Essential English Grammar and Phrasal Verbs Reference

English Grammar Rules

Adjective Order

Opinion, Size, Shape, Age, Colour, Origin, Material, Purpose.

Verb Patterns

• Be used to + -ing: Estar acostumbrado a.
• Get used to + -ing: Acostumbrarse a.
• Used to + infinitive: Solía.
• Suggest + that + subject + infinitive.
• Verb + object + to + infinitive: Advise, ask, beg, encourage, order, persuade, remind, warn, invite, tell.
• Verb + object + that + clause: Claim, admit, say, explain, promise, declare, insist, reveal, add, recommend, tell, remind, warn.
• Verb + gerund: Admit, deny, suggest, recommend.
• Verb + preposition + gerund: Accuse of, apologize for, blame for, congratulate on, insist on.
• Verb + to + infinitive: Agree, decide, offer, promise, refuse, threaten.

Gerunds vs. Infinitives

• Gerunds: Used after prepositions, as the subject, or with: can't help, can't stand, would mind, don't mind, be used to, get used to, feel like, it's no use, look forward to, continue, enjoy, finish, like, dislike, love, hate, miss, prefer, recommend, suggest.
• To + Infinitive: Used after adjectives, adverbs, or with: agree, appear, seem, choose, decide, expect, hope, learn, plan, promise, refuse, want, wish, advise, invite, tell, warn, teach, persuade, hear, feel, see. (Note: make and let take the bare infinitive).
• Both: Begin, propose, forbid, intend, start.

Phrasal Verbs and Vocabulary

Common Phrasal Verbs

• Relationships & Social: Ask out (invitar a salir), chat up (ligar), get over (olvidar), go out (salir), let down (decepcionar), split up (romper), get on with (llevarse bien con).
• Daily Life: Break down (estropearse), clear up (ordenar), come in (entrar), come over (venir), put up (poner/colgar), take down (quitar/retirar), wash up (fregar), set up (crear/montar), fill in (rellenar), hand in (entregar).
• Business & Progress: Get by (salir adelante), go up (subir/aumentar), look after (cuidar), shut down (cerrar), break into (dar el salto a/entrar), come out (salir al mercado), take off (despegar/quitarse), take up (empezar a/ocupar), turn down (rechazar/bajar), make up (hacer las paces/inventarse/compensar), take on (aceptar/contratar), catch up with (alcanzar).
• Shopping & Actions: Give out (repartir), go over (repetir), go through (repasar), pick up (aprender), call off (cancelar), join in (unirse a), sell out (agotarse), sign up (firmar/contratar), turn up (subir), warm up (ensayar), give away (regalar), go with (quedar bien con), take back (devolver), throw out (tirar), try on (probarse).

Adjectives & Idioms

• Adjectives: Latest, old-fashioned, pricey, reasonably priced, second-hand, sophisticated, top quality, trendy, childish (infantil), environmental, expensive, foolish (tonto), scenic, selfish (egoísta), specific, stylish.
• Idioms: Be on the same wavelength, over the moon (encantado), feel down (bajo de moral), under the weather (pocho), laugh your head off (partirse de risa).
• Phrasal Verbs for Feelings: Cheer up (animar), feel up to (tener ganas de), go through (pasar), look forward to (estar deseando), miss out on (perderse), sort out (solucionar).