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

Marina's Dilemma: A Friendship Question

Hi Andreu! We’ve been on holiday here in England for a month. I have met this guy, Martin. He’s gorgeous, but last week I saw Martin with another girl. He says that she is his best friend, but I don’t know. I’m not sure how I feel about him. I need your advice! I met him at the cinema when we were watching a horror film. I’m very happy because when he isn’t with her friends, he’s flirting with me. I’ve been thinking about things a lot since then. What do you reckon? Help me, please! A kiss, Marina!

Essential English Vocabulary for Relationships

• split up with: separarse
• flirted with: flirtear con
• had an argument with: discutir con
• finish with: romper con
• met: conocer
• going out with: salir con
• getting

English Connectors and Linkers

Adding information: And, also, too, besides, as well, moreover, in addition, and furthermore.

Expressing contrast: Although, though, even though, however, but, on the one hand, on the other hand, nevertheless, and nonetheless.

Giving examples: For example, for instance, such as, that is to say, and in other words.

Expressing consequences: As a result, therefore, and thus.

Concluding: In short, in conclusion, in summary, and last but not least.

Grammar Structures and Pronouns

Orders and Gerunds

Orders: He told me to go.

Using -ING: Like, dislike, love, prefer, enjoy, hate, suggest, and before.

Pronouns and Possessives

• Object Pronouns (after the verb): Me, you, him, her, it, us, and them.
• Possessive Adjectives (before the noun)

Passive Voice and Prepositions

Passive Voice

Tense Comparison

Have Something Done

• Liz and Meg are having their hair dyed.
  Liz y Meg se están haciendo teñir el pelo.
• Mr. Singer always has his suits made at the tailor's shop.
  El señor

Additives and Junk Food

Additives in junk food can have a detrimental effect on both physical and mental well-being. These comida basura often lack essential nutrients, leading to deficits and imbalances that can manifest as various symptoms, including:

• Restlessness (inquietud)
• Mood swings
• Sweaty and panicky episodes

Over-reliance on junk food can contribute to a worsening (decline) in overall health and increase the risk of chronic diseases.

Side Effects and Long-Term Consequences

The harmful (dañino) effects of a poor diet extend beyond immediate discomfort. Over-prescription (exceso de prescripción) of medications and over-reliance (sobre confianza) on quick fixes can mask underlying nutritional deficiencies. This can create a vicious cycle... Continue reading "The Impact of Diet on Behavior and Health" »

Present Simple

Do/Does-Preguntas vbos normales, ej. I usually get up at 7.00 o’clock, I love fish.->Always, usually, generally, regularly, occasionally, frequently, often, sometimes, rarely, seldom, never. In the morning/afternoon... at 6.30, on Mondays, every week, once a week, how often..?

Present Continuous

Are/Is/Am+ing ej. I am listening to music, This month he is living in Madrid.~>-Now, right now, at the moment, This year, at present, today, these days, this month, This evening, tonight, tomorrow, next. Friday/week/month.

Past Simple

Acciones completadas en el pasado ej. Mary bought a new car last week, We had dinner and watched a film.->-Yesterday, last week/year/month, three days ago, in 1989, in the 1970s, in the 19th century,... Continue reading "English Verb Tenses and Vocabulary" »

Mastering the Verb "To Be"

Present Tense: "To Be"

• Affirmative: he/she/it is, you/we/they are
• Negative: he isn't, I'm not, you aren't
• Interrogative: Is he...?, Are you...?

Past Tense: "To Be"

• he was
• we were

Understanding "Have Got"

Present Tense: "Have Got"

• Affirmative: he has, you have
• Negative: he hasn't got, we haven't got
• Interrogative: Has he got...?, Have you got...?

Comparatives and Superlatives

Comparative Adjectives

• For adjectives with one or two syllables, add -er than.
  • Example: Óscar is stronger than Pepe.
• For adjectives with three or more syllables, use more than.
  • Example: The flower is more beautiful than the plant.

Superlative Adjectives

• For adjectives with one or two syllables, use the -est.
  • Example: the biggest building
• For adjectives with three

1. Phone Call Vocabulary

Common Phrases

• Answer: responder
• Be careful: tener cuidado
• Break up: romper
• Caller: persona que llama
• Extension: extensión
• Get cut off: cortarse la llamada
• Hang up: colgar el teléfono
• Make a mistake: cometer un error
• Professional: profesional
• Put...on hold: poner en espera
• Put...through: pasar la llamada
• Repeat: repetir
• Ring: sonar
• Wrong number: número erróneo

2. Describing People

Personality Traits

• Angry: enfadado
• Friendly: amigable
• Funny: divertido
• Polite: educado
• Rude: maleducado
• Serious: serio

3. More Phone Call Phrases

Common Expressions

• Go out of the office: salir de la oficina
• Out of town: fuera de la ciudad
• Interference: interferencia
• Interrupt: interrumpir
• Leave a message: dejar un mensaje
• Leave a voicemail: dejar un mensaje de voz
• Line

Mastering Conditional Sentences and Hypothetical Wishes

Spanish and English Grammar Practice

This section provides practical examples illustrating various conditional structures, wishes, and related conjunctions in both Spanish and English, focusing on accurate translation and grammatical usage.

1. Si viajaras a India, verías lo que significa ser realmente pobre

   If you travelled to India, you would see what it means to be really poor.

2. No me iré a menos que vengas conmigo

   I won't go away unless you come with me.

3. Dave habría tenido más éxito si hubiera trabajado más duro

   Dave would have been more successful if he had worked harder.

4. Mary se habría quedado en Internet toda la noche si su madre no la hubiera obligado a acostarse

   Mary would have stayed

Crime and Punishment

• Crime doesn't pay - El que la hace la paga
• Shape - Forma
• Turn up - Aparecer/aumentar
• Gaze - Mirar
• Raise - Levantar
• Unfolded - Desdoblado
• Barely - Apenas
• Appointment - Cita
• Hand - Dar
• Lost track of - Pista perdida de
• Lean on - Apoyarse
• Scar - Cicatriz
• Steady - Estable
• Reassure - Asegurar
• Brought up - Levantar/mencionar
• Are going on
• Turn in
• Gave away
• Put down
• Back up
• Take out
• Mugger - Agresor
• Con artist - Estafador
• Pickpocket - Carterista
• Shoplifter - Ladrón
• Get caught - Quedar atrapado
• Let off - Dejar ir
• Proof - Prueba
• Safeguard - Salvaguardar
• Fine - Multa
• Gets away with - Salirse con la suya
• Guilty - Culpable
• Trial - Juicio
• Valuables - Objetos de valor
• Ran off with - Escapar
• Breaking into - Entrar ilegal

Money and Finance

• Cost an arm and a leg - Cuesta demasiado
• Well

Modal Verbs in English

1. Expressing Possibility

a) Can

Used to express the ability or possibility of doing something in the present tense.

Examples:

• I can speak English.
• You can smoke here.
• You can come now if you want.

b) May

Used to indicate possibility in the present or future. The situation is more likely to happen than with 'might'.

Examples:

• He may arrive (it's possible he will arrive).
• I may go to the mall (I am considering going to the mall).

c) Might

Used to express prediction or possibility in the present or future, but less certain than 'may'.

Examples:

• In the future, employees might not retire at the age of 65.

2. Expressing Obligation and Advice

a) Should

Used to give advice or make suggestions.

Examples:

• You should visit your friend. He is sick.
• You