English Grammar, Vocabulary, and Social Perspectives

Coordinating Conjunctions and Connectors

• For: para
• And: i
• Nor: ni
• But: pero
• Or: o
• Yet: pero (més suau)
• So: així que

Health Challenges Facing Teenagers Today

In my opinion, health awareness is one of the most important issues facing teenagers today. The fact that many teenagers are sexually active makes the problem even greater. It is clear that young people must constantly be told of the dangers of this disease and be offered ways of preventing it.

Correlative Conjunctions

• Both... and: i... i
• Whether... or: si... o no
• Either... or: ni... ni
• Not only... but also: no només... sinó també

English-Spanish Vocabulary Reference

I believe that it is not enough to have basic knowledge. Here is a list of essential terms:

• Pregnant: embarazada
• Subject: asignatura
• Kind: amable
• Friendly: simpàtic
• Stirring: agitació
• Sensitive: sensible
• Success: èxit
• Languages: idiomes
• Nowadays: actualment
• Slums: favelas
• Attendance: atendre
• A cold: resfriado
• Eventually: temporalmente
• Invested: invertit
• Topic: tema
• Keep still: quedarse quieto
• At all: en absoluto
• Important: importante
• Working day: jornada
• Monitoring: vigilar
• Warning: advertiment
• Try: intenta
• Discussions: arguments
• Remember: recorda
• Summary: resum
• Personnel: personal/employees
• Reply: contestar

The Impact of Fashion and Media Influence

I think fashion is now a tool we use to look good physically and to feel good about our appearance. Many apparel companies and fashion brands use methods to capture the attention and desire of the people in order to obtain more buyers. I think I do not let myself be influenced by these methods because I decide my tastes and the clothes I wear.

Media and Personality

The media, like television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet, are becoming predominant elements because they show a lot of publicity to the young. Currently, we allow ourselves to be influenced by all the fashion that most people follow; namely, we have no personality and copy others. People are guided by the tastes, patterns, and ways of acting of those who are considered famous or important.

Personal Style and Social Judgment

In my case, I like to wear clothes that fit me regardless of the brand or who uses it. Fashion and clothing have advantages, but they also have many disadvantages, since clothes also make us judge people. If a person dresses differently, then we discriminate regardless of their personality.

Grammar Rules: Gerunds and Prepositions

Gerunds after Prepositions

Use the gerund form after: After, before, by, in spite of, on, without.

Adjectives followed by Prepositions

• Afraid of
• Angry about/at
• Bad at
• Good at

Nouns followed by Prepositions

• Advantage of
• Chance of
• Choice between
• Danger of
• Difficulty in

Verbs followed by Prepositions or Gerunds

• Accuse(d) of
• Agree with
• Apologize for
• Believe in
• Admit(ted), avoid, carry on
• Consider, delay, deny, like, can't help, enjoy, finish, give up, imagine, include, involve, justify, keep, mention, risk

Common Expressions with Gerunds

• To be busy
• Couldn't help
• Don't mind
• Feel like
• How about
• It's good
• It's no use
• Worth