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

Vocabulary: Business Negotiations

• Bargain: Trato o acuerdo (beneficio unilateral).
• Consensus: Consenso.
• Deadlock: Punto muerto.
• Leverage: Influencia.
• Proposal: Propuesta.
• Agreement: Acuerdo (beneficio mutuo).
• Offer: Oferta.
• Refuse: Rechazar.
• Recapitulate: Recapitular.

Common Business Phrases

• Next order
• Consider a discount
• I would like to speak with
• Put somebody through
• I'm afraid that
• Send a budget
• Get an order
• Discontinued product
• Spare units
• Give an extra

English Grammar: Conditionals

Zero Conditional

If + Present Simple, Present Simple. Used for general truths or scientific facts. Example: If you heat ice, it melts.

First Conditional

If + Present Simple, Future Simple. Used for possible future situations. Example: If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.

Second

Irregular Verbs

Common Irregular Verbs

Formal Complaint Letter Template

From: [Sender Name]

To: [Recipient Name]

Sent: March 12th, 2019

Subject: Order No. 111

Dear Sir/Madam,

On July 7th, 2019, I bought a [Product Name/Reference]. I made this purchase at IKEA in Alcorcón on March 12th.

Unfortunately, your product has not performed well (desafortunadamente su producto no funcionaba bien) because it does not match the sample cupboard (el armario de muestra no coincide).

To resolve the problem, I would appreciate it if you could replace the article. I have attached a copy of the invoice (se adjunta copia de la factura).

I look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem. I will wait until Friday before seeking third-party assistance. Please contact me at the above address or by phone... Continue reading "Professional Business English: Complaints and Scheduling" »

Product and Brand Attributes

• Price: Precio
• Reliability: Fiabilidad
• Not tested on animals: No probado con animales
• Smells nice: Huele bien
• Does what it promises: Cumple promesas
• Feels nice: Tacto agradable
• Brand name: Marca
• Natural: Natural
• Scientifically proven result: Resultados científicamente probados
• Keeps a long time: Dura mucho
• Doesn’t cause allergies: No causa alergias

Workplace Environment and Benefits

• Atmosphere: Ambiente
• Factor: Factor
• Flexibility: Flexibilidad
• Responsibility: Responsabilidad
• Support: Apoyo
• Training: Formación
• Bonus: Bono
• Overtime: Horas extras
• Promotion: Ascenso
• Workforce: Mano de obra

Professional Qualities and Actions

• Challenging: Desafiante
• Essential: Esencial
• Financial: Financiero
• Flexible: Flexible
• Relaxed: Relajado
• Make suggestions:

Conditionals

1) IF + Subject + Present Simple; Subject + Will + Verb (Infinitive). (If/Unless... Unless is never negative).

2) IF + Subject + Past Simple; Subject + Would + Verb (Infinitive). (Verbs must be in Present/Present).

3) IF + Subject + Past Perfect (Had + V.ed/3rd form); Subject + Would have + V.ed/3rd form. (Verbs must be in Past/Past).

SO: Starts with the first sentence.

BECAUSE: Starts with the second sentence.

I WISH/IF ONLY

I wish + Subject + (If the verb is in PRESENT/FUTURE, use PAST SIMPLE).

I wish + Subject + (If it's a behavior, use COULD/WOULD).

I wish + Subject + (If the verb is in PAST, it's a regret, use PAST PERFECT “HAD + V.ed/3rd form”).

Sentence Structures

1) Started + V.ing (ago) == Subject + have/has + been + V.ing +... Continue reading "English Grammar: Conditionals, Wishes, and Passive Voice" »

Essential Phrases for Daily Interactions

Asking about Departure Time:

• ¿A qué hora sales de casa? (What time do you leave home?)

Expressing Likes and Dislikes:

• A ella le gusta su trabajo. (She likes her job.)
• A él no le gusta trabajar. (He doesn't like working.)

Workplace Communication:

• Necesito que archives estos documentos. (I need you to file these documents.)

Inquiring about Meetings:

• No sé cuándo es la reunión. ¿Cuándo es la reunión? (I don't know when the meeting is. When is the meeting?)
• ¿Sabes a qué hora es la reunión? (Do you know what time the meeting is?)

Telling Time:

• Son las cinco menos cuarto. (It is a quarter to five.)
• Son las cinco y cuarto. (It is a quarter past five.)

Managing Time and Resources:

• No hay suficiente tiempo. (There

A Personal Journey: Places, People, and Aspirations

My Hometown: Burriana, Spain

I live in Burriana, a middle-sized town situated on the east coast of Spain. It has approximately 40,000 citizens. Burriana is a very beautiful city and belongs to the Comunidad Valenciana.

This town boasts a very long beach and is quite touristic, especially because the Fallas are celebrated here in March. These festivities are internationally known. The area surrounding the town is characterized by vast orange groves.

A Visited City: Rome, Italy

I have visited Rome, which is situated in Southern Europe. It has approximately 4,000,000 citizens. Rome is often called the "Eternal City" because of its immense age and historical significance. Rome possesses a wealth of... Continue reading "Life in Burriana, Career Goals, and Friend Profiles" »

Common English Irregular Verbs

This table provides a reference for frequently used irregular verbs in English, including their base form, past simple, and past participle.

Inquiry Regarding Private Lessons in Madrid

Dear Mr. Brown,

I am writing in response to an advertisement I saw for private classes. I am interested in enrolling and would appreciate it if you could send me more information about the subjects you teach.

First, the advertisement mentions that the private classes are held in Madrid. I was also wondering if students can choose the subjects and the preferred schedule. I will be attending high school until June and will have many exams. Finally, I would like to know if it is possible to pay in installments.

Thank you very much for your help. I look forward to your response.

English Grammar: Future Tenses

• Future Continuous:
  • (+) Subject + will be + verb-ing + complements
  • (-) Subject + won't be + verb-ing +

Social Issues and Urban Life Vocabulary

• Treat: Tratar
• Low-income: Bajos ingresos
• Sense of belonging: Sentido de pertenencia
• Slum: Barrio bajo / Tugurio
• Feel left out: Sentirse excluido
• Juvenile delinquency: Delincuencia juvenil
• Reach a compromise: Llegar a un compromiso
• Homeless: Vagabundo / Sin techo
• Get along with: Llevarse bien con
• Gangs: Bandas criminales
• See eye to eye: Estar de acuerdo / Ver las cosas de la misma manera
• Residential area: Zona residencial
• Pull my weight: Hacer mi parte / Colaborar
• Crime rate: Tasa de criminalidad
• Take advantage of: Aprovecharse de
• Suburbs: Las afueras
• Share: Cuota / Parte
• Commute: Ir al trabajo
• Lend: Prestar
• Traffic jams: Atascos
• Considerate: Considerado
• Green spaces: Espacios verdes
• In charge of: A cargo de
• Litter: Basura
• Graffiti: