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

English Grammar Guide

Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds (Verb + -ing)

• After certain verbs: admit, advise, avoid, consider, deny, involve, recommend, risk, suggest, sing
• After prepositions (but not before): I drank a cup of coffee before leaving.
• As the subject or object of a sentence: Swimming is good exercise.
• After certain expressions: I can't help wondering.

Infinitives ('to' + Verb)

• After certain verbs: agree, decide, deserve, expect, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, promise, seem, wait, want
• After many adjectives: It's difficult to get up early.

Examples:

• I enjoy drawing.
• Yesterday, I decided to draw.

Live, Alive, Live

• Verb: We live in Valencia.
• Adjective: You're lucky to be alive.
• Adverb: They enjoy playing live.

Word Order

Subject + Verb + Object + How +... Continue reading "English Grammar Guide: Gerunds, Infinitives, and Modals" »

Josemaría and I were very good friends since our brothers went to class together. He and I were like brothers, we went everywhere together, and the whole school knew us. Some said he was my boyfriend, but he and I loved each other like brothers. Our fathers had worked together for many years, and our mothers were close friends, like our brothers and like us. Every day we saw each other at school, and some weekends we spent together at their house or mine since our parents would meet for dinner together.

When our brothers grew up and changed schools, they stopped being friends, but Josemaría and I were still as close friends as we had always been. After a while, when I changed schools, he also changed friends, and we stopped being so close... Continue reading "Close Friendship Story: Growing Apart Over Time" »

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

Verse 1

Well, you done done me and you bet I felt it

I tried to be chill, but you're so hot that I melted

I fell right through the cracks, now I'm trying to get back

Before the cool run out, I'll be giving it my best

And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention

I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

Chorus

But I won't hesitate, no more, no more

It cannot wait, I'm yours

Verse 2

Well, open up your mind and see like me

Open up your plans and damn, you're free

Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love

Listen to the music of the moment, people dance and sing

We're just one big family

It's our God-forsaken right to be loved, love, loved, love, love

Chorus

So I won't hesitate, no more, no more

It cannot... Continue reading "I'm Yours: Jason Mraz Lyrics" »

1.Many people dream of being famous,but do famous people have better lives?

This story is about what happened in a park to me and some friends.

This was a summer night, we were some friends gathered in a park to celebrate some good news, when we were swinging, a very sinister woman appeared, who began to look at us for a long time without moving. Our side, just as we wanted to talk to her, she just smiled at us. So scared we were, we ran away and she immediately began to chase us. When everything was calmer we went to some chairs placed near where we were but the girl reappeared behind us.We, scared to death, wanted to leave and went to a friend’s house to dismiss her so that she would not see us.

The girl never appeared again all night, but when she disappeared, we started hearing screams and asking for help, we stayed... Continue reading "What is the story "what happened to a dean of santiago" about?" »

Of Mice and Men is a novel written by John Steinbeck, set in California in the early 1900s, during the Great Depression. At this moment of the novel, Curley's wife is introduced for the first time, and Steinbeck describes the atmosphere and reactions of Lennie and George upon seeing her. This essay will explore in detail the ways in which Steinbeck portrays the different feelings of the reader about Curley's Wife through the use of vivid imagery, characterization, metaphors, comparisons, and its themes showing how it was to be a woman at that time.

Discomfort

To start with, one of the main feelings Steinbeck generates in the reader is discomfort. Through the use of characterization, Steinbeck introduces Curley's Wife with 'rouged lips and wide-... Continue reading "Portrayal of Curley's Wife in Of Mice and Men" »

Future Simple

Form: subject + will + main verb

Uses of Future Simple:

• On-the-spot decisions: This is a good post. I'll apply for it.
• Future predictions: based on beliefs or imagination (often with verbs like hope, think, believe, expect, imagine; expressions like I'm sure, I'm afraid; or adverbs like probably, perhaps). I hope the manager will give me a promotion. Perhaps Jenny will finish the report on time.
• Promises: (often with verbs like promise, swear) I promise to help you write your CV.
• Threats, warnings, hopes, offers: Don't hand in your essay late, I will not accept it. You should leave or you'll miss your interview. She hopes her new colleagues will like her. I'll drive you to work tomorrow.
• Scheduled future events: It will be spring soon.

Aviation Tragedy: Beijing to USA Flight

Last month, a tragic accident occurred in China. A plane crashed while flying from Beijing to the USA, resulting in the loss of all 200 passengers on board. It appears the crash was caused by an engine fault. Although the plane departed Beijing on schedule with no reported issues, an eyewitness reported that while flying over the American countryside, the aircraft suddenly developed engine problems. The witness described hearing a horrible noise followed by a massive explosion. This incident has been widely covered by international media and is considered one of the worst aviation disasters in recent years.

Corruption and Public Unrest in Spain

Corruption is becoming increasingly prevalent in Spain, leading... Continue reading "Global News Updates: Aviation Tragedies, Spanish Corruption, and Invictus Review" »

Some decide to study abroad because they think is better and they learn more, but this is true?

Firstly, go to study in another country is better because you learn a new language, new cultures and you meet people very different from you. Furthermore you learn differently than in your country and this is cool.

Secondly, study abroad is bad because you miss your family and you get used to an environment that is not yours.

In conclusion, I believe that it is better to study in another country to live a unique experience

Vocabulary Completion Exercise

Complete the sentences with the words below. There are more words than you need:

Shocking, personal trainer, swollen, breathe, sigh, reflection, relax, treatment

1. My personal trainer makes sure I do all the right exercises.
2. I asked the author to sign the book.
3. After I fell, my foot was swollen.
4. I think it's shocking the way some animals are mistreated.
5. What treatment did the doctor suggest for your rash?
6. I see my reflection in the window.

Sentence Rewriting Practice

Rewrite the following sentences using the words in brackets. Do not change the original meaning of the sentences:

1. In the past, trains were much slower. (used to)
   In the past, trains used to be much slower.
2. I don't know the girl. Her dog ate all your food. (whose)