English Grammar and Idiomatic Expressions

Sentence Structures

Green paint can be made by mixing...
My mother is said to sell books.
Books are sold by my mother.
Korea is known to have scored the last goal.
The last goal was scored by Correa.

You mustn't cheat in exams.
Someone must have seen Sabela yesterday.
Shall I help you with your...?
She can't be hungry because...

She shouldn't smoke because...
Angel was such a nice boy that he had many friends.
Would you like to have a coffee?
You'd better not do that.
I wish I had gone shopping...
If I had known it was you, I would have opened the door.
Shannon suggested going for a walk.
She is having her car repaired next week.
Although I worked hard, I didn't feel tired.
If only you didn't say nasty things.
The tall man, who she was working with, is my father.

Idiomatic Expressions

I've just bought a car that goes like a bomb (ir de perlas).

Bob offered Betty a cigarette to break the ice (romper el hielo).

The next time she tells me a lie, I'll give her a piece of my mind (cantar las cuarenta).

There's an exception to every rule (hay una excepción para toda regla).

I can't listen to him any longer; he gets on my nerves (sacar de quicio).

Similes

• As good as gold (Más bueno que el pan)
• As happy as a lark (Más feliz que una perdiz)
• As proud as a peacock (Más chulo que un ocho)
• As poor as a church mouse (Más pobre que las ratas)
• As fast as lightning (Más rápido que un rayo)
• As steady as a rock (Más fuerte que una roca)
• As mad as a hatter (Más loco que una cabra)
• As right as rain (Estoy como una rosa)
• As deaf as a post (Sordo como una tapia)
• Cool as a cucumber (Más fresco que una lechuga)

Common Phrases

Born with a silver spoon (Nacer con una flor en el culo).

To know something by heart (Saber de memoria).

A stone's throw away (A tiro de piedra).

To rub shoulders with someone (Codearse).

To save up for a rainy day (Ahorrar para los malos tiempos).

Additional Expressions

Something that is very well done (En menos que canta un gallo).

A confused situation (Qué rayada). A favorable situation (De lujo).

A person who works hard (Pato mareado - incorrect idiom use, likely intended as 'trabaja como un burro').

Someone's basic nature cannot be changed (Aunque la mona se vista…).

To buy something unseen (Gato por liebre). Slightly mad (Como una cabra).