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

Verbs of Reporting

Verb Patterns

Essential English Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb. Here is a list of common phrasal verbs with their definitions and Spanish translations:

• Take off: To remove clothing. / Quitarse ropa.
• Stand for: To be an abbreviation of, or to signify. / Significar.
• Bring together: To introduce people to other people, or to unite. / Reunir, Unir.
• Get on with: To have a friendly relationship with someone. / Llevarse bien con.
• Try on: To put on clothes to see if they fit or look good. / Probarse algo (ropa).
• Try out: To test a new activity or item to see if it is suitable. / Probar algo (actividad/objeto).
• Look for: To search for something. / Buscar.
• Look after: To take care of someone or something. / Cuidar.
• Look up:

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

English Verb Tenses and Structures

Present Simple (P. SIMPL)

• (+) Affirmative: Subject + Verb + Complement
• (-) Negative: Subject + don't/doesn't + Verb (infinitive) + Complement
• (?) Interrogative: Do/Does + Subject + Verb (infinitive) + Complement

Present Continuous (P. CONTIN)

• (+) Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + Verb (-ing) + Complement
• (-) Negative: Subject + aren't/isn't/am not + Complement
• (?) Interrogative: (Wh-word) + am/is/are + Subject + Verb (-ing)

Present Perfect (PR. PERFECT)

• (+) Affirmative: Subject + have/has + Past Participle
• (-) Negative: Subject + haven't/hasn't + Past Participle
• (?) Interrogative: (Wh-word) + have/has + Subject + Past Participle

Future Tenses

• Future Simple: will + Verb (infinitive)
• Future Continuous: Subject + will + be

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" »

Essential English Modal Verbs and Usage

Expressing Obligation and Necessity

• HAVE TO: Obligation imposed by a rule or external factor. (Tener que hacer por obligación – Norma)
  • Example: Tienes que llevar uniforme al colegio.
• MUST: Strong personal obligation or necessity (internal feeling). (Tener que hacer sin obligación – Obligación personal)
  • Example: Le tengo que comprar un regalo a mi madre porque es su cumpleaños.
• NEED TO: Necessity. (Necesidad)
• MUST and HAVE TO: Can be used to give very strong advice.

Lack of Obligation and Prohibition

• DON'T HAVE TO: Lack of necessity or obligation. (No tienes por qué hacerlo)
• DON'T NEED TO / NEEDN'T: Lack of necessity. (No tienes necesidad de hacerlo)
• MUSTN'T (CAN'T): Absolute prohibition. (Prohibición absoluta)

Common Phrases with "In"

• In principle: en principio
• In fact: de hecho
• In debt: en deuda
• In charge: a cargo
• In the habit of: habituado
• In moderation: con moderación
• In case of: en caso de
• In particular: en particular
• In detail: minuciosamente
• In common: en común
• In public: en público
• In return: a cambio de
• In brief: en resumen
• In comfort: en la comodidad
• In no time: en un instante
• In existence: en existencia
• In name only: solo de palabra
• In advance: por adelantado, con antelación
• In secret: en secreto
• In vain: en vano
• In disguise: de incógnito

Common Phrases with "For"

• For a change: para variar
• For once: por una vez
• For nothing: sin motivo / gratis
• For hire: en alquiler
• For life: de por vida
• For the sake of: por el bien de

Common Phrases with "At"

• At a glance: en un

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" »