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

English Verb Tenses

Past Simple

Form:

• Regular verbs: Base form + -ed (e.g., wanted)
• Irregular verbs: Consult an irregular verb list (e.g., went)
• Negative: Did not + base form (e.g., didn't want)

Uses:

• Completed actions in the past (e.g., last year, yesterday, in 1937)

Past Continuous

Form:

• Was/Were + present participle (-ing form) (e.g., was walking, were talking)

Uses:

• Actions in progress at a specific time in the past
• Often used with "when" (past simple for the interrupting action) and "while" (past continuous for the longer action)

Present Perfect

Form:

• Have/Has + past participle (e.g., have talked, has eaten)

Uses:

• Actions completed at an unspecified time in the past
• Actions that started in the past and continue to the present
• Often used with "never," "ever,

English Grammar Essentials

Verb Tenses

Present and Past Tenses

• Present Simple (Past Simple)
• Present Continuous (Past Continuous)
• Present Perfect (Past Perfect)
• Past Simple (Past Perfect)
• Past Continuous (Past Perfect Continuous)

Future Tenses and Modals

• Be Going To (Was/Were Going To)
• Will (Would)
• Would (Would)
• Can (Could)
• Could (Could)
• May (Might)
• Might (Might)
• Must (Had To)
• Mustn't (Mustn't)
• Should/Ought to (Should/Ought to)

Adverbs of Time

• Now (Then)
• Today (That Day)
• Tonight (That Night)
• Yesterday (The Previous Day)
• Tomorrow (The Next Day)
• Next Week (The Following Week)
• Last Week (The Previous Week)
• A Week Ago (The Week Before)
• This (That)
• These (Those)
• Here (There)

Reported Speech

Statements

Use verbs like "say" or "tell." Look for time shifts. Example: Simon said, "David... Continue reading "English Grammar: Tenses, Conditionals, and Passive Voice" »

Competition Policy in Mexico vs. the European Union

Statement: There is a popular belief that competition policy in Mexico is oriented towards consumer protection. However, this is not the case. This criterion differs from that proposed by the European Union, which does consider consumer protection among the pillars of its competition policy.

Question: What is the main orientation of competition policy in Mexico, and how is it different from other jurisdictions? Consider at least one jurisdiction other than Mexico in your interpretation.

Answer: Consumers are the ultimate beneficiaries of competition policy. In an environment of effective competition, companies strive to be better than their competitors and, therefore, win customers, reduce their... Continue reading "Competition Law and Policy in Mexico: A Comparative Analysis" »

Finding Joy in Your Work

Happiness at Work

If you want to be happy at work, remember that all problems can be solved.

Another way to be happy is to enrich your work environment with photos and flowers.

Working Conditions

Builders have worse working conditions than bankers.

Job Satisfaction

I love developing new products. It's the most fascinating job in the company.

Information technology specialists are slightly happier than real estate agents.

Legal Profession

I am a lawyer specializing in real estate law. My work is always interesting.

I handle all the legal work related to the sale of buildings and land.

I work 60 hours a week and sometimes get very stressed, but I'm happy most of the time.

Fitness Industry

I am a personal trainer. I love this job because

**That's a Real Point in Favor of a Working Mother**

And this is very well-paid. My schedule is much more flexible than in some of the larger accounting firms.

**I'm a Public Employee and Work for the Board**

I'm in a department with eight others. Our job is to attract investment to the area. I love the teamwork.

**This is the Most Stimulating Work I've Ever Had**

In addition, my work is very secure. I'm happier in my job than most of the people I know.

**When I'm Not at Work, I Spend All My Time with My Children**

Allow me to say a few words about myself. I was born in the United States and now work on the West Coast.

**I Love to Go Back to My Hometown Whenever I Can**

I really miss my family. I grew up in the North of England, but my family moved

Mrs. Doubtfire

A Story of a Divorced Family

Chris, Natty, and Lydia are torn between their divorced parents. They live with their responsible mother, Miranda, but desperately miss their fun-loving father, Daniel.

Daniel, a dedicated but childish man, struggles with keeping his house clean. Miranda wants the children to stay with her due to Daniel's uncleanliness and infrequent visits.

Desperate to see his kids, Daniel devises a plan. Miranda seeks a housekeeper to care for the children and the house. Daniel, seizing the opportunity, disguises himself as Mrs. Doubtfire, a charming and capable nanny.

Mrs. Doubtfire cares for the children daily, keeping the house immaculate. However, Miranda becomes suspicious. One day, she discovers Mrs. Doubtfire'... Continue reading "Mrs. Doubtfire: A Family Comedy" »

English Vocabulary and Grammar Notes

Health and Fitness Vocabulary

• Disease: enfermedad
• Endurance: resistencia
• Mood: humor
• Pressure: presión
• Self-discipline: autodisciplina
• Sign: síntoma
• Trainer: entrenador

Health and Fitness Verbs & Phrases

• Avoid: evitar
• Break up: romper / disolver
• Chase: perseguir
• Come down with: coger una enfermedad
• Cut down on: reducir el consumo de
• Deal with: ocuparse de
• Enable: permitir
• Get over: recuperarse de
• Give up: rendirse
• Improve: mejorar
• Injure: lesionar
• Kick in: empezar a hacer efecto
• Last: durar
• Put on: ganar peso
• Run away: huir
• Sense: sentir
• Strengthen: fortalecer
• Take up: empezar a practicar
• Warm up: calentarse
• Work out: hacer ejercicio

Health and Fitness Adjectives

• Exhausted: agotado
• Fed up with: harto de
• Miserable: triste
• Nutritious:

TEMA 6: HOW MUCH?

CONSUMERISM

• Borrow: To take money or goods with the promise of returning them later.
• Coin: A small, flat piece of metal used as money.
• Earn: To receive money for work done.
• Exchange (n): The act of giving or receiving one thing in return for another.
• Exchange (v): To give or receive one thing in return for another.
• Lend: To give money or goods to someone with the expectation of being repaid.
• Make money: To earn money.
• Manage money: To control and plan how money is spent and saved.
• Note: A piece of paper money.
• Owe: To be obligated to pay back money or goods.
• Pocket money: Money given to a child for personal expenses.
• Rent: To pay for the use of something, such as a house or car.
• Save: To put money aside for future use.
• Spend: To use money

English Grammar Cheat Sheet

Past Simple vs. Present Perfect

Past Simple

Use for completed actions in the past.

Time markers: yesterday, last week, two days ago, when

Present Perfect

Use for actions that started in the past and continue to the present.

Time markers: never, ever, already, just, yet, lately, for, since

For negative sentences, use the corresponding positive tense.

Questions

Use the same tense as the original statement.

Structure: (wh + verb + subject + verb + rest of the sentence)

If there's only one verb, conjugate the verb 'to be' in the corresponding tense.

Question words:

• What - qué
• When - cuándo
• Where - dónde
• How many - cuánto
• Who - quién
• Why - por qué
• Which - cuál

Relative Clauses

Defining

No commas needed. If the relative pronoun is the... Continue reading "English Grammar Cheat Sheet: Mastering Key Concepts" »