Essential Vocabulary and Grammar for Technology

Vocabulary

Everyday Inventions:
digital camera = cámara digital
dishwasher = lavavajillas
e-reader = lector electrónico
fridge-freezer = nevera
headphones = auriculares
home cinema system = sistema de cine para el hogar
laptop = portatil
microwave oven = microondas
mobile phone = mòvil
MP3 player music system = reproductor MP3
remote control = control remoto
satnav = navegación por satélite
speaker = altavoz
vacuum cleaner = aspiradora
washing machine = lavadora

Operating Technology:
charge/recharge (a battery) = cargar/recargar
connect X to Y = conectar X a Y
insert = insertar
plug in = enchufar
press a button = presiona un botón
select (a network/a programme/a track/a function) = selecciona
switch/turn on/off = encender/apagar
tap (the screen) = tocar

Prepositional Phrases with Adjectives:
afraid of = miedo de
aware of = consciente de
bored with/of = aburrido con/de
different from/to = diferente de/a
good at/for = bueno en/para
interested in = interesado en
pleased with = complacido con
ready for = preparado para
responsible for = responsable de
similar to = similar a
tired of = cansada de
worried about = preocupada por

Grammar

The Passive
Subject + be + past participle (+ by + agent)

Present simple: The prizes are given at a ceremony.
Present continuous: This invention is being used by millions of people.
Present perfect: These computers have been used by NASA.
Past simple: The cat wasn’t invented in 1930.
Will: This type of energy will be used in the future.
Questions: Is the ceremony being shown on TV?
Has the ceremony been filmed?

Have Something Done

Subject+ have or get object + past participle (by + agent)

Present simple: I get my eyes tested once a year.
Present continuous: She is having a pizza delivered to her house.
Past simple: He had his hair cut.
Will: We will get our photo taken.

Gerunds and Infinitives

We use the gerund:

• as the subject or object of a sentence.
  Doing homework is useful.
• after prepositions.
  I'm worried about making mistakes.
• after verbs of liking or disliking, ex: like, love, enjoy, can’t stand, don’t mind…
  I don't like wasting
• with go to talk about physical activities.
  Go running, go swimming, go shopping…

We use the infinitive:

• to explain why somebody does something.
  Why did he go to the laboratory? To do an experiment.
• immediately after adjectives
  It's easy to answer that question.