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

Distancing: Reporting and Impersonal Structures

Using 'Seem' and 'Appear'

(Parecer y aparecer)

• It seems/appears + that + clause
• Subject + seem/appear + infinitive
• Would seem/appear (parecería - more formal): It would seem/appear + that + clause

The Passive Voice for Distancing

• It + passive verb + that + clause (Verbs: agree, announce, believe, expect, hope, report, say, suggest, think, understand)
• Subject + passive verb + infinitive (Verbs: believe, expect, report, say, think, understand)
• There + passive verb + to infinitive

Other Distancing Devices

Apparently, According to, may/might

Speculation and Deduction

Present Tense Modals

• Must: (debe)
• Mustn't: (prohibido)
• Can't: (no puede)
• May/Might: (quizás)
• Could be: (podría ser)
• Should: (deber)

Past Tense Modals

Modal... Continue reading "Advanced English Grammar and Vocabulary for Fluency" »

We can all remember at least 2 times in our lives where we felt that money would solve all our problems.The fact that money gives you the power to buy things does not translate into making you happy. There are psychological and emotional points which also play a large role in your ability to handle the status of being rich. However, in my opinion, it has both advantages and disadvantages.
On the plus side:
First of all, you have the ability to buy anything you want to. You can also visit places you couldnt afford before. For example you can buy expensive clothes and many other things like big houses, huge residences in the most beautiful resorts in the world, expensive cars and unimaginable luxury for, how we like to call ourselves, normal people.... Continue reading "Alexander the great "the sky will fall" »

Invictus: Uniting South Africa Through Rugby

The film Invictus, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, tells the story of the South African rugby team, the Springboks, who participated in the Rugby World Cup in 1994.

Set during a time when South Africa faced severe apartheid problems, Nelson Mandela hoped to help the country become more united if everybody supported the rugby team. Matt Damon, portraying the captain of the Springboks, and Morgan Freeman, portraying Nelson Mandela, are prominent in the film and give great performances. Their slogan, "One Team, One Country," successfully unites the black and white populations, and Mandela hopes the situation in the country will improve.

I loved this film and would... Continue reading "Personal Reflections: Film, Friendship, and Consumer Choices" »

Email para Pen-pal-

Hello Arantxa, How are you? I hope you are well. I was very happy to receive your mail and I'd like to pen-pal. Thanks to you I can learn and improve my English skills! I'll introduce myself and talk a little about me. My name is Mari Carmen Moreno. I’m twenty-six years old. I was born in Malaga and I live in Rincon de la Victoria. I am a nursery education teacher besides I’m a student of the official school of language, too. Most of my family was born in Seville. My father is retired and I live with him. I have got two brothers: Victor and Oscar. Also, I have two nephews and in December, I will have a new nephew/niece, I am very looking forward to the month of December. In my free time, I like reading while having a

The Ending (p.231)

Auggie feels: “I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives”. Do you agree with Auggie? Why (not)? Do you think this will ever happen to Auggie? Why (not)? It’s a nice thought because it’s a beautiful way of acknowledging a person’s work or actions and it’s an excellent way to boost this person’s confidence.

This will happen to Auggie at the graduation ceremony when he’s awarded the Henry Ward Beecher medal and the entire audience applauded him.

Part 7 (Miranda)

Camp Lies (p.236)

What does Miranda mean that these girls were “at the top of the food chain”? Why do you think Miranda was ashamed to face Via after returning home from camp?

She... Continue reading "Wonder Book Summary: Auggie's Journey" »

English Grammar Essentials

Understanding Passive and Active Voice

Active Voice: Subject + Verb + Complement (Object)

Passive Voice: Complement (Object) + To Be + Verb (third column/past participle) + by + Subject

Examples of Passive Voice Forms:

• Simple Passive: are arrested / were arrested
• Continuous Passive: are being arrested / were being arrested
• Perfect Passive: have been arrested / has been arrested
• Infinitive Passive: to be arrested

Impersonal Passive Constructions

These constructions are used when the agent of the action is unknown or unimportant, often starting with "It is said that..." or "He is thought to...".

1. You can use It is said, believed, etc. + that + clause.
2. You can use He, The man, etc. (i.e., the subject of the clause) + is said, believed,

Artificial Intelligence: Impact and Considerations

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the most significant topics in today's world. AI holds the potential to transform our lives for the better, yet it simultaneously raises important concerns about the future of human work and control over machines. This document presents both sides of the argument regarding the use and development of AI.

The Rise of AI: Benefits and Potential

On the one hand, AI has the potential to improve many aspects of our lives. Consider the following advantages:

• Enhanced Healthcare: AI-powered systems can analyze vast amounts of medical data to develop better treatments and make more accurate diagnoses.
• Task Automation: AI can automate routine tasks, freeing up

BEAT-BEAT-BEATEN-JO----------BEND-BENT-BENT-TOLESTU

BET-BET-BET-APOSTU EGIN------------BITE-BIT-BITTEN-HOZKA EGIN

BLEED-BLED-BLED-ODOLA JARIO----------BLOW-BLEW-BLOWN-APUTU

BREAK-BROKE-BROKEN-APURTU----BRING-BROUGHT-BROUGHT-EKARRI

BUILD-BUILT-BUILT-ERAIKI-----------BURN-BURNT/BURNTED- == -ERRE

BUY-BOUGHT-BOUGHT-EROSI----------CATCH-CAUGHT-CAUGHT-HARTU

CHOOSE-CHOSE-CHOSE-AUKERATU------------COME-CAME-COME-ETORRI

COST-COST-COST-KOSTATU------------CUT-CUT-CUT-MOZTU

DIG-DUG-DUG-AITZURTU------DO-DID-DONE-EGIN

DRAW-DREW-DRAWN-MARRAZTU-------DREAM-DREAMT/DREAMED-==-

DRINK-DRANK-DRUNK-EDAN--------DRIVE-DROVE-DRIVEN-GIDATU

EAT-ATE-EATEN-------FALL-FELL-FALLEN-ERORI------FEED-FED-FED-ELIKATU

FEEL-FELT-FELT-SENTITU--------FIGHT-FOUGHT-FOUGHT-BORROKATU

FIND-FOUND-FOUND-... Continue reading "Irregular Verbs in English: Past Simple and Past Participle Forms" »