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

A

Arise > Arose > Arisen > Surgir, Levantarse
Awake> Awoke > Awoken > Despertarse
Be > Was/Were > Been > Ser / Estar

B

Bear> Bore > Borne/Born > Soportar, dar a luz
Beat> Beat > Beaten > Golpear
Become> Became > Become > Llegar a Ser
Begin> Began > Begun > Empezar
Bend> Bent > Bent > Doblar
Bet> Bet > Bet > Apostar
Bind > Bound > Bound > Atar, encuadernar
Bid > Bid > Bid > Pujar
Bite> Bit > Bitten > Morder
Bleed > Bled > Bled > Sangrar
Blow > Blew > Blown > Soplar
Break > Broke > Broken > Romper
Breed > Bred > Bred > Criar
Bring > Brought > Brought > Traer/Llevar
Broadcast > Broadcast >... Continue reading "Complete List of Irregular Verbs in English" »

Verbs with Gerund or Infinitive Differences

• Go On:
  • (G) Continue doing the same thing.
  • (I) Change the activity.
• Need:
  • (G) Passive meaning (e.g., The bedrooms need painting).
• Regret:
  • (I) To inform.
• Mean:
  • (G) Has to be done to get a result.
  • (I) Intend to do.
• Try:
  • (G) Experiment with different methods.
• Stop:
  • (I) Takes on the meaning of "in order to."
• Forget:
  • (G) To forget that you have done something (memory).
  • (I) To forget that you need to do something.
• Remember:
  • (G) To remember that you need to do something (memory).
  • (I) To remember that you have done something.
• Hate/Love/Prefer:
  • (G) Emphasis on the action (e.g., like making jam).
  • (I) Habit (e.g., I like to make).

Verb Forms: Infinitive, Gerund, and Bare Infinitive

The Infinitive

Used for: Purpose (why), nouns, used to... Continue reading "Essential English Grammar: Verbs, Tenses, and Linking Words" »

There are people who think there is no way to stop the increasing of global warming, but I think that if all of us do a little, we could make a change on the environment.

At first, we should begin recycling the garbage in its own container. In addition, plastic bags could be forbidden in order to use more environmentally friendly materials.

Secondly, solar energy could be a good alternative to harmful energy sources that are being used nowadays like fossil fuels. Everybody should have solar panels on their roofs, especially in countries where the sun hours are longer like Spain.

In conclusion, there are many things that we can do to improve the situation of the planet. We only have one planet and we have to look after it.

1) Passive Voice

• It's thought

Present Simple

Affirmative: I like tennis, she likes football, they like sport.

Negative: I don't like tennis, she doesn't like football, they don't like sport.

Interrogative: Do you like football? Yes, I do. Does she play tennis? Yes, she does. Does he live in France? No, he doesn't. Do they go cycling? No, they don't.

There's / There Are

There's is used with singular countable nouns and uncountable nouns.

There are is used with plural countable nouns.

Affirmative: Use a or an with singular countable nouns. Use some with plural and uncountable nouns.

Negative and Interrogative: Use a or an with singular countable nouns. Use any with plural and uncountable nouns.

How much/how many: How much is used with uncountable nouns. How many is used with plural... Continue reading "English Grammar Essentials: Tenses and Structures" »

Mastering English Grammar: Relative Clauses, Modals, and More

Relative Clauses

The boy was an old friend. I was staying at his house: The boy whose house I was staying at was an old friend.

The dog had long, pointed ears. It was lying on the sofa: The dog which was lying on the sofa had long, pointed ears.

The book was a bit frightening. John was reading it: The book which John was reading was a bit frightening.

PP died in 1973. He was from Malaga: PP, who was from Malaga, died in 1973.

This is the CD. A. Sanz signed an autograph there: This is the CD where A. Sanz signed an autograph.

Modal Verbs

It's necessary for me to go to work yesterday: I didn't need to go to work yesterday.

Perhaps Mike didn't get your phone call: Mike may not have got your

Passive Voice

Passive Voice:

• She cleans = is cleaned
• Is cleaning = is being cleaned
• Has cleaned = has been cleaned
• She cleaned = was cleaned
• Was cleaning = was being cleaned
• Had cleaned = had been cleaned
• She will clean = will be cleaned
• Is going to clean = is going to be cleaned
• Has to clean = has to be cleaned

Can be + 3C, Should be +3C, Must have been +3C

Desiderative Sentences

Desiderative Sentences:

1. WISH/ IF ONLY (I wish, he wishes) + finished, didn´t finish
2. WISH /IF ONLY (I wish, he wishes) + had arrived, hadn´t arrived 3C
3. WISH/ IF ONLY (I wish, he wishes) + COULD/WOULD + BASE FORM

Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentences:

1st Conditional: IF/UNLESS + PRESENT SIMPLE (I work, she Works, I don't work, she doesn't work) == FUTURE SIMPLE (I will allow,... Continue reading "English Grammar Rules: Passive Voice, Conditionals, Reported Speech & More" »

An analysis of Hamlet’s personality traits

At the beginning of the play, Hamlet makes a statement talking about mankind, but also referring to himself. This helps us to understand that Hamlet should not be blamed entirely for his faults and that we should not take into account that on many occasions he cannot control his actions because he was born with these flaws. Hamlet’s fundamental flaw is his inability to act. And, through this big flaw, he reveals other faults in his character, like his impulsiveness. He also may be accused of thinking too much about the consequences and never getting around to doing anything. And, Hamlet’s final most significant flow is his callousness, particularly directed towards Ophelia. However, we see clearly... Continue reading "Personality Traits of Hamlet in Elizabethan Drama" »

My First Surfing Experience in Ajo, Cantabria

Learning to Surf

Two summers ago, when I was 14 years old, I went to a surf camp with my friend Celia in Ajo, Cantabria. It was our first time surfing, and it was an amazing experience!

We spent seven days at the camp with eight other people. Learning to surf and making new friends was incredible. I met a man and his two children, Julia and Jan, from Cataluña. Julia was deaf, and it was an exciting experience learning some gestures from the Deaf Language. There was also a couple, Marcos and Sara, from Zaragoza, and Martine, a girl from Ajo.

During the first few days, we surfed in the whitewash (foam) and learned how to stand up and balance on the board. By the end of the week, the instructors let us... Continue reading "My Surfing Adventure & BlaBlaCar Experience" »

Essential English Vocabulary and Grammar Rules

English-Spanish Vocabulary: Key Phrases

• In the lead: Liderar
• Fast asleep: Profundamente dormido
• Defeat: Derrotar
• Heavy traffic: Tráfico abundante
• Let us down: Decepcionar
• Bright future: Futuro brillante
• Sportsmanship: Deportividad
• Poor health: Mala salud
• Broke a record: Batir un récord
• Valid point: Punto válido / Buen punto
• Effort: Esfuerzo
• Slight accent: Acento leve
• Spectators: Espectadores
• Rapid growth: Rápido crecimiento
• Opponent: Oponente
• Tournament: Torneo
• Trophy: Trofeo
• Go wild: Volverse loco
• Beat: Vencer
• Cheer: Aclamar, animar
• Score: Marcar
• Speed: Velocidad
• Championship: Campeonato
• Awards: Premios
• Finish line: Meta
• Guidelines: Reglas
• Turnaround: Cambio
• Superstar: Superestrella
• Runner-up: Segundo puesto
• Teammates: