Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for English

Zero Conditional (Simple Present)

Structure

• If + subject + simple present verb + complement
• Subject + simple present verb + if + complement

Examples

• If I go to Six Flags, I eat nachos.
• I eat nachos if I go to Six Flags.

First Conditional

Structure

1. If + subject + simple present verb + complement
2. Subject / pronoun + will, be going to, or might + infinitive + complement

Examples

• If I study hard, I will pass the exam.
• If I visit my grandpa, I am going to eat out with him.
• If she goes to Paris, she might visit the Louvre Museum.

Second Conditional (Simple Past / Would)

Structure

1. If + subject / pronoun + simple past + complement
2. Subject / pronoun + would + infinitive + complement

Examples

• If I had 50 million pesos, I would buy a house in Cancún.
• If I won the lottery,

English Grammar Points

Passive Voice

Structure: Subject + conjugated 'be' + past participle

Causative Verbs

Structure: Conjugated 'have'/'get' + object + past participle

Using So and Such

• So: so + adjective/adverb
• So: so + many/much/few/little + noun

Using Enough

• Enough: adjective/adverb + enough (+ to + verb)
• Enough: enough + noun (+ to + verb)

Reported Speech

• Present Simple → Past Simple
• Present Perfect Simple → Past Perfect Simple
• Future Simple → would + infinitive
• Can → Could
• May → Might
• Have to → Had to
• Should → Should
• Yes/No Question → if/whether + subject + verb (past tense)
• Wh-Question → wh-word + subject + verb (past tense)

Conditional Sentences

• Type 1 (Real Conditional): If + Present Simple, Future Simple
• Type 2 (Unreal Present Conditional)

Self-Employment: Advantages and Disadvantages

Discussing the Pros and Cons of Being Your Own Boss

Have you ever considered becoming your own boss? In recent years, the number of people choosing to start their own business has risen significantly. Many claim that this trend is due to a growing desire for independence and a shift away from traditional employment.

Advantages of Self-Employment

• Complete Self-Reliance: You are fully in charge and can make all decisions independently.
• Sense of Freedom: This autonomy provides a great sense of freedom, allowing you to pursue your vision without external interference.
• Flexible Working Hours: Your working day can be planned for your convenience, enabling you to work when and how you are most productive.
• Direct

1. "I can't come to the party now," said Lucy. (apologise)
   Lucy apologised for not being able to come to the party then.

2. "We went to the concert yesterday," said my brother. (say)
   My brother said they had gone to the concert the day before.

3. "Will you help me with this project?" she asked. (ask)
   She asked me if I would help her with that project.

4. "Where did you buy this jacket?" he asked me. (ask)
   He asked me where I had bought that jacket.

5. "Don't touch that button!" the technician said. (warn)
   The technician warned me not to touch that button.

6. "I forgot to do my homework," said Daniel. (admit)
   Daniel admitted

Understanding how to convert direct speech into reported (or indirect) speech is a fundamental aspect of English grammar. This involves changes in tenses, pronouns, time and place adverbs, and demonstratives. Let's break down the key transformations.

Direct vs. Reported Speech Basics

Direct Speech: Quoting the exact words spoken. Often enclosed in quotation marks. Example: He said, "She studies English."

Reported Speech: Reporting what someone said without quoting their exact words. Often introduced by a reporting verb like "said that," "told me that," etc. Tenses and other elements usually shift backward. Example: He said that she studied English.

Tense Changes in Reported Speech

• Present Simple to Past Simple

  • Direct: "She studies English."
  • Reported:

Understanding the Future Tenses in English

This section clarifies the usage and structure of the main future tenses in English, along with common word transformations.

The Future Simple with 'Will'

We use 'will' to talk about:

• Decisions made at the time of speaking:
  "The window is open. I will close it."
• General Predictions:
  "It will rain next week."
  "You won't like it here."

Affirmative Form with 'Will'

Structure: Subject + will + base form of verb

• I / He / She / It / We / You / They will learn

Negative Form with 'Will'

Structure: Subject + will not (won't) + base form of verb

• I / He / She / It / We / You / They will not learn (or won't learn)

Question Form with 'Will'

Structure: Will + subject + base form of verb?

• Will I / He / She / It / We / You / They

Foreword

In the name of God amen. Among the many strange and wonderful things that made the Lord God is one that is most striking, as is the fact that there are so many people in the world, none is identical to the traits of the face, although that all have the same elements in it. If the faces that are so small, they show such great variety, it is not surprising that there are large differences in the desires and inclinations of men. So you will see that no man is like another, nor in the will or its inclinations, and so I give some examples so that you can understand it better.

All who love and want to serve God, but want the same, each one serves a different way, as some do in one way and others another way. Likewise, all in the service... Continue reading "The Count Lucanor: Timeless Wisdom and Moral Tales" »

Verb Tenses

Present Continuous vs. Present Simple

1. I'm angry with William. I am not talking / don't talk to him.

2. Listen! My sister is singing / sings in the shower.

3. This cheese tastes / is tasting strange.

4. Are you thinking / Do you think Ann is pretty?

5. Laura is walking / walks to school every day.

Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

1. The sun SETS (set) in the west.

2. Please don't disturb me. I AM STUDYING (study).

3. I still DON’T KNOW (not know) the answer.

4. DO YOU ALWAYS GO (you / always /go) to the cinema on Friday nights?

5. We HAVE (have) a picnic next Sunday.

Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

6. How much DOES THIS PARCEL WEIGH (this parcel / weigh)?

7. Ms Rivers is busy at the moment. She IS TEACHING (teach).

8. Now I REMEMBER (remember)... Continue reading "Jamie Oliver: A Culinary Icon" »

Exercici 1: Vocabulary

• Explanation, definition, assumption, logically, reasonable, thought, confusion, concept, undoubtedly, sensible.

Exercici 2: Expressions and Beliefs

• Forget to take Darren’s views into account
• Does she come up with
• Is still under the impression
• Have you made up your mind
• In the mistaken belief (creença equivocada)
• Is out of the question (impossible/ni parlar-ne)
• You’ve now come to your senses (has entrat en raó)
• You are under the misapprehension (tens una idea equivocada)

Exercici 3: Idioms

• Wits (estar atent)
• Wood (no veure el conjunt pels detalls)
• Bell (sonar familiar)
• Head (tornar-se arrogant per l’èxit)
• Dark (sense informació)
• Bend (tornar-se boig)
• Leg (no tenir arguments)
• Uptake (rapidesa per entendre coses)

Exercici 4: Phrasal

All happen when The doctor goes to the beach to visit some relatives when he was young. Then was when he met Rafael. Rafael was a mad man who lived in a house-boat near the beach.
When The doctor grows, he decide to go back, and is then when he know rafaels story.
Rafael was in love with Anita, but then a soldier from another country, who had borned on a rich family, starts to be interesting for her, and she ends leaving Rafael alone. Rafael, who was now really sad, tries to get back anitas love killing the soldier, but a fail on his plains makes Anita and the soldier die together. Rafael ends mad, without his lovely girl and without nothing else to do on the world.

* Rafael is a dirty sad man, who lives under a boat in the beach. He is very