.
  • This man must be a king because he wears a crown.
  • That girl must be sad because she's always crying.
  • He's always late because he never gets out of bed on time.
  • Somebody must be at home because all the lights are on.
  • Because you turned up late, you should apologize.
  • His hair is a mess because he never gets it cut.
  • She's very tired because she doesn't sleep much.
  • Because you're here, sit down, have a cup of tea and some Irish brown bread.
  • Because you're a guest in my house, you must have a glace of whiskey.

vocabulary 165

unpopularimpopular
to remindrecordar
suppliesprovisiones
unforgettableinolvidable
sunglassesgafas de sol
miércoles 2 junio 2010
jueves 26 mayo 2011

grammar

review: as

  • As the president of this company ... = Como presidente (que soy) de la compañía ...
  • Like the president, I also believe ... = Al igual que el presidente,
  • I work as a teacher like a slave
  • tan ... como:
    I'm not as tall as Pau Gasol
    I don't play the guitar as well as Andrés Segovia
  • como = ya que = dado que = puesto que
    Ya que estoy aquí, demos una clase de inglés = As I'm already here, let's have an English course
    As I told you yesterday ...
  • conforme = a medida que = según:
    según nos acercamos al final = as we get closer to the end
    as they arrive

to make out

  • distinguir, descifrar, entender (sonido)
  • make her out, make it out (separable)

bastante

  • suficente = enough
    I don't have enough money to buy a RR.
    I've enough money to buy that car.
    Tienes dinero más que suficiente = You have more than enough money
  • bastante = quite
    I have quite a lot of money.
  • Adverbio:
    Tienes que estudiar bastante = You have to study quite a bit/lot
  • In front of an adjective, use quite:
    I'm quite angry.
    It's quite far.
    He's quite tall.
    She's quite intelligent.
    In front of a noun, singular or uncountable, use quite a bit/lot of:
    I have quite a bit of money.
    We have quite a bit of time.
    I have quite a bit/lot of free time
    There is quite a lot of opportunity
    There's quite a bit of wheat in Spain
    In front of a noun in plural, use quite a few:
    I've quite a few free hours today.
    There are quite a few opportunities.
    There are quite a few days like today.
    In front of a comparative, use quite a bit/lot.
  • 'Quite a lot of' puede sustituir a 'quite a bit of' y a 'quite a few':
    There are quite a few cars in Teruel
    There are quite a lot of cars in Teruel

my vocabulary

  • pants = pantalones AM calzoncillos UK
  • UK: trousers = pantalones
  • underpants = calzoncillos AM

review

to work one's socks off

dejarse la piel
  • Did you have to work your socks off to become an actor?
  • Ask me if I had to work my socks off at university.
  • Ask me if I actually worked my socks off at university
  • Ask me if I had to work my socks off to finish the superfantastic game that we've released with Sony.

as

ya que
  • Ya que está lloviendo, vamos a quedarnos dentro.
    As it's raining let's stay inside.
  • Ya que estás aquí, vamos a hablar de fútbol.
    As you are here, let's talk about football/soccer.
  • Ya que no sabes de qué hablas, voy a hablar yo.
    As you don't know what you're talking about, I'm going to talk.
  • Ya que era imposible encontrarlo, compré otra cosa.
    As it was impossible to find, I bought something else.
    as = seeing as = since
  • Ya que tienes hambre, vamos a comer algo.
    Seeing as you're hungry, let's have something to eat.
    Since you're hungry, let's have something to eat.

exercises

to make out

  • I can't make out what the actor's saying. Can you make out what he's saying?
  • Have you noticed, through the window over there, there is a castle. Can you make out the castle?
  • How can you couldn't make it out before?
  • He made it out after I pointed it out to him.
  • Were you able to make out what David had written?
  • Are you good at making out handwriting?
  • Can you make out doctors's handwriting?
  • Can you make out what I wrote on the whiteboard? I left a message for you.
  • Can you make out the difference between Mozart and Beethoven?
  • Ask me if I can make out the difference between Mozart and Beethoven.
  • Can you make out all Spanish accents?
  • Can you make out tiny writing?
  • Can you make out what I'm saying if I whisper?

bastante

quite a bit of -> sólo para uncountable (no se puede decir quite a bit of people)
quite a lot of -> countable (both)
  • Hay bastante agua en el vaso.
    There's quite a bit/lot of water in the glass.
  • Tengo bastante dinero para estudiar el master.
    I have enough money to study the masters.
  • Has hecho bastante trabajo para hoy.
    You've done enough work for today.
  • Hay bastante gente en la calle.
    There are quite a lot of people in the street.
  • Hay bastantes coches aparcados.
    There are quite a lot of [cars parked/parked cars].
  • Hay bastantes playas en el sur de España.
    There are quite a lot of beachs in the south of Spain.
  • Hay bastante tiempo para irnos de vacaciones.
    There is enough time to go on vacation.
  • Hay bastante nata en la tarta.
    There is quite a lot/bit of cream in/on the pie.
    se puede usar tanto lot como bit porque cream es uncountable
  • How much dirt is there on the floor?
    There's quite a bit of dirt on the floor.
  • How many carrots are there in the fridge?
    There are quite a lot of carrots in the fridge.
  • How much information can you give me about Madrid?
    I can give you quite a bit of information about Madrid.
  • How many dress shirts do you have?
    I have quite a lot of dress shirts.
  • How much money does Bill Gates have?
    He has quite a bit/lot of money.

vocabulary 166

mankindhumanidad
cynicalcínico
baldcalvo
savings accountcuenta de ahorro
to blushsonrojarse
jueves 3 junio 2010
viernes 27 mayo 2011

grammar

questions

  • Construir frases afirmativas y, a continuación, una pregunta cuya respuesta sea la frase anterior.

pasado simple/presente perfecto

  • How many times did you fly to Mongolia last year?
    I didn't fly to Mongolia last year.
    And [so far] this year?
    I haven't flown to Mongolia this year so far.

my vocabulary

  • to make out with someone = ligar con alguien

review

to make out

  • Can you make out what it says on that wall?
  • Can you make out what people are saying in films when they switch to French?
  • Ask me if I can make out what they say on the Chinese channel.
    Can you make out what they say on the Chinese channel?

enough

exercises

questions with what

  • He bought a new jacket.
    What did he buy?
  • He bought a top hat.
    What did he buy?
  • She's going to eat a pineapple.
    What's she going to eat?
    What will she eat?
  • He saw a telescope.
    What did he see?
  • He didn't see a telescope.
    What didn't he see?
  • He's listening to some music by Beethoven.
    What's he listening to?
  • He's not listening to some music by Beethoven.
    What's he not listening to?
    What isn't he listening to?
  • He's planning to hold up a post office.
    What is he planning to hold up?
  • We're thinking about chocolate.
    What are we thinking about?
  • We're not thinking about snow.
    What aren't we thinking about?
  • He's working on his first book.
    What's he working on?
  • He's searching for his watch.
    What's he searching for?
  • He's looking up a difficult word in the dictionary.
    What's he looking up?
    What's he doing?
  • He's trying to get directions to the Royal Palace.
    What's he trying to get?
    What's he doing?
  • He's not trying to get directions to the train station.
    What isn't he doing?
    What isn't he trying to get?
  • He's watching Aprende Inglés on the TV.
    What's he watching?
  • He's not watching a football match on the TV.
    What isn't he watching?
    What isn't he doing?
  • He's listening to Vaughan Radio.
    What's he doing?
  • He's not listening to the BBC.
    What isn't he listening to?
  • It's a quarter past four in the afternoon.
    What time is it?
  • It was around 8 pm when he passed away.
    What time was it when he passed away?
  • It was after four a.m. when they got home.
    What time was it when they got home?
  • I drank red Spanish wine.
    What did you drink?
  • I didn't drink Brazilian wine.
    Whan didn't you drink?
  • I'll walk if I can't catch a bus.
    What will you do if you can't catch a bus?
  • I'll go to America if I can't go to Canada.
  • I'll panic if I can't think in more questions.
  • I'll take the train if I can't fly.
  • I'll drink beer if they don't have wine.

pasado simple/presente perfecto

  • Did you get a call from the King of Spain last week?
    Yes ...
    What did he tell you?
    ...
  • Did you take me to a Chinese restaurant last week?
    No, I didn't ...
    And so far this week?
    ...
  • Did you drive to France last week? And so far this week?
  • Did you ring a church bell last year? And so far this year?
    I haven't rung a church bell so far this year.
  • Did you sleep in a hotel last week? And so far this week?
  • Did you fly to Germany last month? And so far this month?
  • Ask me if I grew tomatoes in my house last year.
    Ask me if I've grown tomatoes in my house so far this year.
  • Did you lead troops into battle last year? And so far this year?
  • How many times did you read a book written by me last year? And so far this year?
    I didn't read any books written by you.
    I haven't read any books written by you.
  • How many times did you build an igloo last month? And so far this month?
    I didn't build an igloo last month.

vocabulary 167

to improviseimprovisar
paper clipclip
to spreadextender
to stay in contact withseguir en contacto con
scaffoldingandamios
viernes 4 junio 2010
lunes 30 mayo 2011

grammar

to shut down

  • to shut = cerrar
  • to shut up: callarse
    es muy fuerte
    mejor no usarlo si no se sabe hacer sin ser ofensivo
  • to shut down = cesar, parar operaciones mecánicas, cerrar definitivamente
    They closed the company, they shut down operations.

short answers

my vocabulary

  • at a time = cada vez
    one step at a time
  • to get a good handle on English = tener bien agarrado el inglés
  • to stand someone up = dejar plantado a alguien
  • play on words = juego de palabras
  • chain-smoker = fumador empedernido

review

asking questions

  • He bought a coat.
  • He's going to eat a steak.
  • He saw a big fat cat.
  • He's listening to some American rock music.
  • He's planning to rob a bank.
  • I'm thinking about chocolate.
  • She's writing a presentation.
  • He's working on his first book.
  • He's painting it blue.
  • He's writing a poem.
  • He's searching for his watch.
  • He's trying to get directions to the Royal Palace.

simple past/present perfect

  • Did you go to the cinema last week? And so far this week?
  • Was you savagely attacked by pigs last month? And so far this month?
  • Did you drink water last year? And so far this year?
  • Did anyone stand you up yesterday? And so far today?
  • Did you shave using a samurai sword yesterday? And today?

exercises

to shut down

  • Did the factory shut down last month?
  • Did it shut down due to the recession?
  • Ask me if the company will shut down despite the increase in sales.
    Will the company shut down despite the increase in sales?
  • Did the shop shut down after the big supermarket moved to town?
  • Did the web site shut down due to its contents?
  • Is the butcher's shutting down or is he just on holiday?
  • Ask me if I think that restaurant should have shut down.
  • Do you think it's a pity that the store shut down?
  • Ask me what year the school shut down in.
    What year did the school shut down in?
  • Have many shops in your neighbourhood shut down?
    Yes, many shops in my neighbourhood have shut down.
  • Ask me if many estate agencies have shut down recently.
  • What would you do if your local supermarket shut down?
  • Ask me if the newspaper was shut down after they published the story.
    Was the newspaper shut down after they published the story?

short answers

  • Do you like fish?
  • Can you play tennis?
  • Should you do your homework everyday?
  • Will I make a million euros before the end of the month?
  • Were you and I born in the same hospital?
  • Would the president of Spain resigne if he lost his eyesight?
  • Could a chimp (chimpanzee) win a fight against a budgie?
  • Are you a compulsive liar?
  • Have there be any natural disasters lately?
  • Are you a chain-smoker?
  • Do you and I get along all right?
  • Can an ant jump higher than an kangaroo?
  • Did Julius Caesar die of natural causes?
  • Are my eyes the same color as yours?
  • Should priceless jewels be kept in a safe place?

vocabulary 168

chemistryquímica
blackmailchantaje
cookie (AM; en EN es biscuit)galleta
checkbooktalonario de cheques
convincingconvincente
lunes 7 junio 2010
martes 31 mayo 2011

grammar

questions with when

questions with how many

  • before the week is up = antes de que termine la semana

review

to close/shut down

cerrar definitivamente
  • How many companies have to close down due to the recession?
  • What type of businesses have you noticed have shut down?
  • Do you think more restaurants or more clothes stores have shut down?
  • Do you think a McDonald's would ever close down in the center of the city?
  • Have you ever seen a McDonald's close down?
  • Have you ever seen any fast food place close down?
  • What fast food place have you seen close down?

short answers

  • Will you go?
    Yes, I will.
    What will you do?
    I will go.
  • Will he come?
    Yes, he will.
    What will he do?
    He will come.
  • Have they finished?
    No, they haven't.
    What haven't they done?
    They haven't finished.
  • Does he play football?
    Yes, he does.
    What does he do?
    He plays football.
  • Can they travel?
    Yes, they can.
    What can they do?
    They can travel.
  • Were we late?
    No, we weren't.
    What weren't we?
    We weren't late.
  • Did you watch the game?
    Yes, I did.
    What did you do?
    I watched the game.
  • Should I speak slower?
    Yes, you should.
    What should I do?
    You should speak slower.
  • Does he know English?
    No, he doesn't.
    What doesn't he know?
    He doesn't know English.
  • Can they reach the top?
    Yes, they can.
    What can they do?
    They can reach the top.
  • Is she angry at me?
    No, she isn't.
    What isn't she?
    She's not angry at you.
  • Were we supposed to go?
    Yes, we were.
    What were we supposed to do?
    We were supposed to go.
  • Did you do your laundry?
    Yes, I did.
    What did you do?
    I did my laundry.

exercises

questions with when

  • He's going to finish at three o'clock.
  • They got here at seven thirty.
  • They'll fix it tomorrow morning.
  • They can be in Chicago, first thing tomorrow morning.
  • Can you be here again to film tomorrow at the same time?
  • I'll do it on Wednesday, if I have time.
  • We should have a meeting tomorrow.
  • Ask me if my boss makes me attend a lot of meetings.
    Does your boss make you attend a lot of meetings?
    What do you want to know?
    I want to know if your boss makes you attend a lot of meetings.
  • I think we should call her now.
  • The Beatles broke up in April of 1970.
  • Do you know when did they get together?
  • The report was requested last Friday.
  • It would have been done yesterday, if there had been time.
  • I would have gone to the stadium at seven o'clock if I had had tickets.
  • She'll call you tomorrow.
  • The next Olymmpics will be in two years time.
    When will the next Olympics be?
    They'll be in two years time/Two years from now.
  • We're going to order more as soon as the stock runs out.
    When are we going to order more?
  • He broke the record in 1972.
  • They celebrated when they won the last game.
  • I broke it last night.
  • My mother broke hers last Thursday.

questions with how many - simple past/present perfect

  • Ask me how many formal business plans I drew up last week. Ask me how many I've drawn up so far this week.
  • Ask me how many times I drove a tractor last year. Ask me so far this year...
  • Ask me how many colds I caught last year. Ask me how many colds I've caught so far this year.
  • How many UFOs did you see last year?
    with acronyms: "what does UFO stand for?"
  • Ask me how many tennis matches I played last week. Ask me how many I've played so far this week.

vocabulary 169

customercliente (cliente de mercancías; client, cliente de servicios)
costlycostoso
dough /dəʊ/masa
detrimentalperjudicial
delightedencantado
class 170
martes 8 junio 2010
miércoles 1 junio 2011

grammar

to set up

  • to set the table [AM] = to lay the table [EN] = poner la mesa
    to set the alarm clock
    to set: a meeting (fijar la cita)
  • to set up: a business, a company, a new organisation
    establecer, organizar, montar (un negocio)

asking & doing

  • Tell me to fold this piece of paper.
    Fold that piece of paper.
  • What do you want me to do?
  • What am I going to do?
  • What am I about to do?
  • What am I doing?
  • And now, what am I doing?
    You're still folding the piece of paper.
  • What have I just done?
    You have just folded the piece of paper.

review

questions with when

  • They'll be here at 5 pm.
  • We saw them last Christmas.
  • They play next week.
  • They're planning to get married in July.
  • They'll be leaving on weekend.
    (leaving: de despedida)
  • I met him seven years ago.
  • I talked to her about that yesterday.
  • They moved to Cuba in 1977.
  • I talked to her three days ago.
  • We won't know anything until tomorrow.
  • I came to Spain three years ago.
  • I started to study when I was 18 years old.
  • I woke up this morning at 7 am.

questions with how many - past simple/present perfect

  • Ask me how many times I went to Canada last year. And so far this year?
  • ... times I ate sushi last month. And so far this month?
  • ... jokes John told me last week. And so far this week?
  • ... times he talked to her last month. And so far this month?
  • ... times Tom took me to the airport last year. And so far this year?
  • ... times my mother called me yesterday. And so far today?

exercises

to set up

  • Are you setting up a company?
  • Ask me if I'm setting up a company.
  • Ask me who's going to set up a company.
  • Jorge is going to set up a company. What did I say?
  • Ask me if I've ever set up a company.
  • I've never set up a company. What did I say?
  • Ask me if I'm setting up a meeting for next Thursday.
  • Yes. What did I say?
  • Ask me if I'm going to set up an investigation/inquiry.
  • Yes, I'm going to set up an inquiry. What did I say?
  • Ask me if Alba is going to set up the equipment.
  • No, she isn't going to set up the equipment. What did I say?
  • Ask me if I've ever set up a theatre company.
  • No, I've never set up a theatre company.

asking & doing

  • Tell me to put away my pen.
    What would you like me to do?
    What am I going to do?
    What am I about to do?
    What am I doing?
    What was I doing?
  • Tell me to take it out.
  • Tell me to put them down.
  • Tell me to tell you to take it off (the watch).
    Could you tell me to take it off?
    Sure. Would you mind taking it off? What would I want you to do?
    What are you going to do?
    What are you about to do?
    What are you doing?
    What were you doing?
  • Tell me to tell you to put it back on.
    Could you tell me to put it back on?

vocabulary 170

hammermartillo
giftedalguien con mucho talento
dwarfenano
featurescaracterísticas, rasgos
engagedcomprometido para casarse
class 171
miércoles 9 junio 2010
jueves 2 junio 2011

grammar

questions with where

past continuous

  • Tell me what was happening just a few seconds ago, what was going on?
  • What were you doing at this time one week ago?

my vocabulary

  • an ugly mug = una cara fea
  • a mug shot = foto de carnet
  • caerse = to fall over BR, to fall down AM
  • to fall over AM = to trip on sth. (tropezar con algo)

review

to set up

  • Are you setting up a company right now?
  • Ask me if I'm setting up a company.
  • Would you like to set up a company?
  • Ask me if I've ever set up a company.
  • Ask me if I set up interviews everyday.
  • Ask me how many interviews I set up everyday.
  • Ask me if I set up meetings everyday.
  • Do you have to set up meetings at work?
  • Does your boss have to set up meetings?
  • Ask me if I set things up in advance.
  • Do you set up dinner parties at your house?
  • Do you set things up for your boss?
  • Does he want you to set things up for him?
    He doesn't want me to set things up for him.
  • How often do you set up appointments to have your hair cut?

asking & doing

  • Tell me to scratch my nose.
    Scratch your nose.
  • What will I do?
    You'll scratch your nose.
  • What am I going to do?
  • What am I doing?
  • What do you want me to do?
  • What have I just done?
  • Tell me to pluck my eyebrows.
  • Tell me to clench my fist.
  • Tell me to unclench my fist.
  • Tell me to wave at you.
  • Tell me to give you the thumbs up.

exercises

questions with where

  • The mug is on the puff.
    Where's the mug?
  • Your mobile is under the cushion.
  • I'd go to live in the Seychelles if I won the lottery.
    Where would you go to live if you won the lottery?
    Where would you go and live if you won the lottery?
  • I got this in an antique shop.
  • I lost my passport on the bus.
  • I met my wife in a bar.
  • She fell over in a shopping centre.
  • I'm going to keep it in my pocket.
  • I'm going to keep it somewhere safe.
  • I'm going to keep it in a safe.

past continuous

  • Emily's playing with her dogs, Tom's cooking spaghetti, Rob and Samantha are decorating their house and Laura is washing her hair.
    What was happening here?
  • John's ironing his shirt, Mary's doing her homework, Jack's mowing the lawn and Julia and Paul are feeding the baby.
  • Ana and James are doing the dishes and Sara's sunbathing.
  • Susan's watching TV and Daniel's taking/having a nap.
  • Vanesa's surfing the net, Phil and Mike are playing football in the garden and Matt and Kim are setting the table.

vocabulary 171

involvementparticipación, implicación
heritagepatrimonio, herencia cultural
insanitydemencia, locura
intersectioncruce de calles o carreteras
head waitermaitre
class 172
jueves 10 junio 2010
viernes 3 junio 2011

grammar

review

  • Don't count your lucky stars yet - No cantes victoria todavía
  • The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain!

to give up

  • I've told you time and again: una y otra vez
  • to give up: abandonar, dejar de hacer algo, tirar la toalla

numbers

my vocabulary

  • craving (cravings) = ansia
  • to crave = ansiar
    Do you still crave cigarettes every once in a while?

review

questions with where

  • The Beatles formed in Liverpool, England
  • I grew up in Liverpool, Canada.
  • My father was born in Otawa.
  • The meeting will be held in the Blue room.
  • I had dinner in the center of the city last night.
  • I'll be in the office, if you need me.
  • He went to Toronto.
  • They're going to Asia for their holidays.
  • They had lunch in a restaurant.

past continuous

  • Fitz is training new teachers, Layla is teaching a class and I'm recording a radio program.
  • David's preparing an article for the Vaughan Review, Alberto is filming a video and Carly is preparing materials.
  • Natasha is sending an e-mail and Richard is attending a meeting.

exercises

to give up

  • When did you give up smoking?
  • How long did it take you to give up smoking?
  • Have you ever had to give up another habit?
  • Did you give up anything else last year?
  • Ask me why I'm going to give up working on the weekend.
  • Did you give up anything last year?
  • Have you given up any bad habits so far this year?
  • Did you give up junk food last year?
  • Are you trying to give up junk food?
  • Ask me what else I'm trying to give up.
  • Do you think a lot of people give up too easly when it comes to learning English?
  • Should I just give up trying to learn Spanish?
  • Should I throw in the towel?
  • Ask me if I've ever thought about giving up teaching.
  • Ask me why I gave up playing ice hockey.

numbers

vocabulary 172

long-termlargo plazo
manpowermano de obra
lenientpermisivo
it's not worth itno vale la pena
likelihoodprobabilidad
class 173
viernes 11 junio 2010
lunes 6 junio 2011

grammar

questions with how

have you ever...?

my vocabulary

  • quitter = derrotista
    people who just can not take the heat
  • going bananas = going crazy

review

to give up

  • Do you think he should give up smoking?
  • Ask me if I think he should give up smoking.
  • Yes, I think he should give up smoking. What did I say?
  • Did you give up junk food last year?
  • Have you ever given up going to the gym?
  • How many times have you given up going to the gym?
  • Ask me if I've ever given up going to the gym.
  • Yes, I've given up going to the gym. What did I say?
  • Ask me how many times I've given up going to the gym.
  • I've given up going to the gym five times. What did I say?

numbers

exercises

questions with how

  • She is 68 years old.
  • We've been waiting for an hour.
  • The class lasts for two hours.
  • They have two sets of twins.
  • My brother's wife has two cats.
  • There were 55 students.
  • It's 40 km from my house to Vancouver.
    How far is it from your house to Vancouver?
  • My house has been painted three times.
  • She flies to France four times a year.
  • You can improve by studying.
  • It takes three and a half hour to drive from Madrid to Valencia.
  • It took him four years to finish his degree.
  • They studied for ten years.
    How long did they study [for]?
  • It's about 8,500 km from Madrid to Vancouver.
    How far is it from ...
    How many km is it from ...
  • The news usually lasts 30 minutes.
  • They're fine.
  • He were 98 years old when he passed away.
  • He stayed in Mexico for three months.
  • She was 40 years old when she becames famous.
  • They've been going there for 25 years.
  • He's been living here for 7 years.
  • He has 3 bycicles.
  • There are 5 bedrooms in my house.
  • They Queen of England has 5 palaces.
  • It took me 3 years to finish.
  • Three mistakes were made.
    How many mistakes were made?
  • Classes [are] held 3 times a week.
    How often are classes held?
    How many times a week are classes held?
  • They make 15 euros an hour.
    How much money do they make an hour?

have you ever...?

  • Ask me if I've ever been involved in a minor hot air baloon crash in Sweden.
  • Have you ever had an argument with yourself in German?
  • Have you ever seen someone more than 2 metres tall?
  • Has your best friend ever eaten glass?
  • Have you ever eaten glass?
  • Have you ever been an actor?
  • Have you ever bought a live giraffe?
  • Have you ever met the King of Spain?
  • Have you ever been in a fight with a tiger?
  • Have you ever seen me before?
  • Ask me if I've ever digusted chicken with Superman.
  • Ask me if I've ever eaten a live animal, while it's still alive).
  • Have you ever been to Japan?
    No, I've never been to Japan.
  • Ask me if I've ever been to Japan.
  • Have you ever met an Irish person?
  • Have you ever met more than one Irish person?
  • Have you ever gone to bed with your shoes on?
  • Have you ever seen an iberian lynx?
  • Ask me if I've ever seen an iberian lynx.
  • Ask me if I'd to see one.
  • Ask me if I've ever been to Extremadura.
  • Ask me if I've ever thought about going bananas on TV
  • Have you ever seen a film that lasts more than four hours?
  • Have you ever had a tooth pulled out by a veterinary surgeon?
  • Have you ever taken your dog to a psychiatrist.

vocabulary 173

meanwhilemientras tanto
moodytemperamental, voluble
messlío, desorden
market valuevalor de mercado
meaningfulsignificativo
class 174
lunes 14 junio 2010
martes 7 junio 2011

grammar

to sign up for

  • to sign your name = firmar
  • to sign up for = registrarse, matricularse, apuntarse en

the opposite of

  • cold/hot, warm/cool, tall/short, long/short, easy/hard, easy/difficult, soft/hard, tender/tough, nice/mean, rich/poor, simple/complicated, painful/painless, to win/lose, to find/lose, angry/happy, angry/sad, open/closed, heavy/light, light/dark, wet/dry.
  • más... que... -> as... as...
    más ligero que una pluma
    as light as a feather
  • opposite como adjetivo (sin artículo) es en frente
    el edificio de enfrente
    the building opposite
  • in front of = delante de

my vocabulary

  • to drop out = abandonar (una actividad) (menos emocional que to give up)

review

questions with how

  • Michael Jackson was 50 when he died.
  • The population of Canada is 35.5 million people.
    How many people live in Canada?
  • It takes five hours to drive from Madrid to Barcelona.
  • We drove 350 km last week.
    How many kilometres did you drive last week?
  • Michael Jordan is 198 cm tall.
  • Do you know how much money Tigger Woods earned in 2008?
  • Why don't you ask me?

have you ever...?

  • No, I've never been to Nepal.
  • No, I've never jumped over an aeroplane.
  • Yes, I've driven across Canada.
  • No, I've never met the king.
  • No, I've never seen Paul McCartney in concert.
  • Yes, I've been to Seville.
  • Yes, I've played golf in the United States.
  • No, I've never eaten in a Ethiopian restaurant.
  • No, I've never driven an F1 race car.
  • No, I haven't been to all the islands.
  • Yes, I've seen a beaver.

exercises

to sign up for

  • You have a son. Have you signed him up for any activities?
  • I know you signed him up for something else too.
  • His father in law signed up his son for to be a madridista.
  • Ask me if I've ever signed up for any courses.
  • Ask me if I've signed up for any musical instruments?
  • Ask me if I play any instruments now.
  • Have you ever signed up for a gym?
  • Did you drop out or do you still go?
  • Ask me if I've signed up for a gym.

antonyms

  • hot, big, tall, fat (slim, thin), proud, bad, well, well (sick, ill), flat (hilly, mountainous), smooth (rough, bumpy), difficult, beautiful, rigid, black, asleep, soft (hard, rough), weak (tough, strong), sad, bored (entertained, interested), boring, hungry, right, honest (dishonest, deceitful)

vocabulary 174

mortgage /'mɔ:gɪdʒ/hipoteca
nightmarepesadilla
needsnecesidades
nearsightedmiope
negligencenegligencia
class 175
martes 15 junio 2010
miércoles 8 junio 2011

grammar

review: opposites

  • up/down, over/under, below/above, bright/dim, sharp/blunt (punta), sharp/dull (filo), intelligent/dumb, interesting/dull, pick up/put down, elegant/sloppy

questions with why

  • content se usa en singular

present conditional

  • I'm laughing because María dropped her headphones.
    If she hadn't dropped her headphones, I wouldn't be laughing.
  • I'm an English teacher because I don't know how to do anything else.
    If I knew how to do something else, I wouldn't be an English teacher.
  • I'm starting to sweat because the lights are hot.
    If the lights weren't hot, I wouldn't be starting to sweat.

pronunciation

  • loose /luːs/ suelto, flojo
    lose /luːz/ perder
  • dehydrated /ˌdiːhaɪˈdreɪtɪd/

review

to sign up for

  • Is the deadline to sign up tomorrow?
  • Have you signed up already?
  • Ask me if it was free to sign up.
  • Has he signed up for German lessons?
  • How many students signed up for the course?
  • Ask me what class I last signed up for.
    What class did you last sign up for?
  • What was the last class you signed up for?
  • Will you sign up for the course first thing tomorrow morning?

opposites

  • hot, bad, loose, smooth, wide/narrow, cooked, proud, loud/quiet, loud/soft.

exercises

questions with why

  • The Irish and the Scottish like each other because they are kilts.
  • I eat bananas because I like them.
  • We teach English because people need to speak it.
  • The Second World War broke out because Hitler invaded Poland.
  • Cities get polluted because too many people drive to work.
  • Dogs make great pets because they're very loyal.
  • He cuts himself shaving because he doesn't change the blade very often.
  • Bees sting to protect themselves.
  • Skunks stink to protect themselves.
  • I read books because I love reading.
  • I love Spain because it's a great country.
  • I like my job because people fascinate me.
  • I'm lucky because I work with talented people.
  • Our teachers are good because they're dedicated and committed to their students.
  • He got sick of the song because he listened to it 30 times in one day.
  • He was thirsty because he was dehydrated.
  • He was brave because he wasn't afraid of anything.
  • He stopped talking because they told him to shut up.
  • They came here because I asked them to come.
  • She never got here because they forgot to tell her.
    Why [did she never/didn't she ever] get here?
  • She wore a scarf because it was freezing.
  • The song was a hit because he was a great musician.
  • He let the kingdom slip through his fingers because he was a bad king.
    Why did he let the kingdom slip through his fingers?
  • He was homesick because he missed home.

present conditional

  • I teach because I need money.
    If you didn't need money, you wouldn't teach.
  • You're looking at me because I'm talking to you.
    If you weren't talking to me, I wouldn't be looking at you.
  • Ronald's fat because he eats too much.
    If Ronald didn't eat so much, he wouldn't be fat.
  • You're here because you want to learn English.
    If I didn't want to learn English, I wouldn't be here.
  • You're listening to me because I'm your teacher.
    If you weren't my teacher I wouldn't be listening to you.
  • Pau Gasol is famous because he plays basketball.
    If Pau Gasol didn't play basketball he wouldn't be famous.
  • The sun isn't shining because it's a cloudy day.
    If the sun were shining, it wouldn't be a cloudy day.
  • They get tired because they don't get enough sleep (they don't sleep enough).
    If they slept enough, they wouldn't get tired.

vocabulary 175

otherwisede otro modo
peacefulpacífico
owlbúho
old-fashionedpasado de moda
on behalf ofen nombre de
class 176
miércoles 16 junio 2010
jueves 9 junio 2011

grammar

to speed up/to slow down

possessive pronouns

  • El mío y el tuyo son iguales.
  • Quiero que el de ella se parezca al de él.
  • Los de ellos son muy parecidos a los míos.
  • Dame el mío porque es mío.
  • El mío es mejor que el tuyo.
  • Los míos son mejores que los tuyos.
  • Los de ellos son mejores que los de ella.
  • El tuyo antes era el mejor.
  • El que está en el suelo es el de María.
  • El mío antes estaba en el suelo, pero ahora ya no lo está.
  • El mío es el que estaba aquí ayer.
  • Los nuestros son los únicos que valen.
  • Los de ellos no valen tanto como los nuestros.
    Theirs aren't worth as much as ours.
  • Quiero que los suyos estén incluidos con los nuestros.
  • Los nuestros son los únicos que quiero enviar.
  • No quiero mandar los suyos, ni quiero mandar el de él, ni el de ella.
  • Y, sobre todo, no quiero mandar los de ellos.
  • Los únicos que quiero mandar son los nuestros.
  • Porque los nuestros gustan a todo el mundo.
  • A nadie le gustan los de ellos.
  • Y quiero que todo el mundo sea feliz.
  • Por lo tanto voy a enviar los nuestros en vez de los de ellos.
  • Antes, enviábamos los dos, tanto los nuestros como los de ellos.
    We used to send both, ours and theirs.
  • Ahora ya no quiero enviar los de ellos.
  • Los únicos que quiero enviar son los nuestros.
  • Porque los nuestros son los mejores.
  • Los nuestros son los únicos que superan a los de ellos.
  • Los de ellos antes eran los mejores.
  • El que trajiste ayer ¿era tuyo?
  • ¿De quién fue el que trajiste ayer?
  • Ví el mío ayer, pero también ví el tuyo.
  • No me acuerdo si usamos el tuyo o el mío ayer.
  • El mío siempre está en el cajón superior.
  • Y creo que el tuyo antes estaba en el cajón inferior.
  • ¿Todavía guardas el tuyo en el cajón inferior?
  • No me acuerdo dónde guarda ella el suyo.
  • Antes eran míos, pero ya no lo son.

my vocabulary

  • to stop in one's tracks = parar en seco
  • to speed = to go above the speed limit
  • crosswalk = [AM] paso de peatones

review

questions with why

  • I caught a taxi because there were no buses.
    Why did you catch a taxi?
  • I slept badly because of the noise.
  • The dog growled because it was afraid.
  • The windows broke because the wind was so strong.
  • The boy stopped in his tracks because he saw a bear.
  • He crashed his car because he drove too fast.
  • They failed the exam because they didn't study.
  • He got sick of the song because he listened to it 30 times consecutively.
  • The parrot spoke Russian because he listened to radio Moscow every day.

present conditional

  • The bottle is empty because it's not full.
    If the bottle weren't full, it would be empty.
  • I'm Irish because my mother is Irish.
    If your mother weren't Irish, you wouldn't be Irish.
  • The music sounds good because the musician practises.
    If the musician didn't practise, the music wouldn't sound good.
  • She smokes because she's a nervous person.
    If she weren't a nervous person, she wouldn't smoke.
  • He drives fast because he's always in a hurry.
    If he weren't always in a hurry, he wouldn't drive fast.
  • The dog is sad because he's alone.
    If the dog weren't alone, he wouldn't be sad.
  • I eat fish because I like how it tastes.
    If you didn't like how fish tastes, you wouldn't eat it.

exercises

to speed up/to slow down

  • Do people tell you to speed up or slow down when you talk? What do people do?
  • What do you think people tell me to do when I talk? What does she think people tell me?
  • Do your friends ever tell you to speed up when you drive? What do her friends never do?
  • Do your friends ever tell you to slow down when you drive? What do her friends tell her?
  • Do you like to speed?
  • Do you think you should slow down or speed up before you get to a curve? What does she think we should do?
  • Would you slow down or speed up if you saw a police car? What would she do if she saw a police car?
  • What do most people do when they see a police car? Have you ever seen anybody speed up?
  • Have you ever seen a person speed up right before the light turns red?
  • What are you supposed to do right before the light turns red?
  • Do most people slow down before they get to a crosswalk?
  • Should people slow down before they get to a crosswalk?
  • Should people slow down if they see a pedestrian on the road?
  • What would you do if you saw cars with their emergency lights on? What would she do?
  • Is it easy or difficult to speed up when you're going up a hill?

possessive pronouns

  • Quiero que me des el tuyo porque ella me dió el suyo y está roto.
    I want you to give me yours because she gave me hers and it's broken.
  • Pedimos el nuestro porque lo habíamos dejado con el suyo (de él).
    We asked for ours because we had left it with his.
  • El de ella y el de ellos son diferentes a los nuestros.
    Hers and theirs are different from/than ours.
  • Le dí el de ella porque el suyo estaba con el de ellos en el cajón.
    I gave him hers because his was with theirs in the drawer.
  • Tienen el suyo porque les pertenece.
    They have theirs because it belongs to them.
  • Se los dimos (a ellos) porque eran suyos.
    We gave them to them because they were theirs.
  • Ella me pidió que le diera el nuestro porque el de ellas lo tenían ellas.
    She asked me to give her ours because they had theirs.
  • Guardan su libro donde antes guardábamos el nuestro.
    They keep their book where we used to keep ours.

vocabulary 176

poisonousvenenoso
proximityproximidad
portraitretrato
pedestrianpeatón
pessimisticpesimista
class 177
jueves 17 junio 2010
viernes 10 junio 2011

grammar

questions with who

  • Who is she?
  • Who do you go to work with? Who goes to work with you?
  • Who do you see every morning at work?
    Whom do you see every morning at work? (es lo gramaticalmente correcto, por ser el complemento directo.)

the past conditional

review

to speed up/to slow down

  • Do people tell you to speed up or to slow down when you speak?
  • Would you speed up or slow down if you saw the police?
  • If you press the accelerator, does your car speed up or slow down?
  • And if you press the brake, does your car speed up or slow down?

possessive pronouns

  • Quiero que me des el tuyo porque ella me dió el suyo y está roto.
  • Le dí el de ella porque el suyo estaba con el de ellos en el cajón.
  • El tuyo se perdió.
  • Los nuestros son mucho más brillantes que los de él.
  • El de él fue aceptado.

exercises

questions with who

  • She was talking to her husband when the door bell rang.
    Who was she talking to when the door bell rang?
  • I saw Fitz when I went to the office.
    Who did you see when you went to the office?
  • I went to the office to see David.
    Who did you go to the office to see?
  • Alberto broke the lamp.
    Who broke the lamp?
  • Bruce Springsteen wrote 'The River'.
    Who wrote 'The River'?
  • I would haven't invited John if he had been in town.
    Who would you haven't invited if he'd been in town?
  • Marta turned up late for class.
  • The Rolling Stones released the album 'Exile on Main St.'.
  • Jimmy Miller had produced their previous two albums.
  • I have a cousin in Jimmy Miller.
  • Among others Gram Parsons visited them during the recording.
  • They got out of a contract with Allen Klein before releasing the album.
    Who did they get out of a contract with before releasing the album?
  • Mick Jagger owned the country house where they recorded most of it.
    Who owned...?
  • Keith Richards rented the house where they finished the recording.
  • Charlie Watts didn't play on the song 'Happy'.
  • Bobby Keys played the maracas.
  • Mick Jagger married a woman before releasing the album.
  • Jim Price played the trumpet.
    Who played the trumpet?
    What does he want to know?
    He wants to know who played the trumpet.
  • Alberto comes on the radio after Richard in the morning.
    Who comes on the radio after Richard in the morning?
    Who does Alberto come on the radio after in the morning?

the past conditional

  • He couldn't do it because he didn't have enough tools.
    If he had had enough tools, he could've done it.
  • He wasn't at home yesterday, because he went to the grocery store.
    If he hadn't gone to the grocery store yesterday, he would've been at home.
  • They didn't go to London last year because they went the year before.
    If they hadn't gone to London the year before, they would've gone last year.
  • The lights went out because there were a short circuit.
    If there hadn't been a short circuit, the lights wouldn't have gone out.
  • I had food poisoning because I ate something that had gone off.
    If you hadn't eaten something that had gone off, you wouldn't have had food poisoning.
  • She went to University because her parents pressured her to.
    If her parents hadn't pressured her to go to University, she wouldn't have gone.
  • I gave him my pen because he asked me for it.
    If he hadn't asked you for it, you wouldn't have given him your pen.
  • I reviewed phrasal verbs last class because you made mistakes when using them.
    If I hadn't made mistakes when using phrasal verbs, you wouldn't have reviewed them last class.
  • He played professional basketball because he was very talented.
    If he hadn't been so talented, he wouldn't have played professional basketball.
  • He went to war because his country invaded another country.
    If his country hadn't invaded another country he wouldn't have gone to war.
  • He took his coat off because he felt hot.
    If he hadn't felt hot, he wouldn't have taken his coat off.

vocabulary 177

revenue (incontable)ingresos
rougháspero
roughlyaproximadamente
reluctantreticente
rootraíz
class 178
viernes 18 junio 2010
lunes 13 junio 2011

grammar

to come up with sth.

  • to come up = surgir, salir
  • to come up with sth. = proponer, sacar algo, dar con algo
  • inseparable: to come up with sth.

actually

  • actual = real
    actual figures = cifras reales (frente a las estimadas)
  • actually = en realidad, a decir verdad, realmente, de hecho
  • actualmente = currently

my vocabulary

  • to walk out the door = marcharse
  • So, there you go = ahí lo tienes
  • to get the hang of sth. = pillarle el truco a algo
    I'm getting the hang of it = le estoy pillando el truco

review

who

  • I was making pasta when my boyfriend's phone rang.
  • I was in the middle of something really important when my mum called.
  • I was about to walk out the door when my friend's mum called.
  • I have lunch with my friend every wednesday.
    Who do you have lunch with every wednesday?
  • She was talking to her neighbour when her cousin rang the doorbell.

the past conditional

  • I didn't go to the party because I wasn't invited.
    If you had been invited to the party, you would've gone.
  • I didn't get to class on time because the bus broke down.
    If the bus hadn't broken down, I would've gotten to class on time.

exercises

to come up with sth.

  • Has anyone come up with a good idea yet?
  • Do you normally come up with good ideas?
  • How many good ideas have you come up with so far this week?
  • Who came up with that idea? (¿A quién se le ocurrió esa idea?)
    I don't know who came up with that idea.
  • Ask me if I usually come up with good ideas.
  • Ask me where I come up with my best ideas.
  • Where do you come up with your best ideas?
  • Ask me where Richard come up with his best ideas.
    Where does Richard come up with his best ideas?
    He comes up with his best ideas at traffic lights.
  • Did Juan come up with a brilliant idea?
  • What was John's brilliant idea?
  • That is a brilliant idea that John came up with!
  • What's the best idea you've ever come up with?
  • Do we need to come up with a brilliant idea?
  • To come up with an excuse:
    What's your excuse you've come up with?
  • What's the best/worst excuse you've ever come up with?

actually

  • You're from Sevilla, right?
  • Your name is Pablo, right?
  • You speak Chinese, right?
  • You live in Segovia, don't you?
  • You have three children, right?
  • You speak Russian, right?
  • You work as politician, right?
    Thankfully I don't.
  • Oh, you have blue eyes, right?
  • You are an Atlético fan, right?
  • Oh, that's right, you're a Barça fan.
    No, actually I don't like them at all.
  • You speak six languages, right?
  • You grew up in London, right?

vocabulary 178

sarcasmsarcasmo
schemeplan
rudemaleducado
self-restraintdominio de sí mismo
[sales] clerkdependiente
class 179
lunes 21 junio 2010
martes 14 junio 2011

grammar

how much

little

  • I have little time.
    I have a little time.
  • We have little water left.
    We have a little water left <- más optimista
  • Tenemos poco tiempo:
    We don't have much time
    We have very little time
    We have little time
  • Hay pocas oportunidades hoy en día.
    There are few opportunities nowadays.
  • Hay unos cuántos
    There are a few
  • Very + little, very + few

review

to come up with

ideas, topics in a discussion ...
  • Did something interesting come up in discussion before class started?
  • Are you good in coming up with ideas?
  • Did you come up with any good ideas yesterday?
  • Who came up with the idea for the telephone?
    ...
    ... he came up with it.
  • What about Thomas Edison, did he come up with a lot of good ideas?
  • Have you ever come up with a recipe?
    I come up with recipes all the time.
  • Ask me if I came up with a good idea last week.
  • Ask me if I like coming up with ideas.
  • Ask me if I've come up with a lot of ideas lately.

actually

  • ¿Qué piensa él de ella en realidad?
    What does he actually think about her?
  • En realidad no está tan lejos como piensas.
    Actually it's not as far as you think.
  • ¿Realmente les gusta el sushi?
    Do they actually like sushi?

exercises

how much

  • She spent 600 euros in the sales.
    How much did she spend in the sales?
  • I have very little patience with annoying people.
    How much patience do you have with annoying people?
  • He drank three litres of water when he finished the race.
    How much water did he drink when he finished the race?
  • The actor lost ten kilos for his new role.
    How much weight did the actor lose for his new role?
  • That ring is worth millions of dollars.
    How much is that ring worth?
  • I used to add 3 tea spoons of sugar to my coffee.
    How much sugar did you use to add to your coffee?
  • I think I need to work out for least an hour a day.
    How much do you need to work out?
  • He has to save up three thousands euros for the deposit.
    How much [money] does he have to save up for the deposit?
  • It's going to rain a lot this coming weekend.
    How much is it going to rain this coming weekend?
  • She has a little experience in that field.
    How much experience does she have in that field?
  • He has to stop drinking five cups of coffee a day.
    How much coffee does he have to stop drinking?
  • I need a bit of time to think about it.
    How much time do you need to think about it?
  • It used to cost five euros.
    How much did it use to cost?
  • Steve would like to weigh 78 kilos.
    How much would Steve like to weigh?
  • The recipe said we had to add a cup of rice.
    How much rice did the recipe say we had to add?

little

  • There isn't enough water in the bottle.
    There is [very] little water in the bottle.
  • There is enough bread for everyone.
    There is a little bread for everyone.
  • There isn't enough milk in the fridge.
    There is very little milk in the fridge.
  • There is enough butter for everyone.
    There is a little butter for everyone.
  • There is enough petrol in the petrol tank.
    There is a little petrol in the petrol tank.
  • There isn't enough wood for the fire.
    There is very little wood for the fire.
  • There is enough chicken for everyone.
    There is a little chicken for everyone.
  • There isn't enough money left.
    There is very little money left.
  • There is enough time.
    There is a little time.
  • There is enough hair on his head.
  • There is enough tea in the teapot.
  • There isn't enough coffee in the cup.
    There's very little coffe in the cup.
  • There isn't enough sugar in the coffee.
  • There is enough light in the room.
  • There is enough rice for everyone.
  • There is enough heat to keep everyone warm.
  • I don't have enough help.
    I have very little help.
  • There is too much violence in the world.
  • There isn't enough water for the horses to drink.
    There's very little water for the horses to drink.
  • We don't have enough time for more questions.
    We have very little time for more questions.
  • I don't have enough money to buy it.
    I have very little money to buy it.

vocabulary 179

smoothsuave, liso
sharpafilado
sinpecado
spare tirerueda de repuesto
suitableadecuado, idóneo, apropiado
class 180
martes 22 junio 2010
miércoles 15 junio 2011

grammar

to turn up/down

  • lower/raise
  • to lower the volume (of the radio): es correcto y se entiende, pero se dice to turn down
    (the sound, the music, the TV, the radio)
  • to turn on: encender
    to turn up: subir
    to turn down: bajar
    to turn off: apagar
  • to turn up = llegar, aparecer (una persona en un sitio)
  • to turn down = rechazar (una oferta, por ejemplo)

few/a few

  • a few: significa más bien unos cuántos, que unos pocos.
  • [few/very few]: poco
    there are few people in this world like María
    'there are very few people ...' se dice más, igual que se dice más very little que little
    there are few opportunities like this:
    se dice más 'there are very few opportunities like this'
    o 'there are many opportunities ...'
  • quite a few = bastantes

my vocabulary

  • a gatecrasher = gorrón, persona que se cuela en una fiesta
    to gatecrash = colarse
  • vintage /'vɪntɪdʒ/ = cosecha
    vintage car = coche de época

pronunciation

  • margarine /ˌmɑ:dʒə'ri:n/

review

how much

  • He drank a litre of beer on the weekend.
    How much beer did he drink on/at the weekend?
  • He paid a quarter of a million dollars for his house.
  • I have no patience for ignorant people.
  • They paid/spent 2000 euros on their vacations.
  • I have a lot of hope that he'll move there.
  • He bought two sacs of rice.
  • They made 14 loaves of bread.
  • He weighed 80 kilos last year.
  • They used half a litre of cream to make the cake.
  • There wasn't a lot of evidence in the case.
  • He ate two cups of ketchup.

little/a little

  • There's enough money in the bank.
    There's a little money in the bank.
  • There isn't enough milk in the carton.
    There's very little milk in the carton.
  • I have enough patience.
    I have a little patience.
  • I don't have enough margarine.
    I have very little margarine.
  • There is enough hot water.

exercises

to turn up/down

  • What time did you turn up here today?
  • Do you often turn up late?
  • Would you turn down a role in a Hollywood film?
  • Would you turn up to a party if you weren't invited?
  • Ask me if I'd turn down an offer to meet the King of Spain.
  • Would you turn up here at 5 am in the morning if we asked you (to)?
  • Did the spider turn up in your coffee this morning?
  • Have you ever turned down an opportunity to speak English?
  • Do dogs ever turn up in the studio?
    No, dogs never turn up in the studio.
  • What would you do if a rat turned up in your shoe?
  • Have you ever turned up at the doctor's clinic without an appointment?
  • Do you turn down calls from phone companies?
  • Would you turn down a drink of whisky on a cold day at ten o'clock in the morning?
  • Would you turn your best friend down if he need a help?
  • Do people often turn up unexpectedly at your house?
  • Ask me where my missing watch turned up.
    Where did your missing watch turn up?
    It was under the bed; so my missing watch, the watch that I'd lost, it turned up, I found it.
    It turned up under the bed.
  • When you lose socks, do they always turn up?
  • Would you turn down the chance [to achieve/of achieving] immortality?
  • Would you turn down a scholarship to study Anthropology?
  • Ask me if surprises turn up all the time.
  • Has a whale ever turned up in the Manzanares?
  • Do a lot of people turn up [every time/if] Spain plays [??] a soccer match?
  • Would you be surprised if The Rolling Stones turned up for this TV program?
  • Would you be even more surprised if John Lennon and George Harrison turned up for this TV program?

few/a few/quite a few

  • Hace tanto calor que hay muy poca gente en el parque.
    It's so hot [that] there are very few people in the park.
  • Había unas cuántas personas esperando al artista.
    There were quite a few people waiting for the artist.
  • Afortunadamente pude pagar el café porque tenía unas monedas.
    Luckily I could pay for the coffee because I had a few coins.
    (to pay someone for something)
  • Quedaban solo unas cuántas personas cuando lleguamos.
    There were only a few people left when we arrived.
  • Vimos bastantes coches de época en la exposición.
    We saw quite a few vintage cars at the auto show.

vocabulary 180

the medialos medios de comunicación
sunsetpuesta del sol
sword /sɔ:d/espada
The Milky Wayla Vía Láctea
target date (/'tɑ:gɪt/)fecha objetivo
class 181
miércoles 23 junio 2010
jueves 16 junio 2011

grammar

review

  • this cours consists of 195 classes
  • to turn over = dar la vuelta si es horizontal
    to turn around = dar la vuelta si es vertical
    to turn into = convertirse en
  • to turn up = to show up

questions with how many

short answers

my vocabulary

  • knob: botón para el volumen de la radio (botón, pomo, tirador)
    knob /nɒb/
  • sentido antihorario:
    counterclockwise [AM]
    anti-clock-wise [EN]

review

to turn up/down

  • Would you turn up to a party if you hadn't been invited?
  • What would you do if someone turned up to your birthday party uninvited?
  • Has anyone ever turned up uninvited to a party of yours?
  • If someone offer you a million pounds, would you turn it down?
  • Would you turn down a million euros to appear naked on the front cover of a magazine?
  • If I offer you a job as a teacher would you accept it or turn it down?
  • If you offer me job as an actor do you think I would accept it or turn it down?

few/a few

  • Poca gente lo sabe = Few people know it
  • Unas cuántas personas lo saben = Only a few peple know it
  • Conozco a poca gente que rechazaría esa oferta.
    I know very few people who would turn down that offer.
  • A few people turned it down.
    Unas cuántas personas la rechazaron.

exercises

questions with how many

  • My brother has 5 electric guitars.
    How many electric guitars does your brother have?
  • My brother would only have 4 guitars if one broke.
    How many guitars would your brother have if one broke?
  • My friend's boyfriend has 3 sports cars.
  • My aunt's boss has 5 prior engagements.
  • I have over 300 books in English.
  • My best friend's boyfriend has two jobs.
  • My mom's best friend has two houses.
  • My mom's best friend's husband has a Hummer.
  • My brother's girlfriend's friend speaks five languages. What does she want to know?
  • My niece's cousin has a million toys. What does she want to know?
  • My boyfriend's sister's best friend has two houses on the coast.
    How many houses does your ... have on the coast?
  • My sister's friend has two hundred necklaces.
  • How many would she have if she broke one?

short answers

  • Would you give me a million euros if I asked for it?
  • Can you fly?
  • Was I your teacher last year?
  • Was I born in Spain?
  • Were you born in Spain?
  • Are you from Almería?
  • Could you read and write when you were 5 years old.
  • Can you read and write now?
  • Will you be here tomorrow?
  • Will you be here in two weeks?
  • Have you eaten?
  • Will it rain tomorrow?
    I think it will.
  • Are you 50 years old?
  • Do you play tennis?
  • Does your wife play basketball?
  • Does your son like Real Madrid?
  • Is your son a smart boy?
  • Is his grandfather a smart man?
  • Do you and your son go to games very often?
  • Should you smoke?
  • Was I here yesterday?
  • Did you come here yesterday?
  • Are you improving?
  • Do I think you're improving?

vocabulary 181

to ad libimprovisar
the rush hourhora punta
tileazulejo
to a certain extenthasta cierto punto
the South Poleel Polo Sur
class 182
jueves 24 junio 2010
viernes 17 junio 2011

grammar

to catch up with

just what

review

questions with how many

  • There were 30 people at the meeting.
  • There were 8 children in that house.
  • There were 12 goods in our office last Wednesday.
  • There were 250 elephants in the cinema.
  • There were 12 pencils in the pencil case.
  • There were no zebras in the cellar.
  • My aunt has 4 offspring.
  • Our boss has 400 employees.
  • There are thousands of trees in the forest.
  • There are 20 million souls in Sao Paulo.
  • There are 8 million sheep in Ireland.
  • There are 5 million people in Ireland.

short answers

  • Can you see the wind?
  • Were you born in Brazil?
  • Was I?
  • Have you even been to Cork?
  • Would you like to go?
  • Will you go to a party this weekend?
  • Would you like to visit India?
  • Does the pope sing heavy metal songs?
  • Are you sitting down?
  • Have you ever met Marilyn Monroe?
  • Are you the most famous Brazilian you know?
  • Do you appear in TV often?
  • Could you teach me Portuguese?
  • Would you cut off all your hair if I gave you one hundred euros?
  • Is Brazilian food good?
  • Is it better than Spanish food?
  • Is Argentina near China?
  • Is there a mountain in Scotland called after you?
  • Have you ever bought a red coat?
  • Do you drink coffee everyday?
  • Will you be here tomorrow?
  • Is Río de Janeiro in Uruguay?
  • Do you have lunch with French ghosts every Tusday?
  • Do you ever ask dogs for advices?
  • Can pigs use telephones?
  • Am I the devil?
  • Would you be here if we didn't want you to be here?

exercises

to catch up with

to catch up with/on my work = ponerme al día en mi trabajo
to catch up with sb/sth = alcanzar a, reducir la distancia con
  • He's trying to catch up with the leader.
  • Do you think you could catch up on sleep?
  • Alcanzamos al líder.
    We caught up with the leader.
  • Fue difícil alcanzarle.
    It was difficult to catch up with him.
  • Alonso está intentando alcanzar al líder.
    Alonso is trying to catch up with the leader.
  • Va tan rápido que no nos da tiempo a alcanzarle.
    He's going so fast that we don't have enough time to catch up with him.
  • Por fin estoy al día con mi trabajo.
    Finally I'm caught up with my work.
  • Siguen intentando ponerse al día.
    They're still trying to get caught up.
  • No pudimos alcanzarles.
    We couldn't catch up with/to them.
  • Su economía está alcanzando al resto de Europa.
    Their economy's catching up with the rest of Europe.
  • Do you think it will ever catch up with the average?
  • Parecía que nadie pudo alcanzar a Miguel Induráin.
    It seemed no one could catch up with Miguel Induráin.

just what

  • Is this the show you were trying to see?
    It's just what I was trying to see.
  • Is that what you wanted to know?
    Yes, that's just what I wanted to know.
  • Is this what you were looking for?
    Yes, that's just what I was looking for.
  • Is this what you wanted me to bring you?
    Yes, that's just what I wanted you to bring me.
  • Is that the movie you wanted to watch?
    Yes, that's just what I wanted to watch.
  • Are these the ingredient you need?
    Yes, that's just what I need.
  • Are these the clues you wanted me to look into?
    Yes, those are just what I wanted you to look into.
  • Is this what you had in mind?
  • Is this the information you wanted me to look up?
  • Are those the drinks you ordered?
  • Is this what you were imagining?
  • Are these the sizes you were looking for?
  • Is that the colour you prefer?
  • Are those the models you want?
  • Is this the color you like?
  • Are those what you were picturing?
  • Is this what you ordered?
  • Is that what you were expecting?

vocabulary 182

to be mixed upestar confundido
to anticipateanticiparse
to boilhervir
to be aware ofser consciente de
to bear in mindtener en cuenta
class 183
viernes 25 junio 2010
lunes 20 junio 2011

grammar

to try to

  • inténtalo = try
  • try it = pruébalo (comida, bebida)

numbers

(seven digit numbers)

my vocabulary

  • I'll take your word for it = te creo (no hace falta que me lo demuestres)

review

to catch up with

  • Si ella se va ahora, les alcanzará.
    If she leaves now, she'll catch up with them.
  • Ese país se está poniendo al nivel del resto.
    That country is catching up with the rest.
  • Si se hubiera dado prisa habría podido alcanzarte.
    If he'd hurried up, he would've been able to catch up with you.
  • La policía finalmente alcanzó al ladrón.
    The police finally caught up with the thief.
  • Nunca se pondrán al nivel de esa empresa.
    They'll never catch up with that company.

[that's] just what

  • Is that what you were looking for?
  • Is that what you wanted?
  • Is that what he said?
  • Is that what they wanted us to do?
  • Is that what you thought she would wear?
    That's just what I thought she would wear.
  • Is this what you needed?
  • Is that what you were about to do?
    That's just what I was about to do.
  • Is that what she said would happen?
  • Is that what you mean?

exercises

to try

  • Pruébalo, te va a gustar.
    Try it, you're going to like it.
  • Probar ropa.
    To try clothes on.
  • To try doing sth.
  • To try to do sth. = intentar/procurar hacer algo
  • ¿Has intentado hablar con ella [sobre/acerca de] ello?
    Have you ever tried to talk to her about it?
  • Procura ser puntual.
    Try to be on time.
  • Ask me if I try to be on time.
  • Are you trying to study English?
  • Do you try to study everyday?
  • Ask me if I try to study my Spanish everyday.
  • ¿Has probado oreja de cerdo?
    Have you tried pig's ear?
  • Ask me why I haven't tried pig's ear.
  • Ask me if I've ever tried blood sausage.
  • Ask me if I've ever tried frog's legs.
  • Have you ever tried frog's legs?
  • What's the craziest thing you've tried?

numbers

vocabulary 183

to check onverificar, comprobar
to competecompetir
to bragjactarse
to collaboratecolaborar
to cooperatecooperar
class 184
lunes 28 junio 2010
martes 21 junio 2011

grammar

to back up

  • the back stroke = estilo espalda nadando
  • to back into = chocar contra algo en marcha atrás
  • to back out = salir marcha atrás
  • to back away = alejarse en marcha atrás
  • to back up = apoyar, respaldar

eventually

  • antes o después, tarde o temprano, al final
  • sooner or later, in the end, finally

review

to try

  • Have you ever tried Canadian lobster?
  • Ask me if I've ever tried callos.
  • ¿Has intentado hablarlo con ella?
    Have you tried to talk to her about it?
  • Procura ser puntual.
    Try to be on time.
  • Nunca he probado oreja de cerdo.
    I've never tried pig's ear.
  • Intentaré no destacar.
    I'll try not to stand out.
  • Procura no meter la pata.
    Try not to put your foot in it.
  • ¿Probarías serpiente?
    Would you try [eating] snake?
  • Él intentó mantener su promesa.
    He tried to keep his promise.

numbers

exercises

to back up

  • ¿Por qué no me apoyaste?
    Why didn't you back me up?
    What does she want to know?
  • ¿Por qué dijiste que le ibas a apoyar?
    Why did you say you were going to back him up?
  • ¿Me respaldarás si voy a hablar con el jefe?
    Will you back me up if I go to talk to the boss?
    What does she want to know?
  • ¿Me respaldarías si hablara con él sin hablar antes con los otros?
    Would you back me up if I talked to him without talking to the others first?
  • Do you always back your friends up?
    ...
    What does Ana always do?
  • Do your friends always back you up?
  • Does your boyfriend always back you up?
    ...
    What does her boyfriend always do?
  • Would you back me up if I asked you to?
  • Ask me if I would back you up.
  • What does she want to know?
  • What was the last time you back someone up?
  • Do you think is it easier to back people up at work or in the personal life?
  • Do you back all of your colleagues up at work?
  • If a stranger asked you to back him up, would you do it?

eventually

In an emphatic way, at the begining of the sentence:
Eventually we gave up and went home.
Before non auxiliary verbs:
I eventually realized I was wrong.
After auxiliary verbs:
He could eventually work out the solution.
  • Al final, llegamos.
    Eventually, we arrived.
    We eventually arrived.
  • Al final me acordé de su nombre.
    I eventually remembered his name.
  • Al final me di cuenta de qué iba.
    I eventually realized what it was about.
  • Al final me dormí.
    I eventually fell asleep.
  • Al final pagaron su hipoteca.
    They eventually paid off their mortgage.
    pay off = pagar y cancelar
  • Al final se fueron a su casa.
    They eventually went home.
  • Al final suspendieron la búsqueda.
    They eventually called off the search.
  • Al final tiraron la cafetera porque se le cayó el asa.
    They eventually threw the [coffee machine/cafetière] away because the handle fell off.
    cuando algo que estaba on cae, es fall off
  • Al final tiré la toalla.
    I eventually threw the towel in.
    I eventually gave up.

vocabulary 184

to dismissdespedir
to designdiseñar
to departpartir
to determinedeterminar
to count oncontar con
class 185
martes 29 junio 2010
miércoles 22 junio 2011

grammar

to make it

  • I'm throwing a party = estoy organizando una fiesta
  • I'm having a lot of people over.
  • I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make it.
  • to make it = llegar, presentarse, ir, acudir
  • try to make it = intenta ir
  • también to make it = to survive
    we made it through the winter

don't suppose

review

to back up

  • Does you boss back you up?
  • Ask me if my boss backs me up.
  • Do you back up your son?

eventually

  • Eventually they got alone.
  • Si practicas tu inglés, a la larga mejorarás.
    If you practice your English, eventually you'll get better.
  • Al final, aprenderás mucho.
    Eventually, you'll learn a lot.

exercises

to make it

  • How did you make it here today?
    I made it by car.
  • Puedes ir a la radio esta noche?
    Can you make it to the radio tonight?
  • No voy a poder asistir a la fiesta luego.
    I can't make it to the party later.
  • Desgraciadamente él no pudo ir al final.
    Unfortunately he couldn't make it in/at the end.
  • Did you make it on time to your first job interview?
  • Did you make it on time everyday to school when you were young?
  • What would your teachers have done if you hadn't made it on time?
  • Do people always make it to work on time?
  • Will you make it to the end of today?
    = Will you survive until the end of today?
  • Could you make it through life without chocolate?
  • Ask me if I could make it through life without coffee.
  • Ask me if I could make it through life without sardines.
  • Ask me if I could make it through life without potatoes.
  • Have you ever made it through the week without drinking water?
  • Will you make it to the meeting tomorrow?
  • Ask me if I'll make it to the meeting tomorrow.
  • Ask me in negative question.
  • Is it difficult for homeless people to make it through the winter?
  • Can you make it without practicing your English?
  • Will we all make it through the recession?
  • Will Cristiano Ronaldo make it to the end of the season without getting injured?
  • Will your friends make it to your next house party?
  • What would you say to them if they didn't make it?
  • Would you be disappointed if your friends didn't make it?
  • Ask me if I can make it through two hours of teaching without thinking.
    Can you make it through two hours of teaching withount thinking?
  • How did you make it to Spain?
  • Ask me if it would be difficult to make it without my friends and family.
  • How do you make it to work everyday?
  • Do you ever make it by horse?
  • Did you make it through the winter all right?
  • Will you make it through the hot Madrid summer?
  • Ask me if I easily make it through the hot Madrid summer.

don't suppose

  • Will he be there?
    I don't suppose he'll be there. Will he?
  • Can you look up the information?
    I don't suppose you can look up the information. Can you?
  • Would he really do that?
    I don't suppose he'd really do that. Would he?
  • Is he late?
    I don't suppose he's late. Is he?
  • Do you know where there are?
    I don't suppose you know where there are. Do you?
  • Do you know their last name?
    I don't suppose you know their last name. Do you?
  • Have you ever eaten wasabi?
    I don't suppose you've ever eaten wasabi. Have you?
  • Did you make up an excuse?
    I don't suppose you made up an excuse. Did you?
  • Was he tired?
    I don't suppose he was tired. Was he?
  • Have you been disappointed?
    I don't suppose you've been disappointed. Have you?
  • Were they going to tell us?
    I don't suppose they were going to tell us. Were they?
  • Did he tell you if he was coming back?
    I don't suppose he told you if he was coming back. Did he?
  • Could you open the bottle?
    I don't suppose you could open the bottle. Could you?
  • Could you pick me up?
    I don't suppose you could pick me up. Could you?

vocabulary 185

to fidgetestar inquieto
to hurthacer daño
to itchpicar
to get rid ofdeshacerse de
to expirecaducar
class 186
miércoles 30 junio 2010
jueves 23 junio 2011

grammar

to break down

  • to break down = averiarse (un aparato, una máquina)
  • My car broke down on the way here.
  • a breakdown = una avería
    a nervous breakdown = un ataque de nervios
  • to break down = desglosar

the way things stand

  • Tal y como están las cosas ahora, creo que lo mejor ...
    As [the way] things stand now, I think the best ...
  • tal y como están las cosas ahora...
    as things stand now...
    the way things stand now...
  • Roses are red. Violets are blue.
    You have a nose like a B-52.

review

to make it

  • ¿Puedes ir a la fiesta esta noche?
    Can you make it to the party tonight?
  • No voy a poder asistir a la reunión luego.
    I can't make it to the meeting later.
  • Desgraciadamente él no pudo ir al final.
    Unfortunately he couldn't make it in the end.
  • Did you make it here on time today?
  • Did Hitler make it to the end of the War?
  • Do actors always make it to rehearsal on time?
  • Could you make it through life without coffee?
  • Ask me if I could make it through life without coffee.
  • Do you ever make it through the week without seeing any friends?
  • Will we all make it through the recession?

don't suppose

  • Could you do it for me?
    I don't suppose you could do it for me.
  • Could they find it for me?
    I don't suppose they could find it for me.
  • Did he leave a message for me?
    I don't suppose he left a message for me.
  • Did they pay the money?
    I don't suppose they paid the money.
  • Did she leave?
    I don't suppose she left.
  • Will you be here next week?
    I don't suppose you'll be here next week.
  • Did you bring your sister?
    I don't suppose you brought your sister.
  • Did you do your homework?
    I don't suppose you did your homework.
  • Do you think they did it?
    I don't suppose they did it.
  • Did he lose it?
    I don't suppose he lost it.
  • Did she hit him?
    I don't suppose she hit him.

exercises

to break down

desglosar
  • Do you have to break down figures sometimes?
  • When you're preparing financial reports you have to break down your expenses into different categories.
  • Did you break down the figures?
  • Did you break them down by region?
  • Did you break them down by department?
  • Do accountants always have to break down financial reports?
  • Do they break down the revenues and the expenses?
  • Do they break down figures every year?
  • Did they break them down last year?
  • Have they broken them down lately?
  • Ask me if I would've broken them down by region.
    Would you've broken them down by region?
  • Ask me if I would've broken them down by department.
  • What do they want to know?
  • Would you've broken them down by department?
  • If it had been up to you would you've broken them down by department?
  • Did you break down the statistics for everyone to understand?
descomponer (material orgánico)
  • How long does it take tomatos to break down?
  • If you did (if you had a garden), would you use broken down organic material?
  • Does metal break down quickly?
averiar (máquinas, aparatos)
  • Did your car break down yesterday?
  • Has it broken down so far this year?
  • Was it expensive to repair when it broke down?
  • Did it break down last year?
  • Ask me if my car has ever broken down.

the way things stand

  • The way things stand, are we going to have to cut costs?
  • The way things stand, are we going to have to get there early?
  • The way things stand, are we going to have to notify the police?
  • The way things stand, are you going to go on holiday?
  • The way things stand, do you think it's a good idea?
  • The way things stand, do you think we should cut spending?
  • The way things stand, do you think we should look over the contract?
  • The way things stand, do you think we should look into the matter?
  • The way things stand, do you think we should tell the staff soon?

vocabulary 186

to kill timematar el tiempo
to keep fitmantenerse en forma
to notifynotificar
to look overrepasar
to look intoinvestigar
class 187
jueves 1 julio 2010
viernes 24 junio 2011

grammar

negative questions

present perfect

  • When was the last time + frase en pasado
    respuesta negativa: I've never pp
  • When was the last time you went to the North Pole?
    I've never gone to the North Pole.

review

to break down

  • Ask me if I broke the figures down. What does she want to know?
  • Ask me if I broke them down by region. What does she want to know?
  • How often do you have to break down figures?
  • How often does Ana have to break down figures?
  • Did you break down any figures the week before last? What did she do the week before last?
  • Ask me if my job requires breaking down figures.

the way things stand

  • Tal y como están las cosas, no es buena idea.
    The way things stand, it's not a good idea.
  • Tal y como están las cosas, yo no iría.
    The way things stand, I wouldn't go.
  • Tal y como están las cosas, yo que tú no iría.
    The way things stand, if I were you, I wouldn't go.
  • Tal y como están las cosas, es mejor que no te pongas enferma.
    The way things stand, it's better if/that you don't get sick.
  • Tal y como están las cosas, no sé qué decirte.
    The way things stand, I don't no what to tell you.

exercises

negative questions

  • I'm not ready yet.
  • I didn't break down the report.
  • I haven't seen her recently.
  • I wasn't told about it.
  • They shouldn't have run through the red light.
  • He won't fill in the form.
  • You can't scrub the kitchen floor.
  • She wouldn't go there if she knew the truth.
  • We didn't hand in the report.
  • I haven't dealt the cards yet.
  • He isn't in a good mood today.
  • You won't regret it.
  • She shouldn't tell him off.
  • I wouldn't do that if I were you.
  • They don't get on well with their neighbours.
  • We weren't going to go sightseeing.
    Why weren't we going to go sightseeing?
  • You haven't run into her lately.

present perfect

  • When was the last time you slept next to a rhinoceros?
    I've never slept next to a rhinoceros.
  • When was the last time you ate a tree?
  • When was the last time you left the country in secret?
  • When was the last time you forgot your handbag on top of a giraffe?
  • When was the last time you fought with Mike Tyson?
  • When was the last time you rang the bells of Notre-Dame in Paris?
  • When was the last time you shot the president of Spain with a pea shooter?
  • When was the last time you ran down the Castellana starkers?
  • When was the last time you spoke to your neighbour in Swahili?
  • When was the last time you read the Quijote in half an hour?
  • When was the last time you wrote a play that was as good as any of Shakespeare's?
  • When was the last time you sang in a karaoke in Japanese?
  • When was the last time you stole a pea shooter?
  • When was the last time you went to Paris with the sole purpose/aim of buying a pea shooter?
  • When was the last time you came here wearing only a pea shooter?

vocabulary 187

to phace inintroducir por fases
to qualifyclasificar
to punch (he punched me in the face, he punched me on the nose)golpear con el puño
to play a roledesempeñar un papel
to reconsiderreconsiderar
class 188
viernes 2 julio 2010
lunes 27 junio 2011

grammar

asking questions

for the time being

  • de momento
  • for the time being = for now, for the moment

my vocabulary

  • yolk = yema (del huevo)

review

negative questions

  • I didn't do it.
  • I can't see that.
  • That horse isn't mine.
  • Nobody told me about it.
    Why didn't anybody tell you about it?
  • I don't like thinking to much.
  • They don't like answering questions.
  • She doesn't eat tinned pineapple.
  • Their horses aren't strong enough.
  • They wouldn't go with them.
  • Nobody told them.
  • They couldn't win the game.
  • They weren't aloud to read the book.
  • I couldn't see.
  • Nobody spoke to them.
  • I didn't want to look.
  • My eyes weren't opened.
  • They don't drink water.
  • They weren't tall enough.

when did you last

  • When did you last see an eagle?
    I last saw an eagle three years ago.
    I've never seen an eagle.
  • When did you last have a sore eye?
  • When did you last build a bridge?
  • When did you last telephone 200 people in one day?
  • When did you last think about swimming in freezing water?
  • When did you last wear 5 coats at the same time?
  • When did you last tell me to get lost?
  • When did you last talk to a cat about the economy in Greece?
  • When did you last attack me with a knife?
  • When did you last fly a kite?

exercises

asking questions

  • When I woke up yesterday I yawned and stretched.
  • I've never been to Mongolia.
  • I've gone to the States fifteen times.
  • I talked to my mother yesterday.
  • I took Amy to the airport.
  • I took Amy to the airport.
  • I took Amy to the airport.
  • He payed me 200 euros.
  • He payed 70 euros for it.
  • She told me I shouldn't smoke.
  • My brother's name is Russell.
  • My brother's wife is from the East of Canada.
  • I was born in England.
  • If I had known I would've called.
  • He has blue eyes.
    What colour eyes does he have?
  • He studied in the USA.
  • He studied journalism.
  • He got married when he was 29 years old.
  • I eat some grapes.
    What do you eat?
  • Yes, I like to go.
  • I talked to my mother yesterday.
  • I eat sushi twice a week.
  • He's paid me twice this month.
  • It rains here about once a month.
    How often does it rain here?
  • She said 'happy birthday' to him.
  • She said 'happy birthday' to him.
  • My brother's wife has two cats.
  • I ate chicken for dinner last night.
  • If I won a million dollars, I'd travel.
  • He's tall, dark and handsome.
    What does he look like?
  • He's kind, patient and sincere.
    What's he like?
  • He look's like Brad Pitt.
    Who does he look like?
  • He's like his father.
    Who's he like?
  • His middle name's Frank.
  • His anniversary is in August.

for the time being

  • Are you going to stay in Spain for ever?
    For the time being I'm going to stay, maybe later I can to move.
  • Ask me if I'm going to stay in my house forever.
  • Are you going to stay in your house forever or just for the time being?
  • De momento vivo en Bilbao.
  • De momento voy a tener que cancelarlo.
    For the time being I'm going to have to cancel it.
  • De momento te puedes quedar con nosotros.
    For the time being you can stay with us.
  • De momento guarda esto en tu habitación.
    For the time being keep this in your room.
  • De momento vivo en las afueras de la ciudad.
    For the time being I live in the outskirts of the city.
  • De momento prefiero no decirte lo que pienso.
    For the time being I prefer not to tell you what I think.
  • De momento trabajo un día sí y otro no.
    For the time being I work every other day.
  • De momento siguen en primera posición.
    For the time being they're still in first place.

vocabulary 188

to scream (I scream, you scream, all we scream for ice cream)chillar
to resumereanudar
to rustoxidarse
to set an exampledar ejemplo
to rehearseensayar
class 189
lunes 5 julio 2010
martes 28 junio 2011

grammar

to be better off

  • well off = acomodado
    better off = en mejores circunstancias (también económicas)

most of the time

  • some of the time I do..., but most of the time ...

my vocabulary

  • to stay put = estar sin moverse, quedarse
  • to hang out = pasar el tiempo

pronunciation

  • beard /bɪəd/

review

asking questions

  • I met her in the sixties.
  • We met at that party.
  • I think she's around thirty.
  • They did it because they were bought.
  • I think it was Dorothy's house.
    Whose house do you think it was?
  • She's been working there for ages.
    How long has she been working there?
  • It's been a week since I last saw her.
    How long has it been since you last saw her?
  • There were two of them.
  • There were quite a few.
  • There used to be five.
    How many did there used to be?

for the time being

  • Will we have to stay put for the time being?
  • Is that all for the time being?

exercises

to be better off

giving people advice: You'd be better off doing sth.
lo contrario de better off es worse off
  • Estoy mucho mejor ahora que no tengo que levantarme temprano todos los días.
    I'm better off, now I don't have to wake up early every day.
  • ..., ahora que no tengo que aguantar a ese jefe que tenía antes.
    ..., now I don't have to put up with that boss.
    stand (por aguantar) se usa solo en negativo: I can't stand him
    Puedo soportarlo = I can put up with him
  • Estoy mucho mejor ahora que ya no salgo con aquella chica.
  • I'm much better off now I [no longer go out with that girl/don't go out with that girl anymore].
  • Yo que tú llevaría un jersey morado.
    You'd better off wearing a purple jumper.
  • If I were you, I'd shave your beard off.
    You'd be better off shaving your beard off.
  • If I were you, I'd tell her right away.
    You'd be better off telling her right away.
  • If I were you, I'd buy a pea shooter.
  • If I were you, I'd take a break from work.
  • If I were you, I'd put that mug in your bag and taking it home, because there are only eight.

most of the time

  • La mayor parte del tiempo ella está reunida.
    Most of the time she is in meetings.
  • Él pasa la mayor parte del tiempo hablando con clientes.
    He spends most of the time talking to clients.
  • Ellos pasan la mayor parte del tiempo de reunión en reunión.
    They spend most of the/their time from one meeting to another.
  • Ella no pasaría la mayor parte del tiempo quejándose si le gustara su trabajo.
    She wouldn't spend most of her/the time complaining if she liked/enjoyed her job.
  • What do you spend most of the time doing at work?
    I spend most of the time on the computer.
  • Do you spend most of your time speaking [in] English?
  • Do you spend most of your time talking to clients?
  • What do you spend most of your Saturday doing?
  • Do you spend most of your Sunday doing the house cleaning?
  • Do you spend most of your Friday night out?
  • What do you spend most of the week doing?
  • Ask me what I spend most of the week doing.
  • Ask me if I like to spend most of the week working.

vocabulary 189

to sighsuspirar
to survivesobrevivir
to spitescupir
to take for granteddar por hecho
to softenablandar
class 190
martes 6 julio 2010
miércoles 29 junio 2011

grammar

to show off

  • to show off = presumir de algo mostrándolo
    to brag = jactarse, fanfarronear
    to boast = presumir (positivo)
    braggart = fanfarrón
  • también adjetivo: to be a show off
    Don't be such a show off!

should

  1. You should always try to be polite to everybody.
    You should try not spend more than you earn.
    We should always drive carefully.
    You shouldn't smoke too much.
    recomendación moral o debería
  2. They should be getting nearby Zaragoza.
    probabilidad grande
  3. If you need any help, call me =
    Should you want me to ...
    Should you need ...
    Should you have any questions ...
    should = if

my vocabulary

  • You're a poet and you didn't even know it.

review

to be better off

  • Estoy mucho mejor ahora que no tengo novio.
    I'm much better off now, that I don't have a boyfriend.
  • ... que tengo mi propio piso.
    ... that I have my own flat.
  • ... que entiendo el inglés.
    ... that I understand English.
  • If I were you, I'd look for another job.
    You'd be better off looking for another job.
  • If I were you, I'd start again.
    You'd be better off starting again.
  • If I were you I'd donate that money to charity.
    You'd be better off donating that money to charity.

most of the time

la mayoría de las veces o la mayor parte del tiempo
  • La mayor parte del tiempo ella está reunida.
    Most of my time she's in meetings.
  • Ella pasa la mayor parte del tiempo hablando con clientes.
    She spend most of her time speaking to clients.
  • La mayor parte del tiempo estoy en Madrid.
    Most of the time, I'm in Madrid.
  • Paso la mayor parte del tiempo corrigiendo deberes.
    I spend most of my time correcting homework.
  • Ellos pasan la mayor parte del tiempo cuidando al bebé.
    They spend most of their time looking after the baby.
  • La mayor parte del tiempo ella habla por teléfono.
    Most of the time she speaks on the phone.

exercises

to show

to show up = aparecer
to show off = presumir enseñando algo
to show around = dar una vuelta enseñando
  • Do you like showing off at work?
  • What time do you use to show up for work?
  • They show up early in order to show off
  • Ask me what time I usually show up for work.
  • Ask me if I show off at work.
  • What time will you show up here tomorrow?
  • Are you going to show off the things I told you?
  • The worst thing is people who show off about money.
  • Do you think I've shown you around this verb?

should

  • If he calls, tell him I'm not here.
    Should he call, tell him I'm not here.
  • If he needs anything, offer him whatever you have.
    Should he need anything, ...
  • If he's hot, drink lots of water.
    Should he be hot, drink lots of water.
  • If I'm out, leave a message with reception.
    Should I be out, leave a message with reception.
  • If you have problems, study more on the weekend.
    Should you have problems, study more on the weekend.
  • If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
    Should you mix read an blue, you get purple.
  • If the children are hungry, make them some dinner.
    Should the children be hungry, make them some dinner.
  • If the tank is empty, fill it up.
    Should the tank be empty, fill it up.
  • If the computer crashes, restart it immediatly.
    Should the computer crash, restart it immediatly.
  • If the battery goes dead, recharge it.
    Should the battery go dead, recharge it.
  • If plants don't get enough water, they die.
    Should plants not get enough water, they die.
  • If the costumer complains, give them what they want.
    Should the costumer complain, give them what they want.

vocabulary 190

hedgehogerizo
to redialmarcar de nuevo
wickmecha (de una vela)
skirting boardrodapié
table legspatas de una mesa (to wobble = cojear, tambalearse)
class 191
miércoles 7 julio 2010
jueves 30 junio 2011

grammar

(there) may have been

  • maybe = quizás
  • may = poder (verbo auxiliar)
  • there may

(there) may be

my vocabulary

  • definitely = sin duda

review

to show off

participio: showed/shown
  • Did you show off when you were in/at high school?
  • Do you show off in your car often?
  • Do you show off your car often?
  • Have you shown off so far this week?
  • Do stars show off their bodies?
  • Do you ever show off in front of your boss?
  • Does the teacher's pet show off a lot?
  • Have you ever shown off for your co-workers?
  • Am I showing off?
  • Do children usually show off for attention?
  • Do athletes show off their talent?
  • Would you show off to impress someone?
  • Has anyone ever called you a show off?
  • Do you think telling jokes is a way to show off?
  • Did you just call me a show off?

should

  • If he wants the money, tell him to get it.
    Should he want the money, ...
  • If he wants the job, he can call me.
    Should he want the job, ...
  • If they see you, run.
  • If they call, ask them to leave a message.
  • Should he want the money, tell him to go to the bank.
    If he wants the money, ...
  • If you want to buy my bicycle, tell him to come over.

exercises

there may have been, but I don't know / yes, there definitely wasn't

  • Are you sure there wasn't a state election in Alaska last week?
    There may have been, but I don't know.
  • Are you sure there wasn't a tornado in Madrid yesterday?
    I'm definitely sure, there wasn't.
  • Are you sure there wasn't a mouse in your coffee this morning?
    I'm definitely sure, there wasn't.
  • Are you sure there wasn't someone in this room before us this morning?
    There may have been someone..., but I don't know.
  • Are you sure there wasn't a big fight in this building yesterday?
    There may have been, but I don't know.
  • Are you sure there wasn't a herd of elephants in your bathroom this morning?
    I'm definitely sure, there wasn't.
  • Are you sure there wasn't a major rock concert in my kitchen last night?
    There may have been, but I don't know.
  • Are you sure that he didn't have a problem with his car last week?
    He may have had, but I don't know.
  • Are you sure that there weren't lions driving buses in Barcelona last week?
    I'm definitely sure, that there weren't lions...
  • Are you sure there weren't more chairs in this room yesterday?
    There may have been, but I don't know.
  • Are you sure there wasn't a green giant in your house yesterday?
    I'm definitely sure, that there wasn't a green...
  • Are you sure there weren't a lot of people buying umbrellas last week?
    There may have been, but I'm not sure.
  • Are you sure there wasn't a rugby match in London last Saturday?
    There may have been, but I'm not sure.
  • Are you sure there wasn't a cat in this room this morning?
    There may have been, but I'm not sure.
  • Are you sure there wasn't a major disagreement in this room yesterday?
    There may have been, but I'm not sure.
  • Are you sure there wasn't a red dragon in this studio yesterday?
    I'm definitely sure, there wasn't a red dragon...
  • Are you sure there wasn't a snow storm in the Canary Islands last July?
    I'm definitely sure, there wasn't a snow storm...
  • Are you sure there wasn't a blizzard in the Pyrenees last January?
    There may have been, but I'm not sure.
  • Are you sure there wasn't water in these cups at the start of the class?
    There may have been, but I'm not sure.

may be/definitely

  • Are you sure there isn't a mouse in your kitchen?
    There may be, but I'm not sure / There definitely isn't
  • Are you sure my brother isn't in Madrid?
    He may be in Madrid, but I'm not sure.
  • Are you sure there isn't an Eskimo working in the studio today?
    There definitely isn't an Eskimo working...
  • Are you sure that there are a lot of cars on the Castellana right now?
    I'm sure that there are... There are definitely a lot of...
  • Are you sure that there isn't a professional ice-hockey team in Madrid?
    There definitely isn't a professional ice-hockey team in Madrid.
  • Are you sure that I have to work tomorrow?
    You may have to work, but I'm not sure.
  • Are you sure that there are a lot of people watching us right now?
    There are definitely a lot of people watching us right now.
  • Are you sure that there's a football stadium in Madrid?
    There's definitely a football...
  • Are you sure that there's some Canadian money in my pocket?
    There may be some Canadian money in your pocket, but I'm not sure.
  • Are you sure that there are keys in your pocket?
    There definitely are keys in my pocket.
  • Are you sure that there is some water in my cup?
    There may be some water in your cup, but I'm not sure.

vocabulary 191

to undergosometerse a
to tell offregañar
topictema
unconsciousinconsciente
to work outresolver
class 192
jueves 8 julio 2010
viernes 1 julio 2011

grammar

the passive voice

so/neither

  • so/neither + verbo auxiliar conjugado (be, can, do, will,...) + sujeto
  • so do I = me too = yo también
    neither do I = me neither = yo tampoco

my vocabulary

  • to get one's act together = espabilarse, ponerse las pilas
  • nailer = one who makes nails

review

(there) may have been

puede que haya habido
  • Are you sure there wasn't a tornado in Kansas yesterday?
    There may have been one, but I'm not sure.
  • Was there an election in Egypt last week?
  • Was there a basketball game in Korea yesterday?
  • Were there a lot of people watching this program last week?
  • Was there a tornado in Madrid last week?
    There definitely wasn't a tornado in Madrid last week.
  • Was there an ice-hockey game in Madrid last week?
    There definitely wasn't an ice- ...

(there) may be

  • Is there a mouse over there?
    There definitely isn't one. / There may be one.
  • Will there be a football match next weekend?
    There may be (several).
  • Is there a pool in the studio?
    There definitely isn't a pool in the studio.
  • Is there a car over there?
    There definitely isn't (a car over there).
  • Is there a lot of money in my bank account?
    There may be a lot of money ...

exercises

the passive voice

  • Someone is showing her how to drive.
    She's being shown how to drive.
  • They will ask us several questions.
    We'll be asked several questions.
  • They will tell us to keep quiet.
    We'll be told to keep quiet.
  • They told us to write a review.
    We were told to write a review.
  • They asked us to leave the building.
    We were asked to leave the building.
  • The mouse ate the cheese.
    The cheese was eaten by the mouse.
  • The cat ate the mouse.
  • The dog ate the cat.
  • The donkey would've eaten the dog, if it hadn't been tied up.
    The dog would've been eaten by the donkey if it hadn't been tied up.
  • Someone is telling them to get their act together.
    They're being told to get their act together.
  • Someone's told him to speak to the press.
    He's been told to speak to the press.
  • They won't tell us the truth.
    We won't be told the truth.

so/neither

  • I love dogs with all my heart. - So do I.
  • I can't play the violin. - Neither can I.
  • I don't drink much tea. - Neither do I.
  • I drink a lot of coffee. - So do I.
  • I love going home for Christmas. - So do I.
  • I worship chocolate. - So do I.
  • I enjoy my job. - So do I.
  • I don't enjoy listening to people who complain all the time. - Neither do I.
  • I like writing with a fountain pen. - So do I.
  • I'd love to visit New Zeland. - So would I.
  • I'd love to visit India. - So would I.
  • I wouldn't like to visit the North Pole. - I would.
  • I like the way children see the World. - So do I.
  • I love cold, sunny, winter mornings in Madrid. - So do I.
  • I don't like sweet wine. - Neither do I.
  • I really like Spanish wine. - So do I.
  • I don't like Irish wine. - Neither do I.
  • I can't play the piano. - Neither can I.
  • I'd like to play the piano. - So would I.
  • I'd like to write a book . - So would I.
  • My best friend really likes beer. - So does mine.
  • I like to go out with my friends after work on Fridays. - So do I.
  • I would like to go out with my friends this Friday after work. - So would I.
  • I've never been to the North Pole. - Neither have I.
  • I never go to bed early. - Neither do I.
  • I'm really looking forward to St. Patrick's Day. - So am I.
  • I don't like people who can't keep a secret. - Neither do I.
  • I really like people who are polite. - So do I.
  • I like people who are as brave as a lion. - So do I.
  • I play poker with my friends once a month. - Neither do I.
  • I don't play basketball my friends once a month. - Neither do I.
  • I never win at poker. - I do.
  • But I really get a kick out of playing it. - So do I.
  • I'd like to learn how to fly a plane. - I wouldn't.
  • I'm really scared of roller coasters. - So am I.
  • I think cats are cold creatures. - I don't.
  • I get really annoyed with people who aren't punctual. - So do I.
  • I don't like long telephone calls. - Neither do I.
  • My sister prefers animals to people. - So does mine.
  • My boss is a good time keeper - So is mine.
  • My colleagues work like nailers. - So do mine.
  • I'm cautious by nature. - So am I.
  • I don't like taking risks. - Neither do I.
  • I really like drinking water. - So do I.
  • I really like the weather in Madrid. - So do I.
  • I don't like very wet weather. - Neither do I.
  • I really enjoy sunny mornings. - So do I.
  • I don't like being attacked by animals. - Neither do I.
  • I don't like highs very much. - Neither do I.
  • I don't like climbing high mountains. - Neither do I.
  • I like wearing shoes. - So do I.
  • I like walking on the beach. - So do I.
  • I don't like walking on hot streets. - Neither do I.

vocabulary 192

upside downal revés
well-likedapreciado
unlikea diferencia de
walking stickbastón
well-plannedbien planificado
class 193
viernes 9 julio 2010
lunes 4 julio 2011

grammar

tag endings

  • tag endings: pregunta breve en sentido opuesto a la de la sentencia
  • la pregunta no es para ser respondida, sino que es una coletilla.
    I'm a teacher, aren't I?
    You enjoy this class, don't you?
    I was here yesterday, wasn't I?
    I gave you a class yesterday, didn't I?
    That was you, wasn't it?
    I'm holding them in my hand, aren't I?

most of the time

  • la mayor parte del tiempo y la mayoría de las veces
    aunque en inglés es siempre time en singular
  • Occasionally I get bumped up, they bumped me up.
    (paga turista y le dan business or first)

my vocabulary

  • They finished it in a matter of minuits.
    Lo acabaron en cuestión de minutos.
  • to be on the dole = estar cobrando el desempleo [BR]
  • this neck of the woods = estos pagos (lugar, región)

review

passive voice

  • Someone's showing her how to drive.
    She's being shown how to drive.
  • They will ask us several questions.
    We'll be asked several questions.
  • They're going to discontinue that product.
    That product's going to be discontinued.
  • They paid for it in cash.
    It was paid for in cash.
  • They made it out of China/china.
    (Lograron escapar de China/Lo hicieron de porcelana)
    It was made out of china.
  • They will build the cathedral in two years.
    The cathedral will be built in two years.
  • They finished it in a matter of minuits.
    It was finished in a matter of minuits.

so/neither

  • I can play tennis.
    So can I.
  • I like tennis.
    So do I.
  • I love dogs.
    So do I.
  • I can't stand pea shooters.
    Neither can I.
  • I live in an antique shop.
    So do I.
  • I eat whale meat for breakfast.
    So do I.
  • I go to work on a magic cushion.
    So do I.
  • I don't work in a mushroom.
    Neither do I.
  • I won't be here tomorrow.
    Neither will I.
  • I won't remember her name.
    Neither will I.
  • I'll be here on Monday.
    So will I.
  • I blink a lot.
    So do I.
  • I don't have much time left.
    Neither do I.

exercises

question tags

  • You won't be late, will you?
  • This winter's been cold, hasn't it?
  • He's finished, hasn't he?
  • You shouldn't smoke her, should you?
  • They always work hard, don't they?
  • You teach English, don't you?
  • He speaks English well, doesn't he?
  • She's still young, isn't she?
  • He has a lot of books, doesn't he?
  • He's bought a lot of books, hasn't he?
  • We should answer the letter, shouldn't we?
  • He's greedy, isn't he?
  • John drinks too much, doesn't he?
  • You have a new dress, don't you?
  • You were there, weren't you?
  • He didn't come, did he?
  • They don't like to be cleaned, do they?
  • She doesn't play tennis, does she?
  • We got home very late, didn't we?
  • You answered my invitation, didn't you?
  • He had been to Switzerland, hadn't he?
  • She sang well, did she?
  • You broke the window, didn't you?
  • They didn't see you, did they?
  • That boy ran very fast, didn't he?
  • My wife cooks well, doesn't she?
  • She doesn't want to go, does she?
  • They arrived yesterday, didn't they?
  • You've heard about that, haven't you?
  • You like coffee, don't you?
  • He didn't have to speak to me, did he?
  • He won't fall down, will he?
  • I'm very late, aren't I?
  • He's got to go now, hasn't he?

most of the time

  • La mayoría de las veces llego pronto.
    Most of the time I arrive early.
  • Me paso la mayor parte del tiempo revisando mis e-mails.
    I spend most of my time checking my e-mails.
  • La mayor parte del tiempo no le entiendo cuando habla.
    Most of the time I can't understand him when he talks.
  • La mayoría de las veces tiene razón.
    Most of the time he's right.
  • (Ella) Se pasa la mayor parte del tiempo pensando en el trabajo.
    She spends most of her time thinking about work.
  • La mayoría de las veces él es el que saca a pasear al perro.
    Most of the time he's the one who takes the dog for a walk.
  • El fin de semana pasado, pasamos la mayor parte del tiempo limpiando la casa.
    Last weekend, we spent most of our time cleaning the house.
  • La mayoría de las veces ella está de buen humor.
    Most of the time she's in a good mood.
  • La mayoría de las veces te olvidas de lo que tienes que hacer.
    Most of the time you forget what you have to do.
  • La mayoría de las veces el ordenador no funciona.
    Most of the time the computer doesn't work.
  • Me gustaría que te pasaras la mayor parte del tiempo estudiando inglés.
    I'd like you to spend most of your time studying English.
  • La mayoría de las veces no nos escucha cuando hablamos.
    Most of the time he isn't listening to us when we're speaking.
  • (Yo) Solía pasar la mayor parte del tiempo leyendo.
    I used to spend most of my time reading.

vocabulary 193

accountableresponsable
wheelchairsilla de ruedas
whimcapricho, antojo
Achilles heeltalón de Aquiles
accordinglycomo consecuencia
class 194
lunes 12 julio 2010
martes 5 julio 2011

grammar

hard

  • hard = difícil, duro (adjetivo)
  • hard = duramente (adverbio)
    I work hard
  • hardly = apenas
    Do you work hard or do you hardly work?

indirect speech with I don't know

  • Where was Napoleon born?
    I don't know where he was born.
  • Where did he grow up?
    I don't know where he grew up.
  • Do you know who the President of the US was when you were born?
    Yes, I know who the President of the US was when I was born.

review

tag questions

  • You met my friend last year, didn't you?
  • We haven't seen that film, have we?
  • They should've called, shouldn't they?
  • She should've been there, shouldn't she?
  • You like music, don't you?
  • There are too many, aren't there?
  • You've read that book, haven't you?
  • She's studied English every day, hasn't she?
  • We've seen him somewhere before, haven't we?
  • You'll carry on studying, won't you?

most of the time

  • Do you spend most of the time correcting mistakes?
  • ... calling clients, writing letters, writing e-mails, answering the phone, studying English, buying gifts?

exercises

hard

  • It's difficult to know what they're thinking.
    It's hard to know what they're thinking.
  • It's difficult to know what he's saying.
  • It's difficult to know what these people are like.
  • It's easy to know what these people are like.
    It isn't hard to know what these people are like.
  • It's difficult to see because of the snow.
  • It's difficult to talk about it.
  • It's easy to talk about it.
    It isn't hard to talk about it.
  • It's difficult to drive because of the ice.
  • It's difficult to know because they won't tell us.
  • It's difficult to pay attention to him because he talks so much.
  • It's difficult to find a place to park the car because of the crowd.
  • It's difficult to operate the machine because it's very complicated.
  • It's difficult for them to make ends meet because their salaries are so low.
  • It's easy for them to make ends meet because their salaries are so high.
  • It's difficult to get on with him because he thinks he's always right.
  • It's easy to get on with him because he's a very nice person.

indirect questions

  • Do you know where I left my telephone?
    No, I don't know where you left your telephone.
  • ... what I had for dinner last night?
  • ... who Jeff Landle is?
  • ... what Canadian province Saskatoon is in?
  • Ask me what province it's in.
  • Where were my mother born?
    I don't know where your mother was born.
  • What time did Layla wake up this morning?
    I don't know what time Layla woke up this morning.
  • What had I for breakfast this morning?
  • What's my favourite sport?
    I don't know what your favorite sport is.
  • Have you ever heard of Wayne Gretzky?
  • How many goals did Wayne Gretzky score in 1982?
    I don't know how many goals Wayne Gretzky scored in 1982.
  • Where did my father work?
    I don't know where your father worked.
  • Why did I come to Spain?
    I don't know why you came to Spain.
  • Where am I going to have lunch tomorrow?
    I don't know where you're going to have lunch tomorrow.
  • Ask me directly.
    Where are you going to have lunch tomorrow?
  • What do you want to know?
    I want to know where you're going to have lunch tomorrow.
  • Who was the first person to climb mount Everest?
    I don't know who the first person to climb mount Everest was.
  • Ask me.
  • What do you want to know?
    I want to know who the first person to climb mount Everest was.
  • Who was the first person to sail around the World?
    I don't know who the first person to sail around the World was.
  • Ask me directly.
    Who was the first person to sail around the World?
  • What do you want to know?
    I want to know who the first person to sail around the World was.
  • Who is my brother's boss?
    I don't know who your brother's boss is.
  • Ask me.
    Who's your brother's boss?
  • Who invented the light bulb?
    I don't know who invented the light bulb.
  • Ask me.
  • Where did he invent it?
    I don't know where he inveted it.
  • Ask me where he invented it.
  • Why do I ask so many questions?
    I don't know why you ask so many questions.

vocabulary 194

asphaltasfalto
affableafable
arraygama, surtido
appointmentcita, compromiso
bandagevenda
class 195
martes 13 julio 2010
miércoles 6 julio 2011

my vocabulary

  • hold your horses = esperar (UK)

review

hard

  • It's difficult to know what they are thinking.
    It's hard to know what they are thinking.
  • I thought the exam was far to difficult.
    I thought the exam was far to hard.
  • Why are they so difficult to please?
  • I found math/maths very difficult at school.
  • Isn't really that difficult for people to be on time?
  • Living in Spain is not difficult.
  • It's not difficult to spend money if you live in a big city.
  • Is it difficult for English speakers to pronounce well in Portuguese?
  • Do Spanish people find Portuguese difficult to understand?
  • Is living in Brazil difficult?
  • Would it be difficult for you to live in a cold, wet country?
  • Do people find it difficult to give up smoking?
  • Is it difficult to understand my accent?
  • Ask me if it would be difficult for me to live in a cold country.
  • Do you find living in Madrid difficult?
  • Is Rio de Janeiro dialect difficult to understand for outsiders?

I don't know

  • Where have you put the reports?
    I don't know where I've put the reports.
  • What's your name?
    I don't know what my name is.
  • Where did you lose your keys?
    I don't know where I lost my keys.
  • Where will you go after this class?
    I don't know where I'll go after this class.
  • What's the name of the highest mountain in Ireland?
    I don't know what the name of the ... is.
  • What's my second/middle name?
    I don't know what your second name is.
  • Ask me.
  • Ask me why my middle name is Kevin.
  • When will we finish this class?
    I don't know when we'll finish this class.
  • Where will we go?
    I don't know where we'll go.
  • When will you be in five years time?
    I don't know where I'll be in five years time.
  • Will Albert drive us back to work after this class?
    I don't know if Albert will drive us back to work after this class.
  • What are my sisters names?
    I don't know what your sisters names are.
  • What was my favorite dog's name?
    I don't know what your favorite dog's name was.

vocabulary 195

fibbermentiroso
to fibmentir
jinxgafe
dental flosshilo dental (to floss your teeth)
to jinxgafar