English Vocabulary & Grammar Essentials for Fluency

Essential English Language Reference

This document provides a concise reference for key English vocabulary and fundamental grammar rules, designed to enhance your language skills and aid in achieving fluency.

Core Vocabulary & Concepts

General Terms & Opposites

• Reclaim - reclamar
• Interaction - interacción
• Understatement - infravaloración
• Extracurricular - extraescolar
• Judgement - criterio, indecisión
• Weakness - debilidad, fuerza
• Apathy - indiferencia, iniciativa
• Dishonesty - deshonestidad, integridad
• Willingness - disposición, reticencia

Specialized Vocabulary Sections

Legal & Justice Terminology

• Kidnap - secuestrar
• Bribe - soborno
• Witness - testigo
• Culprit - criminal
• Suspect - sospechoso
• Trial - juicio
• Court - tribunal
• Judge - juez
• Statement - declaración
• Burgle - robar una casa
• Jury - jurado
• Hostage - rehén
• Mug - asaltar
• Bulletproof - antibalas
• Smugglers - contrabandistas
• Murder - asesinato
• Fine - multa
• Pickpocket - carterista
• Burglar - ladrón

Fashion & Apparel Vocabulary

• Tracksuit - chándal
• Flashy - llamativo
• Smart - elegante
• Chunky - recargado
• Necklace - collar
• Hoodie - sudadera
• Belt - cinturón
• Tie - corbata

Journalism & Media Terms

• Broadsheets - periódicos serios
• Tabloids - periódicos sensacionalistas
• Chat Shows - debates
• Podcasts - emisiones por internet
• Scoop - primicia
• Current Affairs - temas de actualidad
• Breaking News - noticias de última hora
• Go Viral - popularizarse en internet

Travel & Camping Essentials

• Tent - tienda de campaña
• Beach Towel - toalla de playa
• Backpack - mochila

Key Grammar Structures

Verbs Followed by the Infinitive (to + verb)

These verbs are typically followed by to + infinitive:

• afford
• agree
• appear
• arrange
• ask
• attempt
• be able to
• choose
• decide
• demand
• deserve
• expect
• help
• have to
• hope
• intend
• learn
• manage
• need
• offer
• plan
• prepare
• promise
• refuse
• seem
• threaten
• want
• wish
• would (e.g., would like)

Verbs & Prepositions Followed by the Gerund (-ing form)

These verbs and prepositions are typically followed by the -ing form (gerund):

• admit
• advise
• avoid
• be used to
• can’t help
• can’t stand
• consider
• deny
• discuss
• dislike
• don’t mind
• enjoy
• finish
• imagine
• postpone
• keep
• look forward to
• miss
• suggest

Also, remember the rule: Preposition + -ing form (e.g., interested in learning).

Connecting Ideas & Discourse Markers

Use these words and phrases to link sentences and paragraphs effectively.

Concessive & Result Connectors

• In spite of (+ verb -ing / noun phrase)
• As a result of
• Although
• Despite (+ verb -ing / noun phrase)
• Both... and...
• Neither... nor... (tampoco)

Adding Information & Contrast

• However
• Moreover
• Nevertheless (sin embargo)
• Furthermore (además)
• In order to (para)
• Whereas (mientras que)
• Due to (debido a)
• So (así que)
• As well as (así como)

Intensifiers & Quantifiers: So, Such, Too, Enough

• So + adjective/adverb (e.g., so tired, so quickly)
• Such + (adjective) + noun (e.g., such a good idea, such beauty)
• Too + adjective/adverb (e.g., too difficult, too slowly)
• Adjective/adverb + enough (e.g., tall enough, fast enough)
• Enough + noun (e.g., enough money, enough time)

Mastering Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

When reporting what someone said, tenses and time/place expressions often change.

Tense Changes in Reported Speech

• Present Simple → Past Simple
• Present Continuous → Past Continuous
• Past Simple → Past Perfect
• Past Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
• Present Perfect → Past Perfect
• Present Perfect Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
• Will → Would
• Must / Have to → Had to
• Shall → Should
• Can → Could
• May → Might

Time & Place Expression Changes

• Yesterday → the day before / the previous day
• Tomorrow → the day after / the following day
• Today → that day
• Now → at that moment / then
• Next month → the following month
• Last month → the previous month
• Tomorrow morning → the next morning / the following morning
• Tonight → that night
• This → that
• These → those
• Here → there

Reporting Questions & Commands

• Yes/No Questions: Use if or whether.
  Example: He asked if/whether I played...
• Wh- Questions: Use the question word.
  Example: He asked what my favorite color was.
• Commands/Requests: Use an infinitive construction.
  Verbs like order, command, ask, beg, request are followed by (object) + to + infinitive.
  Example: He asked me to open the door.