English Language Essentials: Grammar, Vocabulary & Usage Tips

Essential English Grammar & Vocabulary

Relative Pronouns Explained

• Who: people
• Which: things
• When: time
• Where: place
• Whose: possession
• That: people/things

Key Vocabulary & Expressions (English-Catalan)

• To date: a dia d'avui
• In turn: per torns
• Nod: assentir
• Lack of: falta de
• Distressing: angoixant
• Relieves: alleuja, calma
• Afford: permetre's
• Take pleasure in: gaudir
• In appreciation of: dir alguna cosa a favor de
• Beyond my reach: fer alguna cosa més enllà de les teves possibilitats
• Owe: deure
• Inherited: heretar
• Poverty: pobresa
• Bargain: xollo

Descriptive Adjectives & Verbs (English-Catalan)

• Reliable: de confiança
• Awesome: increïble
• Daft: ximple, tonto
• Outstanding: excel·lent, destacat
• Weird: estrany, raro
• Sneaky: furtiu, poc fiable
• Easy-going: fàcil de tractar
• Infamous: de mala reputació
• Motivated: motivat
• Spoilt: mimat
• Adventurous: aventurer
• Dishonest: deshonest
• Dull: avorrit, soso
• Thoughtful: considerat, amable
• Giggle: riure nerviós
• Float: flotar
• Flipper: aleta
• Swear: jurar
• Handshake: encaixada de mans
• Spit: escopir
• Pull the rug out from (under someone): treure l'alfombra (a algú), deixar algú sense suport
• Drown: ofegar-se
• Sweep: escombrar
• Get out: sortir
• Weigh: pesar

Verbs with Prepositions & Fixed Expressions

• Dreamed about: Yesterday I dreamed about my kiss with her.
• Dream of: being a journalist.
• Depend on: It depends on me passing my exams.
• Receive a letter from.
• Think about: her last night.
• Think of: What do you think of my boyfriend?
• Think in: Do you think in Spanish when you speak English?
• Think aloud: parlar en veu alta
• On television.
• Arrived at: the square of SFG.
• Arrived in: London yesterday.
• Responsible for.
• Consist of: to be made up of (parts).
• Consist in: to lie in (essence).
• Spend too much money on.
• Wait inside.

English Tenses Review

• Past Simple: was/were + past participle
• Past Continuous: was/were + -ing form
• Present Perfect Simple: have/has + past participle
• Past Perfect Simple: had + past participle

Sentence Transformations & Common Errors

• "How heavy is your backpack? (weigh)" → How much does your backpack weigh?
• "Robyn called during my favourite TV show (watching)" → Robyn called while I was watching.
• "I think this is Janet’s tablet (belongs)" → I think this tablet belongs to Janet.
• "When was your exam? (take)" → When did you take your exam?
• "Joe stayed in bed all day because he was ill (get out)" → Joe didn’t get out of bed.
• "When did you begin playing with the band? (how long)" → How long have you played with the band?
• "My dad stopped smoking 20 years ago (for)" → My dad hasn’t smoked for 20 years.
• "We completed our project and then we left the library (after)" → We left the library after we had completed our project.

Compound Adjectives & Idiomatic Phrases

• User-friendly
• Cold spell
• Cutting-edge
• Waste of time
• Named after
• Brand-new
• Return ticket
• Bored to death
• Round-the-clock
• Ahead of time
• Under the weather
• Invasion of privacy
• Good for a laugh

Prepositional Phrases & Verb Combinations

• Prevent an accident from happening
• Wait for the bus
• Apply for a job
• Run away from home
• Give up smoking
• Get on with your sister
• Break up with your friend
• Put on weight
• Figure out a solution
• Come down with a cold
• Succeed in math
• Argue with a friend
• Drop out of school
• Speak up at a meeting
• Based on a novel
• Get around by bus
• Tired of the economic situation
• Protection from the sun
• Opposed to the new laws
• Intention of spending...
• Effect on (having a good effect)
• Grateful for everything
• Confidence in
• Sympathy for