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

Special Structures

Used to

~ Used to (solía): {used to + base form/ didn't/ did you used to…?} Cosas que hacía en el pasado, que ya no hace. Detrás del "used to" va un CD o un V.-ing. No se conjuga, se pone el verbo en forma base.

Would

~ Would: {would + base form} Verb en movimiento. Detrás del "would" va un infinitivo.

Be Used to (Estar acostumbrado)

~ Be used to: {(be) used to + object/ gerundio} Se conjuga el verbo "to be" y el "used to" queda igual. Detrás puede ir un CD o un V.-ing. Describe cosas a las que estamos acostumbrados.

Get Used to (Acostumbrarse a)

~ Get used to: {(get) used to + object/ gerundio} Se conjuga el "get" y el "used to" queda igual. Detrás puede ir un CD o un V.-ing. Describe algo en proceso de acostumbrarse. En... Continue reading "English Grammar Cheat Sheet" »

Verbs of Reporting

Verb Patterns

Adjectives

• cosmopolitan: cosmopolita
• deserted: desierto
• hideous:: horrible
• historic: histórico
• lively: alegre
• modern: modern
• packed: abarrotado
• peaceful: tranquilo
• remote: remote, muy lejano
• stunning: maravilloso
• touristy: turístico

Tourism Activities

• buy souvenirs: comprar recuerdos, souvenirs
• chill out: relajarse
• explore the countryside: visitor/ conocer el campo
• get away from it all: huir de todo
• go sightseening: hacer turismo
• sunbathe: tomar el sol
• take a bus tour: hacer una excursión con autobús
• take photos: sacar fotos

Travel

• journey: pasar de un lugar a otro
• travel: (the general activity of moving from place to place)
• trip: (a journey to place and back again, either for pleasure or for a specific reason)

Phrasal Verbs

• break down: descompostura
• carry on: continuar
• check

More Like Jesus

More like Jesus would I be,
Let my Savior dwell in me;
Fill my soul with peace and love;
Make me gentle as a dove;
More like Jesus, while I go,
Pilgrim in this world below;
Poor in spirit would I be;
Let my Savior dwell in me.

If He hears the raven's cry,
If His ever-watchful eye
Marks the sparrows when they fall,
Surely He will hear my call:
He will teach me how to live,
All my sinful thoughts forgive;
Pure in heart I still would be;
Let my Savior dwell in me.

More like Jesus when I pray,
More like Jesus day by day;
May I rest me by His side,
Where the tranquil waters glide:
Born of Him, through grace renewed,
By His love my will subdued,
Rich in faith I still would be;
Let my Savior dwell in me.

Literary Terms

• Knickerbockers: Three

Modal Verbs

Verb Tenses

Simple Present

Use: habits, routines, general truths.

Frequency adverbs: always, usually, often, once/twice, every, sometimes, occasionally, generally, each, normally.

Positive: subject + base verb (e.g., I study business administration)

Negative: subject + don't/doesn't + base verb (e.g., I don't study business administration)

Questions: Do/Does + subject + base verb? (e.g., Do you study business administration?)

Present Continuous

Use: actions happening now, temporary situations.

Time expressions: now,... Continue reading "English Grammar Cheat Sheet" »

Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure

On his day off, he did this, this, and that. On his day off, he did this, this, and that.

I love reading stories, watching the moon, and spending time with my friends.

I love reading stories, watching the moon, and spending time with my friends.

Mary likes reading, playing cards, and watching movies.

Mary likes reading, playing cards, and watching movies.

Perfect Modals

Perfect Modals

They must have practiced (deben haber practicado) a lot because they played beautifully.

My grandfather may have used (podría haber usado) this camera when he was young, but I am not sure.

Could have—podría haber

Can't have—no puede haber

Should have—deberías haber

Mixed Conditionals

Mixed Conditionals

If I were you, I would get... Continue reading "English Grammar: Parallel Structure, Modals, Conditionals & More" »

When was it?

Where were you?

Who were you with?

What did you wear?

Where did you go?

What did you do?

What was the weather like?

What time did you get home?

Why was it a memorable night?

Christmas Sales Surge in Spain

These are going to be the most prosperous Christmas for the consumer goods sector in Spain since the economic crisis. Sales in food are expected to increase significantly.

Sales Projections and Market Analysis

According to data from the Nielsen consultancy, food sales will grow by around 3%. The Asociación Española de Distribuidores, Autoservicios y Supermercados (Asedas) predicts an even greater increase, between 3% and 5%. These are notable figures, as the consumer goods sector is typically very stable and doesn't often experience such substantial growth.

Nielsen estimates that products worth €11.5 billion will be sold during the Christmas season, representing 20% of the entire year's revenue. Ignacio García... Continue reading "Christmas Sales Surge: Spanish Consumers Embrace E-commerce for Holiday Shopping" »

PASSIVE/CAUSATIVE

He repaired my car: My car was repaired by him/ I had my car repaired by him.

They are going to clean her house: Her house is going to be cleaned.../ She is going to have her house cleaned.

She will cut your hair tomorrow: your hair will be cut.../ you will have your hair cut by…

MODALS

Poder: 1) CAN: puedo/cannot  2) COULD: pude-podria/could not  3)BE ABLE TO: podre venir mañana/ I will be able -- Pudiste haberlo hecho you were able to have told me that.

Possibility/Permission: 1) MAY: puedo/may not  2) MIGHT: podria/ might not.

Deber: 1) MUST: debo/ must not  2) SHOULD=OUGHT TO: deberia/should not=ought not to.  3) HAVE TO: debiste haber estudiado mas/ You had to have studied harder.

Seria mejor que:  1)HAD BETTER/ had... Continue reading "English Grammar and Vocabulary Practice" »

Memory and Learning Terms

• Long-term memory
• Short-term memory
• Process information
• Recycle information
• Effective strategy (estrategia efectiva)
• Short-term deadline (fecha limite)
• Fail an exam/test
• Pass an exam/test

Modal Verbs

• Obligation: must, have to + verb base form
• Recommendation or Advice: should, ought to
• Probability or Possibility: can, may (more formal), might (more informal)
• Ability: can, be able to
• Necessity: need to
• Prohibition: mustn't, can't

Adjectives: -ing vs. -ed

Adjectives ending in -ing describe the situation or thing causing the feeling.

Adjectives ending in -ed describe the feeling itself.

• Stressful (situation) vs. Stressed (feeling)
• Impressive (thing) vs. Impressed (feeling)
• Repulsive (thing) vs. Repulsed (feeling)
• Attractive (thing) vs. Attracted