1980s Culture & Essential English Grammar Review

The 1980s: Culture, Trends, and Historical Context

The 1980s were a vibrant era, often remembered for its distinctive culture and significant global events. It was a time of unique fashion, groundbreaking music, and notable historical shifts.

Fashion and Lifestyle in the Eighties

People embraced a bold and colorful aesthetic. Fashion often featured very wide t-shirts, trousers, and skirts, alongside clothing in bright hues like red, blue, and pink. This period was characterized by a sense of fun and experimentation in personal style.

Music Icons and Genres

In the world of music, Hip Hop, Rap, and especially Rock were immensely popular. Michael Jackson stood out as the most popular singer of the decade, leaving an indelible mark on music history with his innovative sound and iconic performances.

Key Historical Events

Beyond the cultural highlights, the 1980s also witnessed significant global challenges, such as the Iraq War, which had a profound impact on international relations.

Essential English Vocabulary and Grammar

This section provides a concise review of key English vocabulary and fundamental grammar concepts, including common terms, phrasal verbs, and past tenses.

Core Vocabulary Terms

• Birth: nacimiento
• Boom: explosion, bombazo
• Craze: moda, locura
• Death: muerte
• Fashion: moda
• Gadget: aparato
• Hairstyle: peinado
• Icon: icono
• Invention: invento
• Look: estilo
• Peace: paz
• War: guerra

Phrasal Verbs with "Get"

The verb "get" is highly versatile and forms many common phrasal verbs:

• Get a bus (use transport): coger un bus
• Get a driving license: conseguir el carnet de conducir
• Get a goal (score): conseguir un objetivo
• Get a job: obtener un trabajo
• Get a present (for, from): comprar un regalo para / recibir un regalo de
• Get away: alejarse
• Get better: estar mejor
• Get dark: oscurecerse
• Get home, get to school (arrive): llegar a casa / al colegio
• Get the flu (an illness): coger la gripe
• Get tired: estar cansado
• Get together: juntarse
• Get up: levantarse
• Get upset: contrariarse

Understanding "Used To"

"Used to" describes past habits or states that no longer happen. It is invariable and always followed by the infinitive verb.

• Structure: Subject + used to + infinitive
• Example: She used to play...
• Negative: Subject + didn't use to + infinitive
• Example: We didn't use to go to the...
• Question: Did + subject + use to + infinitive?
• Example: Did you use to buy...?
• Short Answers: Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.

Mastering the Past Simple Tense

The Past Simple describes actions that were completed at a specific time in the past (e.g., yesterday, last week, last month). It answers "when."

• Affirmative: Subject + verb (2nd column / -ed) + complement
• Example: Yesterday, I ate pizza.
• Negative: Subject + didn't + verb (infinitive) + complement
• Example: She didn't go to the party.
• Question: Did + subject + verb (infinitive) + complement?
• Example: Did she go to...?
• Short Answers: Yes, she did. / No, she didn't.

Exploring the Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect connects past actions to the present. It is used for actions that started in the past and continue now, or actions that have a consequence in the present. Keywords include already, just, for, since, never, ever.

• Affirmative: Subject + have/has + past participle (3rd column) + complements
• Examples: I have learned cooking. She has studied French.
• Negative: Subject + haven't/hasn't + past participle + complements
• Example: They haven't finished the report.
• Question: Have/Has + subject + past participle + complements?
• Example: Have you taken the bus today?
• Short Answers: Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.

Understanding the Past Continuous Tense

The Past Continuous describes an action that was in progress at a specific moment in the past (e.g., "yesterday at 8 PM I was studying"). It often uses "while."

• Affirmative: Subject + was/were + verb (-ing) + complement
• Example: She was watching TV.
• Negative: Subject + wasn't/weren't + verb (-ing) + complement
• Example: They weren't listening.
• Question: Was/Were + subject + verb (-ing) + complement?
• Example: Was he watching TV?
• Short Answers: Yes, we were. / No, we weren't.

Combining Past Simple and Past Continuous

These tenses are often used together in the same sentence to describe a shorter action interrupting a longer, ongoing action. The Past Continuous describes the longer action, and the Past Simple describes the shorter, interrupting action.

• Example: While I was having a shower, the telephone rang.