British vs American English and Writing Structures
English Vocabulary and Definitions
- Ban: Prohibir
- Be about to: Estar a punt de
- Charm: Contradiu
- Command: Dorm
- Deserve: Merecer
- Devise: Idear
- Enable: Penetrar
- Enthusiastic: Entusiasta
- Expel: Expulsar
- Hop: Saltar
- Insane: Demente
- Judge: Jutjar
- Overcome: Superar
- Proficient: Proficient
- Proposal: Proposta
- Prosper: Prosperar
- Read aloud: Leer en voz alta
- Run counter to: Van en contra de
- Self-consciousness: Timid
- Start out: Partir
- Throughout: Arribar al propòsit
- Upcoming: Pròxim
- Value: Valor
- Yell: Cridar
Synonyms and Contextual Meanings
- Succeed finally: Prosper
- Principle: Value
- Jump on one foot: Hop
- Conflicts with: Runs counter to
- Form an opinion about: Judge
- Idea: Propose
- Again: Reviewed
- Insane: Not insane
- Cooperate: Together
- Enabling: To cause
- Non-Chinese: Not
- Bilingual: Two
- Overcrowded: Too much
Prefixes and Word Variations
- Overdone: Molt fet
- Underdone: Poc fet
- Distrust: Desconfiar
- Entrust: Donar responsabilitat
- Disappear / Reappear: Interdependent (depend on other) / Independent
- Premature: Too early
- Immature: Childish
- Prejudge: Formar opinió abans
- Misjudge: Després dels actes
- Devised: Idear
- Banned: Prohibir
- Advice: Assessorar
Grammar Notes and Phrases
Must have felt, thought, could have, we learned, should haven't banned, due to, be-have-re-arrange, direct-way, co-exist, enclose, non-member, bicycle.
British and American English Comparisons
- UK: Car park / US: Parking lot
- UK: Lorry / US: Truck
- UK: Motorway / US: Freeway
- UK: Pavement / US: Sidewalk
- UK: Pedestrian crossing / US: Crosswalk
- UK: Petrol / US: Gas
- UK: Tube/Underground / US: Subway
- UK: Windscreen (parabrises) / US: Windshield
- UK: Aubergine / US: Eggplant
- UK: Bill / US: Check
- UK: Biscuit / US: Cookie
- UK: Chips / US: Fries
- UK: Courgette (carbassó) / US: Zucchini
- UK: Crisps / US: Chips
- UK: Sweets / US: Candy
- UK: Dressing gown (bata) / US: Robe
- UK: Handbag / US: Purse
- UK: Pants (calçotets) / US: Underpants
- UK: Purse (monedero) / US: Coin purse
- UK: Scarf / US: Muffler
- UK: Tights (leotardos) / US: Pantyhose
- UK: Trainers / US: Sneakers
- UK: Trousers / US: Pants
- UK: Flat / US: Apartment
- UK: Tap (aixeta) / US: Faucet
- UK: Toilet / US: Bathroom
- UK: Garden / US: Yard
- UK: Cupboard / US: Closet
- UK: Waistcoat / US: Vest
- UK: Vest / US: Undershirt
Sentence Transformations and Synonyms
- Our town will succeed financially when the new factory is built. (Prosper)
- I believe in the basic principle of human rights. (Value)
- Can you jump on one foot for five minutes? (Hop)
- Your plan conflicts with the decisions we made yesterday. (Runs counter to)
- I don't think we should form an opinion about Kevin because we hardly know him. (Judge)
- We're going to hear her idea at tomorrow's meeting. (Propose)
English Grammar: Modals and Connectors
Modal Verbs
- Can: Poder
- Can't: No poder
- May/Might: Possibilitat
- Must: Obligació
- Mustn't: Prohibit
- Should: Recomanació
- Perfect Modals: Shouldn't have been
Writing and Redacción: Comparing Pictures
- Both pictures show...
- The pictures are alike because...
- Picture A shows..., while picture B shows...
- In picture A..., but in picture B...
- Expressing Opinion: Personally, I prefer...
Connectors and Contrast
- Connectors: Moreover, besides, in addition, as well as.
- Contrast: But, however (no obstant), nevertheless, although (tot i que), in spite of (a pesar de), while (mentre), whereas (mentre que).
- Other Expressions: In conclusion, to sum up, in short, in my opinion, I believe that...
Writing Structures and Essay Formats
- For and Against: 4 paragraphs (Introduction, arguments for/against, and conclusion).
- Story Narrative: Opening, who/where, ending, past perfect, extreme adjectives.
- Opinion Essay: 3 paragraphs (Introduction, arguments, to sum up).