Friday 24 November 2017

VOCABULARY - COUNTRIES AND NATIONALITIES

                 
 COUNTRY
NATIONALITY
I am from...                                             I am...
Argentina 
Argentinian
Australia
Australian
Belgium
Belgian
Brazil
Brazilian
Canada
Canadian
China
Chinese
Colombia
Colombian
Denmark
Danish
Ecuador
Ecuadorian
England
English
Great Britain
British
Ireland
Irish
France
French
Germany
German
Greece
Greek
Italy
Italian
Japan
Japanese
Mexico
Mexican
Morocco
Moroccan
Norway
Norwegian
Peru
Peruvian
Poland
Polish
Portugal
Portuguese
Romania
Romanian
Russia
Russian
Scotland
Scottish
South Africa
South African
Spain
Spanish
Sweden
Swedish
Switzerland
Swiss
The United Kingdom  (UK)
British
The United States of America (USA)
American
Venezuela
Venezuelan
Wales
Welsh
                                      

Friday 21 April 2017

GRAMMAR - DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES AND PRONOUNS


SINGULAR


PLURAL

Near from the speaker


THIS
ESTE, ESTA


Near the speaker

THESE
ESTOS, ESTAS

Far from the speaker

 THAT
ESE, ESA, AQUEL, AQUELLA


Far from the speaker

THOSE
ESOS, ESAS, AQUELLOS, AQUELLAS


Wednesday 12 April 2017

GRAMMAR - GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

Algunos verbos (start, begin, propose, intend, forbid) pueden llevar detrás tanto gerundio como "to" + infinitivo sin que su significado cambie.

Sin embargo, hay otros verbos cuyo significado varía según vayan seguidos de gerundio o de "to" + infinitivo:

1. STOP ≠ GO ON
A- I stopped to read a book.
B- I stopped reading books.

A- After discussing the company’s annual revenues, the CEO went on to talk about our sales figures.
B- We can’t go on living on one income.

A. Indica el inicio de una nueva actividad.

B. Indica que se interrumpe (“STOP”) o continúa (“GO ON”) la actividad que se está haciendo.


2. TRY
- I tried to lift the box but it was too heavy.
Se intenta algo difícil que requiere esfuerzo.

- Why don’t you try closing the window if the traffic is too noisy?
Se intenta un experimento, test o prueba para ver si funciona.


3. LIKE/LOVE/HATE/PREFER
- I hate to tell you, but your friend Paul is coming home this weekend.
Odio esta situación o momento en particular.

- I like getting up at 6am.
Me gusta realizar la actividad en general.

Pero: !Would like/love/hate/prefer" to + infinitivo.

4. NEED

- I need to work harder.
Tengo la obligación de hacer algo.

- This room needs painting.
Hay necesidad hacerlo (en voz pasiva)


5. REMEMBER ≠ FORGET
A. Remember to buy milk on your way home.
B. I remember kissing my first girlfriend.

A. I forgot to phone Dad on his birthday.
B. I’ll never forget seeing my wife for the first time.


A. Se refiere a recordar (“REMEMBER”) u olvidar (“FORGET”) cosas que tienes o tenías que hacer.
B. Se refiere a recordar (“REMEMBER”) u olvidar (“FORGET”) cosas que ocurrieron en el pasado.

6. REGRET
- We regret to inform you that your application for a loan of 5000 Euros has not been accepted.
Se utiliza para comunicar malas noticias.

- Do you regret leaving school early and not going to university?
Lamentar cosas que se hicieron en el pasado.

7. MEAN
- I didn’t mean to hurt you. (= "INTEND")
- Her new job will mean travelling abroad.
(= "MAKE SOMETHING NECESSARY")

Tuesday 21 March 2017

GRAMMAR - ENGLISH VERB TENSE REVIEW

1. PRESENT SIMPLE – PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Present Simple: 
Adverbs or expressions of frequency, days of the week.

STATIVE VERBS - CATEGORIES: 1. Emotions and feelings: LOVE, LIKE, DISLIKE, HATE, HOPE, PREFER, WANT. 2. Thought and opinion: THINK, BELIEVE, FORGET, KNOW, REMEMBER, UNDERSTAND, (DIS)AGREE, MEAN, RECOGNISE, REALISE, SEEM, SUPPOSE. 3. Perception and senses: SEE, HEAR, FEEL, SMELL, TASTE, SOUND, TOUCH. 4. Possession: HAVE, OWN, BELONG. 5. Prices and measures: COST, MEASURE, WEIGH

Present Continuous: now, right now, at the moment // this … these + time expression (this week, these days)// nowadays, currently, at present // next …, today, tonight, tomorrow (Present Continuous with future meaning)// With expressions like Look!, Listen!


2. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE (have – has + v-ed/ 3rd column) – PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS (have – has been + v-ing)

P.P. Simple

- To talk about quantity: “How much?/How many?”

Example: I have attended 5 yoga classes.

- We also use the Present Perfect Simple with "stative verbs", “be” and “have”. 

Example: I have been to London very often.

- When we indicate the result of something. 

Example: As a result, I have studied English.

P.P. Continuous: Emphasis on time: “How long?”.

- Particles to measure time: “For”, “Since”  

Example: I have been living here for five years.

- Repetitive actions: Focus on continuity.

Example: I have been going to clases since I left college (focus on time not number of classes).

What has been here stated can also be applied to the contrast between the PAST PERFECT SIMPLE (HAD / HADN’T + V-ED/3RD COLUMN) and the PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS (HAD/HADN’T BEEN + V-ING).


3. PAST SIMPLE – PAST CONTINUOUS

Contrast in a sentence:
When + Simple Past, Past Continuous: When Mary came in, I was watching TV.
While / As + Past Continuous, Past Simple: As/While he was driving, he suddenly saw a car crash.

Two actions expressed in the Simple Past: (acciones concatenadas). I watched TV and then I went  to bed.

Two actions expressed in the Past Continuous: (acciones simultáneas): While I was cooking, he was watching TV. It was so unfair!.

Past Simple (one simple clause):
Yesterday, last night, ago, past years / decades (e.g.: in the 80s) / centuries (e.g.: in the 19th century).

Past Continuous (one simple clause):
Yesterday/last ….. at + hour // all day yesterday


4. PAST PERFECT (former action) - PAST SIMPLE (latter action)

Contrast in a sentence:

- Past Perfect/ Past Simple:
After + Past Perfect: After I had written the e-mail, I turned off the computer.
I regretted / was sorry that” + Past Perfect: I regretted / was sorry that I had been rude to him.
……. because + Past Perfect: I apologized because I had been rude to him.

- Past Simple/ Past Perfect:
Before / By the time + Past Simple: Before I turned off the computer, I had written the e-mail.
……….until + Past Simple: I hadn’t spoken in English until I went to England.


Time expressions:
Before / By (the time) / When / Until + Past Simple.
After / As soon as + Past Perfect.


5. PAST SIMPLE OR PRESENT PERFECT?

Past Simple (one simple clause): Definite time in the past.
Yesterday, last …, ……ago, in + past year/century.

Present Perfect (one simple clause): Indefinite time in the past. Actions beginning in the past and continuing up to now, repetitive actions, personal experience. 

Time expressions:
So far, over the years, lately, recently, in the last…, before.
Ever, just, already (affirmative), yet (negative, interrogative) / For, since.


6. FUTURE TENSES

Future Simple (will): Predictions (no evidence), far in time (+ one year), spontaneous decisions.

Examples: I hope – I suppose – I think – I promise – I imagine - I am sure/certain that…

Future “be going to”: Predictions (evidence), ± within a year, planned actions / intentions.

Examples: I’ve decided / planned…

Future perfect: Will have + V-ed/ 3rd column. A COMPLETED action at a certain future time. 

By this time, by the end, in two years,...

Future continuous: Will be +V-ing. Action IN PROGRESS at a certain future time. 

(At) this time …, in the next decades, for the next weeks, Next X (
day) between (time) and (time)…

PRACTICE - ENGLISH VERB TENSE REVIEW

 1. USE THE PRESENT SIMPLE OR THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS:   

1.  The assistant is speaking too quick. I ______________________ (not understand) him.
2.  I can’t carry this suitcase. It __________________ (weigh) too much.
3.  ___________ your parents’ house ____________________ (belong) to you now?
4.  Look! Michelle ________________________ (wear) a really beautiful dress.
5.  At the moment this house _____________ (cost) too much. I can't afford to buy it.
6.  Look! Michelle ________________________ (wear) a really beautiful dress.


2. USE THE PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE OR PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS:

1.  She _______________ always ____________________________ (play) tennis.
2.  I ________________________________ (work) since I left college.
3.  They _______________________________ (attend) four business meetings.
4.  How long ________________ you _______________________________ (swim)?
5. As a result of her success, she ___________________________ (write) an autobiography. 
6. How much ice cream ______________ you ______________ (eat)?


3. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES, USING THE PAST SIMPLE, THE PAST CONTINUOUS OR THE PAST PERFECT OF THE VERBS IN BRACKETS:  

1. After Janet __________________________ (finish) her homework, she __________________________ (go) out with her friends.
2. As the students ___________________________ (chat), the teacher _____________________ (enter) the classroom.
3. By the time we ____________________________ (arrive) at the airport, the plane _____________________________ (leave).
4. Jane ___________________________ (not catch) a tram until she _______________________ (travel) to Cologne.
5. I__________________________________ (sit) on the sofa when a sudden noise ______________________________ (wake) me up.
6. I ______________________ (be) sorry that I __________________________ (speak) to her so rudely.


4. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES, USING THE FUTURE SIMPLE, "BE GOING TO", FUTURE PERFECT OR FUTURE CONTINUOUS OF THE VERBS IN BRACKETS:  

1.  Sam drives too fast. He _____________________________ (cause) an accident one of these days!
2.  At this time next week, I ______________________________ (sunbathe) in Hawaii.
3.  Is that book only 3 euros? I _________________________ (buy) it!
4.  By the end of June, the students ____________________________ (finish) the exams. 
5.  I am sure that you ______________________________ (succeed) in your new career.
6.  It _________________________________  (rain) in London for the next weeks, so take your umbrella. 

Tuesday 14 February 2017

GRAMMAR - IMPERATIVE

- USE: To give orders, instructions, directions, warnings or advice.
            
            To make requests, adding “please”.


- FORM: 


Affirmative sentences
INFINITIVE


Negative sentences
DON’T / DO NOT + INFINITIVE

OPEN your books.


DON'T OPEN your books.

INSERT your flash drive into the USB port on your computer.


DON'T INSERT your flash drive into the USB port on your computer.

TURN right.


DON’T TURN right.

BE careful.


DON’T BE noisy.

DO some exercise.


DON’T EAT junk food.

Friday 20 January 2017

LISTENING SKILL - PRACTISING THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE WITH A SONG

LISTENING ACTIVITY
You are going to watch a music video in order to practise how to form the Simple Past tense of regular and irregular verbs.

Tasks:

- First, fill in the gaps with the Simple Past form of the verbs in brackets. 
- Second, check your answers when you watch the video which contains the lyrics of the song.


“THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY" by KATY PERRY


Summer after high school when we first _________________ (meet)
We ______________ (make)  out in your Mustang to Radiohead
And on my 18th birthday we ______________ (get) matching tattoos
________________ (use) to steal your parents' liquor and climb to the roof
Talk about our future like we ____________________ (have) a clue
Never _______________ (plan) that one day I'd be losing you
In another life I would be your girl
We keep all our promises, be us against the world
And in other life I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you ________________ (be) the one that _______________ (get) away
The one that ___________ (get) away!
I _______________ (be) June and you ____________ (be) my Johnny Cash
Never one without the other, we _______________ (make) a pact
Sometimes when I miss you, I put those records on, (whoa)
Someone _____________ (say) you _______________ (have) your tattoo removed
_________________ (see) you downtown singing the blues
It's time to face the music, I'm no longer your muse
In another life I would be your girl
We keep all our promises, be us against the world
And in another life, I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you ________________ (be) the one that ________________(get) away
The one that __________________ (get) away
The o-o-o-o-one   The o-o-o-o-one   The o-o-o-o-one The one that got away
All this money can't buy me a time machine, (Nooooo)
Can't replace you with a million rings, (Nooooo)
I should've told you what you _________________ (mean) to me, (whoa)
'Cause now I pay the price
In another life I would be your girl
We keep all our promises, be us against the world


And in another life, I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you ___________________ (be) the one that ____________ (get) away
The one that _______________ (get) away (TWICE)!